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What are Chemical Cycles?
Chemical cycles are the natural way the earth keeps chemical amounts in balance. This balance
is obtained by the constant flow of the nutrients through living and nonliving matter, also called biogeochemical
cycling. It is important to recognize that the elements have been cycling since the formation of the earth and that the same
atoms that were present then and the atoms we come into contact today, are one in the same. The cycles are also accountable
for the basis of the energy in our ecosystems which travel through air, water and soil. The five main cycles
are carbon, phosphorous, oxygen, nitrogen and water, all of which set the pretenses to sustain life on earth. Disturbances
in a chemical cycle can be the result of too much or too little of the element. An imbalance in the chemical levels causes
lasting affects that leaves a part of the earth vulnerable.
Structure of our Environment
Air, earth and water makes up our environment. The air above us is generally categorized as the atmosphere,
the water below us makes up the hydrosphere and the earth we live on, is known as the lithosphere.
The Atmosphere: The atmosphere is made up of gaseous chemical compounds. It extends from
the surface of the earth to well over 500 kilometers into space and protects us from the harmful UV rays given off by the
sun. The atmosphere can be separated into five specific categories. In chronological order, there is the troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere and the exosphere. Each of these vary by size, temperature, density, gases present and altitude.
Most of the atmosphere consists of nitrogen and oxygen in their gaseous form.
Figure 1:
The Lithosphere: The lithosphere is an abundant resource for various
minerals and elements and the only real inhabitable place for humans at this time. The lithosphere is divided into four specific
layers. In chronological order, there is the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. These also vary according to size,
temperature, density, and minerals/elements present.
Figure 2:
The Hydrosphere: The
hydrosphere is a huge factor in terms of the water cycle due to its enormous capacity that covers 72% of the earth. It is
home to many aquatic organisms including animals and plants and theorized to be one of the causes why life came
into existence on earth. It is very plentiful in minerals that form salts and elements in their liquefied state. Unlike
the atmosphere and lithosphere, the hydrosphere is not categorized any further.
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