Biogeochemical Cycles – Types, Importance, Quiz 

Today’s topic of discussion is nothing other than the Biogeochemical cycles. You might be wondering about the meaning of it. The meaning of the Biogeochemical Cycles is very simple. It is the movement of the nutrients and elements in a cyclic mode. The biogeochemical cycle can help in the proper existence of the planet. The researchers have found out the importance of the biochemical cycle in maintaining the balance of the planet.

The earthly components can maintain the well-being of the ecosystem which supports the numerous animals and the plant species. Human beings are also depending upon the biogeochemical cycles. The proper coordinated life of the human species is possible only when we maintain the balance of the atmosphere. Human beings can do a lot more to support the planet by less pollution and proper management. When the proper function of the biogeochemical cycle disrupts, its existence will be questioned. It is important to maintain a proper balance in the cycle which facilitates the movement of the biotic and the abiotic components.

The biogeochemical cycle is of different types. Know more about the Biogeochemical cycle in this article. Keep on reading to understand the importance of the biogeochemical cycle in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and the planet as such. Biogeochemical cycles predominantly guide the activity of nutrients and components between biotic and abiotic factors. The stint biogeochemical is emanated from “bio” indicating biosphere, “geo” signifying the geological components, and “chemical” denoting the components that drive via a cycle. The movement of the particle in the cyclic manner is the biogeochemical cycle.

The value on Earth is conserved and catered to in the form of atoms and molecules. The matter assumes the structure of particles and is energetically present in the structure of fractions. Since value can neither be constructed nor annihilated, it is reclaimed in the globe’s strategy in different conditions. The earth receives power from the sunlight which is emitted around as warmth, catnap all other facets are current in a secured approach. The principal components include Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Sulphur, and Phosphorus. These elements are reclaimed through the biotic and abiotic elements of the ecosystem. The ambiance, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are the abiotic elements of the ecosystem.

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Types of Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical cycles are generally divided into several types. They are the Gaseous cycles and the Sedimentary cycles. The gaseous cycle involves the gaseous components and the elements present on the surface of the earth which includes the Oxygen, Nitrogen,  Carbon, and the Water cycle whereas the sedimentary cycle involves the sedimentary particles present on the surface of the earth. They include the cycles of Phosphorus, Sulphur, Rock cycle, etc. These cycles are important for the sustenance of the energy and the maintenance of the life of the living things. The energy is formed with the help of such cycles and it can balance the existence of all species on the face of the earth. It is important to study the various types of the biogeochemical cycle that can help in the reformation and renewal of life on earth now and then. Let’s have a look at the basic types of the biogeochemical cycles that permits the proper existence of life on earth.

Water Cycle

The water from the diverse moisture bodies disappears, refrigerates, shrinks, and drops back to the land as rain. The water cycle can be defined as the evaporation and the cooling down of the water droplets from various water bodies. The evaporation of the water droplets from the water bodies permits the formation of the rain. The rain is an essential element for the living creatures and through the cyclic process, the atmosphere is balancing the proper amount of rain for the functions on earth. This biogeochemical cycle is accountable for retaining climate circumstances. The water in its miscellaneous conditions interlocks and intermingles with the environment and adjusts the temperature and coercion of the surroundings. Evapotranspiration is another process that is responsible for the formation of the water cycle. Evapotranspiration is the process by which the vapor assembled from leaves is used for the purpose of the outpourings. Evapotranspiration also assists this methodology. It is the evaporation of moisture from the leaves, mud, and moisture bodies to the ambiance which again crystallizes and drops like rain. The definition of the Biogeochemical Cycles is very straightforward. The nutrients and ingredients tend to move cyclically.

Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is one of the important cycles in the biogeochemical cycle where the carbon is exchanged in a cyclic form. The different layers of the earth are the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and pedosphere. the carbon exchange happens cyclically in all of the layers. So, the carbon cycle is important for the study. All leafy plants utilize carbon dioxide and sunlight for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process by which the plants prepare food for the substance of their life. Carbon is stowed in the plant. The green plants, when depleted, are concealed in the ground that fetches transformed into antediluvian powers created from carbon. These fossil fuels when fumed, emit carbon dioxide into the environment. The creatures that engulf plants, acquire the carbon stowed in the plants. This carbon is yielded to the circumstances when these creatures disintegrate after dying. The carbon also reciprocates to the atmosphere through cellular respiration by creatures.

