Four Cycles
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List the processes involved in the hydrologic cycle:
Evaporation Precipitation Run-off Infiltration Transpiration
Name the two driving forces behind the water cycle.
Sun & gravity
groundwater
water present beneath earth’s surface
aquifer
a permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater
water table
the uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil
three significant anthropogenic interventions in the hydrologic cycle:
climate change, dams, agriculture
Name the two largest sinks (storage areas) for carbon.
ocean & forests & soil
Discuss how oceans play a major role in regulating CO2 levels in the troposphere.
Photoplankton in oceans take CO2 out of the air through photosynthesis Through direct exchange, CO2 dissolves in and out of surface ocean water.
Carbon sink
A carbon reservoir that stores more carbon than it releases
Describe the two major anthropogenic interventions in the carbon cycle:
Extraction & Combustion of fossil fuels Deforestation
What 2 organic compounds is nitrogen found in?
Ammonia & Nitrate
Identify the two major ways that nitrogen is “fixed”:
Through Synthetic Fixation and Bacterial Fixation
Synthetic Fixation
Humans combust fossil fuels to convert Nitrogen into Nitrate
Bacterial Fixation
Rhizobacteria converts nitrogen into ammonia
Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen in the atmosphere is changed into a form that plants can absorb through their roots. Bacteria, such as the rhizobacteria, that live in the soil converts the nitrogen into ammonia. Nitrogen can also be fixed when lightning provides the energy needed for N2 to react with oxygen, producing nitrogen oxide, NO, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2.
Nitrification
the conversion of ammonia into nitrite (NO2-) and then into nitrate (NO3-) by soil bacteria
Assimilation
The process by which producers incorporate elements into their tissues.
Ammonification
the process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium
Denitrification
The conversion of soil nitrogen into nitrous oxide gas which returns to atmosphere
Describe two anthropogenic interventions in the nitrogen cycle
Leaching & Eutrophication - synthetic fertilizer nitrates leach out of soil and into water ways that cause algae blooms Ammonia volatilization - excess fertilizer leads to ammonia gas entering atmosphere (acid rain)
Explain why phosphorus does not circulate in the troposphere to a great extent:
Phosphorus does not circulate in the troposphere because there is no gas phase where phosphorus enters the atmosphere.
Identify the largest sinks for phosphorus:
Rocks and Sediments
Phosphorus is typically found in what ionic form?
PO4-3
Explain why the addition of phosphate compounds to aquatic areas typically has a dramatic effect on biological productivity.
The addition of phosphate compounds leads to aquatic areas going through eutrophication which creates an algae bloom, blocking the sun from other vegetation. This also causes lower oxygen levels so more animals result dead.