"CHONPS"
system/model

Nutrient,
Element		 Biological
Form		 Abiotic Reservoir for
Human Ecosystem		 Largest Planetary
Reservoir		 Human Flux to the
Natural Cycle
Carbon C all Organic Compounds
all Biopolymers		 CO2 in Atmosphere
720x109 mTons		 Lithosphere CaCO3
1x1017 mTons		 Atm. CO2 incr.
1% 8x109 mTon/yr
Nitrogen N Proteins, DNA, other N2 Soil (Atmosphere)
4x1015 mTons 		Lithosphere
2x1017 mTons 		N fixation & burning
4.2% 13x107 mTons/yr
Phosphorus P DNA, ATP,
cell membranes		 Lithosphere
2x1016 mTons		 Lithosphere
2x1016 mTons		 Mining, fertilizer
8.8% 5x107 mTons/yr
Sulfur S Amino Acids Lithosphere
4x109 mTons		 Lithosphere
4x109 mTons		 Mining fertl., & fossil fuels
17% 12x107 mTons/yr
<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>





<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>







Biogeochemical *cycles--types



      • Nutrients are included in these cycles: (C,H,O,N,P,S)

<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>








<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>








      Which is the largest reservoir?
      What is the human impact ?

<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>







      Bacteria Rule! the Nitrogen Cycle
      Which is the largest reservoir?
      How large is the human impact ?

<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>







      Direct human use of largest
        reservoirs: P & S
      How large is the human impact ?


<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>







      How large is the human impact ?

<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>








LIMITING NUTRIENTS

        Leibig's Law of the Minimum

        Q. Why is N commonly a limiting nutrient in terrestrial ecosystems?

        A. Ammonium and nitrate ions are highly soluble in water and easily leached from the soil

<= BACK     ^ TOP         NEXT =>