Biogeochemical Process
Hydrologic Cycle
 Evaporation- The process of
converting liquid water from
surface water sources to gaseous
water that resides in the
atmosphere.
 Transpiration- Occurs when water
is conveyed from living plant tissue,
especially leaves, to the
atmosphere.
 Evapotranspiration- Represents
the overall pathways of water
moving into the atmosphere.
 Condensation- Converts water in
the gas phase to liquid water by
cooling the water molecules.
 Precipitation- Rainfall
o Oceans contain 97.5% of the water
on the planet
o Groundwater is the largest source
of freshwater used by humans
o Hydrosphere is the portion of
Earth that accounts for most of the
water storage
Components of Ecosystem
Nitrogen Cycle
 Nitrogen fixation- conversion of
atmospheric nitrogen (N2) which is
primarily available in an inert form,
into the usable form-ammonia
(NH3)
o Atmospheric- A natural
phenomenon where the
energy of lightning breaks
the nitrogen into nitrogen
oxides, which are then
used by plants.
o Industrial- It is a man-
made alternative that aids
in nitrogen fixation by the
use of ammonia.
o Biological- nitrogen is not
used directly from the air
by plants and animals.
 Nitrification- a process of
converting ammonia (NH3) into
nitrate (NO3-) by the presence of
bacteria in the soil
 Assimilation- plants take in the
nitrogen compounds from the soil
with the help of their roots
 Ammonification- When plants or
animals die, the nitrogen present in
the organic matter is released back
into the soil. This process of
decomposition produces ammonia
 Denitrification- he process in
which the nitrogen compounds
make their way back into the
atmosphere by converting nitrate
(NO3-) into gaseous nitrogen (N2)
and nitrous oxide (N2O)
EUTROPHICATION- Causes algal
blooms and excess plant growth in
water bodies
Phosphorus Cycle
 Weathering
 Absorption by plants
 Absorption by animals
 Back to the ecosystem
Sulfur Cycle
 The sulfur is released by the
weathering of rocks.
 Sulfur comes in contact with air
and is converted into sulfates.
 Sulfates are taken up by plants
and microbes and are converted
into organic forms.
 The organic form of sulfur is then
consumed by the animals
through their food and thus sulfur
moves in the food chain.
 When the animals die, some of the
sulfur is released by
decomposition while some enter
the tissues of microbes.
 There are several natural sources
such as volcanic eruptions,
evaporation of water, and
breakdown of organic matter in
swamps, that release sulfur
directly into the atmosphere.
This sulfur falls on earth with
rainfall.
 Biotic components are the living things that have a direct or indirect influence on other
organisms in an environment. For example plants, animals, and microorganisms and their
waste materials.
 Abiotic components of an ecosystem include all chemical and physical elements i.e.
non-living components. Abiotic components can vary from region to region, from one
ecosystem to another. They mainly take up the role of life supporter. They determine and
restrict the population growth, number, and diversity of biotic factors in an ecosystem.
Hence, they are called limiting factors.

4 Functional Components of Ecosystem

o Productivity- refers to the rate of biomass production.
o Energy flow- It is the sequential process through which energy flows from one trophic
level to another.
o Decomposition- It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material.
o Nutrient Cycling- In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in various
forms for the utilization by various organisms.

How do green plants capture energy and what do they do with it?
Plants are autotrophs, meaning they produce their own food. They use the process of
photosynthesis to transform water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into oxygen and simple
nutrients to fuel themselves.
 Water Pollution

Water Resources Point Sources Non-Point Sources

o Surface Water - Identifiable point of waste - unidentifiable point of

o Groundwater
o Water Availability
o Water Quantity/Quality
o Water Scarcity and
Challenges
Laws on Water pollution
discharge waste discharge
o Industrial discharge o Agricultural runoff
o Municipal ww treatment o Urban runoff
plants o Residential areas
o Mining Activities o Forest and Natural
o Oil Spills Landscapes
o Atmospheric deposition

o PD 1067- Providing for the Water Problems of Developing Countries

utilization and protection
o Industrial and Agricultural Practice
of water resources to be
o Lack of proper sanitation infrastructures
subject to the control and
o Limited access to clean water source
regulation of the
o Rapid urbanization and population growth
government through the
o Limited financial resources and technical
NWRC.
capacity
o RA 8371-Refer to the rights
o Lack of awareness and education
of ICCs/IPs to sustainably
use, manage, protect and
conserve resources
o RA 9275-aims to protect
the country's water bodies
from pollution from land-
based sources.

Air Pollution

Air pollutants Clean Air Act Air pollutants control

o Particulate matter Federal air quality law, intended o Particulate matter-

o Carbon dioxide to reduce and control air pollution Electrostatic precipitator
o NOx nationwide. o NOx- Catalytic converter
o SOx o SOx- Sulfur removal
o Carbon Monoxide
o Ozone
o Lead

Types of Rocks
o Metamorphic-rocks
formed from other rocks
that are changed by heat
and pressure underground
o Sedimentary- rocks are
formed from layers of sand,
silt, dead plants, and
animal skeletons.
o Igneous-rocks are formed
from melted rock deep
inside the Earth
Waste Disposal Methods
 Open Dump- the
predominant method of
waste disposal in most
developing countries.
 Ocean Dump
 Landfills-a method of
disposing waste on land
without disturbing the
environment and public
health
Geologic
Economic Geology and Mineralogy Geologic Hazards
The study of resources that are  Earthquakes
valuable for manufacturing and  Volcanic Eruption
trade.  Floods
 Mass wasting/Landslides
 Erosion
 Weathering- is the
chemical processes where
big rocks are broken down
into smaller rocks.
 Erosion- is the removal and
transportation of
weathered material from
one location to another
Solid Hazardous Waste
Major Types of Waste
 Yard waste
 Plastic waste
 Metal
 Paper
 Glass