The Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles and the Human Impact on These Cycles - Essay Example

The Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles and the Human Impact on These Cycles An instance in which nitrogen cycle can be understood sufficiently is in setting up a saltwater fish tank. To secure a well-balanced ecosystem for the thriving fish in this particular tank, one must ensure an adequate quantity of nitrite and nitrate bacteria to facilitate the detoxification of the ammonia generated by the fish and the decomposers co-existing in the tank. As long as the concentration of ammonia is kept at the minimum and does not build up in drastic proportions or beyond equilibrium with nitrite/nitrate levels then the simple aquatic life is preserved.

Under such confined conditions, toxicity is significantly lessened as the nitrite and nitrate carriers convert ammonia to these forms by nitrogen fixation with the aid of special enzymes in the process (Science Lesson 6). On the other hand, carbon cycle is typically carried out whenever a hydrocarbon fuel or petroleum uses oxygen for combustion to run an engine of a vehicle or a facotry equipment. Like respiration, during combustion the carbon and hydrogen content of fuel are burned to yield water and carbon dioxide as products given off to the atmosphere.

These products as well as the energy released by the exothermic reaction are then absorbed by the plants so the latter manages to produce its own food as photosynthesis takes place with the help other nutrients besides the sustenance provided by carbon dioxide (Science Lesson 6). These plants consequently emit oxygen back into the atmosphere and possess carbohydrates, formed out of using carbon dioxide and water, with its stored energy to be used by the living organism once again. When weathering occurs, phosphate cycle begins when the inorganic materials containing phosphorus and phosphate ions in certain ocean salts or rock sediments are transported to land.

Plants eventually take them in and are transferred to herbivores upon consumption and these herbivores may be eaten further by carnivorous animals so that the latter are also imparted a share of phosphorus or phosphates. At the point of death, they are brought back to soil by the decomposers that feed on decaying bodies with phosphorus and these materials may return to the ocean or be reconstituted into the rocks by means of run-off water. Alterations to nitrogen cycle are influenced by several factors especially those associated with human activities.

Either one applies a nitrogen-based fertilizer or burns a fossil fuel producing nitrogen gas, such efforts contribute to increase the amount of biologically available nitrogen in an ecosystem (Bernhard, 2010). With this trend, the global nitrogen fixation varies directly as the frequency of nitrogen-causing industrial or domestic exertions by men. In the similar manner, the burning of hydrocarbon fuel which is also initiated by men may develop a substantial impact as such activity enhances generation of carbon dioxide which is considered as a greenhouse gas with high content of heat which brings about global warming to an appreciable degree.

Humans likewise take part in affecting the phosphorus cycle as they promote the use of commercial synthetic fertilizers (Ophardt, 2003). Excess phosphates that are not utilized by plants are conveyed through water run-off to be deposited to bodies of water which may lead to 'eutrophication' or excessive algal growth. As a result, when the algae die, high rates of organic matter production while they decompose potentially deplete oxygen supposed to be available for other aquatic organisms (Eutrophication).

References “Science Lesson 6: Balance in the Ecosystem.” Retrieved from https://www.etap.org/demo/biology_files/lesson6/instruction4tutor.html on 27 Apr 2011. Bernhard, Anne (2010). “The Nitrogen Cycle: Processes, Players, and Human Impact.” Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-nitrogen-cycle- processes-players-and-human-15644632 on 28 Apr 2011. Ophardt, Charles E. (2003). “Phosphorus Cycle.” Virtual ChemBook, Elmhurst College. Retrieved from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/308phosphorus.

html on 28 Apr 2011. “Eutrophication.” Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, USGS – Science for a Changing World. Retrieved from http://toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/eutrophication.html on 7 Apr 2011.