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Chapter 19: Problem 13

What are biogeochemical cycles? Describe several of the essential cycles. ?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Biogeochemical cycles are pathways of movement of life essential elements in the environment. They include the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles. The carbon cycle involves processes where carbon dioxide is utilized by photosynthesis and returned to the atmosphere through respiration, decay, and combustion. The nitrogen cycle involves nitrogen conversion through fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. The oxygen cycle involves oxygen movement through land, air, and water, with photosynthesis as the main driving process.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical cycles are pathways by which elements vital for life, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, move through the environment. They involve exchanges of matter between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
02

Describing the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment. This includes the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and returning to the atmosphere through respiration, decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.
03

Describing the Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among the atmosphere, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
04

Describing the Oxygen Cycle

The oxygen cycle involves the movement of oxygen through the three major reservoirs—land, air, and water. The main driving factor of the oxygen cycle is photosynthesis, which produces oxygen as a byproduct.

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