Nutrient Cycles

aka Biogeochemical Cycles

matter that organisms must
have to survive

1. Water Cycle

involves: evaporation, condensation,

precipitation, infiltration, runoff,
percolation, and transpiration
* absolute humidity actual amt of
water vapor in the air
* relative humidity absolute humidity
by the amt of water vapor the air can
hold at that temp.
X 100 = %

high temps = more H2O vapor the air can hold

* precipitation will only occur if water

vapor has condensed around tiny
particles called . . .
CONDENSATION NUCLEI
can be volcanic ash, dust,
smoke, sea salts, particulates
from factories & cars
How do humans affect the water cycle?

Carbon is a Girl'
s Best Friend

2. Carbon Cycle

- primary component of all organic compounds

(carbs, fats, proteins,DNA)
- based on CO2
- includes 2 biological processes . . . .

a.

b. Respiration

carbon dioxide
water

glucose
oxygen

mitochondria

Areas on Earth where

large amounts of a
nutrient is stored are
known as SINKS or
RESERVOIRS
A major sink for carbon is the oceans.
- CO2 is dissolved in the water.
- Much carbon is also found
in the form of CaCO3 to
build shells and skeletons
of sea organisms

How do humans affect the carbon cycle?

3. Nitrogen Cycle
All organisms must have nitrogen as it is
an essential component of DNA, RNA, and
proteinsthe building blocks of life.
The largest single source of nitrogen
on Earth is in the atmosphere.

N2 makes up 78% of our air!

In one of natures
great ironies
The majority of the air we breathe is N2,
however most living organisms are unable
to use nitrogen in that form!

How does N2 get

changed into a
form that can be
used by most
living organisms?

(1) Nitrogen Fixation

(4) Denitrification
Nitrogen
Cycle

(3) Nitrification

(2) Ammonification

* Nitrogen fixation conversion of N2 to

NH3

There are two types of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria

Symbiotic bacteria
live in nodules on the
roots of legume
plants (peas,
soybeans, alfalfa)
and provide the
plants with ammonia
Symbiotic Bacteria (NH3) in exchange for
(fixes 70% of N2)
the plants carbon
and a protected
home.

Free Living Bacteria

* Ammonification conversion of amino acids

from decaying organisms to NH +
Bacteria converts organic
nitrogen to ammonium

Ammonium (NH4+) can be

used directly by some
plants

Ammonium (NH4+)
may also be stored
in the soil

* Nitrification conversion of NH3 to NO2and NO3- (occurs in bacteria)

Nitrifying bacteria in soil combine
ammonia with oxygen

Ammonia changes to nitrites

Nitrifying bacteria in soil convert

nitrites to nitrates

Ammonia

Nitrites

Nitrates

(NH3)

(NO2-)

(NO3-)

Plants absorb nitrates

* Denitrification conversion of forms of

nitrogen back to N2 by
bacteria
Nitrogen in atmosphere

closes the nitrogen cycle!

(NO3-)

Other ways that nitrogen

returns to the
atmosphere

Emissions from industrial combustion and

gasoline engines create nitrous oxides gas
(N2O).

Volcano eruptions emit

nitrous oxides gas (N2O).

How do humans affect the nitrogen cycle?

4. Phosphorus Cycle

- Found mostly in proteins, lipids and

nucleic acids.
- Circulates
through
water,
organisms
and rock
- Very little
found in the
atmosphere

- major limiting factor in plant growth so

it is a main ingredient in fertilizer

5. Sulfur Cycle

- In organisms, found mostly in proteins

- Most of Earths sulfur is stored as SO4-2
underground in rocks and minerals in
addition to ocean sediments.

How do humans affect the sulfur cycle?