Biogeochemical and biogeochemical are terms that the DigoPaul does not mention in its dictionary. These concepts refer to the interactions that are established between living beings and geochemical compounds (the chemical compounds found in the crust of planet Earth).
Biogeochemistry helps to understand how living organisms work, starting from the organization of cells and reaching the ecosystems that they develop. This science also provides knowledge about various processes and situations that are very important to humans, such as food production, climate change, recycling and pollution.
It can be said that biogeochemistry studies the relationship between the components of the Earth and life. Biogeochemical cycles are known as the movements of various chemical elements between organisms and the environment through different processes.
Biogeochemical cycles involve a chemical change. Through the production and decomposition of elements, the displacement of potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, hydrogen, oxygen and other substances occurs between living beings and biomass, the atmosphere and aquatic environments.
Specifically, we can establish the existence of five fundamental and important biogeochemical cycles, such as the following:
-The water cycle, which is what allows water to pass from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere in order to then return to what they are. its liquid and solid phases. In this process, therefore, sublimation, evaporation and perspiration play an essential role.
-The nitrogen cycle, which is the process by which this element becomes organic nitrate. Precipitation plays a key role in it.
-The sulfur cycle, which highlights how this element combines with water to form the so-called sulfuric acid. That is an essential piece for what is called acid rain to take place.
-The carbon cycle, which becomes a key part of the food chain. Carbon dioxide is in plants, on which herbivores feed and from there the aforementioned chain continues until it reaches humans.
-The oxygen cycle, fundamental in the life of man as well as of other living beings.
In addition to all the above, we cannot ignore the fact that within the scope of biogeochemical cycles, elements such as macronutrients, micronutrients, biotope or biota, among many others, play an essential role, as well as processes such as the sedimentary.
As matter, in the biosphere, is limited, the recycling that takes place through biogeochemical cycles is essential for life since it allows nutrients not to be depleted. Oxygen, calcium, hydrogen and many other elements are nutrients that living things need for their subsistence and development. As most chemical substances cannot be used directly by organisms, complex processes develop that turn them into useful elements.