THE

BIOGEOCHEMICAL
CYCLES
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL SERIES 1
THE CARBON CYCLE 2
What is it for? 3
Why is it important? 4
THE NITROGEN CYCLE 5
What is it for? 6-7

Why is it important? 8
THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE 9
What is it for? 10

Why is it important? 11
THE WATER CYCLE 12
What is it for? 13

Why is it important? 14
 THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL
CYCLE

 The biogeochemical cycle involves the

movement of ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS through
the biotic and abiotic components of an
ecosystem.

 This knowledge simplifies the

“biogeochemical cycle”. In this case, “bio”
means the biotic system, “geo” means the
geological system, and "chemical" means
the elements that are observed as they
move through a “cycle”, resulting in the
name The Biogeochemical Cycles

 We will discuss four biogeochemical cycles in

this portfolio: the carbon cycle, the nitrogen
cycle, the phosphorus cycle, and the water
cycle, which are all biogeochemical cycles.

PAGE 1
THE CARBON CYCLE

PAGE 2
PAGE 3
 WHAT IS IT FOR?
In all living things, carbon is an essential component. Oceans, the
atmosphere, and even rocks on earth contain carbon. Carbon plays two
main roles in organisms' lives: it is a structural component of organic
molecules and plays a crucial role in the chemical storage of energy.

CO2 is the most common form of carbon in the atmosphere. Plants use
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and carbon becomes part of the plant.
Due to its greenhouse gas properties, carbon dioxide traps heat in the
atmosphere. This greenhouse gas is important in preventing the Earth from
freezing without it, however, anthropogenic activity has resulted in a large
build-up of it. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere when fossil
fuels are burned,

There is a movement or cycling of carbon between living (biotic) and

nonliving (abiotic) environments. The process of photosynthesis fixes
carbon in the atmosphere, and respiration releases it back into the
atmosphere.

The most accessible source of carbon is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

It is aerobic respiration that returns carbon to the atmosphere as carbon
dioxide:
C6H12O6 (aq) +6O2 (g)  6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l)

The combustion of fossil fuels (coal, wood, hydrocarbons) releases carbon

dioxide into the atmosphere. Various activities can cause combustion,
including natural processes and human activities.

Carbon fixation occurs during the process of photosynthesis when plants

remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to make carbohydrates.
Sunlight provides the energy for this reaction: 6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l) =
C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g)

Carbon dioxide is quite soluble and huge amounts are removed from the
atmosphere when it dissolves in the oceans: CO2 (g) + H2O (l) HCO3- + H+
(aq)

PAGE 4
Weathering and precipitation account for a minute portion of the yield of
carbon in the biosphere.

Sedimentation is also partly responsible for the removal of carbon from the
carbon reservoirs. Calcareous rocks such as limestone are formed from the
skeletal remains of microscopic organisms which previously combined
carbon dioxide with calcium to form Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3).

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The carbon cycle is crucial because it regulates the flow of carbon,
a fundamental element for life on Earth, between the atmosphere,
land, oceans, and living organisms. Here's why it's important:
1. Climate Regulation: The carbon cycle helps control Earth's
climate by regulating the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2) in
the atmosphere. Too much CO2 can lead to global warming and
climate change.
2. Photosynthesis: Plants and phytoplankton absorb CO 2 during
photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter. This process
provides the oxygen we breathe and forms the base of the food
chain.
3. Food Production: Carbon is transferred through the food web as
organisms eat each other. This sustains ecosystems and provides
food for humans and animals.
4. Soil Fertility: Decomposition of organic matter in soils adds
carbon and nutrients, improving soil fertility for agriculture.
5. Geological Processes: The carbon cycle interacts with geological
processes, such as the formation of carbonate rocks, which store
carbon over long periods.

