9 Questions
What is the primary difference between the global cycles of phosphorus and those of nitrogen and carbon?
Phosphorus is more readily stored in sedimentary rocks
What is the primary mechanism of nitrogen export from ecosystems?
Denitrification
What is the term for the process by which organic nutrients are broken down into inorganic forms?
Mineralization
What is the primary factor that affects the rates of decomposition in ecosystems?
All of the above
What is the term for the process by which nitrogen is converted into a usable form for organisms?
Nitrogen fixation
What is the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle?
Carbon sink
What is the difference between decomposition and mineralization?
Decomposition is the breakdown of organic matter, while mineralization is the conversion of organic matter into inorganic forms
What is the term for the process by which nutrients are released from organic matter and made available to organisms?
Mineralization
What are the terms for the nutrient forms of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus that are bound to organic matter?
Organic nutrients
Test your knowledge on the roles of the atmosphere, sedimentary rocks, and human impacts on the global cycles of phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon. Explore the processes of nitrogen fixation, denitrification, and the ocean's role in the carbon cycle. Create a graphic model of an ecosystem and more!
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