Nutrient Cycles

Nitrogen Cycle

100

The gaseous form of nitrogen in the atmosphere

Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂)

200

The type of bacteria that convert N₂ into Ammonium

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

300

This is the process that converts ammonium into nitrites (NO₂), then nitrates (NO₃^-) so plants can uptake them

Nitrification

400

The two forms of nitrogen that can be taken up by plants

Nitrates (NO₃^-) and Ammonium (NH₄⁺)

500

This is the process where dead organisms are decomposed and their nitrogen is converted back into ammonium (NH₄⁺)

Ammonification

Phosphorus Cycle

100

This is where phosphorus is mainly stored

The Lithosphere

200

This is how phosphorus returns to the soil from biotic organisms

Waste and decomposition

300

Phosphorus enters water runoff and soil when rocks undergo this process

Weathering

400

This is the compound that phosphorus commonly exists as in the phosphorus cycle.

Phosphate (PO₄^3-)

500

Human activity can speed up the phosphorus cycle and cause this harmful effect in lakes and rivers.

Eutrophication (algal bloom)

Oxygen Cycle

100

The process that plants and algae undergo to release oxygen into the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

200

The process that animals perform that removes oxygen from the atmosphere.

Cellular respiration

300

This process uses oxygen to break down organic material and releases carbon dioxide.

Decomposition

400

This process allows for the gaseous forms of oxygen to enter the water for the aquatic organisms

Absorption

500

These are the four main compounds in which oxygen exists in the atmosphere.

pure oxygen, ozone, water vapour, and carbon dioxide (O₂, O₃, H₂O, CO₂).

Carbon Cycle

100

This process involves the intake of carbon dioxide to produce oxygen

Photosynthesis

200

This is how consumers mainly obtain their carbon.

Eating producers.

300

Decomposition uses oxygen to break down biotic materials and releases this compound

carbon dioxide

400

An accumulation of carbon being stored somewhere (ex: in the earth).

Carbon deposit

500

This human activity directly increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Burning fossil fuels (combustion)

Water Cycle

100

This process turns liquid water into water vapour

Evaporation

200

Water vapour cools and becomes liquid again during this process

Condensation

300

This is the process of how water returns back to Earth's surface.

Precipitation

400

Plants release water vapour back into the atmosphere through this process.

Transpiration

500

This process occurs when water is seeping back into soils

Percolation