Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

University Town, Northern Samar
Website: http://uep.educ.ph; Email: ueppress06@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Topic: Nitrogen Cycle
Sulphur Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle
Subject: BS 322 (Ecology)
Name: Patrick Philip N. Balleta
Semester: First Semester, S.Y. 2019-2020
Schedule: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm MWF

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Introduction

The circulation or cyclic movement of Nitrogen from the atmosphere (physical

or abiotic component) and back into the atmosphere is known as Nitrogen Cycle which
involves various step: 1. Nitrogen Fixation 2. Nitrogen Assimilation 3. Ammonification
4. Nitrification 5. Denitrification. The phosphorus cycle tracks the movement of
phosphorous through the Earth's crust, the Earth's surface, and the ocean. Sulfur is a
non-metallic element, yellow in color and similar to oxygen in its chemical behavior.

Nitrogen is 78% of Earth’s Atmosphere and, as a building block of proteins and

nucleic acids such as DNA, a crucially important component of all biological life and
also human body is composed of 3% nitrogen. Humans are responsible for 1/3 of the
sulfur in the atmosphere. Sulfur is released by the combustion of fossil fuels, and is
most prevalent as sulfur dioxide.
Methodology

In Nitrogen Cycle process 1. Nitrogen fixation: This is the first step of Nitrogen
fixation. Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into Ammonia for living organisms.
2.NitrogenAssimilation: The process of absorbing Nitrates and Ammonia into Organic
nitrogen 3. Ammonification: The process of converting organic nitrogen into Ammonia
4. Nitrification: The Bacteria which is involved in nitrification is known as Nitrifying
bacteria 5. Denitrification: Nitrates are converted into molecular nitrogen through Nitric
oxide. Sulfur cycle: 1. Mineralization of organic sulfur to the inorganic form, hydrogen
sulfide 2. Oxidation of sulfide and elemental sulfur and related compounds to sulfate
3. Reduction of sulfate to sulfide 4. Microbial immobilization of the sulfur compounds.
Phosphorous Cycle 1. Weathering 2. Absorption 3. Return to the Environment via
Decomposition
Objective
To know how this different cycles, happen in our environment. To assess the
importance of this elements in our ecosystem, what will happen if these elements does
not exist in our world. Or vanish or diminish at a certain point. And also to know what
are the things involve in the cycle,

Discussion

Nitrogen Cycle

1.Nitrogenfixation: This is the first step of Nitrogen fixation. Conversion of atmospheric

nitrogen into Ammonia for living organisms is known as Nitrogen fixation. This process
is carried out by leguminous plants such as ground nut; even some bacteria can fix
atmospheric nitrogen. Examples of bacteria --Azotobacter Clostridium, Rhizobium,
Nostoc and Anabaena 2. NitrogenAssimilation: The process of absorbing Nitrates and
Ammonia into Organic nitrogen is known as Nitrogen Assimilation. This organic
nitrogen is transferred into animal's body when plants are eaten by animals. 3.
Ammonification: The process of converting organic nitrogen into Ammonia when
Animals die is known as Ammonification. It is also known as Mineralization. This
process was carried out by some Saprophytes like Fungi and Bacteria. Ammonia is
also produced from volcanic eruptions and excretory products of Animals.4.
Nitrification: The Bacteria which is involved in nitrification is known as Nitrifying
bacteria. Ammonia is first converted to nitrites. Examples: Nitrosomonas, Nitrococcus.
Nitrites are converted to nitrates Examples: Nitrobacter.5. Denitrification: Nitrates are
converted into molecular nitrogen through Nitric oxide is known as Denitrification, in
order to maintain the equilibrium of nitrogen in the atmosphere. Bacteria which are
involved in denitrificationare known as denitrifying bacteria. Examples:
Thiobacillusdenitrificans, Pseuodomonasdenitrificans and Micrococcusdenitrificans.
Problems with increase of Nitrogen: Acid rain formation. Acidification of soil and lakes.
Increase in death of plants
 Sulfur Cycle

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) is released into the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions, hot
springs, and the anaerobic decay of sulfur – containing biological material in swamps,
bogs, and tidal flats. Certain marine algae produce dimethyl sulfide, a volatile
compound that enters the atmosphere as tiny droplets. Sulfur dioxide gas is released
into the atmosphere by volcanoes and also forms when dimethyl sulfide reacts with
oxygen gas. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, releases sulfur dioxide
into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide reacts with atmospheric oxygen to produce sulfur
trioxide (SO3). Some sulfur trioxide reacts with tiny droplets to form sulfuric acid
(H2SO4). Sulfur oxide also reacts with ammonia to produce tiny particles of
ammonium salts. The winds carry droplets of sulfuric acid and particles of sulfate salts,
which then fall to the earth in acid deposition. By adding sulfur compounds to the air,
the use of fossil fuels increases the rate of acid deposition. All living things require
sulfur to make proteins plants get sulfur by taking up ions of sulfate salts (SO4) from
the soil animals get sulfur by eating plants, and all living things release sulfur
compounds when they decay. Decomposition releases sulfate salts which can be
taken up by plants as well as gaseous hydrogen sulfide. Some hydrogen sulfide enters
the atmosphere but when decay occurs in an oxygen-free environment, anaerobic
bacteria break down hydrogen sulfide and release sulfur gas. Oxygen-requiring
bacteria can incorporate sulfur into sulfate salts, which can be taken up by plants and
enter the food chain once again.

Phosphorous Cycle

1. Weathering Since the main source of phosphorus is found in rocks; the first step of
the phosphorus cycle involves the extraction of phosphorus from the rocks by
weathering. Weather events, such as rain and other sources of erosion, result in
phosphorus being washed into the soil.2. Absorption by Plants and Animals Once in
the soil, plants, fungi, and microorganisms are able to absorb phosphorus and grow.
In addition, phosphorus can also be washed into the local water systems. Plants can
also directly absorb phosphorus from the water and grow. In addition to plants, animals
also obtain phosphorus from drinking water and eating plants.3. Return to the
Environment via Decomposition When plants and animals die, decomposition results
in the return of phosphorus back to the environment via the water or soil. Plants and
animals in these environments can then use this phosphorus, and step 2 of the cycle
is repeated.

Summary
These three elements have a bigger role in our ecosystem especially in all living
things, because Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Phosphorous are essential in making protein
which produce by plants then eaten by animals and humans. And these 3 elements
are one of the component in our human body.

References

Compton’s Encyclopedia & FACT-INDEX 1996. “Phosphorous” Vol. 18, 327-328

https://biologydictionary.net/phosphorus-cycle/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNTTJ4N3kIE

Dr.Carolina Desamero Ditan “Introduction to Biology”, Introduction to Biological

Science 3rd Edition page 191-193