Bio-Geo Chemical Cycle in an Eco-System

Bio-Geo Chemical Cycle

Nutrients Cycle

It describes the nutrients movement from the physical environment to the living organisms and recycles back to the same physical environment. To maintain the sustainable ecosystem and to balance the nutrient cycle, this movement of nutrients from the environment into organisms & again back to the environment is necessary.

1.Gaseous Cycles

a). Water Cycle

Hydro Cycle

The continuous circulation of water in the atmosphere & earth systems which is driven by solar energy. Water on our planet is stored in reservoirs like atmosphere, oceans, rivers, lakes, dams, glaciers, groundwater etc. Water moves from one reservoir to another by the processes of evaporation, condensation, transpiration, deposition, running infiltration and flowing water.

b). Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Carbon exists in the atmosphere mainly in the form of carbon compound like CO₂, CO etc. Carbon cycle involves a continuous exchange of carbon between atmosphere and organisms. Carbon used in the photosynthesis from atmosphere by the plants & then moves to animals. By the process of respiration & decomposition of dead organic matter, it returns backs to the atmosphere.

Fossils fuels such as coals, oil, natural gas are organic component that were buried before decomposition & were transformed by time & geological process into fossil fuels. When they are burned, carbon stored in them released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

c). Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen exists in the atmosphere is abundant. The largest constituent of air by volume, also the most essential constituents of protein and is a basic building block of all the living organism.

Nitrogen as an elemental form can’t be used directly. It is used to be fixed i.e. converted to nitrogen compound (nitrites or nitrates, ammonia) before it can be taken up by plants.

Nitrogen fixation takes place by:

I. By micro-organisms (bacteria & blue green algae)

Certain micro-organisms are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium ions. These include free living nutrifying bacteria (e.g. Aerobic azotobacterial & Anerobic Clostridium) and symbiotic nutrifying bacteria living in association with leguminous plants symbiotic bacteria living in non-leguminous root module plants (e.g. Rhizobium) as well as blue-green-algae (e.g. Anabaena Spirulina).

Plant's Root: host to nitrogen fixation bacteria

Certain quantity of soil nitrates, being highly soluble in water, is lost to the system by being transported away by surface run-off (or) ground-water. The special denitrifying bacteria which converts the nitrates/nitrites to elemental nitrogen. This nitrogen escapes into the atmosphere, this forms the nitrogen cycle.

II. By using industrial process (Fertilizers)

In modern day, farmers have started using industrial processed fertilizers which can turn ammonia into nitrates just like those produced by soil bacteria. Plants can use these nitrates directly, and human industry can produce them in large quantity.

III. By atmospheric phenomenon (Lightening & Thunderstorm)

The production of nitrogen oxides NO₂ by lightening flashes has been computed from a model of gaseous molecular reaction occurring as heated lightening- channel air cools by mixing surrounding ambient air. The effect of ozone on the production of nitrogen, is that ozone gas oxidizes NO to NO₂ mainly at the end of the cooling process.

2. Sedimentary Cycle

The element involved in the sedimentary cycle normally does not the cycle through the atmosphere but follows a basic pattern of flow through erosion, sedimentation, mountain building volcanic activity & biological transport through excreta of the marine bird.

a). Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus occurs in large amounts as a mineral in phosphate rocks and enters the cycle from the means of erosion and mining. The nutrients considered to be the main cause of excessive growth of rooted & free-floating microscopic plant in lakes. Phosphorus found in the form of phosphates on land. These phosphorous deposited in the in the continental shelf of the oceans, after millions of years the crustal plates rise from the sea floor & expose the phosphate on land. Later weathering will release them from rock and the cycles geochemical phase begin again.

b). Sulphur Cycle

Sulphur Cycle

The Sulphur reservoir is in the soil & sediments where it is locked in organic (coal, oil) and inorganic deposits (Pyrite Rocks, Sulphides and Organic Sulphur). It is released by weathering of rocks, erosional runoff & decomposition of organic matter & is carried to terrestrial & aquatic ecosystem in salt solution.

Almost all the sulphur cycle are sedimentary except Hydrogen Sulphides(H₂S) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) add a gaseous component to its normal sedimentary cycle.

Activities like volcanic eruptions, combustion, of fossil fuels from surface of ocean and gases released by decomposition enable sulphur to enter in the atmosphere. Atmospheric Hydrogen Sulphides also gets oxidised into sulphur dioxide. Atmospheric sulphur dioxide is carried back to the earth after being dissolved in rainwater as weak sulphuric acid.

Plants takes sulphur in the form of sulphates & incorporated in the autotrophs as protein. This sulphur carried back to the soil through the excretion of decomposition of dead organic material.

Ecosystem : Its significance

Ecosystem

What is an ecosystem?

The interaction and interrelationship between the living community (plants, animal and organisms) in relation to each other and non-living community (soil, air and water) is defined to an ecosystem. Hence, an ecosystem is structural & functional unit of biosphere. It is made up of living and non-living beings and their physical environment. In other words, natural ecosystem is defined as a network of interaction among the organisms and their environment. Nutrient cycles and energy flow keep these living and non-living components connected in an ecosystem.

The way it works?

It literally means humans, the other animals, plants and micro-organisms are woven into interdependent network that we, and they, depend on food, water, clean air, reproductions and a place to call habitat. Plants help filter our water and stem to rise, insects pollinate the crops, other animals help to build the soil & control pest.

