Title: Biogeochemical Cycles
1Biogeochemical Cycles
23 Fundamental Laws of Nature
- Conservation of Matter
- 1st Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of
Energy) - 2nd Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy)
3EarthMatter does not come and go
Earth is a Closed System to Matter
4Biogeochemical CyclesReservoirs Pathways
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
5Some Major Cycles of Matter
- Water Cycle
- Rock Cycle
- Chemical Cycles
- Carbon
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorous
- Sulfur
6Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
7Carbon Cycle Reservoirs
Atmosphere
1x ( 7.3x1017 grams carbon)
Biosphere
3x
55x
35,000x
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
8Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
9Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
10Carbon Cycle
Human Impacts
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Net Effect Increase in Carbon in Atmosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
11Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
northern winter
northern summer
12(No Transcript)
13Nitrogen Cycle
Atmosphere
Denitification bacteria
Biosphere
- Nitrogen fixation
- bacteria
- lightning
Absorption
Waste Decomposition
Erosion
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
14Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Root Nodules
15Nitrogen Cycle
Human Impacts
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Net Effect Increase in Nitrogen in water soil
- Nitrogen fixation
- industrial (fertilizer)
- combustion
Increased Erosion
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
16Phosphorous Cycle
Never enters the atmosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Absorption
Waste Decomposition
Weathering Erosion
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Absorption
Sedimentation
17Phosphorous Cycle
Human Impacts
Biosphere
Net Effect Increase in phosphorous in water
algal blooms Depletion in soils
Mining, use (fertilizer, detergent, etc.)
increased runoff
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
More Phos. for organisms
18Eutrophication
19ImpactRed Tide
20Sulfur Cycle
Bacteria Absorption
Atmosphere
Bacteria Release
Biosphere
Volcanoes Weathering
Absorption
Precipitation
Waste Decomposition
Weathering
Evaporation
Sedimentation
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Absorption
Deep Sea Vents
21Sulfur Cycle
Human Impacts
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Net Effect Increase in atmosphere (health
effects) and acid rain
Precipitation Acid Rain
Burning Fossil Fuels
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
22What is the ultimate interface of all 4
reservoirs for these cycles?
Soil