Topic: Biogeochemical Cycles
In this learn assignment you will:
- Define biogeochemical cycles;
- Examine the four major biogeochemical cycles in context of marine systems.
Associated Course Competencies
CC1. Describe the biological, geological, physical, and chemical features that influence the evolution of life in Earth’s interconnected marine environments. (I)
CC3. Explain that the ocean is shaped by forces that formed the Earth. (I)
CC10. Describe the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients within and among marine systems. (IV)
CC11. Provide examples and characteristics of diverse and unique ecosystems from the surface through the water column and down to, and below, the seafloor. (IV)
CC14. Describe how human activities impact the ocean, marine life, and marine ecosystems. (V)
Image Details: The open ocean environment is any part of the ocean that isn't near land. Its different ecosystems are characterized by depth.
What are biogeochemical cycles?
Biogeochemical cycles are the way that nutrients / specific elements move through living (bio-), geological/mineral (-geo-), and atmospheric or other chemical (-chemical). These are referred to as cycles because they move between different sources (parts of the cycle that make large amounts of certain compounds) and sinks (parts of the cycle that store the element).
Image Details: A diagram showing the carbon cycle. Details on the cycle will be covered on the next slide.
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Carbon
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Nitrogen and Phosphorus
You will see similar mechanism for these two cycles as the carbon cycle in terms of how it moves from shallow ocean to deep ocean.
Current news: A new organelle was found in marine algae in 2024 that is able to fix nitrogen (turn it into a form that is usable by living things. Look at this article to learn more about the nitroplast:
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Water
The diagram below shows the surface / terrestrial parts of the water cycle. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, etc. or be released from plants' leaves (transpiration). It condenses into clouds which will then precipitate (rain, snow, etc.). That returns it to bodies of water. The link to the right will take you to a cideo that shows the global ocean circulation and how that affects water movement globally.
Wrap-Up Assignment
Start off by defining what a biogeochemical cycle is in your own words. Then, for each of these cycles (water, carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen) complete the following:
- An illustration, drawn by you, of each cycle in marine habitats (preferably your ecosystem)
- A paragraph description of the cycle in your own words
- A explanation of how humans interact with the cycle; including:
- What we change with it or how we impact it
- What we need from it
Make sure to keep all of these marine system focused. Terrestrial pathways are part of the systems and interact with marine environments, but make sure the human interaction part is focusing on the marine interactions and effects.
Not required to use, but here is a pre-formatted document available for your convenience that you can copy and paste into the discussion board with:
Biogeochemical Cycles
Educational
Created on October 8, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
The Power of Roadmap
View
Simulation: How to Act Against Bullying
View
Artificial Intelligence in Corporate Environments
View
Internal Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Use
View
Interactive Onboarding Guide
View
Word Search
View
Sorting Cards
Explore all templates
Transcript
Topic: Biogeochemical Cycles
In this learn assignment you will:
Associated Course Competencies
CC1. Describe the biological, geological, physical, and chemical features that influence the evolution of life in Earth’s interconnected marine environments. (I) CC3. Explain that the ocean is shaped by forces that formed the Earth. (I) CC10. Describe the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients within and among marine systems. (IV) CC11. Provide examples and characteristics of diverse and unique ecosystems from the surface through the water column and down to, and below, the seafloor. (IV) CC14. Describe how human activities impact the ocean, marine life, and marine ecosystems. (V)
Image Details: The open ocean environment is any part of the ocean that isn't near land. Its different ecosystems are characterized by depth.
What are biogeochemical cycles?
Biogeochemical cycles are the way that nutrients / specific elements move through living (bio-), geological/mineral (-geo-), and atmospheric or other chemical (-chemical). These are referred to as cycles because they move between different sources (parts of the cycle that make large amounts of certain compounds) and sinks (parts of the cycle that store the element).
Image Details: A diagram showing the carbon cycle. Details on the cycle will be covered on the next slide.
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Carbon
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Nitrogen and Phosphorus
You will see similar mechanism for these two cycles as the carbon cycle in terms of how it moves from shallow ocean to deep ocean.
Current news: A new organelle was found in marine algae in 2024 that is able to fix nitrogen (turn it into a form that is usable by living things. Look at this article to learn more about the nitroplast:
Marine Biogeochemical Cycles: Water
The diagram below shows the surface / terrestrial parts of the water cycle. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, etc. or be released from plants' leaves (transpiration). It condenses into clouds which will then precipitate (rain, snow, etc.). That returns it to bodies of water. The link to the right will take you to a cideo that shows the global ocean circulation and how that affects water movement globally.
Wrap-Up Assignment
Start off by defining what a biogeochemical cycle is in your own words. Then, for each of these cycles (water, carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen) complete the following:
- An illustration, drawn by you, of each cycle in marine habitats (preferably your ecosystem)
- A paragraph description of the cycle in your own words
- A explanation of how humans interact with the cycle; including:
- What we change with it or how we impact it
- What we need from it
Make sure to keep all of these marine system focused. Terrestrial pathways are part of the systems and interact with marine environments, but make sure the human interaction part is focusing on the marine interactions and effects.Not required to use, but here is a pre-formatted document available for your convenience that you can copy and paste into the discussion board with: