Chapter 21: Movement of Elements in Ecosystems Flashcards

(144 cards)

1
Q

The movement of water through ecosystems and atmosphere is known as the _________________

A

Hydrologic cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What three processes drive the hydrologic cycle?

A

Evaporation

Transpiration

Precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The movement of water is drive by the energy of ____________, which causes evaporation from soil and water bodies and evapotranspiration from plants

A

the Sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is evapotranspiration?

A

Evapotranspiration changes water from a liquid to a gas in the form of water vapor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

There is a limit to the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can contain. As additional water continues to evaporate, the water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into _______________, which ultimately create __________________ in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow

A

Clouds

Precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

___________________ that falls on land either runs off along the surface or infiltrates the soil, where it may evaporation, be taken up by plants, or enter groundwater; excess water ultimately returns to the ocean

A

Precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The _____________ cycle is closely tied to the movement of energy

A

Carbon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

In the carbon cycle, producers take up _________ from the atmosphere and water. They transfer assimilated carbon to consumers, detritivores, scavengers, and decomposers, and these organisms return _____________ to the atmosphere and ocens through ___________________

A

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide

Respiration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a biogeochemical cycle?

A

The circulation of chemical elements from environment to organisms and back to the environment (inorganic to organic and back)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the two types of biogeochemical cycles?

A
  1. Gaesous
  2. Sedimentary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a gaseous biogeochemical cycle?

A

A cycle in which the resevoir is the atmosphere or ocean

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a sedimentary biogeochemical cycle?

A

One in which the resevoir is usually the lithosphere (“rock”-sphere)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

In ecological systems, energy __________ or passes through the system; matter, however, like nutrients, __________ through the system.

A

Flows

Cycles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is the nitrogen cycle important?

A

Because living organisms need nitrogen for building nucleic acids and proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is nitrogen inacessible to most animals?

A

Because it’s reserved in the atmosphere in a form that most living things are unable to break down - molecular nitrogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What enzyme breaks down the triple bond between nitrogen atoms in the nitrogen molecule?

A

Nitrogenase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In the presence of _________, nitrogenase denatures

A

Oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which exceeds the other in terrestrial ecosystems? Precipitation or evaporation?

A

Precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What’s the harm done to the hydrologic cycle when construction materials like roofing and pavement are used?

A

These materials are impervious to water infiltration, which reduces the amount of water available for the soil, which plants use or humans need for drinking water

These materials therefore increase the amount of surface runoff, which increases soil erosion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What’s the harm done to the hydrologic cycle as a result of logging?

A

The overall plant biomass is reduced, so less precipitation is taken up by plant roots and evapotranspirated

Thus surface runoff increases, which results to soil erosion and flooding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What harms are done to the hydrologic cycle when groundwater is pumped for irrigation or household use?

A

We reduce the amount of groundwater at a rate that exceeds its replenishment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How does global warming affect the hydrologic cycle?

A

As air and water temperatures rise, there will be an increase in the rate of water evaporation, which will cause water to move through the hydrologic cycle more quickly, potentially leading to increased rain and snow intensity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the three drivers of the hydrologic cycle?

A

Evaporation

Transpiration

Precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the largest pool of water in the hydrologic cycle?

