You are on page 1of 8

DEFINITIONS ( Geochemical Cycle)

The chemistry of the composition and alterations of the solid matter of the earth or a celestial
body.
The pathway that chemical elements take in the surface and crust of the Earth
This encompasses the natural separation and concentration of elements and heat-assisted
recombination processes.

Geochemical Balance
The proportional distribution, and the migration rate, in the global fractionation of elements,
minerals, or compound
The balance between the weight of the chemical elements that entered the ocean during the
weathering of igneous rock (proportional to its clarks) during the earths existence and the weight
of chemical elements that make up sedimentary rocks (taking into account water and carbon
dioxide) together with the weight of chemical elements conserved in the marine zone.

Geochemical Processes
change in the chemical composition of rocks and minerals, as well as of melts and
solutions from which the rocks were formed.
it leads to the migration of chemical elements (removal of some, introduction and
concentration of others), changes in their valence states, and so on
They may be subdivided into geologically prehistoric, endogenic, exogenic, and
metamorphogenic categories.

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE
C - CARBON
H - HYDROGEN
N - NITROGEN
O - OXYGEN
P - PHOSPHORUS
S - SULFUR

PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

DEFINITIONS

is the circulation of phosphorous among the rocks, soils, water, and plants and animals of the
earth.
In nature, most phosphorus occurs in phosphate rock, which contains phosphate ions combined
with calcium, magnesium, chlorine, and fluorine.
Phosphorus is most commonly found in rock formations and ocean sediments as phosphate
salts. Phosphates are also limiting factors for plant-growth in marine ecosystems, because they
are not very water-soluble.

HUMAN IMPACTS TO PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE


Humans mine LARGE quantities of phosphate rock to use in commercial fertilizers and
detergents. Phosphorous is NOT found as a gas, only as a solid in the earths crust. It takes
millions to hundreds of millions of years to replenish.
Phosphorous is held in the tissue of the trees and vegetation, not in the soil and as we deforest
the land, we remove the ability for phosphorous to replenish globally in ecosystems.

Cultural eutrophication ad excess phosphate to aquatic ecosystems in runoff of animal wastes


from livestock feedlots, runoff of commercial phosphate fertilizers fro cropland, and discharge of
municipal sewage.

IMPORTANCE OF PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE


Phosphorous is an essential nutrient of both plants and animals.
It is part of DNA molecules which carry genetic information.
It is part of ATP and ADP) that store chemical energy for use by organisms in cellular
respiration.
Forms phospholipids in cell membranes of plants and animal cells.
Forms bones, teeth, and shells of animals as calcium phosphate compounds.

What is sulfur?
Atomic number: 16.
Symbol: S
Native form: is a yellow crystalline (crystal like) solid.
In nature: it can be found as the pure element, and as sulfide and sulfate minerals.
commercial uses: fertilizers, gunpowder, matches, insecticides, fungicides, vitamins, proteins and
hormones.
It is critical in the environment, climate and the health of ecosystems.
Random facts: it can also be referred to as brimstone. its the tenth most abundant element in the
universe

SULFUR CYCLE

The Cycles:
Erosion, weathering, deposition
Predominately atmospheric cycle
Marine cycle
Soil-plant cycle
Mineralization of organic sulfur to the inorganic form hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Oxidation of sulfide and elemental sulfur (S) and related compounds to sulfate (SO4).
Reduction of sulfate to sulfide
Microbial immobilization of the sulfur compounds and subsequent incorporation into the
organic form of sulfur.

HUMAN IMPACTS TO SULFUR CYCLE


Approximately 1/3 of all sulfur emitted into atmosphere comes from human activities.
Burning sulfur containing coal and oil to produce electric power (SOx = acid deposition).
Refining petroleum (SOx emissions)

Smelting to convert sulfur compounds of metallic minerals into free metals (Cu, Pb, Zn)
Industrial processing.

IMPORTANCE OF SULFUR CYCLE


Sulfur is a component of most proteins and some vitamins.
Sulfate ions (SO4 2- ) dissolved in water are common in plant tissue. They are part of sulfurcontaining amino acids that are the building blocks for proteins.
Sulfur bonds give the three dimensional structure of amino acids.
Many animals, including humans, depend on plants for sulfur-containing amino acids.

SOURCES OF GEOCHEMICAL CYCLE


1.) Decaying body

2.) Volcano

3.) Elemental sulfur may also occur near


hot springs and volcanic regions.

4.) Fossil fuels

5.)

6.) Earths Crust

7.) Ocean sediments

8.) Celestial bodies

You might also like