Biogeochemical

Cycles

Presented by:
Alok Kumar Chandrakar

Objectives
Identify and describe the flow of nutrients
in each biogeochemical cycle
Explain the impact that humans have on
the biogeochemical cycles

Two Secrets of Survival: Energy Flow

and Matter Recycle

An

ecosystem survives by a combination of

energy flow and matter recycling.

MATTER CYCLING IN ECOSYSTEMS

Nutrient Cycles: Global Recycling

Global Cycles recycle nutrients through the earths

air, land, water, and living organisms.

Nutrients are the elements and compounds that

organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce.

Biogeochemical cycles move these substances

through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms.

Biogeochemical Cycle

Biogeochemical cycles are cycling of chemical

elements or nutrients from the abiotic
environment to organism and then back to the
abiotic environment.

The pathway by which chemical circulate through

ecosystem involve both living (biotic) and
nonliving (geological) components.

Involved organism (bio), environmental geology

(geo) & chemical changes (chemical)

Generalized
Biogeochemical Cycle
Most important are:
The water cycle
The carbon cycle
The nitrogen cycle
The phosphorus cycle
The Sulfur cycle

The circulation of chemicals in these biogeochemical

cycles and interactions between cycles are critical for
the maintenance of terrestrial, freshwater and marine
ecosystems. Global climate change, temperature,
precipitation and ecosystem stability are all dependent
upon biogeochemical cycles

Water Unique Properties

There are strong forces of attraction between molecules of

water
Water exists as a liquid over a wide temperature range
Liquid water changes temperature slowly
It takes a large amount of energy for water to evaporate
Liquid water can dissolve a variety of compounds
Water expands when it freezes.

Water cycle

Effects of Human Activities

on Water Cycle
We alter the water cycle by:

Withdrawing large amounts of freshwater.

Clearing vegetation and eroding soils.

Polluting surface and underground water.

Contributing to climate change.

Carbon dioxide - Oxygen Cycle

CO2 is needed by plants in photosynthesis

(making food) and is a greenhouse gas.
O2 is needed by organisms in respiration
(getting energy from food).
Processes:
1.
2.
3.

Photosynthesis
Respiration
Combustion

Carbon dioxide-Oxygen Cycle

1.

Photosynthesis

the process by which plants make food

(glucose)
CO2 + H2O sunlight C6H12O6 + O2

releases O2 into the air

Carbon dioxide-Oxygen Cycle

2.

Respiration

the process by which living things get energy

by burning food
C6H12O6 + O2
CO2 + H2O + energy

releases CO2 into the air

Carbon dioxide-Oxygen Cycle

3.

Combustion

the process by which fuels are burned to

release energy (heat)
fuel + O2
CO2 + heat

releases CO2 into the air

Carbon dioxide - Oxygen Cycle

Human Activities
1.

2.

Deforestation

Increased CO2 global warming

Decreased O2

Burning fossil fuels

Increased CO2 global warming

Air pollution

Mining Fossil Fuels

Clearing Vegetation:

www.pewclimate.org/ images/figure4.gif

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is needed by all organisms for cellbuilding.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is inert and needs
to be changed into more reactive forms.
Reactive forms of nitrogen: ammonium
(NH4+), nitrates (NO3-)

Nitrogen Cycle

Processes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen uptake or assimilation
Decomposition
Nitrification
Denitrification

Nitrogen Cycle
Human Activities
1.

Using synthetic nitrogen fertilizers

2.

Increased agricultural production

Contamination of groundwater
Algal blooms
Fish kills

Burning fossil fuels

Air pollution
Acid rain
Global warming

Phosphorous cycle

Effects of Human Activities

on the Phosphorous Cycle
We

remove large amounts of phosphate from

the earth to make fertilizer.
We reduce phosphorous in tropical soils by
clearing forests.
We add excess phosphates to aquatic
systems from runoff of animal wastes and
fertilizers.

Sulphur cycle

Effects of Human Activities

on the Sulfur Cycle
We

add sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere by:

Burning coal and oil

Refining sulfur containing petroleum.
Convert sulfur-containing metallic ores into free
metals such as copper, lead, and zinc releasing
sulfur dioxide into the environment.

The End