Biogeochemical cycle
A biogeochemical cycle is the movement and transformation of chemical elements among living organisms, the atmosphere, water, rocks, and soils.
Reservoir (biogeochemistry): A reservoir is a part of Earth where a chemical element is stored for some period. Cycles connect reservoirs such as oceans, forests, soils, and the atmosphere.
Carbon cycle: The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon among organisms, the atmosphere, oceans, soils, and rocks. It links biological carbon storage to atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate.
Biogeochemistry: Biogeochemistry studies the chemical, biological, and geological processes that shape Earth's systems. Biogeochemical cycles are a central organizing subject within this field.
Anthropocene: The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch marked by extensive human influence on Earth's systems. Human-driven changes to elemental cycles are among its defining Earth-system signals.
Flux (biogeochemistry): A biogeochemical flux is the rate at which an element moves between reservoirs. Fluxes determine how quickly elements circulate and how reservoirs change.
Nitrogen cycle: The nitrogen cycle is the movement and transformation of nitrogen among organisms, air, soil, and water. It governs how usable nitrogen reaches ecosystems and how reactive nitrogen accumulates.
Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with one another and their physical environment. Organisms and their surroundings form the biological and local physical parts of cycles.
Fertilizer: Fertilizer is a material added to soil or plants to supply nutrients and promote growth. Industrial fertilizer production and use greatly accelerate nitrogen and phosphorus transfers.
Residence time: Residence time is the average duration a substance remains in a reservoir before leaving. Different reservoirs retain elements for very different lengths of time.
Phosphorus cycle: The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus through rocks, soils, water, and living organisms. Its slow geological transfers often limit biological production.