Ella Clark AP Environmental Science Period 1 Biogeocycles Carbon Cycle The global circulation of carbon from the environment

to living organisms and back to the environment Equation for Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O + Radiant Energy C6H12O6 + 6O2 Equation for Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy Carbon is in the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Also in the ocean in the form of dissolve CO2: carbonate (CO32-), Bicarbonate (HCO3-). Also in sedimentary rocks (CaCO3) During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and certain bacteria remove CO 2 from the air and fix it into chemical compounds such as sugar and produce Oxygen. Photosynthesis incorporates carbon from the abiotic environment into the biological compounds of producers. Those compounds are usually used as fuel for cellular respiration. Consumer eats the producer, or by a decomposer that breaks down the remains of the produce or consumer (cellular respiration returns CO2 to atmosphere). Carbon in fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and wood can return to the atmosphere by combustion. Increase CO2 in the atmosphere shows the increase in combustion (humans), the earth tries to fix itself by having plants/photosynthetic organisms take in more CO2 Decrease in O2 occurs when there are fewer plants to consume the CO2. The rate of photosynthesis is lower than the rate of cellular respiration. This is occurring now: previous amount of O2 in air-20% now-18% Nitrogen Cycle The global circulation of nitrogen from the environment to living organisms and back to the environment First step- nitrogen fixation- conversion of N2 to NH3 Second step- nitrification- conversion of NH3(ammonia) or NH4(ammonium) to NO3(nitrate) is nitrification Two Steps: Ammonia/Ammonium to Nitrite, then Nitrite to Nitrate Third step- assimilation- nitrate is absorbed into plant proteins and nucleic acids Fourth step- ammonification- biological nitrogen compounds converted into ammonia and ammonium ions Denitrification reduction of nitrate to gaseous nitrogen NO3N2

Phosphorus Cycle The global circulation of phosphorus from the environment to living organisms and back to the environment Phosphorus cycles from the land to sediments in the ocean and back to ghe land. Weathering and Erosion of phosphorus-containing minerals releases phosphorus into the soil and is absorbed by plants in the form of inorganic phosphates (ATP and nucleic acid) Dissolved phosphorus enters aquatic communities through absorption and assimilation by algae and plants, the consumed by plankton and larger organisms. Fishes eat plankton in turn. Ultimately decomposers that break down wastes and dead organisms release inorganic phosphorus into the water and is available for aquatic producers to use again. Sulfur Cycle Sulfur gases enter the atmosphere from natural sources in both ocean and land. Sea spray, forest fires, dust storms, volcanoes are sources of sulfur. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with oxygen to form sulfur oxides, which react with water to form sulfuric acid (acid rain). Plant roots absorb sulfate and assimilate it by incorporating the sulfur into plant proteins. Animals assimilate sulfur when they consume plant proteins and convert them into animal proteins. In freshwater wetlands, tidal flats, and flooded soils, which are oxygen-deficient, certain bacteria convert sulfates to hydrogen sulfide gas, which are oxygen-deficient, certain bacteria convert sulfates to hydrogen sulfide gas, which is released into the atmosphere, or to metallic sulfides, which are deposited as rock. Where oxygen is present, different bacteria oxidize sulfur compounds to sulfate. Hydrologic Cycle Water continuously circulates from the ocean to the atmosphere to the land and back to the ocean. Water moves from the atmosphere to the land and ocean in the form of precipitation. Evaporation- ocean surface and from soil, streams, rivers, and lakes on land to the atmosphere Transpiration-loss of water vapor from land plants, adds water to the atmosphere Runoff- direct movement of water from land to bodies of water (ultimately the ocean)