Biogeochemical Cycle

Carbon Cycle is the process by which carbon dioxide is removed and returned to the atmosphere. During, P_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ green plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A _ _ _ _ _ _ eat plants and take in the carbon as food. When plants and animals d _ _ , carbon compounds may be preserved in fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere through: R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , when living organisms respire carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere; C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , which is burning of fossil fuels and decay.

Nitrogen Cycle is the process by which nitrogen is removed from the soil and finally returned to it in the form of nitrates. Nitrates are removed from the soil though the absorption of the roots of the plants, L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n produced by denitrifying bacteria. Nitrogen is returned in the soil through: Decay, which produces ammonium compounds. N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , ammonium compounds are changed to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. Nitrogen F_ _ _ _ _ _ _ , atmospheric nitrogen is converted to nitrates either by bacteria in root nodules or by L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and thunderstorms.

The water cycle, also called as H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Cycle, describes the continuous motion of water among the oceans, land and atmosphere. It consists of the following processes: E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n, water from the oceans and other bodies of water turns to vapour. Water vapour is also released during the process of respiration and T _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n, which is the release of water by plants. C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n, water vapour that turns into liquid such as water droplets and clouds. Precipitation, water that falls from clouds as snow, hail, sleet or rain. R_ _ - o_ _ , Land water flows back into the oceans, rivers and other bodies of water.

P_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ s move quickly through plants and animals; however, the processes that move them through the soil or ocean are very slow, making the phosphorus cycle overall one of the slowest biogeochemical cycles. Initially, phosphate weathers from r_ _ _ _ and m_ _ _ _ _ _ _, the most common mineral being apatite. Overall small losses occur in terrestrial environments by leaching and erosion, through the action of rain. In soil, phosphate is absorbed on iron oxides, aluminium hydroxides, clay surfaces, and organic matter particles, and becomes incorporated (immobilized or fixed). Plants and fungi can also be active in making phosphorous soluble. Unlike other cycles, phosphorous cannot be found in the a_ _ as a gas, it only occurs under highly reducing conditions as the gas P_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (PH₃).

Consumption of food at each trophic level does not only transfer the energy in the ecosystem but t_ _ _ _ s as well.

Bioaccumulation is a process where toxins are passed to consumers through the f_ _ d c_ _ _ n.

In Bioaccumulation, top c_ _ _ _ _ _ r got the highest dose of accumulation

Ecological B_ _ _ _ _ e is when ecosystem has a stable relationship without any disturbance in the environment.

Ecological Balance is maintained if there is Biod _ _ _ _ _ _ _ y.

To maintain ecological balance, we must (choose that apply)

• use natural resources carefully and wisely

• help restore nature

• make environment sustainable

• increase our carbon footprint