Biogeochemical CyclesSept. 3rd-4th, 2013

Biogeochemical Cycles:

Phosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Key Vocab Words:

Ammonia

Proteins

Denitrification

Nitrogen-fixation

What is the purpose of the nitrogen cycle?

Our atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas.

Animals and plants cannot directly use all the nitrogen found in our atmosphere.

Therefore, we need nitrogen-fixing bacteria to “capture” nitrogen and convert it to a usable form.

Step 1: Atmospheric Nitrogen (N2)

Step 2: Ammonification

Step 3: Nitrification

Step 4: Assimilation

Phosphorus Cycle

Key Vocab Words:

Pollution

Basins

DNA

What is the purpose of the nitrogen cycle?

Our atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas.

Animals and plants cannot directly use all the nitrogen found in our atmosphere.

Therefore, we need nitrogen-fixing bacteria to “capture” nitrogen and convert it to a usable form.

Step 1: Phosphate Added to soil

Step 2: Phosphate is fixed & available

Step 3: Plants take up phosphorus

Step 4: Plants removed, cycle continues