Cycling of Materials

1
Cycling of Materials

• The Carbon Cycle the process by which carbon is
  cycled between the atmosphere, land, water and
  organisms.
• Carbon is necessary for life. Proteins, fats, and
  carbohydrates all contain carbon.

2
Carbon Cycle

• Short Term when consumers eat producers, the
  consumers obtain carbon from the carbohydrates.

3
Carbon Cycle

• Long Term carbon is converted into carbonates,
  the hard parts of bones and shells. These do not
  break down easily.
• Some carbohydrates are converted into fats, oils,
  and other molecules that store energy. These
  deposits are known as fossil fuels.

4
The Carbon Cycle
5
Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen is used to build proteins, which build
  new cells.
• Nitrogen makes up about 78 of the gases in the
  atmosphere.
• Nitrogen must be fixed by nitrogen-fixing
  bacteria in order for living organisms to obtain
  nitrogen.

6
The Nitrogen Cycle
7
Phosphorus Cycle

• Phosphorus is contained in many molecules that
  make up the cells of living organisms.
• The cycling of phosphorus occurs mostly in the
  environment and does not usually occur in the
  atmosphere.

8
The Phosphorus Cycle
9
Human Impact

• Carbon burning of fossil fuels.
• Global warming
• Acid Rain
• Nitrogen and Phosphorus used in fertilizers
• Runoff causes algal blooms which destroys
  aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen.
• Nitrogen- Acid Rain