biogeochemical cycles. introduction most elements can exist in different states and chemical forms...
TRANSCRIPT
Biogeochemical Cycles
Introduction• Most elements can exist in different
states and chemical forms as they move within and between the 4 spheres.
Examples of elements:______________• Elements exist in different compounds as
they move from one reservoir to another. Examples of compounds:_____________• Elements and compounds have
significant impacts on the spheres, as well as on the well-being of living things.
The Cycles
• The water cycle, the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, etc. all involve _____________ among the four spheres of Earth.
• A cycle is a __________ of events that _________.
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
Hydrosphere-Atmosphere Interactions
• Heat from Sun causes water to evaporate becoming water vapor, the gaseous state of water.
• Water vapor rises/cools becoming clouds and forming precipitation. Precipitation falls down to Earth and fills the rivers, streams etc.
The Hydrologic Cycle
• Water cycles through the Earth system in solid, liquid and gas forms, but the total amount of water remains relatively CONSTANT.
Hydrosphere-Atmosphere Interactions
• Evapotranspiration- the rapid cycling of water vapor into the atmosphere by evaporation from the Earth’s surface and transpiration from plants.
• When water returns to the oceans, one turn of the water cycle is complete. Water is never created or destroyed only changed!!!
Carbon Cycle-All life is based on elemental carbon!
Carbon Cycle• Not much in Earth’s crust (mostly oxygen and
silicon)• Carbon extracted from atmosphere through
photosynthesis• Combines w/other elements to form many organic
molecules• Transferred to organisms who consume plants• Returns to atmosphere when organism
decomposes• Becomes trapped in sediment; forms fossil fuels---
back to atmosphere (when we burn)
Carbon Sinks/Reservoirs
Stored in sinks (reservoirs) in spheres:• Biosphere- molecules in dead and
living things; organic matter in soils• Atmosphere- CO2 gas• Geosphere- fossil fuels in
sedimentary rock• Hydrosphere- in oceans as dissolved
atmospheric CO2; calcium carbonate in shells
Carbon Sinks/Reservoirs
Carbon Sinks/ReservoirsSink Amount Billions of Metric TonsAtmosphere 578 (as of 1700)
766 (as of 1999)Soil Organic Matter 1500 to 1600Ocean 38,000 to 40,000Marine Sediments/Sed Rocks
66,000,000 to 100,000,000Terrestrial Plants 540 to 610Fossil Fuel Deposits 4000
Lake Nyos• Crater lake w/in Oku volcanic field;
extinct stratovolcano• Pocket of magma leaks CO2 into
water• One of only 3 lakes w/CO2 saturation• Named “most dangerous lake” by
Guinness Book of World Records
Lake Nyos Disaster
• Sudden outgassing of 1.6 million tons of CO2
• Cloud rose 100 km• Displaced air; suffocated 1700 people
w/in 25km• Rising water generated wave
Lake Nyos Disaster• CO2 1.5 times more dense than air• Caused cloud to “hug” the ground as
it travelled• Natural dam could fail, causing floods• Scientists using “degassing” method
Nitrogen Cycle-All life requires nitrogen compounds!
Nitrogen Cycle
• The nitrogen in the air is absorbed by bacteria in the soil or water
• The bacteria chemically change nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds, which are vital to the growth of plants.
• Animals eat the plants, absorbing the nitrogen
• As animals decay nitrogen reenters the soil and chemical processes release nitrogen back into the atmosphere
Nitrogen ReservoirsExists in many forms-organic, ammonium,
nitrate, nitrogen gas• Atmosphere- ~78 % as N2 gas ***MAJOR
RESERVIOR!• Biosphere- used by living organisms to
build amino acids, DNA, & proteins; organic matter in oceans and soils
• Hydrosphere-deposited from atmosphere via precipitation
• Geosphere- small amounts
Nitrogen Fixation/Nitrification
• N2 not usable by living things• “Fixed” to organic form in soil and
water by bacteria• Both N atoms separate and combine
with hydrogen to form NH4 (ammonia)
• Ammonia toxic to most organisms---plants convert to nitrate (NO3)
Lightening and Nitrogen Fixation
• *Lightning plays a minor part in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. The extreme heat of a lightning flash causes nitrogen to combine with oxygen of the air to form nitrogen oxides. The oxides combine with moisture in the air. The fixed nitrogen is carried by rain to the earth, where, in the form of nitrates, it is used by plants.
Nitrification/Denitrification
Nitrification/Denitrification
Denitrification
• When plants and animals die, or excrete waste, nitrogen re-enters soil where decomposers break down and produce ammonia, then nitrate
• Gets back to atmosphere by bacteria that convert nitrate (NO3) into N2 gas
Human Impacts
• Nitrogen fertilizers-increase denitrification; leach into groundwater…
• Fossil fuel and forest burning-release solid N into atmosphere
• Livestock ranching- releases large amounts of ammonia into soil/water from wastes
• Sewage waste/leaking septic tanks
Phosphorus Cycle