Nutrient

Cycles #2
Unit 2 – Lesson 11
 Plan for Today

Models of the C and N cycles

Processes & Storages of the C cycle

Different forms of N

Processes & Storages of the N cycle

Disruption of the N cycle

 Lesson Goals

Draw a box and flow model

of the Carbon and Nitrogen State the different storages
cycles, with labeled of the C and N cycles
storages and processes

Explain the influence

Outline the main processes
human society has on
in the natural C and N
these cycles, giving 3
cycles
examples
Task: Construct a model of a nutrient cycle
Processes & Storages of the C cycle
Storages:
• Living organisms (plants,
animals, microbes, etc.)
• Dead organic matter in soils
• CO2 & methane in
atmosphere
• Dissolved inorganic carbon
compounds in water bodies
• Fossil fuels, rocks
Processes:
• Feeding, defecation, death
• Absorption by plant roots
• Decomposition/decay
• Photosynthesis & Respiration
• Combustion of fossil fuels
• Dissolution of CO2 in water
• Weathering of rocks
Carbon cycle:
Carbon cycle:
Different forms of Nitrogen
• Nitrogen gas

• Nitrate

• Nitrite

• Ammonium
Processes & Storages of the N cycle
Storages:
• Living organisms (plants,
animals, microbes, etc.)
• Dead organic matter
• Inorganic N compounds in soil
• N2 gas in atmosphere
• Inorganic N compounds
dissolved in water bodies
• Fossil fuels
Processes:
• Feeding, defecation, death
• Absorption by plant roots
• Decomposition/decay
• Nitrification
• Denitrification
• N-fixation (by bacteria, or by
lightning)
Nitrogen cycle:
Nitrogen cycle:
Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• Plants need _______ nitrogen compounds in order to grow
• Often, agricultural output is limited by how much N is available to
plants. This kept human population low! (less food – fewer humas!)
Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• Plants need inorganic nitrogen compounds in order to grow
• Often, agricultural output is limited by how much N is available to
plants. This kept human population low! (less food – fewer humas!)
 Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• Plants need inorganic nitrogen compounds in order to grow
• Often, agricultural output is limited by how much N is available to
plants. This kept human population low! (less food – fewer humas!)

But wait! Why don‘t we produce the

N2 in
useful nitrogen compounds ourselves?

Fritz Haber,
NH3 out!
brilliant chemist
Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• Plants need inorganic nitrogen compounds in order to grow
• Often, agricultural output is limited by how much N is available to
plants. This kept human population low! (less food – fewer humas!)

I also developed horrible chemical

weapons like chlorine gas, or Zyklon B!

Fritz Haber,
grade A asshole
 Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• With unlimited ammonia used as fertilizer, human population grew massively

N2 in

Fritz Haber,
NH3 out!
grade A asshole
 Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers
• With unlimited ammonia used as fertilizer, human population grew massively
• But there‘s a cost:
Massive interference with the N cycle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8qTRBc8Bws

N2 in

Fritz Haber,
NH3 out!
grade A asshole
Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvKXHQM6soo
Disrupting a Cycle: Nitrogen fertilizers

• Growth of water plants &

algae
• NOx air pollution
• N2O as greenhouse gas
• Shift in species
composition of
ecosystems
• Soil acidification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvKXHQM6soo
Think: How do we disrupt the C cycle?
 Lesson Goals

Draw a box and flow model

of the Carbon and Nitrogen State the different storages
cycles, with labeled of the C and N cycles
storages and processes

Explain the influence

Outline the main processes
human society has on
in the natural C and N
these cycles, giving 3
cycles
examples