biogeochemical cycles of sediments

Organic materials synthesised by the producers are eaten and assimilated by the consumers. With the help of decomposers, all the organic materials in the bodies of the consumers are eventually broken down into inorganic materials. These are then rebuilt into organic compounds by the synthetic activ..

' (bio - living organisms; geo - soil, rock, etc, chemicos - elements and their compounds). These materials have been used again and again in the formation of new generations of the organism. In other words, the matter is continuously recycled. By definition, "The movement or circulation of biogene..

Some of the major biogeochemical cycles in nature are carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, water cycle, phosphorus cycle and sulphur cycle..

Biogeochemical cycles are basically of two types: a) Gaseous cycles like carbon (as carbon dioxide), oxygen, nitrogen, etc. b) Sedimentary cycles like sulphur, phosphorus, etc. In gaseous cycles, the elements have a main reservoir in the gaseous pha..

In an ecosystem there are two processes proceeding simultaneously: 1 ) Energy flow and 2 ) Biogeochemical cycle The energy flow is in a single direction and is non-cyclic where as Biogeochemical flow is cyclic (Any mineral cycle..

The nutrient movement goes on side by side along with unidirectional flow of energy. The nutrient movement is a cyclic movement where the nutrients revolve round with an ecosystem, hence cyclic. This cyclic movement of nutrients is also called as biogeochemical cycle..

The biotic and abiotic components form an interacting system called 'ecosystem'. Producers, consumers and decomposers are the various trophic levels, which are linked by their food relationship forming a 'food chain'. Several food chains are interrelated and interconnected to form a network called ..

1) Greatest reservoirs of phosphate are the insoluble ferric and calcium phosphates in rocks (rock phosphate) in combination with calcium, iron and aluminium. Slow process of weathering releases phosphates to the soil. 2) Phosphates are also added to the soil by man in the form of artificial fertil..

1) Decomposers like Aspergillus (aerobic fungi), Neurospora (aerobic fungi) and Escherichia (anaerobic bacteria) act on the dead and decaying organic matter of plants and animals, releasing hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) to the environment. 2) Heterotrophic bacteria like Desulfavibrio and Acetobacter r..