Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the environment to living organisms and back to the environment.

Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.

Humans can negatively impact nutrient cycles by using excessive amounts of fertilizer.

The approximate ratio is 10:3:1.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia.

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

The nitrogen cycle is the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.

The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.