Name:___________________ Due:__________

Biogeochemical Cycles Study Guide

Hydrologic Cycle
1. Draw the hydrologic cycle and label the important sections. Mae sure to include all
the !"ation# words.
Carbon Cycle
1. Go to the $ollowing
site:
1
http:%%ngm.nationalgeographic.com%big&idea%'(%carbon&bath and loo at the !carbon
bathtub# model.
& )hat is the main source o$ carbon entering the !tub#*
& )hat is the main e+it or !drain# $rom the tub*
& ,$ our atmosphere is that tub- what.s the problem with the current situation and
how should it be /+ed*
0e1iew 1ideo:
http:%%www.bbc.co.u%schools%gcsebitesi2e%science%a3a%energy_biomass%thecarboncyclea
ct.shtml
0e1iew game: http:%%www.windows4uni1erse.org%earth%climate%carbon_cycle.html
5se the abo1e images to answer the ne+t $ew 3uestions:
6. )here is the largest and second largest 3uantity o$ carbon $ound*
7. 8ist the 1arious ways carbon can be released into the atmosphere.
4
(. 9+plain the di:erence between rapid cycling and slow cycling o$ carbon. Go to
http:%%www.lpb.org%education%classroom%it1%en1irotaclebo+%teacherguide%module(%(carb
.htm i$ you need some help.
;. )rite out the $ollowing e3uations in both words and in symbols:
Photosynthesis
Respiration
<. =he processes o$ ______________________ and _____________________
______________________ complement each other and are in1ol1ed in the rapid cycling o$
carbon.
Nitrogen Cycle
Role of nitrogen in growth
1. >lthough we are surrounded by nitrogen gas- and organisms need nitrogen to li1e-
most organisms cannot use the nitrogen gas ?N
4
@ $ound in the air. Nitrogen must be
combined with other elements- such as Aydrogen- to be usable by organisms. =he
process o$ nitrogen combining with other elements is called nitrogen /+ation. )hich two
ways does nature carry out nitrogen /+ation $rom the atmosphere*
6
1a. Describe two ways that humans are adding nitrogen to the biosphere
1b. 8ist another way ?not listed in the diagram abo1e but on class BB=@ that humans are
adding N to the atmosphere.
4. )hat is nitrogen /+ation*
4b. )hat do you thin would happen to the en1ironment i$ all o$ the nitrogen /+ing
bacteria on land died*
6. De/ne denitri/cation. )hy is it important* Gi1e an e+ample.
7. Aow does the use o$ nitrogen enriched $ertili2ers impact the nitrogen cycle*
7
Phosphorous Cycle
1. ,n what ways is phosphorous a ey element to li1ing things*
4. )hat ind o$ en1ironmental problems does an e+cess o$ phosphorus cause*
6. 0ead the article- !> Aidden Cost o$ Carming# ?http:%%www.onearth.org%article%a&hidden&
cost&o$&$arming@.
& )hat is the basic problem de/ned in the article*
& )hat is one proposed solution*
Sulfur Cycle
(
1. )hen _________________ _________________ are burned sul$ur is released as
_______________
______________________. =hese combine with _____________________ to create ___________
______________.
4. )hy is sul$ur important to li1ing organisms*
6. Aow are humans impacting the sul$ur cycle*
;