THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICIANE OF MICROBES IN BIOGEOCHEMICAL

CYCLES

Biogeochemical cycles A biogeochemical cycle is a pathway by which a

chemical element (such as carbon or nitrogen) circulates through the biotic
(living) and the abiotic (non-living) factors of an ecosystem. The elements
that move through the factors of an ecosystem are not lost but are instead
recycled or accumulated in places called reservoirs (or “sinks”) where they
can be held for a long period of time. Elements, chemical compounds, and
other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from
one part of the biosphere to another through these biogeochemical cycles.

TYPES OF BIOCHEMICAL CYCLE

 CARBON CYCLE
 NITOGEN CYCLE
 SULFUR CYCLE
OXYGEN CYCLE
ROLE OF MICROBES

 Microbes convert energy and matter from one form to another so that other
organisms can get the energy and nutrients they need to survive .

IT INCLUDES THREE PROCESS

 PRODUCTION- Inorganic compounds converted into organic compounds.

CONUSMPTION – Organism feed on producers and the consumers.

DECOMPOSITION – Organic compounds in dead organisms converted into

organic compounds .

Cyclic movement of NITROGEN from environment to organism and back to the

environment
SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROBES

Microbes play important role in our lives and in the

environment. They help in the decomposition process
and in maintaining the biogeo-chemical cycles like
carbon and nitrogen cycles.

The microorganisms are key players to many

ecosystem processes, including the enhancement of soil
fertility. The soil microbes mediate the biogeochemical
cycling for soil mineral nutrients availability such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, which are the major
growth promoting nutrients to the plants.

The microbes use organic carbon as their energy

source to drive the recycling process. They also
decompose organic matters to maintain soil fertility for
sustainable plant growth and productivity.
Biogeochemical cycling of soil nutrients mediated by
the soil microbes is essential in this background and is
reviewed here in this chapter.
Presented by
SIMPI KUMARI
B.SC. AGRI.