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Nutrient Cycles - Coggle Diagram
Nutrient Cycles
The
most important molecules
that are circulated in ecosystems.
Carbon
Used in
photosynthesis
Necessary in the formation of organic matter at the bottom of food chains.
The main containers of carbon are:
Atmosphere
CO2; CO; CH4
Base rocks
Limestone
Large bodies of water
CO2 + H2O = H2CO3
Too much of it leads to acidic waters, which is harmful to ecosystems.
Sources
Human influence
Cellular respiration
Digestion of organic
Fires
Vulcanic activity
Nitrogen
72% of the atmosphere
of Earth is made of up of nitrogen (N2).
Of all organisms only
nitrogen fixing bacteria
are able to use the nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere.
N2 -> NH4+
Fixed nitrogen (=
ammonium
) is turned into
nitrates
(NO3-)/
nitrites
(NO2-) by
nitrifying bacteria
Nitrates and nitrites are used by producers to produce amino acids.
Amino acids are the building blocks of
proteins
.
Nitrogen returns to the cycle through
Decomposing organic matter
Organic nitrogen into ammonia
Denitrifying bacteria
NO2-/NO3- -> N2
Nitrogen pollution can be caused by an overuse of fertilizers.
Water
Source
Evaporation from large bodies of water
Water vapour becomes
precipitation
over land.
Water is collected in
Surface waters
Rivers
Streams
Lakes
Reenters large bodies of water
Groundwater
Respiration
Evapotranspiration
Respiration
Waste production
Used in
hydrolysis
.
A water molecule is broken up and is used to break up larger molecules.
Phosphorous
Phosphorus is not stored in the atmosphere.
Source
Weathering
of rocks
Phosphorus that leaves the rocks is washed into the soil or waters
Uptake
Autotrophs absorb dissolved
phosphate
.
Heterotrophs get it
from
their
food
or by
drinking water
.
An overuse of fertilizers can cause phosphorous pollution.
What are these?
Molecules are in
constant circulation
between organisms an their abiotic environment.
