Cycles Of Life Research Paper

Improved Essays
The Cycles of Life By Max Hennemann

Biogeochemical Cycles are the ways in which energy and elements flow throughout an ecosystem. These cycles are important because they transport the elements that we need to survive.
The Hydrologic Cycle
Also known as the Water Cycle
Hydrologic Cycle Description The hydrologic cycle focuses on the movement of water throughout the environment. It depicts how H20 changes states in the cycle. Humans impact the hydrologic cycle when we consume, dam, and pollute water.
Hydrologic Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* The first step of the Hydrologic Cycle is evaporation, where water H20 heats to become moist air.
* Next, the water vapor cools and condenses, forming clouds.
* Precipitation occurs when water particles fall
…show more content…
The Nitrogen Cycle http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html Nitrogen Description Nitrogen is a key element to the survival of organisms. Nitrogen makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere and is found in proteins and DNA. Humans release nitrogen into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels, contributing to acid rain and the greenhouse effect.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* Most nitrogen is stored in organic matter. When this organic matter dies and decomposes, the nitrogen becomes ammonium salts through the process called mineralization. The nitrogen found in organic matter goes from ammonia (NH3-) to ammonium salts (NH4+).
* The process of nitrification converts ammonia (NH3) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The chemical formula is NH3 + 1.5 O2 --> NO2- + H+ + H20.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 2)
* Denitrification is the process where nitrate leaks to the ocean or the soil and is then returned to the atmosphere.
* Plants can absorb nitrates (NO3-) as well, which is turned back into the cycle when these plants are consumed by animals.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 3)
* Nitrate can be lost in soil and back into bodies of water. This process is called

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Pick one of the five biogeochemical cycles we discussed in class and tell me: a. What purpose does this cycle serve for the earth and its organisms? The carbon cycle, or more specifically, carbon, is a major constitute in a multitude of functions throughout the world in various ecosystems. Carbon is included in matter such as fossil fuels or vital molecules like DNA and RNA where it regulates genetic reproduction in organisms. b. Where is it stored?…

    • 1619 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    This transportation of water and exchanged energy converts from one state to another driving the climate and weather system. This is the largest chemical flux on the planet It does not look like there is a starting point for this cycle. Water stores in lakes and the ocean, transpires into the air creating condensation, precipitation back onto the planet's surface creating runoff, running into the ground creating ground water, and eventually making its way back to lakes and the ocean. This terrestrial system is continuous supporting life on the planet.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nt1330 Unit 1 Term Paper

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    • Hydrology- is the scientific study of the movement, occurrence, circulation, distribution, and properties of the water on earth and its atmosphere (Friis, 2012, pg. 213). • Hydrological cycle- The natural cycle by which water evaporates from oceans and other water bodies, accumulates as water vapor in clouds, and returns to oceans and other water bodies as precipitation (Friis, 2012, pg. 213). 2. Describe the principal reserves for water.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Blue Gum High Forest

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In Iona Creek Reserve, weeds were located around the grassy area. This is a major issue, not just because weeds are an invasive and fast growing species, but also because there are endangered plants located on the site. The Blue Gum High Forest is the main endangered species on the site. This forest sheltered the Sydney region before European settlement, and is now limited to small bushland along a small range of suburbs in Sydney. The Blue Gum Forest is one of six main indigenous communities of Sydney and listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and an endangered ecological community in NSW under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 .…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Ammonia Research Paper

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Ammonia is a compound composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, having the formula NH3. The ammonia molecule is formed by sp3 orbitals as it has a tetrahedral geometry and a trigonal pyramidal shape. Ammonia has an experimentally determined bond angle of 106.7°, and an a bond length of 101.7 pm. The nitrogen atom in the molecule has a lone electron pair, which gives the molecule a dipole moment and polarity. Ammonia’s lone electron pair makes NH3 a base, a proton acceptor, and gives it the ability to readily form bonds.…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Water sustains humans and animals with life. The quality of water is important. If it is poor, it can cause changes in the ecosystem. Rivers and other water sources are being polluted with nitrates, especially the Raccoon River in Iowa. Nitrates are dangerous and can come from rural farms to urban cities.…

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nitrogen (N) - Low ~ Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your answers will be based on your soil test results, what you have learned in class and independent research. ~ 1. Why is nitrogen important in soil? What does nitrogen do for the soil?…

    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Anjun Nitrogen Script

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Nitrogen Script Shea: The indicator we chose for this project was Nitrogen. Anjuna: Nitrogen is a chemical found in fertilizers, air pollution, factories, homes, and septic tanks. It dissolves in the run off and becomes part of the Chesapeake Bay.…

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    its also called the hdryodic cycle. Changes in the state of the water cycle cause changes in energy in the atmosphere. The Water Cycle Helps to Regulate the Earth’s Temperature, The Chemicals We Use Affect the Water Cycle, Water Exists in More than One State in the Water Cycle, Changes in Climate mean Changes in the Water Cycle. As you might expect, water cycle facts reveal that the water cycle is something that is in perpetual motion and, as such, the water cycle steps mean that water is constantly being recycled. Next time you pour yourself a glass or stand under the shower, bear in mind the water you drink or clean yourself with might well be the same water than dinosaurs drank millions of years ago.…

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Phosphorus Cycle Essay

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The carbon cycle (organisms in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems exchange carbon dioxide with the atomosphere) (essentials of biology, 2015), the phosphorus cycle (phosphates flow into large bodies of water…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Although plants need nitrogen to grow, plants only take in a small fraction of the nitrogen applied to their soil. In addition, nitrogen…

    • 675 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Brilliant Essays

    Nitrogen fixing organisms are a very important piece of the nitrogen fixing process and most have a symbiotic relationship with legumes. Legume roots grow with nodules, and these nodules house the nitrogen fixing organisms known as rhizobium. These organisms are necessary for taking the atmospheric nitrogen and processing it into ammonia and other compounds in the soil. The nitrogenous compounds are then taken up by the plants (Bernhard, 2010). Legumes can be a natural solution to adding nitrogen to the soil in agriculture.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Brilliant Essays
  • Improved Essays

    ii. Non-Acidic Oxygen Compounds Figure 3.4 Isomers of non-acidic oxygen compounds (Retrieved from Chemistry of Petrochemical Processes, 2nd Edition, 2001). C .Asphlathenes It is organometallic compounds and inorganic salts (metallic compounds). Mostly sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron, vanadium, nickel are present either as inorganic salts, such as sodium and magnesium chlorides, or in the form of organometallic compounds, such as those of nickel and vanadium (as in porphyrins).…

    • 1446 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Carbon Cycle-The carbon cycle circulates carbon throughout the biosphere. Carbon moves through water and land systems. It is important in CO2 gas which helps regulate the Earth’s temperature. CO2 is also necessary in photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Stages Of Human Life Essay

    • 1360 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The stages of human life Every human being born, grows, matures, grows old and dies. These stages are a process of continuous physical, psychological and intellectual changes. It is an irreversible and permanent evolution of changes, our body has stages of growth, maturation and degeneration.…

    • 1360 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays