BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

LECTURER: Mr. Faisal Arrieta Alonto Jr., M.S. Biology

Nitrogen Cycle

All life requires nitrogen-compounds, e.g., proteins and nucleic acids. Air, which is 79% nitrogen gas (N2), is the major reservoir of nitrogen. But most organisms cannot use nitrogen in this form. Plants must secure their nitrogen in "fixed" form, i.e., incorporated in compounds such as: nitrate ions ammonia urea Animals secure their nitrogen (and all other) compounds from plants (or animals that have fed on plants).

5 Processes in Nitrogen Cycle

nitrogen fixation Ammonification Assimilation nitrification denitrification

Three processes are responsible for most of the nitrogen fixation in the biosphere:

atmospheric fixation by lightning biological fixation by certain microbes alone or in a symbiotic relationship with some plants and animals industrial fixation the use of fertilizers

Assimilation

The process of converting ammonium ions (NH3-) into organic nitrogen (amino acids and protein)

Ammonification

When plants or animals die or produce wastes their nitrogen containing molecules are broken down and the nitrogen is released in the form of ammonia.

Nitrification

The process where ammonium is converted into nitrite (NO2-) then into nitrate (NO3-)by nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Denitrification

The process wherein nitrate (NO3-) is converted into atmospheric nitrogen (N2) by the denitrifying bacteria and return it to the atmosphere

Atmospheric fixation by Lighting

Assimilation Biological fixation By: microorganisms (nitrogen-fixing bacteria)

Denitrification By: Denitrifying bacteria Nitrification By: nitrifying bacteria

Ammonification By: Ammonifying bacteria

WATER CYCLE or Hydrologic Cycle

Processes involved in water cycle

Evaporation (vapor) Condensation (water) Transpiration (plants) Sublimation (ice and snow) Precipitation (rain) Infiltration (underground water) Run-off (directed in the bodies of water)

Carbon Cycle

Major processes involved Photosynthesis Respiration

1. 2.

Carbon cycle

Processes in Phosphorus Cycle

Decomposition converting the organic compound into inorganic compound which may contain phosphate Leaching bringing the phosphate compound in bodies of water Sedimentation deposition of sediments with phosphate materials at the bottom of the ocean Weathering phosphate becomes available from the breakdown of rocks for plant use

PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

Sulfur Cycle

The storage of sulfur in the various compartments of Earth and its biosphere, and the many transfers occurring among them, is referred to as the sulfur cycle. Sulfur (S) occurs in the environment in many chemical forms, including organic and mineral compounds, either of which can be chemically transformed by both biological and inorganic processes.

Sulfur Cycle