Nitrogen, Carbon and Phosphorus Cycles

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Nitrogen, Carbon and Phosphorus Cycles

The carbon cycle deals with the interaction of carbon between living organisms and the nonliving environment. This cycle is a process through which all carbon rotates. The main result of the carbon cycle is to serve as a great natural "recycler" of carbon atoms.

The cycle works in a very basic way. First, carbon is taken from carbon dioxide found in the air. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it, combined with water they get from the soil, to make substances they need for growth. The carbon is then mixed with water. Carbon dioxide is then formed into sugar (glucose). The process of photosynthesis incorporates the carbon atoms from carbon dioxide into sugars.

Animals attain carbon by feeding on plants and other animals. Animals eat the plants and use the carbon to build their own tissues. The animals get rid of the carbon dioxide in a process called respiration in which an organism supplies its tissues and cells with the oxygen and relieves the tissues and cells of carbon dioxide. Some animals, however, get rid of carbon dioxide only when they breathe, and when they die, the carbon is returned to the soil during decomposition. Carbon items continue to be recycled over and over. For instance the carbon atoms may then be used in a new plant or small microorganisms. Ultimately, the same carbon atom can move through many organisms and even end in the same place where it began. Combustion is another way in which carbon is returned into the atmosphere. Oil, gasses, wood and coal use this process. Molecules combine with oxygen and then convert into water and carbon dioxide and also release light and heat.

Humans play a ...

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... of dust in the air. It condenses when it hits the dew point. When it condenses it becomes a liquid again or turns into either ice, hail, rain, sleet or, snow. These water particles eventually come together and form clouds. Precipitation in the form of ice, rain, sleet, snow and hail comes from clouds. Clouds move around the world, propelled by air currents. Water vapor is also emitted from plant in a process called transpiration. Excessive rain or snowmelt can produce overland flow to creeks and ditches. Runoff is visible flow of water in rivers, creeks and lakes as the water stored in the basin drains out.

Bibliography:

Sources Consulted

1. Environment textbook by Raven, Berg, Johnson

2. "Science in the World Around Us" by: David Lancer

3. "Discover the Environment" by: Lori Klien

4. www.Encarta.com

5. http://library.thinkquest.org/11226

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