ES - Biogeochemical cycles

• What are the main reservoirs in the carbon cycle?

  Atmosphere, fossil fuels, carbonaceous rocks
• What is the primary form of carbon in the atmosphere?

  CO2
• What is the main process that captures light energy in the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis
• What is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis?

  Oxygen
• How does aerobic respiration differ from anaerobic respiration?

  Aerobic respiration releases more energy
• What is released as a waste product of aerobic respiration?

  CO2
• What is the role of food chains in the carbon cycle?

  They transfer organic compounds between organisms
• What is fossilization?

  Incomplete decomposition of organisms
• How does fossil fuel exploitation impact the carbon cycle?

  It increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
• What effect does deforestation have on atmospheric CO2 levels?

  It increases atmospheric CO2 levels
• How does agriculture contribute to CO2 release?

  Soil disturbance increases decomposition rates
• What gas is released by anaerobic bacteria in rice paddies?

  Methane (CH4)
• What is the impact of composting on soil fertility?

  It improves soil fertility
• How does pollution affect phytoplankton in the ocean?

  It may kill phytoplankton
• What happens to CO2 concentrations as they rise in the atmosphere?

  More CO2 dissolves into oceans
• What is the effect of global climate change on decomposition rates?

  It increases the rate of decomposition
• What is permafrost?

  Frozen ground that may release methane
• Why is methane considered a powerful greenhouse gas?

  It is 22 times more powerful than CO2
• What are some sustainable management practices for the carbon cycle?

  Conserve biomass and plant trees
• What is carbon capture and storage?

  Capturing CO2 and storing it underground
• What is the process of gasification in carbon capture?

  Coal is exposed to steam and air
• What happens to CO2 after it is captured?

  It must be stored underground
• What is sedimentation in the carbon cycle?

  Storage of carbon in marine organisms' skeletons
• How does decomposition release gases?

  Microorganisms break down organic matter
• What is nitrogen fixation?

  Conversion of nitrogen gas into nitrates
• What role do legumes play in the nitrogen cycle?

  They convert nitrogen gas into nitrates
• What is ammonification?

  Breakdown of proteins into ammonium
• What is denitrification?

  Conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas
• How do fertilizers affect freshwater ecosystems?

  They cause rapid growth of water plants
• What happens to bottom plants in freshwater ecosystems due to fertilizer runoff?

  They die and are decomposed by bacteria
• What is the role of detritivores in the nitrogen cycle?

  They break down organic matter
• What is leaching in the context of the nitrogen cycle?

  Washing away soluble substances from soil
• What are the key processes in the carbon cycle?

  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Food chains
  • Fossilisation
  • Combustion
  • Decomposition
  • Dissolving
• What are the main components of the nitrogen cycle?

  • Nitrogen fixation
  • Nitrification
  • Ammonification
  • Denitrification
  • Leaching
• What are the impacts of human activities on the carbon cycle?

  • Fossil fuel exploitation increases CO2
  • Deforestation reduces carbon storage
  • Agriculture increases CO2 release
  • Pollution affects marine life
• What are sustainable management practices for the nitrogen cycle?

  • Use of renewable energy
  • Planting legumes
  • Reducing fertilizer runoff
  • Crop rotation
• What are the consequences of fertilizer runoff in aquatic ecosystems?

  • Rapid growth of water plants
  • Death of bottom plants
  • Oxygen depletion in water
  • Death of aquatic life
• What are the roles of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

  • Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert N2 to nitrates
  • Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium to nitrites and nitrates
  • Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back to N2
• What are the effects of global warming on permafrost?

  • Thawing of frozen ground
  • Release of methane gas
  • Increased greenhouse gas emissions
• What are the main forms of nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?

  • Nitrogen gas (N2)
  • Ammonium ions (NH4+)
  • Nitrites (NO2-)
  • Nitrates (NO3-)