Nutrient Cycle: Definition, Examples and Importance

The carbon cycle, sulphur cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, phosphorus cycle, and oxygen cycle are just a few of the mineral cycles that recycle mineral nutrients into productive ecological nutrition. Nature’s recycling system is the nutrient cycle. All types of recycling have feedback loops that consume energy in the process of repurposing material resources. Recycling in ecology is heavily regulated during the decomposition process.

What is the nutrient cycle?

The nutrient cycle, also known as the biogeochemical cycle, is the exchange of nutrients between living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. Biogeochemical cycles refer to the interactions between organic (bio-) and inorganic (geo-) components, with a focus on the chemistry (chemical-) and movement (cycles) of chemical elements and compounds. The movement of elements through various forms and their return to their original state is referred to as nutrient cycling. The standing state refers to the amount of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and other elements present in the soil at any given time. Plants, also known as producers, pick up nutrients that are left in the soil and turn them into organic matter.In the form of organic matter, nutrients travel from producers to higher trophic levels. Biological, abiotic, chemical, and physical variables all play a role in nutrient cycle. The carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, phosphorus cycle, and others are examples of nutrient cycles.

Types of  nutrient cycle:

Water Cycle:

The hydrological cycle is another name for the water cycle. The hydrological cycle has a significant impact on weather and climate. Water is essential for all life since it is required for producers (such as plants) to grow.

Evaporation – the majority of water evaporates from the oceans. Evaporation from lakes, rivers, and streams will also occur.Transpiration is the loss of water through the stomata of plants.Water vapour is transformed back into liquid through condensation. Clouds will form from condensation.Rain, snow, and ice all return water to the Earth as precipitation. The majority of the runoff will return to lakes and rivers, but some will be infiltrated into the ground.

Oxygen Cycle:

All living species use oxygen for breathing, and it is recycled between living organisms and the air. Breathing and respiration are processes that remove oxygen from the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, photosynthesis, which works in tandem with respiration, adds oxygen to the mix.

Carbon Cycle:

Carbon compounds are exchanged in the environment through a range of mechanisms. Photosynthesis incorporates carbon dioxide into living tissue, which is then returned to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the combustion of fossil fuels.

Nitrogen Cycle:

The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is nitrogen. Amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids are all made with it (DNA and RNA). Nitrogen is difficult to work with since the gaseous form found in the air is not available to all species. As a result, it must be transformed into more accessible formats. Only a few single-celled species, including bacteria, can absorb nitrogen in its gaseous state.

Phosphorus Cycle:

Phosphorus is found in ATP, phospholipids, nucleic acids, and a variety of other compounds. Unlike the other nutrients discussed in this article, phosphorus does not exist in a gaseous state in the environment. Phosphorus reservoirs are mostly found in sedimentary rock formations as phosphate ions ().

Rocks erode as a result of rain and other meteorological occurrences. The soil is cleansed with phosphorus.

Plants and animals can absorb phosphorus from the soil, but microbes cannot. Plants may take phosphorus straight from the soil, and animals can get the nutrient by eating them. Drinking water can also provide phosphorus to animals.

Phosphorus is released back into the environment during decay, and the cycle of absorption by plants and animals can be repeated.

Sulphur Cycle:

Soil, water, and air are all connected by the sulphur cycle. Sulphur is found in the ground and rocks as sulphides or crystalline sulphates, and in the atmosphere as SO2 and H2S. Except for a few organisms that require organic forms of sulphur such as amino acids and cysteine, most organisms consume sulphur as inorganic sulphates. The aerobic breakdown of proteins by microbes such as bacteria and fungus produces the majority of biologically fused sulphur in the soil. The sulphur cycle is an outstanding illustration of how multiple mineral cycles interact and are regulated biochemically.

Importance of  nutrient cycle:

Live organisms interact with living organisms, living organisms interact with non-living organisms, and non-living organisms interact with non-living species. This is necessary since all species are interdependent, therefore it is necessary for living organisms to survive. Soil nutrient cycling. Microorganisms are responsible for the degradation of organic matter, which not only controls the release of plant nutrients but also helps to maintain soil structure and quality for plant growth.

Conclusion:

Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus are found in all biotic components, cells, and living beings. These components are necessary for survival. As nutrient cycles traverse through each sphere, notably the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere, the flow of elements is regulated. The viscosity and density of the medium calculate the flow of elements at a specific rate for each sphere. As a result, the components in the nutritional cycles flow at varying rates, ensuring that the flow of elements in those cycles is maintained. Ecosystems use nutrient cycles to restore equilibrium so that they can function properly.