Natures Cycles

Carbon, Water, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur

Carbon Cycle

In the atmosphere:

Carbon is most abundant as CO2 and

methane
CO2 is introduced by human
activities (burning fuels) and animal
respiration
CO2 leaves when absorbed by plants
in the process of photosynthesis

In the land:

Organic carbon is stored in land

organisms as well as in soils
1/3 of soil carbon is inorganic (i.e.
calcium carbonate)
CO2 is released through hotspots and
volcanoes or when carbonate rocks
decompose

In the ocean:

The surface holds mostly actively

cycled dissolved organic carbon while
deeper layers hold more dissolved
inorganic carbon
CO2 is converted to organic carbon by
organisms for food or precipitated to
deeper waters to be deposited as
sediments or eventually resurfaced

Increase carbon in
the atmosphere>>
CO2 and CH4
greenhouse gases
causes global
warming
Increased ocean
acidity by
carbonic acid
(H2CO3)
Shift toward CO2
favored plant
species + other
changes in
ecosystems
Anticipated rise
in sea levels
Soil oxidation
means less
carbon capacity

Anthropogenic Disturbances

 Precipitation: water
falls in the form of rain,
snow, sleet, or hail

Runoff: surface or

channel pathway for

water to flow

Infiltration: surface
water flows into soil
and ground

Water Cycle

Evaporation: water

changes from liquid to

gas to be absorbed into
the atmosphere

Transpiration:

plants and soil release

water into the
atmosphere

Condensation:

water vapor is changed

to liquid droplets to
form clouds or fogs

Anthropogenic Disturbances
Deforestation, Dredging, Drainage, Irrigation, ETC:
Less tree capacity to regulate Earths watershed in times of flood and drought
Species losses, invasions, and changes in distribution
Loss of soil fertility and soil erosions
Increased CO2 contribute to ocean acidity
Pollution:
Fertilizer runoffs= global warming, increased acid rain (NO2)
Threats to public health- metals, pesticides, and chemicals
*Anthropogenic induced climate change: extreme weather events, melting snowcaps,
rise in sea levels

Nitrogen Cycle
1. Nitrogen Fixation: atmospheric nitrogen is combined with hydrogen to form ammonia (by lightning,
but usually by bacteria)
Nitrification: ammonia is converted to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate

2.
3/4. Assimilation: plant absorbs the nitrate and animals eat plant
5/6. Ammonification: organic nitrogen is expelled and converted back to ammonium
7. Denitrification: nitrate is reduced back to inert N2 gas

Synthetic N Fertilizer

Anthropogenic Disturbances

Accumulations of nitrogen in surface and groundwater can lead to cancer and respiratory
issues
Eutrophication: nutrient over-enriched bodies of water increases frequencies of harmful
algae bloom blocks sunlight, preventing photosynthesis and oxygenation>> suffocates
organisms>> species shifts
Reactive nitrogen (NO3- and NH4+) can enter the atmosphere: as smog component (NO)
>> leading to respiratory illness and acid rain inducing changes in ecosystems; as
greenhouse gas N2O>> global warming + ozone depletion

Phosphorus Cycle
Introduction
Weathering rocks adds
phosphorus into water and
soil; water dissolves
phosphorus
Plants absorb phosphate
Consumers eat the plant
Back
Expelled waste and decay
returns phosphorus into
water and is reabsorbed
Runoffs carry phosphorus
into ocean, becoming
concentrates in marine
sediments

 Deforestation:
erosion of soil carry
phosphorus in
runoffs
Phosphorus as
fertilizer: runoffs
cause eutrophication
leading to excess
fish-kill events and
changes in
ecosystems
Use of sulfuric acid
to calcium phosphate
into phosphate
fertilizer

Anthropogenic Disturbances

Sulfur Cycle

The Sulfur Cycle

SO2 and SO4 are
naturally emitted by
volcanoes and forest
fires
Micro-organisms and
plants assimilate and
convert it organic form
Animals eat plant>
decomposition +
expelled waste returns
sulfur

Anthropogenic Disturbances
Burning of coal and fossil fuels: introduces SO for acid rain (SO4)> forest
degradation, leeching nutrients from soil
SO2 concentrations can kill plants= ecological problems
SO2 increase ocean acidity= ecological problems i.e. coral bleaching, species
displacement, evolution?
Mining: mineral sulfide exposed to oxygen in mine drainage= increase acidity>
biological + environmental degradation
Mining + transport= dust and soot particles, leading to health problems SO2 + NO=
smog + respiratory and cardiovascular problems