Download Biogeochemical cycles

Biogeochemical cycles
• Pathway by which a chemical element or
compounds cycle through both organisms
(bio) and nonliving compartments of Earth
(geo)
– Closed system- chemicals are recycled instead of
being lost and replenished constantly
– Reservoir- where element is held for a long period
of time
• Living organism (biosphere)
• Nonliving reservoirs (hydrosphere, lithosphere,
atmosphere)
• Common biogeochemical cycles
– Hydrologic cycle- movement of water
– Carbon cycle
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Biosphere: carbohydrates, calcium carbonate
Hydrosphere: carbon dioxide, carbonates
Lithosphere: carbonates
Atmosphere: carbon dioxide
• Carbon cycle
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https://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/489/501403/CDA51_1/CDA51_
1a/CDA51_1a.htm
• Nitrogen cycle
– Biosphere: amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids
(DNA, RNA) chlorophyll
– Hydrosphere: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
– Lithosphere: N/A
– Atmosphere: nitrogen gas
• Phosphorous cycle
– Biosphere: nucleotides (ATP, DNA, RNA),
phospholipids
– Hydrosphere: phosphates
– Lithosphere: phosphates
– Atmosphere: N/S