A

The oceans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
From where does evaporation of water occur?
Bodies of water, soil, and plants that experience evapotranspiration
26
What provides the energy for evaporation in the hydrologic cycle?
The Sun
27
What are the paths that precipitation can take in the hydrologic cycle?
Falls directly onto surface of acquatic ecosystems Falls directly onto terrestrial ecosystems, where it can travel along the surface of the ground or infiltrate the ground water (and then absorbed by plants) - the surface runoff and some of the groundwater will return to water bodies
28
Overview of the hydrologic cycle: The movement of water is driven by the energy of the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which causes _____________________ from soil and water bodies and _______________________ from pants. Water __________________ condense into clouds that eventually return the water to Earth as ________________________ that either runs off the surface or infiltrates the soil. Runoff flows along the surface of the ground until it enters streams and rivers; water in the soil is taken up by plants or enters the groundwater. Ultimately, _________________ returns to the ocean
the Sun Evaporation Evapotranspiration Vapors Precipitation Excess water
29
What are the six types of transformations carbon can undergo?
Photosynthesis Respiration Sedimentation/burial Exchange Extraction Combustion
30
Producers use _______________________ in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to take CO2 from the air and water and to convert it into carbohydrates, which are used to make other compounds, including proteins and fats.
Photosynthesis
31
What does photosynthesis accomplish in the carbon cycle?
It fixes or locks up carbon in forms that are usable to consumers, scavengers, detritivores, and decomposers
32
Which trophic groups experience respiration?
Consumers Scavengers Detritivores Decomposers (basically anything that isn't a producer)
33
How is carbon returned to the air or water in the carbon cycle?
Via respiration of consumers
34
In some habitats, oxygen isn't available to serve as the terminal electron acceptor for respiration in which case some species of archaea use carbon compounds, like __________________ to produce CO2, water, and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Methanol Methane
35
Why is the production of methan through anaerobic respiration a concern?
Because methane is a greenhouse gas and on a per-molecule basis is 72 times more effective at aborbing and radiating infrared radiation back to Earth than CO2
36
What's different between the exchange of carbon in acquatic systems and terrestrial systems?
In acquatic systems, the exchange occurs in both directions at a similar magnitude, meaning there is little net transfer over time
37
What happens whe CO2 diffuses from the atmosphere into the ocean?
Some is used by plants and algae for photosynthesis Some is converted into carbonate and bicarbonate ions
38
To what do carbonate ions bond in water?
Calcium
39
What's formed when calcium and carbonate combine?
Calcium carbonate
40
What's the significance in the formation of calcium carbonate in water?
Calcium carbonate has a low solubility in water, so it precipitates out of the water and becomes part of the sediments at the botton of the ocean; over time, these calcium carbonate sediments form dolomite and limestone that humans mine for use in concrete and fertilizer
41
Over millions of years, the calcium carbonate sediments that accumulate in the ocean bottoms combined with the calcium carbonate skeletons from tiny marine organisms can develop into massive sources of carbon in the forms of rocks known as ________________ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Dolomite Limestone
42
What does it mean to say that carbon can be "buried"?
Carbon can be buried as organic matter before it fully decomposes; some of this organic matter is converted to fossil fuels
43
The rate of carbon burial is slow and is offset by the rate of carbon released back into the atmosphere by the weathering of _____________________ and during \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Limestone rock Volcanic eruptions
44
Why does carbon move slowly through sedimentary and burial pools?
Because the carbon can be locked
45
What represents a recent change to the carbon cycle?
The extraction of fossil fuels
46
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of carbon sources produces CO2 that goes into the atmosphere. Some is natural, but some is human-caused.
Combustion
47
Like respiration and decomisition, ______________________ converts organic compounds to CO2
Combustion
48
Overview of the carbon cycle In the carbon cycle, ________________ take up CO2 from the atmosphere and the water. They transfer assimilated carbon to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, scavengers, and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. These organisms return CO2 to the atmosphere and oceans through \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Throughout the ecosystem, CO2 is exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean and between the ocean and sediments. Carbon that's been stored underground for long periods turns into \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which can be extracted. CO2 is returned to the atmosphere through the __________________ of these materials, burning in terrestrial ecosystems, and volcanic activity
Producers Consumers Detritivores Decomposers Respiration Fossil fuels Combustion
49
How do researchers measure CO2 levels across time?
Ice cores
50
Why have CO2 levels increased in modern times?
Combustion of fossil fuels for energy
51
Why is the rise in atmosphere CO2 important to humans?
