Biogeochemical Cycles

the flow of essential elements from the environment to living things and back to the environment

hydrologic cycle carbon cycle nitrogen cycle phosphorus cycle

consists of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection

major storage location

processes through which each element incorporates into terrestrial plants and animals

the processes through which each element returns to the environment

liquid to gas

gas to a liquid

any form of water that falls from the sky

process in the water cycle during which streams and rivers carry water back to the oceans

oceans, air (water vapor), groundwater, glaciers

plants absorb water from soil animals drink water/eat other organisms

plants transpire animals/plants decompose

the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back.

atmosphere (as carbon dioxide) fossil fuels peat organic material (cellulose)

plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis animals eat plants/other animals

plants and animals- decomposition and respiration

the cycle in which nitrogen gas is changed into forms of nitrogen that plants can use

nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia soil

plants absorb the nitrogen includes nitrification and nitrogen fixation

process by which certain bacteria convert ammonium to nitrates

process by which certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas to ammonia

denitrificatiion excretory systems ammonification

conversion of nitrates in the soil by bacteria into nitrogen gas

decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia

the movement of phosphorus atoms from rocks through the biosphere and hydrosphere and back to rocks

rocks, ocean sediments

plants absorb inorganic phosphorus

plants and animals release phosphorus when they decompose