The chemical elements, such as carbon, phosphorus nitrogen and sulfur are the fundamental building blocks of life on Earth, these elements do not remain static, but are in constant movement through the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. These cyclical flows, known as biogeochemical cycles, are essential natural processes to maintain the balance of ecosystems and regulate life on our planet. Throughout history, scientists from various disciplines have contributed to unraveling the complex interactions between these elements and the different compartments of the planet: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Through the revised bibliography, a small historical thread can be made pointing out that in ancient Greece philosophers such as Aristotle already reflected on the cyclic nature of the elements and their relationship with living beings, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the development of chemistry allowed to identify and characterize the fundamental chemical elements, laying the foundations for the study of their behavior in natural systems. In the nineteenth century, advances in biology, especially with Darwin's theory of evolution, provided a conceptual framework to understand the relationship between living organisms and their environment, in the twentieth century ecology emerged as a scientific discipline, focused on the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. Currently, the study of biogeochemical cycles has become fundamental to understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change.
According to the aforementioned, let's start talking about the carbon cycle, considering that carbon is a versatile element found in a wide variety of organic and inorganic compounds, the carbon cycle describes the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, the oceans, the earth and living organisms. Carbon is found in different processes such as photosynthesis since plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and, through this process, convert it into organic compounds such as glucose. also in the respiration process, because living organisms, both plants and animals, release CO2 into the atmosphere during cellular respiration, likewise in the decomposition process, because when organisms die, decomposers decompose organic matter, releasing carbon into the soil or water.
As for nitrogen, we can say that it is an essential component of proteins and nucleic acids, and is a limiting element for plant growth, the nitrogen cycle involves a series of biological and chemical processes that transform atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by organisms. As for phosphorus, according to Roa (2002), we can mention that it is an essential element for the formation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). Unlike carbon and nitrogen, the phosphorus cycle is mainly sedimentary, phosphorus is released into the water and soil through the erosion of rocks, plants absorb phosphorus from the soil, when organisms die, phosphorus is released into the soil and part of the phosphorus is lost in marine and terrestrial sediments.
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It is important to understand that biogeochemical cycles are fundamental to addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. by studying these cycles, scientists can understand how ecosystems function and allows us to develop strategies to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The study of biogeochemical cycles has come a long way from the first observations to becoming a fundamental scientific discipline for understanding the natural processes that sustain life on Earth. Advances in technology and growing awareness of environmental issues have driven research in this field. However, there are still many challenges to be addressed, such as the need to develop more accurate models and the integration of data from various sources. The future of research in biogeochemical cycles is promising, and the knowledge acquired will be essential to face the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
In conclusion, dear readers, biogeochemical cycles are fundamental processes that sustain life on Earth. By studying these cycles, we can gain a better understanding of how our planet works and how we can protect it for future generations. It is essential to continue researching these complex processes and to work together to find solutions to the environmental challenges we face.
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| Bibliographic references |
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- Roa, J. (2002). Basic foundations of environmental processes. Feunet. San Cristóbal: Venezuela.
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