Because CO2 is a greenhouse gas that absorbs infrared radiation and radiates some of it back to Earth
52
At higher temperatures, ______________ - found in high latitude regions - thaws and decomposes under anaerobic conditions, producing methane
Peat
53
What are some effects that temperature increases can have around the world?
Reducing the size of the polar ice sheets Altering the length of plant growing seasons Changing the timing of plant and animal life histories
54
How does deforestation disrupt the carbon cycle?
When trees are cut down and burned or allowed to rot, their stored carbon is released into the air as carbon dioxide. And this is how deforestation and forest degradation contribute to global warming
55
How does agriculture affect the carbon cycle?
Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and pass carbon to the ground when dead roots and leaves decompose. But human activity, in particular agriculture, can cause carbon to be released from the soil at a faster rate than it is replaced
56
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without this atmosphere. Radiatively active gases in a planet's atmosphere radiate energy in all directions
57
What are the five greenhouse gases discussed in class?
CO2 CH4 (methane) O3 (ozone) NO CFC (chloroflourocarbons)
58
Under anaerobic or incomplete decompositions, _____ and methane are form, which are further _____________ to CO2 in the atmosphere
CO Oxidized
59
What algae store CO2?
Coccolithophores
60
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ sequester CO2 as calcium carbonate through their shells
Coccolithophores
61
What happens if too much CO2 winds up in water?
The buffer system shifts to the right, releasing carbonate and hydronium ions and decreasing the pH of the ecosystem
62
If too much CO2 dissolves in the ocean, the water's pH level decreases and kills coccolithophores. Why is this a problem?
Because coccolithophores sequester excess CO2 as calcium carbonate in their shells; when they die, the excess CO2 can't be sequester, shifting the buffer system further to the right
63
What do we mean by "groundwater recharge"?
Groundwater recharge or deep drainage or deep percolation is a hydrologic process, where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater. Recharge is the primary method through which water enters an aquifer; groundwater recharge also encompasses water moving away from the water table farther into the saturated zone
64
An ________________ is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt)
Aquifer
65
The _________________ describes the entire river system as a continuously integrating series of physical gradients and associated biotic adjustments as the river flows from headwater to mouth.
River Continuum Concept (RCC)
66
The ____________________ proposes a progressive shift, from headwaters to mouth, of physical gradients and energy inputs and accompanying shift in trophic organization and biological communities
River Continuum Concept
67
The River Continuum Concept is based on the theory of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Dynamic equilibrium
68
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ connectivity refers to the periodic inundation of the floodplain and the resulting exchange of water, sediment, organic matter, nutrients, and organisms. Lateral connectivity becomes especially important in large rivers with broad floodplains.
Lateral
69
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ connectivity refers to the pathways along the entire length of a stream. As the physical gradient changes from source to mouth, chemical systems and biological communities shift and change in response. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ connectivity, however, refers to the periodic inundation of the floodplain and the resulting exchange of water, sediment, organic matter, nutrients, and organisms. Lateral connectivity becomes especially important in large rivers with broad floodplains
Longitudinal Lateral
70
The ___________________ explains how the periodic inundation and drought control the lateral exchange of water, nutrients and organisms between the main river channel and the connected floodplain
Flood pulse concept
71
The flood pulse concept views streams and rivers longitudinally and laterally and accepts _______________ as natural to which organisms develop
Flooding
72
What is a riparian zone?
A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream
73
Nitrogen moves through five major transformations. What are they?
Nitrogen fixation Nitrification Assimilation Mineralization Denitrification
74
Where is the largest pool of nitrogen located?
Atmosphere
75
What is nitrogen fixation?
The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms producers can use
76
What does nitrogen fixation accomplish?
Converts nitrogen gas into ammonia (NH3) (then rapidly interconverted into ammonium NH4+) or nitrate (NO3-)
77
What are three ways that nitrogen fixation occurs?
Organism metabolism Lightning Industrial fertilizer production
78
What species of cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen?
*Azotobacter*
79
What mutualistic bacteria can fix nitrogen?
*Rhizobium*
80
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ can fix nitrogen and lives in the root nodules of some legumes
*Rhizobium*
81
Nitrogen fixation is an important source of required \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, especially for early succession plants colonizing habitats that have little available nitrogen
Nitrogen
82
The process of nitrogen fixation requires a relatively ___________ amount of energy
High
83
How do organisms obtain the energy required for nitrogen fixation?
