Lecture Notes: Biogeochemical Cycles

Subject: People and the Earth’s Ecosystem

Topic: Biogeochemical Cycles

Introduction

Biogeochemical cycles refer to the natural pathways by which essential elements of living matter are
circulated within the Earth's ecosystems. These cycles involve biological (bio-), geological (geo-), and
chemical processes, allowing the movement of essential nutrients through living organisms and the
environment. The key biogeochemical cycles include the water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and
sulfur cycles.

Key Concepts

1. Biogeochemical Cycle: A natural pathway by which elements and compounds circulate within
ecosystems through biological, geological, and chemical processes.

2. Reservoirs: Areas where elements are stored (e.g., atmosphere, oceans, soil).

3. Flux: The movement of elements between reservoirs.

4. Sinks: Parts of the cycle where elements are absorbed and stored for extended periods.

Major Biogeochemical Cycles

1. The Water (Hydrological) Cycle

 Processes Involved: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration.

 Steps:

1. Evaporation: Water from surfaces (oceans, rivers, lakes) evaporates due to the sun's
heat, turning into water vapor.

2. Transpiration: Plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through transpiration.

3. Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds.

4. Precipitation: Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

5. Runoff and Infiltration: Water flows over the surface or seeps into the ground,
replenishing groundwater and surface water bodies.

 Importance: Essential for all forms of life, supports climate regulation, and impacts weather
patterns.
2. The Carbon Cycle

 Processes Involved: Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion, fossilization.

 Steps:

1. Photosynthesis: Plants take in CO₂ and convert it into glucose, storing carbon in their
biomass.

2. Respiration: Organisms (plants, animals, humans) release CO₂ back into the
atmosphere.

3. Decomposition: Dead organisms decompose, releasing carbon back into the soil or
atmosphere.

4. Combustion: Fossil fuels or biomass burned release CO₂ into the atmosphere.

5. Fossilization: Under certain conditions, dead organic matter becomes fossilized, storing
carbon long-term in the form of coal, oil, and gas.

 Importance: Carbon is a key component of all life. The cycle regulates CO₂ levels, influencing
climate and energy flow in ecosystems.
3. The Nitrogen Cycle

 Processes Involved: Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification.

 Steps:

1. Nitrogen Fixation: Conversion of nitrogen gas (N₂) from the atmosphere into ammonia
(NH₃) by bacteria in soil or lightning.

2. Nitrification: Conversion of ammonia into nitrates (NO₃⁻), which plants can absorb.

3. Assimilation: Plants absorb nitrates and use them to build proteins and DNA.

4. Ammonification: Decomposers convert nitrogen from waste and dead organisms back
into ammonia.

5. Denitrification: Bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the
atmosphere.

 Importance: Nitrogen is essential for protein synthesis, DNA, and RNA. Its availability limits
growth in ecosystems, making it crucial in agriculture and plant productivity.
4. The Phosphorus Cycle

 Processes Involved: Weathering, absorption, decomposition, sedimentation.

 Steps:

1. Weathering: Phosphate compounds in rocks are broken down by weathering, releasing

phosphorus into soil and water.

2. Absorption: Plants absorb phosphorus from the soil, incorporating it into organic
molecules.

3. Decomposition: Decomposers return phosphorus from dead organisms back into the
soil.

4. Sedimentation: Phosphorus in water bodies can settle and form sedimentary rock,
storing phosphorus long-term.

 Importance: Phosphorus is a critical component of DNA, RNA, ATP (energy molecule), and cell
membranes. It is vital for energy transfer and cell function.
5. The Sulfur Cycle

 Processes Involved: Weathering, absorption, decomposition, volcanic activity, human activity.

 Steps:

1. Weathering: Sulfur is released from rocks and enters soil and water.

2. Absorption: Plants take up sulfur, incorporating it into amino acids and proteins.

3. Decomposition: Decomposers return sulfur from dead organisms back to the

environment.

4. Volcanic Activity: Volcanoes release sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the atmosphere.

5. Human Activity: Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur, contributing to acid rain and
environmental impact.
  Importance: Sulfur is necessary for amino acids and proteins. Its cycle influences soil fertility and
the acidity of ecosystems.

Human Impact on Biogeochemical Cycles

Human activities—such as deforestation, agriculture, fossil fuel burning, and industrialization—disrupt

natural biogeochemical cycles. For example:

 Carbon Cycle: Excessive CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels increase greenhouse gas concentrations,
driving climate change.
  Nitrogen Cycle: Fertilizer use leads to nitrogen runoff, causing eutrophication in water bodies
and altering ecosystem health.

 Phosphorus Cycle: Excessive use of phosphorus in agriculture leads to water pollution and
ecosystem imbalances.

 Sulfur Cycle: Fossil fuel combustion releases sulfur dioxide, contributing to acid rain, which
harms ecosystems.

Summary

 Biogeochemical cycles maintain the balance of essential nutrients and elements within the
Earth's systems.

 They are complex, interconnected, and essential for sustaining life on Earth.

 Human activities increasingly disrupt these cycles, leading to environmental challenges.

Discussion Questions

1. Why are biogeochemical cycles important to life on Earth?

2. How do human activities impact these cycles, and what are the potential consequences?

3. How do ecosystems rely on the balance of these cycles for sustainability?