Match the statements with the correct element
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration cycle carbon through living things and the atmosphere.
Cycle nutrients between living and nonliving parts of Earth
Other bacteria change ammonia (NH ) into nitrates and nitrites (nitrification)
Fertilizers with nitrogen help plants grow but runoff causes eutrophication in nearby water bodies
Human activity causes disruptions to the cycles.
Organic molecules
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere
Fossil fuels are ancient carbon stores
Animals respire carbon dioxide, which plants uptake.
Plants can use nitrates for nucleic acids and proteins
Maintain overall health of Earth
Decomposers return organic matter to the soil through ammonification

Biogeochemical cycles are pathways by which nutrients flow between the abiotic and abiotic compartments of the Earth. The abiotic portion of the Earth includes the lithosphere (the geological component of the Earth) and the hydrosphere (the Earth’s water).

Ecosystems rely on biogeochemical cycles. Many of the nutrients that living things depend on, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous are in constant circulation.

Essential elements are often stored in reservoirs, where they can be taken out of circulation for years. For example, coal is a reservoir for carbon.

Humans can affect biogeochemical cycles. Humans extract carbon and nitrogen from the geosphere and use them for energy and fertilizer. This has increased the amount of these elements in circulation, which has detrimental effects on ecosystems.