Metabolizing organic matter from the environment (cyanobacteria engage in photosynthesis) Acquiring carbohydrates from a mutualistic partner (*Rhizobium* is mutualistic with legumes)
84
Can nitrogen fixation occur via abiotic processes?
Yes via lighting and combustion
85
Besides the biotic and abiotic (lightning, combustion) processes, what other mechanism exists for nitrogen fixation?
Industrial production of fertilizers
86
What is nitrification?
The conversion of ammonium NH4+ to nitrite NO2- and nitrite to nitrate (NO3-)
87
What's important about the conversion from ammonium to nitrite to nitrate in nitrification?
These conversions release much of the potential energy contained in ammonium
88
The conversion of ammonium to nitrites in terrestrial and acquatic ecosystems is carried out by _______________________ and _______________________ bacteria
* Nitrosomonas* * Nitrosococcus*
89
The conversion of nitrite to nitrate is carried out by _________________________ and _____________________ bacteria
* Nitrobacter* * Nitrococcus*
90
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and ___________________ convert ammonium to nitrite; __________________ and ____________________ convert nitrite to nitrate
* Nitrosomonas* * Nitrosococcus* * Nitrobacter* * Nitrococcus*
91
How can producers take up nitrogen?
From the soil or water as either ammonium or nitrate
92
Once producers take up nitrogen, they incorporate it into their tissues, a process known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Assimilation
93
When primary or secondary consumers consume producers, they can either assimilate nitrogen from the producers or \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Excrete it as waste
94
Animal waste as well as the biomass of producers and consumers that eventually die are borken down by scavengers, detritivores, and decomposers. The fungal and bacterial decomposers break down biological nitrogen into \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, the process of which is known as mineralization
Ammonia
95
What is mineralization?
The process of breaking down organic compounds into inorganic compounds
96
What happens to nitrates produced by nitrification?
Nitrates are quite soluble in water and readily leach out of soils and into waterways where they settle in the sediments of wetlands, rivers, lakes, and oceans. These sediments are typically anaerobic
97
Under anaerobic conditions, nitrates can be transformed back into nitrites, which are then transformed into \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Nitric oxide
98
What bacteria transforms nitrate to nitrite and then nitric oxide?
*Pseudomonoas denitrificans*
99
What happens to nitric oxide?
Additional chemical reactions under anaerobic conditions in soils and water subsequently convert nitric ocide to nitrogen gas
100
The process of converting nitrates into nitrogen gas (via nitric oxide) is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Denitrification
101
Denitrification is necessary for breaking down organic matter in oxygen-depleted soils and sediments and produces \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which cannot be taken up by producers and thus leaves the waterlogged soils and acquatic ecosystems in the form of a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
N2 (molecular nitrogen) Gas
102
How have humans disrupted the nitrogen cycle?
During the last three centuries, humans have nearly doubled the amount of nitrogen put into terrestrial ecosystems, which produces nitric oxide that eventually reacts with water to form nitrate and returns to the ecosystem
103
What happens to terrestrial ecosystems when more nitrogen is added?
Producitivty increases but species loss increases; it's believed that the increased nitrogen, a limiting nutrient, caused a few plant species to grow very large and to dominate the community
104
Overview of the nitrogen cycle: The nitrogen cycle begins with nitrogen gas in the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. The process of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_converts it into a form that producers can use. The _________________ can then be ________________ into producers and consumers; it ultimately decomposes into ammonium through the process of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. The ammonium can be converted into nitrite and then nitrate through the process of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Under anaerobic conditions, the nitrate can be converted into nitrogen gas through the process of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Atmosphere Nitrogen fixation Fixed nitrogen Assimilated Mineralization Nitrification Denitrification
105
Why is the atmosphere NOT an important component of the phosphorus cycle?
Because phosphorus doesn't exist in a gaseous phase
106
How does phosphorus generally travel?
As the phosphate ion; it rarely changes physical form
107
What's the major source of phosphorus?
Phosphate rocks
108
Over time, calcium phosphate precipitates out of ocean water and slowly forms \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which is uplifted by geologic forces and weathering, thereby releasing phosphate ions
Sedimentary rocks
109
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ take up phosphate ions from soil or water and incorporate them directly into various organic compounds. _____________ eliminate excess phosphorus in their diets by excreting urine containing either phosphate ions or phosphorus compounds that are converted to phosphate ions by phosphatizing \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Plants Animals Bacteria
110
What ecosystems act as phosphorus sinks?
Marine and freshwater sediments because they remove phosphorus from the water column - in well-oxygenated waters, phosphorus readily binds with calcium and iron ions, precipitating out of the water
