Cycles of Matter More Than Just Energy All

Cycles of Matter

More Than Just Energy • All living organisms need energy to survive, but they also need…. . 1. Water 2. Minerals 3. And other life sustaining compounds. • These additional necessities are referred to as nutrients

Nutrient Cycles • Every living organism needs nutrients to grow and carry out essential life functions. • Nutrients are passed between organisms and the environment through biogeochemical cycles.

Recycling In the Biosphere • Unlike the one way flow of energy (from sun/inorganic chemicals to producers & consumers), matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

Biogeochemical Cycle • A cycle in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another, and from one part of the biosphere to another. • Connects the biological, chemical, and geological aspects of the biosphere.

• Nutrients are often in short supply. • Recycling in necessary to keep ecosystems functioning. • Recycling prevents many chemicals from reaching toxic concentrations.

Water Cycle • All living things require H 20 to survive. • This H 20 is recycled throughout the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle • Carbon is the key ingredient in all living organisms. • Carbon is found in the ocean, air, and in certain rocks. • Of all the carbon on the Earth, less than 1% actively circulates within the biosphere.

4 Diff types processes in the C cycle 1. Biological- ex. Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition. 2. Geochemical- the release of CO 2 into the atmosphere by volcanoes. 3. Mixed biochemical processes- the burial of carbon rich remains of organisms, then the conversion of these organisms into coal and fossil fuels. 4. Human activity- mining, burning fossil fuels, etc.

Nitrogen Cycle • Nitrogen is used to make amino acids, which are used to make proteins. • N 2 gas makes up 78% of air. • NH 3 (ammonia), nitrate, & nitrite are found in organism waste.

Nitrogen Fixation • Nitrogen gas is the most abundant form of nitrogen. • Only certain types of bacteria can use this type of nitrogen. • They convert nitrogen gas into ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. This is called nitrogen fixation.

• Once the bacteria “fix” the nitrogen, plants can use the nitrogen to make proteins. • Consumers can then eat the plants and obtain the proteins and the nitrogen. • Consumers die and are decomposed returning the N to the soil in the form of ammonium • Bacteria can now convert this N back into N gas using the process of denitrification

The Phosphorus Cycle • Phosphorus is essential to organisms because it helps forms important molecules like DNA and RNA • Most phosphorus exists in the form of inorganic phosphate. • Inorganic phosphate is released into the soil and water as sediments wear down.

• Phosphate, eventually enters the ocean, where it is used by marine organisms. • Some phosphate stays on land cycles between organisms and the soil. Plants bind the phosphates into organic compounds like proteins.