Biogeochemical Cycles

  1. The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
  2. It is a crucial biogeochemical cycle that sustains life by redistributing water across different ecosystems.
  3. The water cycle involves key processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.
  4. Evaporation is the process where water changes
  1. The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
  2. Unlike other biogeochemical cycles, the phosphorus cycle does not include a significant gaseous phase.
  3. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living organisms, as it is a critical component of DNA, RNA, and ATP.
  4. The primary source of phosphorus is phosphate rocks, which release pho
  1. The nitrogen cycle describes the movement of nitrogen between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
  2. Nitrogen is an essential element for all living organisms, as it is a major component of proteins and nucleic acids.
  3. The atmosphere contains about 78% nitrogen, but it is mostly in an inert form (N₂) that cannot be used directly by most organisms.
  4. Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into usable forms such a
  1. The carbon cycle is a crucial biogeochemical cycle that governs the movement of carbon among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
  2. Carbon is an essential element found in all living organisms and is a major component of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  3. The two main types of carbon cycles are the short-term carbon cycle and the long-term carbon cycle.
  4. The short-term cycle involves the