111
Under _______________ conditions, iron tends to combine with ____________ rather than phosphorus, so phosphorus remains more available in the water column
Low-oxygen Sulfur
112
Overview of phosphorus cycle: Phosphate __________ are uplifted by geologic forces and are naturally weathers over time to release \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which is used in fertilizer and detergents. Phosphorus is taken up by producers and moves through the food chain until it is released either through waste or \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Excess phosphorus on land runs off the surface or leaches out of the soil into acquatic habitats. In the ocean, phosphorus combines with _____________ or iron and precipitates out of the water column, ultimately reforming phosphate rocks again.
Rocks Phosphorus Decompisition Calcium
113
An increase in the productivity of acquatic ecosystems is called \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Eutrophication
114
Why is too much phosphorus a bad thing?
Because in combination with excess nitrates contributes to harmful algal bloods that lead to dead zones
115
An increase in the productivity of acquatic ecosystems caused by human activities is called \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Cultural eutrophication
116
Eutrophication can lead to ________________ in acquatic ecosystems
Dead zones
117
What enzyme's responsible for breaking apart N2?
Nitrogenase
118
Who developed a way to commercially produce ammonia?
Frtiz Haber
119
Does nitrogenase require a lot or a little energy?
A lot of energy - it's very energy expensive to use, but nitrogen is a limiting nutrient and important to life, so it's a justifiable expense
120
Both symbiotic and free-living organisms can fix nitrogen. What are the symbiotic ones?
*Rhizobium* and *Bradyrhizobium* Actinomycetes associated with alder roots Lichens *Anabaena azollae*
121
Both symbiotic and free-living organisms can fix nitrogen. What are the free-living ones?
* Clostridium* * Azotobacter* Some cyanobacteria
122
Free-living organisms that can fix nitrogen include the anaerobic ________________ and the aerobic \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
* Clostridium* * Azotobacter*
123
Because nitrogenase, which fixes nitrogen, denatures in the presence of oxygen, what must organisms exposed to oxygen do in order for nitrogenase to function?
Adapt
124
What adaptations did *Azotobacter* develop for reducing oxygen?
High respiratory rate Production of extracellular polysaccharide
125
Why does *Azotobacter* have such a high respiratory rate?
Because nitrogenase denatures in the presence of oxygen - by respiring quickly, little oxygen can remain in cells, and therefore nitrogenase can continue working
126
Why does *Azotobacter* produce an extracellular polysaccharide?
It protects cells from oxygen
127
How does *Rhizobium* accomplish nitrogen fixation in the presence of oxygen?
Via leghemaglobin, which scavengers O2
128
In the process of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, organic nitrogen is oxidized to CO2, H20, and NH3
Ammonification
129
Does ammonification produce or consume energy?
Produces energy
130
Why is the process of ammonification important?
Because plants can use ammonium
131
Why are seabirds important to the phosphorus (and nitrogen) cycles?
Seabirds drastically transform the environmental conditions of the sites where they establish their breeding colonies via soil, sediment, and water eutrophication
132
What's the role of phosphorus in Florida red tides?
The Gulf of Mexico receives iron dust from the Sahara Desert; this iron stimulates *Trichodesmium* bloom, a nitrogen fixer; and with nitrogen and phosphorus from run-off, a phytoplankton blood results
133
What happens when zooplankton populations increase?
They eat the non-toxic algae, leaving behind toxic dinoflagellates
134
In the interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus, which is likely the limiting element?
Phosphorus
135
IIn 1977, Schindler showed, using whole-lake experiments, that natural biological mechanisms can compensate for deficiencies in ____________ and _______________ in lakes affected by eutrophication, but no such mechanisms exist for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Based on his findings, Schindler recommended that management of lakes should focus on control of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_levels
Carbon, nitrogen Phosphorus, phosphorus
136
What is the GAIA hypothesis?
The Gaia hypothesis, also known as the Gaia theory or the Gaia principle, proposes that living organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a synergistic and self-regulating, complex system that helps to maintain and perpetuate the conditions for life on the planet.
137
Why can ecosystems more easily adjust their carbon and nitrogen levels than their phosphorus levels?
Because carbon and nitrogen can exist in gaseous forms; phosphorus can only exist in a solid
138
What's the main biologically available form of sulfur?
Sulfate
139
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is reduced by autotrophs to make \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Sulfate (SO4) Amino acids for proteins
140
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are formed in sediment, and _______________ is converted from its insoluble to soluble form; therefore, the sulfur and phosphorus cycles regulate one another
Iron sulfides Phosphorus
141
What are the three reservoir pools for sulfur?
Lithosphere Atmosphere Ocean
142
What is the turnover rate?
The amount of a substance that gets fixed
143
What's turnover time?
How long it takes for a substance to be fixed
144