Biogeochemical Cycles

Name two processes that convert water from liquid into gas.

• transpiration and evaporation

• run off and evaporation

• transpiration and precipitation

• groundwater and ocean water

which processes might contribute to the addition of pollutants to rivers, lakes and oceans?

• precipitation

• evaporation

• runoff

• transpiration

which two ways is carbon returned to the atmosphere?

• respiration and photosynthesis

• photosynthesis and consumption

• respiration and decay

• respiration and combustion

What organisms convert atmospheric carbon into usable carbon for the biotic portion of the ecosystem?

• herbivores

• autotrophs

• secondary consumers

• primary consumers

What affect does increased CO2 in the atmosphere have on the earth?

• temperatures decrease as carbon concentration increases

• temperatures increase as carbon concentration increases

• no affect

in what form is nitrogen found in the atmosphere?

• N2 gas

• nitrite and nitrate

• ammonia

• carbon dioxide gas

what is the name of the process that changes unusable nitrogen into usable nitrogen?

• denitrification

• nitrification

• nitrogen gas

• nitrates

what type of organism is capable of nitrogen fixation?

• legumes

• primary consumers

• bacteria in root nodules

• plants

What conversion happens during denitrification in soil bacteria?

• N2 --> usable nitrogen

• usable nitrogen --> N2

• ammonia --> nitrate

• nitrate --> nitrite

what is the unique characteristic of the phosphorus cycle?

• it does not involve the atmosphere

• it is completely terrestrial

• both of the above

• none of the above