A massive carbon range in the state of carbon dioxide is manufactured in the atmosphere in various ways. The massive content of carbon is present in the atmosphere. The carbon content is accumulated in the constitution of fossil fuels and can be obtained for various commercial and non-commercial drives. The fossil fuels such as coal and oil are used for the purpose of the creating true benefits obtained out of. The commercial and the non-commercial use of such fossil fuels can prove the presence of the carbon content in the atmosphere. When manufacturers utilize these powers, the carbon is similarly discharged rear in the surroundings during eruption and combustion. The excessive amount of carbon particles in the atmosphere is not good for the health of living creatures.

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Nitrogen Cycle

It is the biogeochemical process by which nitrogen molecules are converted into many other forms that can help to maintain the balance in the atmosphere. Nitrogen is an important element that can help in the transformation and transmission process. It can be converted into different states and it can be disseminated through the ambiance and different ecosystems namely terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The feature of the nitrogen cycle is that it is the essential element of the existence of life. It is key to the substance. The nitrogen is formed with the help of the bacteria named nitrogen-fixing bacteria which is present in the nodules of the roots of leguminous plants. The nitrogen in the soil is absorbed and accumulated in the root nodules and thus facilitating the growth and dissemination.

Nitrogen is an important component of energy. The nitrogen in the ambiance is designated by the nitrogen-fixing bacteria current in the core nodules of the leguminous plants and assembled unrestricted to the ground and plants. The bacteria that can be seen in the lists of the plants transform this nitrogen gas into a functional combination called ammonia. Ammonia is given to the plants in the constitution of fertilizers. This ammonia is converted into various forms of nitrogen and they are called the nitrites and nitrates. The denitrifying bacteria ameliorate the nitrates into nitrogen and repay it into the environment. The nitrogen is thus journeying in a cyclic form.

Oxygen Cycle

The oxygen cycle is an important biogeochemical cycle that progresses through the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Oxygen is an ample component of our Earth. It is located in the fundamental layout in the environment to the dimensions of 21%. Photosynthesis is the process by which the oxygen is released by the plants. Human beings and other living organisms inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. The exhaled carbon dioxide is taken up by the plants and utilized by them for the process of photosynthesis. This is a cyclic process. The process by which the release of carbon dioxide can help in the formation of oxygen. The oxygen cycle is the most vital in the biogeochemical cycle which can help in maintaining the atmospheric balance and the stability of human life.

Phosphorous Cycle

phosphorus drives through the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere in a cyclic process that we call the phosphorous cycle. Phosphorus is yanked by the weathered-away rocks. Due to showers and deterioration phosphorus is passed away in the ground and moisture bodies. Plants and animals receive this phosphorus via the soil and moisture. The amount of the prosperous received by the plant and the animal body is released back into the soil. Phosphorous is an essential element for the growth of the organisms. Microorganisms cannot grow well without the ample presence of phosphorus. When the living organisms die, they degenerate, and the accumulated phosphorus is yielded to the soil and water bodies. The prosperous component is acclimated and is absorbed by the living organisms again in the cyclic process continues.

Sulphur Cycle

This biogeochemical cycle progresses through the gravel, water bodies, and living plans. Sulfur is emitted into the environment by the weathering of rocks. The obtained sulfur transformed into sulfates. These sulfates are brought up by the microorganisms and plants and altered into organic formations. Organic sulfur is heavily

swallowed by animals via food particles. When the living organisms die and whether away, the sulfur returns to the soil. The resultant sulphate is again absorbed by the microbes and then again reaches the atmosphere through several methods. This is the way in which the sulfur cycle moves on.

Importance of the biogeochemical cycles

The biogeochemical cycles can sustain the energy and thereby helps in the sustenance of the living lives. The relation between the living and the nonliving things is evident when we analyze the biogeochemical cycles. They function mainly for the energy production, storage, and proper management of energy sources. The cycles can help the living beings to occupy a considerable position in the biosystem. The ecosystem maintains the balance because of the presence of the biogeochemical cycles. Energy plays a vital part in the lives of living creatures and the energy storage is the bosom of the mother earth itself. Human beings have to conserve the biogeochemical cycles to save the planet and the entire lives of organisms which adds a feature to the crown.

Biogeochemical cycles: Quiz

• Name the plant which stores Nitrogen in the root nodules?
  Answer: leguminous plants

• Name the bacteria that can transform nitrates into nitrogen?
  Answer: denitrifying bacteria

• Name the byproducts formed once the ammonia breaks into smaller components?
  Answer: nitrites and nitrates

• When clouds get too heavy to hold water in the water cycle, what happens?
  Answer: The water falls to the Earth
• Water that soaks into the ground is called what in the water cycle?
  Answer:  Groundwater
• What is tapped into when digging a well looking for water in the water cycle?
  Answer:  An underground aquifer
• What turns water on the Earth into vapor in the water cycle?
  Answer:  The sun

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