Biogeochemical Cycles Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Biogeochemical Cycles Deck (16)
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1
Q

biogeochemical cycle

A

path an element takes as it moves from abiotic systems through producers, consumers & decomposers and back again

nutrient flow in biotic/abiotic factors

2
Q

soil organic matter

A

organic (carbon containing) compounds found in soil

3
Q

humus

A

decayed organic matter in soils

4
Q

watershed

A

area drained by a single stream or river

5
Q

global water cycle

A

estimated amount of water moving btwn major reservoirs over a course of a year, powered by sun

6
Q

groundwater

A

water below land surface

7
Q

aquifer

A

underground layer of soil saturated w/ water

  • takes thousands of years to recharge
  • contained/closed or uncontained/open
8
Q

water table

A

upper limit of underground layer of soil saturated w/ water

9
Q

global nitrogen table

A

movement of nitrogen among terrestrial ecosystem, oceans & atmospheres

10
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

incorporation of atmospheric of N2 into NH3, which can be used to make many organic compounds
- occurs in a few lineages of bacteria & archaea

11
Q

dead zone

A

anoxic

12
Q

global carbon cycle

A

worldwide movement of carbon among terrestrial ecosystems, oceans & atmospheres

13
Q

how lost nutrients can be replaced

A

(1) ions become rock weather
(2) blow in on soil particles OR dissolved in streams
(3) nitrogen-fixing bacteria conversions

14
Q

biogeochemical cycle questions

A

(1) nature/size of storage reservoir
(2) movement patterns: speed & process
(3) interactions

15
Q

contained/closed aquifer

A

nonporous rock layers overlie aquifer

16
Q

uncontained/open aquifer

A

replenished water percolating down from surface