Definition of Biogeochemical Cycle

As its name indicates, biogeochemical cycles refer to a biological organism, which has a dimension geological and which in turn has a series of chemical changes. These elements of the whole of nature allude to the earth, to the air and the sea and affect all living beings.

A general idea of ​​the biogeochemical cycle

In the biosphere, matter is limited, so its recycling is a key aspect in the maintenance of life on Earth. Otherwise, nutrients they would run out and life as we know it could disappear. In this sense, the movements of inorganic substances are known as biogeochemical cycles, since they involve geological components (for example, the atmosphere, lithosphere or hydrosphere), as well as biological components (for example, producers, consumers and degraders) and, for example, last, the intervention of other processes of nature: the water cycle, the oxygen cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle. At the same time, humans intervene in these phenomena, in such a way that they can accelerate or delay them through the use of chemical products.

The different processes mentioned that are part of the biogeochemical cycle are closely related

Thus, the set of cycles are classified into two modalities: the gaseous nutrient cycles in which the atmosphere constitutes the main deposit (oxygen, nitrogen and carbon are the typical gaseous nutrient cycles) and sedimentary cycles, in which sedimentary rocks are the main deposit (sulfur and phosphorus are the main sediments). The natural process of carbon and oxygen are directly related, since through the photosynthesis and of the breathing both cycles are naturally recycled.

The cycles of nature begin and end in the same place. For example, if we think of water, it has its origin in the seas and rivers, then it evaporates the water by the action of the sun and later the water condenses and clouds are formed, from where it falls the rain which ends up returning to its place of origin.

A clarification on the biogeochemical term

Biogeochemical cycles meet the general condition already mentioned, that is, they begin where they end. They are called bio because vital elements intervene (carbon, oxygen and nitrogen), which form the matter of which living beings are made. The name geo is due to the fact that these cycles take place on the earth and in its atmosphere. Finally, the term chemical is used because both carbon, nitrogen and oxygen are elements of nature.

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