Human interference in biogeochemical cycles: Causes, Consequ

All forms of life on Earth are involved in and dependent on the on the interaction among the atmosphere, oceans and the crusts through a variety of biogeochemical cycles. A biogeochemical cycle is defined as the interactions among the organic (bio-) and inorganic (geo-) worlds, and focuses on the chemistry (chemical-), and movement (cycles) of chemical elements and compounds. In its simplest form, cycling describes the movement of elements through various media and their return to their original state. The biogeochemical cycles forms the basis of the biosphere where living organisms can and only survive in. These cycles include the circulation of elements and nutrients upon which life and the earth’s climate depend. Some of the more significant biogeochemical cycles are briefly discussed below.

Firstly, carbon is one of the most common elements on Earth and it is the basis of all living organisms. The biogeochemical carbon cycle described the fluxes of carbon in its many forms among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere. There are four main reservoirs of stored carbon in the carbon cycle; namely (1) as

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; (2) as organic compounds in living or recently dead organisms; (3) as dissolved carbon dioxide in the oceans and other bodies of water; (4) and as calcium carbonate in limestone and in buried organic matter (e.g. natural gas, peat, coal, and petroleum). Carbon dioxide is used up by plants through the process of photosynthesis to build up the carbon compound in the plants. Animals consume plants and use these organic compounds in their metabolism. The carbon compounds in both the plants and animals are returned to the air as carbon dioxide via respiration and also when they die and decay, as microbes digest their biomass. Also, a portion of the carbon compounds decay into peat, then over millions of years, into coal (under very high pressures and worked on by microbes in the absence of oxygen). The coal is then burned to produce electricity, and thus the carbon is returned to carbon dioxide in the air.

The most accessible place to start reducing energy requirement and usage is from home. A method is to introduce energy-saving appliances at home. These types of products are able to function as well as, if not better, than the standard products using fewer amounts of energy, and they also lead to long-term cost savings on utilities. Also, designing and orienting our homes to make better use of the sun's energy for heating and natural lighting can substantially reduce energy needs. It has been heavily stressed upon that people should turn off non-essential lights and appliances can help save a lot of energy. The number of ways to save energy at home can be considered to be non-exhaustive and they usually require just a little bit more effort and consideration to perform.

According to Buildings Table of the National Climate Change Process. 1999. Residential Sector Climate Change Foundation Paper. May 1999, access to transportation and/or essential services was found to be the home activity to have the second largest impact on climate change. Transport is responsible for emission of a large portion of domestic greenhouse gases in many developed countries. Hence, individuals should make an effort to drive less or taking alternative transportation such public transport, cycling, walking to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emissions. Many cars have started to convert to use of more environmental-friendly fuel such as unleaded petrol, and this should continue to be popularized to more car owners.

These countries also come up with environmental standards and rules to ensure that they do not engage in operations that greatly aggravate the global problem. The adverse impacts are thus regulated through abiding with these ‘rules’. One of which is the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997, aimed to limit the emission of greenhouse gases by industrialized nations. In addition, it also gives consideration to the function of biological systems as sources or sinks of greenhouse gases. The participating developed countries involves Japan, Australia, US, Canada and also the European Union. More developing countries are currently encouraged to join in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

Over the past century, the world has witnessed rapid population growth, dramatic technological advancement and the rise of industrialization. These events have resulted in activities that have altered the natural processes and disrupted the balances of the various biogeochemical cycles.

Through nitrogen fixation, part of the nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia, ammonium and nitrates ions where are the primary sources of nitrogen compounds to all living things. These nitrogen compounds absor

Some topics in this essay:
Causes Consequences, Sea Coastal, Cycles Firstly, Secondly Nitrogen, Efforts National, Individual Efforts, Foundation Paper, Solutions Introduction, La Nina, Interference Solutions, biogeochemical cycles, carbon dioxide, human interference, greenhouse gases, human activities, fossil fuels, impacts human, individual efforts, interference biogeochemical cycles, plants animals, dissolved carbon, human interference biogeochemical, impacts human interference, carbon dioxide atmosphere, dissolved carbon dioxide,