Biochemical cycles

Biochemical cycles

1. Biochemical cycles are all affected by human activities to some degree.

2. All of the cycles are interrelated and depend on each other to some degree.

3. The biochemical cycles are a group of processes in which elements that are important for living organisms move around the globe and the diferent ecosystems.

4. The different cycles are:

   • Water cycle
     • The cycle starts with evaporation, then condensation and precipitation happen.
       • After that, the water tries to return to the ocean, and its route is affected by vegetation and geographical factors. But the cycle also affects geography through erosion.
   • Carbon Cycle
     • Occurs thanks to photosynthesis that takes carbon from the air and uses it to form biomolecules.
       • The carbon returns to the atmosphere thanks to the decomposers.
     • Main form of carbon in the air is CO2, and human activities have a tendency to produce CO2, disrupting the balance of the cycle.
   • Nitrogen Cycle
     • Starts with bacteria that take nitrogen from the air and turn it into biomolecules.
       • From the bacteria the nitrogen passes to plants, and it is a very important nutrient needed for plant growth.
     • Is very important in marine ecosystems.
   • Phosphorus Cycle
     • It depends on erosion and the water cycle, because phosphorus has a tendency to sediment on different layers of the Earth, and erosion helps to move this element around.
     • Plants absorbe the phosphorus from the water.
   • Sulfur Cycle
     • it is also affected by erosion and the water cycle because sulfur also tends to form sediments.
     • Volcanic activity moves sulfur to the surface of the earth.
     • Bacteria help integrate sulfur into the trophic chains.
     • Seaspray aerosols (formed in the cycle) help regulate the temperature of the Earth