PAGE 5
In summary, the carbon cycle is vital for maintaining Earth's
climate, supporting life, and ensuring the functioning of
ecosystems, making it essential for the well-being of our planet
and all its inhabitants.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE

PAGE 6
 WHAT IS IT FOR?
The nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical process that describes the
movement and transformation of nitrogen through various forms
in the environment. Nitrogen is an essential element for living
organisms, and this cycle plays a crucial role in recycling and
making nitrogen readily available for organisms to use. Here's an
overview of the nitrogen cycle:
1. Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up a significant
portion of the Earth's atmosphere, but most organisms cannot use
it in this form. Nitrogen fixation is the process where certain
bacteria, both free-living and symbiotic with plants, convert N 2 into
ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ions (NH4+), which are forms of
nitrogen that plants can absorb.
2. Nitrification: Ammonia or ammonium ions in the soil are
converted into nitrite (NO2-) and then nitrate (NO3-) by nitrifying
bacteria. Nitrate is the form of nitrogen that plants primarily take

PAGE 7
up from the soil. Here are the chemical equations to represent
Nitrification:

NH4+ NITROSOMONAS
NO2- + Energy
NO2- NITROBACTER
NO3- + Energy

3. Assimilation: Plants absorb nitrate from the soil and use it to

build organic molecules like proteins and chlorophyll, which are
important for their growth and development. Animals obtain
nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals that have
consumed plants.
4. Ammonification: Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break
down dead plants and animals, releasing ammonium ions back
into the soil as a result of their decomposition processes.
5. Denitrification: Certain bacteria in oxygen-deprived
environments convert nitrate and nitrite back into nitrogen gas
(N2), which is released into the atmosphere, closing the nitrogen
cycle loop. Here are the chemical equations that depict
Denitrification:

2NO3- PSEUDOMONAS N2 + 3O2

S + 2NO3- THIOBACCILUS N2 + SO42- + O2

To conclude, the nitrogen cycle is essential for ensuring a

continuous supply of nitrogen for living organisms. It also
highlights the linkage of different organisms and the environment
in upholding the balance of this important element.

PAGE 8
 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The nitrogen cycle is critically important for several reasons:

1. Essential Nutrient: Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living

organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is a
fundamental component of proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and
many other molecules necessary for life.
2. Plant Growth: Nitrogen is a primary component of chlorophyll, the
pigment that allows plants to photosynthesize and produce food.
Adequate nitrogen in the soil is essential for plant growth, crop yield,
and ecosystem productivity.

PAGE 9
3. Ecosystem Function: The nitrogen cycle helps maintain the health
and stability of ecosystems. It influences the abundance and diversity
of species and the availability of nutrients for various organisms.
4. Human Nutrition: Nitrogen from plants enters the human food chain
when we consume plant-based foods or animals that have fed on
plants. Ensuring a functioning nitrogen cycle is vital for global food
production and nutrition.
5. Atmospheric Composition: Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up the majority
of Earth's atmosphere, and the nitrogen cycle plays a role in regulating
atmospheric nitrogen levels.
6. Environmental Impact: Human activities, such as the use of
synthetic fertilizers and the release of nitrogen compounds from
industrial processes, can disrupt the natural nitrogen cycle. This can
lead to environmental problems, such as water pollution, soil
degradation, and disruptions in ecosystems.
In summary, the nitrogen cycle is crucial for sustaining life on Earth,
maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting agriculture, and
addressing environmental challenges related to nitrogen pollution. It
underscores the intricate connections between living organisms and
the environment.

THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

PAGE 10
 WHAT IS IT FOR?
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living organisms, playing a
crucial role in DNA, RNA, and energy transfer. The phosphorus cycle is
vital for maintaining ecosystems and ensuring the availability of
phosphorus for plant growth, which ultimately sustains the food web.
1. Nutrient for Life: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living
organisms. It is a key component of DNA, RNA, and ATP (adenosine
triphosphate), which are essential for genetic information transfer and
energy storage and transfer in cells.