Significance of an ecosystem

Ecosystem is a part of natural environment consisting pf a community of living beings & the physical environment both constantly interchanging materials and energy between them. It is the sum total of the environment or part of nature.

Components

Atmosphere

The atmosphere refers to a productive blanket of glasses, surrounding the earth. It sustains; life on earth. It saves the earth from the hostile environment of outer space. The atmosphere composed of nitrogen and oxygen in large quantity along with small percentage of other gases such as argon, CO2 and other gases.

Layers of Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere comprises all water resources, such as ocean, seas, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ice-caps, glaciers and groundwater.

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth which contains minerals occurring in the earth’s crust and the soil.

Biosphere

The biosphere constitutes the realm of living organisms and their interaction with their environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere).

The study of ecosystem is considered to be the multidisciplinary in nature. It has confined two issues, of sanitary and health; & concerned with pollution control, biodiversity conservation, waste management & conservation of natural resources.

Functions

• Energy flow
• Nutrient Cycle

Energy Flow

The metabolism of all the organisms depends upon the energy content. This energy flow from the producers to the top level consumer that is called energy flow. Energy flow is unidirectional i.e. it always flows in single direction from lower trophic level to higher. Producers to herbivores then to the carnivores.

Energy Flow

Trophic levels

Trophic Level Table

Autotrophs

               Producers (i.e. Green plants)

Heterotrophs

               1) Primary Consumers (i.e. Herbivores)

               2) Secondary Consumers (i.e. Carnivores)

               3) Tertiary Consumers (i.e. Carnivores)

               4) Quaternary Consumers (i.e. Top Carnivores)

Trophic level interaction involves the following concepts

1)     Food Chain

2)     Food Web

Food Chain

Food Chain

The sequential flow of food energy in the form of getting eaten or being eaten. The plant converts solar energy into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis. Small herbivores consume the plants and convert into animal matter. These herbivores are eaten by large carnivores animals.

Grazing food chain

Terrestrial Feeding mechanisms

Sunlight → Plants → Caterpillars → Lizards snake

Aquatic Feeding Mechanism

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Zoo Plankton  → Fish Aquatic → Large Animals

Detritus Food Chain

Dead organic matters → Earthworms → Hen → Hawk

Food Web

A Food web shows, all possible transfer of energy and nourishment among the organisms in an ecosystem. An ecosystem may consists of several integrated food chain.

For e.g. Grasses may serve food for rabbit or grasshopper, goat, cow etc. Similar herbivores may many other carnivores animals.

The food availability & preferences of the organisms may shifts seasonally e.g. Human beings consumes watermelon in summer and peacher in the winter. Thus there are interconnected network of feeding mechanisms (or) interrelation which makes the food web.

Food Web

Environment : A Brief Overview

Environment

Definition

Environment is derived from a french word Environer/Environner meaning "neighbourhood". It is defined as the space inhabitated which allows the ecosysytem to dwell, survive and thrive are called their respective environment. Environment is basically the place we live, or the system which supports life and allows us to get adapted to the surroundings and their environment.

Division

Natural    

• Lithosphere (Land)
• Hydrosphere (Water)
• Atmosphere (Air)
• Biosphere (Living things)

Artificial

• Buildings
• Parks
• Bridges
• Roads
• Monuments
• Industries 

Human

• Individuals
• Family
• Community
• Religion
• Political Situation
• Economic

Abiotic

• Energy
• Radiation
• Temperature & Heat Flow
• Water
• Gases & Wind
• Fire
• Gravity
• Topography
• Soil

                          
Biotic

• Green & Non-Green Plants
• Decomposers
• Parasites
• Animals
• Man

Ecosystem

The system formed by the interaction of all the organisms(from virus to human being) with each other & with the physical & chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer of energy and material.

Ecosystem

Classification of Eco-system                       

Terrestrial

• Forests
• Grasslands
• Deserts                                                                                                              

Aquatic

• Freshwater
• Saline Water
• Marine Water

Ecosystem Contribution

• It provides food, fuel, fibre, shelter & building materials.
• Purify the air, water, soil etc.
• Decomposition of wastes and garbages.
• Regulation of the weather & climate.
• Control floods, draughts, extreme temperature.
• Generation & Renewable of soil fertility and nutrients cycle.
• Pollination of plants, controlling of pests & crop diseases.

Ecotone

Ecotone

A zone of junction between two or more diverse ecosystem. Examples mangrooves forests, grasslands, estuaries and river bank. 

Characteristics 

• May be very narrow or quite wide.
• It has the the conditions intermediate to the adjacent eco-system. Hence its a zone of tension.
• It is linear as it shows progressive increase in species composition of one in coming community and a simultaneous decrease in species of the other out going adjoining community.
• A well developed ecotones contain some organisms which are entirely different that of the adjoining communities.

Introduction to my Blog

Hello!!

My name is Ujjwal Kumar Ujala, a B.tech graduate. Aspire to be the part of public service. I am interested in the the field of environment, forest and climate change, I used to study the development related to these subjects in the world. So I would share the recent event, development through this blog. I will basically focus on the basic facts of environment and related data in simple terms. Blog will begin with the Environment- Definition, Component, Types, use of resources, issues and risks, exploitation, impact, conservation, benefits, developments, etc. and so on But main focus area will be the recent development, and will publish the post and article in refrence to the research paper, news, govt programs, international organisations etc.

So lets explore the environment and work for the conservation and preservation.

Thankyou!