Matter Cycles Overview

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Questions and Answers

What role does phosphorus play in the growth of plants?

It helps seedlings grow out of the soil. (correct)

It reduces the need for sunlight.

It primarily affects the color of flowers.

It enhances the taste of fruits.

Which process contributes to the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles?

Deposition

Erosion

Weathering (correct)

Sedimentation

In the phosphorus cycle, what happens to phosphorus released from organic sources?

It converts to inorganic phosphorus available for plant uptake. (correct)

It gets leached into the ocean and remains there permanently.

It immediately becomes part of sedimentary rock.

It is lost to the atmosphere through gaseous processes.

What is a consequence of eutrophication in aquatic systems?

It leads to the formation of dense algae layers. Signup and view all the answers

What natural process prevents phosphorus from being reintroduced into the ecological system?

Settling at the bottom of water bodies Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the nutrient pollution in Lake Champlain?

Urban stormwater runoff. Signup and view all the answers

How does climate change impact the phosphorus cycle?

It increases rainfall, washing more phosphorus into water bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary storage form of phosphorus in the environment?

Sedimentary rock Signup and view all the answers

What does residence time represent in a matter cycle?

The amount of time a molecule spends in a specific storage pool Signup and view all the answers

Which component primarily characterizes the sources in a nutrient cycle?

Areas that release more nutrients than they consume Signup and view all the answers

Which ecosystem conditions significantly influence the speed of matter cycles?

Seasonal variations and ecosystem types Signup and view all the answers

What role does the lithosphere play in the carbon cycle?

A storage reservoir containing 99.999% of carbon Signup and view all the answers

How is carbon primarily stored in the oceans?

By dissolving from the atmosphere into surface waters Signup and view all the answers

What factor primarily affects how much carbon the oceans can hold?

Temperatures of ocean waters Signup and view all the answers

Which process is part of the biological carbon pump in the ocean?

Transformation of dissolved carbon into organic material by plankton Signup and view all the answers

What is a sink in the context of matter cycles?

An area that absorbs more nutrients than it releases Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the physical carbon pump in the ocean?

To transport carbon from surface waters to deeper layers Signup and view all the answers

Which process contributes to carbon cycling through tectonic activity?

Weathering and breaking down of rocks Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of increased CO2 levels on stomata in plants?

Stomata decrease in size, reducing water transpiration Signup and view all the answers

How does ocean acidification primarily affect coral reefs?

Makes it more difficult for shells to form Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbon stored in dead organic matter in soil?

It undergoes decomposition and can release carbon Signup and view all the answers

What impact does tilling land have on soil carbon release?

Increases carbon released by exposing deeper soil layers Signup and view all the answers

In which way does increased atmospheric CO2 affect plant yield?

Increases yield but lowers nutritional content Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of phosphorus in living organisms?

Assists in brain function and DNA coding Signup and view all the answers

What human activity can accelerate the phosphorus cycle?

Use of fertilizers in agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of fish being exposed to acidic ocean waters?

Their ability to navigate is disrupted Signup and view all the answers

How does the carbonate carbon pump contribute to the carbon cycle?

Moves carbon from ocean surface to deeper layers Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant environmental consequence of whaling as mentioned in regard to ocean health?

Disruption in food chains and ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Matter Cycles

Matter is anything with mass that occupies space; it can change form and combine with other elements to form different molecules.
Matter cycles, also known as nutrient cycles or biogeochemical cycles, are biological, geological, and chemical processes in ecosystems.
Key concepts:
- Storage pools/compartments: Areas where matter accumulates.
- Sources: Release more nutrients than they absorb.
- Sinks: Absorb more nutrients than they release.
- Fluxes: Movement of matter into and out of compartments (can vary greatly).
- Residence time: Average time a molecule stays in a pool (calculated by total matter divided by outflow rate).
Carbon's residence time in the atmosphere is 5-7 years.
Matter cycle speeds vary by season and ecosystem type, often faster in spring than winter.
Soil stores significant carbon; tropical soils like Amazonian ones cycle dead organic matter quickly.
Cycles are categorized by their primary matter form (e.g., gaseous vs. sedimentary).

Carbon Cycle

Carbon is essential for life on Earth.
Major reservoirs/storage pools:
- Lithosphere (99.999% of Earth's carbon stored here, mostly unavailable),
- Ocean,
- Atmosphere,
- Biosphere.
Carbon enters the atmosphere mainly from decaying matter.
Carbon is incorporated into sedimentary rock through accumulation of decaying organisms.
Fluxes:
- Tectonic activity releases carbon.
- Burning fossil fuels also releases it.
- Ocean-atmosphere gas exchange.
Ocean carbon storage:
- Warmer water holds less dissolved carbon.
- Ocean currents, wind, and wave action affect carbon uptake.
Pathways:
- Physical carbon pump: Surface waters move carbon deeper in the ocean.
- Biological carbon pump: Plankton convert dissolved carbon to organic matter, which sinks to the bottom when dead.
- Carbonate carbon pump: Shell-building organisms take in carbon, which sinks and forms sedimentary rock.
Soil organic matter contains twice the carbon as the atmosphere.

Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle

Tilled land releases more carbon into the air than no-till methods do.
Increasing atmospheric CO2:
- Reduced transpiration in plants (smaller stomata).
- Decreased nutrient content in plants (5-14% reduction).
Ocean acidification: Reduced pH impacting shell-building organisms and fish (hearing/smell).

Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is essential for life and stored primarily in sedimentary rock.
Crucial for plant growth (roots, seedlings, stems) and animal processes (bones, teeth, DNA).
Major surface pools:
- Sedimentary rock, soils, water bodies, and biosphere.
Key processes:
- Weathering (breaks down rock to release phosphorus).
- Inorganic to organic conversion in terrestrial systems (from soil to plants to animals).
- Runoff, erosion, and leaching carry phosphorus in aquatic systems; it dissolves, becoming biologically available before potentially becoming sediments.

Eutrophication (Excess Phosphorus)

Eutrophication is excessive nutrient accumulation (often phosphorus).
Impacts:
- Algal blooms: Algae overgrow, causing oxygen depletion when they die.
- Reduced sunlight penetration for plant life.
- Issues in aquatic environments (Lake Champlain).

Ecosystem Story Map Assignment

4-page, single-spaced assignment.
Include at least one photo per location.
Flexible formatting, integrating photos with descriptions.

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Description

Discover the essential concepts of matter cycles in ecosystems, including storage pools, sources, sinks, and fluxes. This quiz explores how matter transforms and moves through various biological, geological, and chemical processes, highlighting the importance of carbon cycling and its impact on the environment.