cycles of matter
Hydrologic Cycle: The sequence of conditions through which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water and back into the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle: The series of processes by which carbon compounds are converted in the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Nitrogen Cycle: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.
Nitrogen Fixation: The chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds, especially by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle.
Carbon Cycle: The series of processes by which carbon compounds are converted in the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Nitrogen Cycle: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.
Nitrogen Fixation: The chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds, especially by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle.
Think of it this way:
A renewable resource is a source such as wood that can be naturally replaced or replenished in the course of time. For example, we cut down a tree and plant another in its place. Soon, there will be a new tree. If humans cut down all trees though however, there will be no more trees. A non-renewable resource is a material of economic value that cannot be readily naturally replaced on an equal level to its consumption. Examples include fossil fuels like oils and coal. Recycling is Earth's natural process to keep these resources readily available in the future and in the cycle. |
You know about recycling, right?
We sort our trash to save things like aluminum cans, plastic bottles, newspapers and cardboard boxes. We do it to conserve resources. What would happen if we didn't conserve those resources? The things that are used to make up those products might become more scarce and harder to find- less evident and abundant, leading companies to search for more raw resources from the environment, which increases prices and can create more harm to the Earth. What/who is better than we are at recycling? The Earth! The Earth saves and reuses it's resources everyday so we don't run out of them! Even when humans don't recycle, the Earth does. What does recycling do? Everything! Recycling saves our precious resources. |
why does it 'matter'?
Water:
What happens when we use up all of our limited resources?
We will not have any left! We'll be all out and we'll have to think up new things to get by.
But what if we can't think up new ideas and invention?
If we use up all of the fresh water on Earth (only about 1% is accessible for human use and consumption) we will no longer have a water supply, and therefore our human species may die out. Earth's population is growing rapidly, which is putting a major strain on our water supply. In addition, the amount of accessible water is reduced by pollution and contamination. The amount of water we have now is the amount of water we will always have- Earth is a closed system.
But what happens when we contaminate the fresh water accessible for drinking and human use?
We won't have any fresh and readily available water left for humans. This may mean the end of the human species.
What happens when we use up all of our limited resources?
We will not have any left! We'll be all out and we'll have to think up new things to get by.
But what if we can't think up new ideas and invention?
If we use up all of the fresh water on Earth (only about 1% is accessible for human use and consumption) we will no longer have a water supply, and therefore our human species may die out. Earth's population is growing rapidly, which is putting a major strain on our water supply. In addition, the amount of accessible water is reduced by pollution and contamination. The amount of water we have now is the amount of water we will always have- Earth is a closed system.
But what happens when we contaminate the fresh water accessible for drinking and human use?
We won't have any fresh and readily available water left for humans. This may mean the end of the human species.
Nitrogen:
What does it 'matter' anyways?
Most organisms on Earth, humans included, are unable to use free nitrogen. Instead, the nitrogen must become 'fixed' and bond with another element. In marine and terrestrial ecosystems, bacteria and blue-green algae complete the nitrogen, which plants then draw into the soil to build their own proteins. When humans and animals consume (eat) these plants, they gain the nitrogen. When the humans and animals die, and begin to decay much of the nitrogen in their bodies is released into the atmosphere where it may be absorbed by other organisms. Nitrogen is an extremely important part of our bodies. Amino acids all contain nitrogen, and these are considered the building blocks for your hair, muscles, skin, as well as other important tissues. Nitrogen is a principal part of your DNA, which decides your own 'coding' essentially.
What's the risk of losing it?
Fortunately, nitrogen is abundant on Earth. When still in its free nitrogen form, it is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas. Nitrogen is the most plentiful element in the atmosphere, and represents nearly 78% of the atmospheric volume and nearly 75% of the atmospheric weight! Nitrogen is required by all living things to live and grow.
What does it 'matter' anyways?
Most organisms on Earth, humans included, are unable to use free nitrogen. Instead, the nitrogen must become 'fixed' and bond with another element. In marine and terrestrial ecosystems, bacteria and blue-green algae complete the nitrogen, which plants then draw into the soil to build their own proteins. When humans and animals consume (eat) these plants, they gain the nitrogen. When the humans and animals die, and begin to decay much of the nitrogen in their bodies is released into the atmosphere where it may be absorbed by other organisms. Nitrogen is an extremely important part of our bodies. Amino acids all contain nitrogen, and these are considered the building blocks for your hair, muscles, skin, as well as other important tissues. Nitrogen is a principal part of your DNA, which decides your own 'coding' essentially.
What's the risk of losing it?
Fortunately, nitrogen is abundant on Earth. When still in its free nitrogen form, it is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas. Nitrogen is the most plentiful element in the atmosphere, and represents nearly 78% of the atmospheric volume and nearly 75% of the atmospheric weight! Nitrogen is required by all living things to live and grow.
Carbon:
Does it really 'matter'?
Carbon is not found in the human body in its pure form, but rather in compounds. Carbon makes up roughly 18% of body mass - millions of carbon atoms form in virtually every cell. It is considered the basic building block required to form proteins, carbs and fats, and has a crucial role in regulating the physiology of the body.
Does it really 'matter'?
Carbon is not found in the human body in its pure form, but rather in compounds. Carbon makes up roughly 18% of body mass - millions of carbon atoms form in virtually every cell. It is considered the basic building block required to form proteins, carbs and fats, and has a crucial role in regulating the physiology of the body.
visuals:
These crash course videos on ecology may help you to understand:
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