ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2: BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

Name: ORTEGA, MARY ALYSSA T.

Prepare a schematic diagram for each of the biogeochemical cycles presented in the slides. Show:
a. the form of each nutrients in each of the spheres
b. the natural processes involved in the transfer of the nutrients
c. the anthropogenic activities that affect the cycling of the nutrients

Example: Carbon cycle

Atmosphere

Combustion
CO2

Hydrosphere Lithosphere
Photosynthesis

Respiration

Dissolved CO2 Fossil fuels

Biomass

• The boxes represent the different spheres.

• The form of the nutrient in the different spheres (a) is written inside the boxes.
• The transfer processes (b) are represented by the arrows from one sphere to another.
• The red arrow represents anthropogenic activities (c). Or you may write some paragraphs on how humans affect
the cycle.
• Complete this schematic diagram for the carbon cycle and prepare one for the rest of the nutrients.

LEGEND:

LITHOSPHERE HUMAN ACTIVITY

ATMOSPHERE

HYDROSPHERE

BIOMASS

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CARBON CYCLE
RESPIRATION DIFFUSION
BIOMASS CO2
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

COMBUSTION
DISSOLVED CO2

COMPACTION
DETRITUS FOSSIL FUELS LIMESTONE
DECOMPOSITION

PLANKTON
COAL, GAS, & DECOMPOSITION
REMAINS
OIL

SOIL EROSION CARBONATES

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NITROGEN CYCLE

NH4+ & NH3 NITROGEN N2 NITROGEN NH4+ & NH3

FIXATION FIXATION

DENITRIFICATION
NITRIFICATION NO2- & NO3 NITRIFICATION

ASSIMILATION

AMMONIFICATION / BIOMASS AMMONIFICATION/

DECOMPOSITION DECOMPOSITION

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PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE

DISSOLVED EROSION EROSION PHOSPHATES

ROCKS
PHOSPHATES

CONSUMPTION BIOMASS CONSUMPTION

DECOMPOSTION/EXCRETION OF WASTE

DISSOLVED PHOSPHATES

CONSUMPTION
PHOSPHATES
DUE TO HEAT &

EROSION
PRESSURE
EXTRACTION

PHOSPHATE MINEABLE
GEOLOGICAL MINING FERTILIZERS
PHOSPHATE
ROCKS PROCESS
ROCKS

INDUSTRIAL
WASTES

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SULFUR CYCLE
BREAKING DOWN OF SULFATE COMPOUNDS
COMBUSTION H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide Producing bacteria)

REACTION
WITH O2

EMMISION/EVAPORATION
OF DIMETHYL SULFIDE
FOSSIL FUELS COMBUSTION SULFUR OXIDES SULFUR-
STORED ROCKS

REACTION
WITH H2O

EROSION
DEPOSITION H2SO4 DEPOSITION

SO42- SULFATE SO42- SULFATE

SALTS SALTS

CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION

CONSUMPTION
BIOMASS DECAY
DECOMPOSTION
BIOLEACHING

METALLIC
SULFIDE

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HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
PRECIPITATION MOVEMENT OF
WATER MOIST AIR
EVAPORATION

TRANSPIRATION
CONDENSATION
EVAPORATION CLOUDS

PRECIPITATION
EVAPORATION
LIQUID WATER
BIOMASS
PRECOLATION

GROUND OTHER BODIES

WATER OF WATER
OCEAN RUN LIQUID H2O
OFF

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