PAGE 11
2. Plant Growth: Phosphorus is crucial for plant growth and
development. It is a component of nucleic acids and is involved in
processes like photosynthesis and energy transfer within plants.
3. Food Production: Phosphorus cycling is vital for agriculture.
Fertilizers containing phosphorus are used to enhance crop yields,
making it essential for global food production.
4. Ecosystems: The phosphorus cycle helps maintain the balance of
nutrients in ecosystems. It influences the composition and health of
aquatic ecosystems and affects the abundance of phytoplankton,
which forms the base of aquatic food chains.
5. Water Quality: Proper phosphorus cycling is essential for maintaining
water quality. Excess phosphorus runoff from agricultural and urban
areas can lead to water pollution, causing issues like harmful algal
blooms and eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems.
6. Global Nutrient Balance: Understanding and managing the
phosphorus cycle is important for maintaining the overall balance of
nutrients in the environment. Imbalances can have far-reaching
ecological consequences.
7. Sustainability: Managing phosphorus resources is critical for long-
term sustainability. Phosphorus is a finite resource, and concerns about
future availability have led to efforts to recycle and reduce phosphorus
use.
In summary, the phosphorus cycle is essential for life, agriculture,
ecosystem health, and sustainable resource management, making it a
fundamental component of the planet's biogeochemical cycles.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
1. Weathering: Phosphorus is released into the environment
through the weathering of rocks, which gradually breaks down
phosphate minerals into soluble forms.
PAGE 12
2. Erosion: Rainwater and natural processes carry these
phosphates into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
3. Uptake by Plants: Aquatic plants and terrestrial vegetation
absorb dissolved phosphate from the water or soil.
4. Consumption: Herbivores and carnivores obtain phosphorus by
eating plants or other animals.
5. Decomposition: When organisms die or produce waste,
phosphorus is returned to the soil or water through decomposition.
6. Sedimentation: Over time, phosphorus accumulates in sediment
at the bottom of bodies of water.
7. Weathering Repeats: The cycle continues as weathering
releases phosphorus from these rocks, restarting the process.
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living organisms, playing
a crucial role in DNA, RNA, and energy transfer. The phosphorus
cycle is vital for maintaining ecosystems and ensuring the
availability of phosphorus for plant growth, which ultimately
sustains the food web.

PAGE 13
THE WATER CYCLE

PAGE 14
 WHAT IS IT FOR?
The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is critically
important for various reasons:

1. Sustaining Life: Water is essential for all forms of life on Earth.

The water cycle ensures a continuous supply of freshwater that
organisms need for drinking, growth, and reproduction.

2. Agriculture and Food Production: The water cycle supports

agriculture by providing moisture for crops. Precipitation,
irrigation, and evaporation are key components that contribute to
food production.

3. Climate Regulation: Evaporation and transpiration from plants

release water vapor into the atmosphere. This moisture plays a
crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature and climate through
processes like cloud formation and heat transfer.

4. Freshwater Supply: The water cycle replenishes freshwater

sources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater. These sources
serve as vital water supplies for human consumption, industries,
and ecosystems.

5. Hydroelectric Power: Many countries use the water cycle to

generate electricity through hydropower dams. The flow of water
from higher elevations to lower elevations drives turbines and
generates electricity.

6. Erosion and Sediment Transport: Water erosion and sediment

transport shape landscapes and move nutrients and minerals
through ecosystems. This influences the distribution of fertile soil
and the structure of riverbeds.

PAGE 15
 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
1. Sustaining Life: Water is essential for all life on Earth. The water
cycle ensures a continuous supply of freshwater, which is crucial
for drinking, agriculture, and the survival of ecosystems.

2. Weather and Climate: The movement of water through the

atmosphere plays a significant role in weather patterns and
climate regulation. Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
are key components of weather systems.

3. Freshwater Resources: The water cycle replenishes freshwater

sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater. These sources are
essential for human consumption, industrial processes, and
sustaining aquatic ecosystems

4. Hydropower: The water cycle is harnessed to generate

electricity through hydropower dams. The flow of water from
higher elevations to lower elevations drives turbines, providing a
renewable energy source.

5. Erosion and Sediment Transport: Water erosion shapes

landscapes and transports sediments. This process helps distribute
fertile soil and plays a role in the formation of geological features.

6. Natural Disaster Management: Youd Understanding the water

cycle is crucial for managing and mitigating natural disasters like
floods, droughts, and hurricanes. Accurate predictions rely on
knowledge of precipitation and weather patterns.
PAGE 16
7. Global Climate System: The movement of water vapor in the
atmosphere influences the distribution of heat around the Earth,
contributing to the planet's climate zones and weather patterns
The water cycle is a fundamental Earth process that sustains life,
influences climate and weather, supports agriculture and industry,
and shapes the environment. Its continuous operation is critical for
the functioning of ecosystems and the well-being of human
societies.

PAGE 17