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Law of Conservation of Matter
The amount of matter on the Earth is fixed. During chemical reactions there is no increase or decrease in the amount of matter
Store
A reservoir or compartment where the element resides. Represents a defined space in nature that may be physical or biological. Typically denoted as boxes in a biogeochemical diagram
In nitrogen cycle, atmosphere is a major store of N.
In carbon cycle, limestone is a major store of C.
Nitrogen Fixation
Carried out by cyanobacteria, converts atmospheric gas (N2) to ammonium (NH4)
Ecosystem Dynamics
The study of the forces that influence ecosystem function
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
The rate at which energy is captured and assimilated by producers in a given area
Big 5 elements for life on Earth
CHONP - Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous
Biogeochemical Cycles
The recycling of nutrients with abiotic and biotic components
Nitrification
Potential Energy
Stored in an object of system
ex. Chemical energy, mechanical energy, gravitational energy, nuclear energy
Secondary Production
The generation of biomass in heterotrophic organisms
Biogeochemistry
The study of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence the movement and transformation of elements in an ecosystem
Types of stores
Organic - available for organisms
Organic - not available for organisms
Inorganic - available for organisms
Inorganic - not available for organisms
Denitrification
Nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere by specialized bacteria living in anoxic environments.
Kinetic Energy
Possessed by reason of motion
Ex. Electrical energy, radiant energy, thermal energy, motion energy, sound energy
Consumption Efficiency
The percentage of energy or biomass in a trophic level that is consumed by the next higher trophic level
Gaseous Cycles
When the ultimate source of the chemical is the atmosphere
Ex. Nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, sulfur cycle
Flux
A process that moves the chemical element from one store to another. Denotes by arrows in a biogeochemical cycle.
In carbon cycle, flux that moves C from dead organisms to the atmosphere is decomposition.
In calcium cycle, flux that moves Ca from rock to the soil and water as dissolved Ca is weathering.
First and Second Law of Thermodynamics vs Energy Flow
Energy is conserved, moves through the ecosystem from primary producers through consumers
Entropy always increases - when energy is transformed, part of the energy assumes a form that can no longer pass any further
Primary Productivity
The rate at which solar or chemical energy is captured and converted into chemical bonds by photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
Assimilation Efficiency
The percentage of consumed energy that is assimilated and not lost through excretion
Sedimentary Cycles
When the ultimate source of the chemicals are minerals in the earth
Ex. Phosphorus cycle, calcium cycle, iron cycle, potassium cycle
Forms of Nitrogen in the environment
N2 - Nitrogen gas
NH4 - Ammonium
NO2 - Nitrite
NO3 - Nitrate
10% rule
Only about 10% of the energy in one trophic level flows up to the next
Net Primary Production (NPP)
The rate at which energy is assimilated by producers and converted into producer biomass in a given area
NPP = GPP - Respiration
Net Production Efficiency
The percentage of assimilated energy that is used for growth and reproduction