Biogeochemical Cycles (Week 2)

The movements of matter within and between ecosystems involving cycles of biological, geological, and chemical processes

The components of the biogeochemical cycle that contain the matter, including air, water, and organisms

The movement of carbon around the biosphere among the reservoir sources and sinks

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water

Gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat near the surface

The increase in global temperatures due to humans producing more greenhouse gases

A nutrient required for growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients

The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of nitrogen that plants and algae can use

The conversion of ammonia (NH4+) into nitrite (NO2-) and then nitrate (NO3-)

A process by which plants and algae incorporate nitrogen into their tissues

The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert these organic compounds back into inorganic compounds, such as inorganic ammonium (NH4+)

The conversion of nitrate (NO3-) in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and eventually nitrogen gas (N2) which is emitted into the atmosphere

An environment that lacks oxygen

An environment with abundant oxygen

A process in which dissolved molecules are transported through the soil via groundwater

The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

A rapid increase in algal population of a waterway

Low in oxygen

When oxygen concentrations become so low that it kills fish and other aquatic animals

The movement of water around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

The release of water from leaves into the atmosphere during photosynthesis

Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration