Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles Diana Cervantes Everest University Abstract In this essay we discuss the Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen cycle. We discuss what they do, and why they are important. We also discuss how humans impact the cycles. Keywords: Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Phosphorus cycle Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles The biogeochemical cycle is a cycle that shows how atoms are recycled in the biosphere. Three important cycles in the biogeochemical cycle are the carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles.
Jessica Musser Human Impacts on the Carbon, Phosphorus and Nitrogen Cycles October 27, 2012 Professor Amanda Slaughter Environmental Science The carbon cycle is the set of biogeochemical processes by which carbon undergoes chemical reactions, changes form, and moves through different reservoirs on earth, including living organisms. The geological component of the carbon cycle is driven by plate tectonics and includes processes like volcanic eruptions and burial of carbon-rich sediments on the ocean floor. The biological component of the carbon cycle is driven by respiration and photosynthesis by living organisms. Humans affect the carbon cycle in many ways but mostly by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas). The burning rate of these fossil fuels is close to 6 gigatons per year.
The ozone layer which is our protector from the sun is impacted with the increase of burning fossil fuel such as oil, coal, and natural gas which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide. For all plant growth, phosphorus is an important mineral that is used as fertilizers that assist with plant blooming and production. This key element that plants use is needed for animals and humans and it begins with rain runoff that breaks down rocks which release phosphorus into the ground and eventually into the water supply. Humans’ impact the phosphorus cycle by the over use of manmade fertilizers that eventually returns to the earth and find their way into the ocean. With water pollution ocean life becomes tainted with over fertilization that can lead to death of plant and animal life.
The Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems Saundra Adams Everest University Online Summarize man’s impact on the carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen. * Discuss how humans impact each cycle. * Give specific examples of each cycle and how humans impact these cycles. The Carbon Cycle: Reservoir of carbon dioxide (CO2 molecules present in the air). Using photosynthesis and further metabolism, carbon atoms, from CO2 these carbon atoms of the organic molecules make up the plant’s body.
How humans impact each cycle Crystal a Six Environmental Science EVS1001 Give specific examples of each cycle and how humans impact these cycles. Carbon Cycle- the circulation of carbon between living organisms and their surroundings. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is synthesized by plants into plant tissue, which is ingested and metabolized by animals and converted to carbon dioxide again during respiration and decay. Human’s impact on this cycle is significant. We are removing 40% of the photosynthetic effort in land plants in order to support human enterprises.
An unnaturally large amount of these “greenhouse gases” are released by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and mining. These human activities are responsible for global climate change. It isn’t a result of natural causes. The largest source of greenhouse gases is the burning of fossil fuels. Automobiles and energy production use fossil fuels.
Human Impact on Cycles Patrece Scales Professor Michael Gehosky October 26, 2012 There are many ways humans have impact on carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles. The carbon cycle is involved in movement of carbon between atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere. Natural gas, oil, and coal are known as fossil fuels. They are commonly burned to generate electricity where ever it is needed. When a human use oil in his/her car, van, or truck, they have a great bid of impact on carbon, because when oil is being burned carbon is released into the atmosphere at a very fast rate, than it is removed.
These gases, along with several others, remain within the atmosphere because of the greenhouse effect. Carbon Dioxide, much like water, goes through a cycle referred to as the carbon cycle. Through this cycle carbon is exchanged through the Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, ecosphere, geosphere and lastly the hydrosphere. Because of this cycle the carbon dioxide flowing in the atmosphere will eventually be absorb into the ocean. There are different ways it can end up in the ocean, for example, through rain fall or even rivers.
Anytime we burn fossil fuels the carbon cycle is being affected. When fossil fuels are being burned it puts an excessive amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Wright & Boorse, 2013) The Phosphorus cycle is the flow in which mineral nutrients travel through an ecosystem. An example would be a rock being weathered down after a long rainy day. The rocks will release phosphorus which is then absorbed by plants through the roots.
These four processes crucial to plant life are photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, photoperiodism and phototropism. Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants take light energy from the sun or another source, convert it into chemical based energy, and then use this energy to survive. The light energy becomes organic molecules, which make up some fundamental structures inherent to each plant. Photosynthesis also plays a part in the ever-important process of helping to sustain human life. Carbon dioxide is pulled from the environment outside of the plant and used as a part of photosynthesis to acquire energy and to run life-sustaining processes.