Environmental Science Module 2

SAMAL ISLAND CITY COLLEGE
Datu Taganiog Street, Brgy. Peñaplata, Samal District

Island Garden City of Samal,
Davao del Norte, Philippines
GE006:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Biogeochemical Cycles
Name: Date:
Instructor: Score:
Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Lesson 1: Biogeochemical Cycles
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
● Illustrate the four biogeochemical cycles; and
● Cite significant roles of the biogeochemical cycles in our biosphere.
Introduction:
In Unit 1: Lesson 2, you have learned about the interactions that happened in our
ecosystem and one of those is the biogeochemical cycles. These processes are important in the
cycling of materials to make their products available to living organisms for their maintenance
and survival. However, the presence of excessive amounts can also be harmful, contributory to
the formation of acid rain and greenhouse effect. The industrial and human activities may
interrupt the cycles and take these materials out of the cycles and therefore not recycled. With
that scenario, the organisms have nothing to use.
Energy flows, but matter is recycled
Energy flows directionally through the Earth’s ecosystems, typically entering in the form
of sunlight and exiting in the form of heat. However, the chemical components that make up
living organisms are different: they get recycled.
What does that mean? For one thing, the atoms in your body are not brand new. Instead,
they've been cycling through the biosphere for a long, long time, and they've been part of many
organisms and nonliving compounds along the way. You may or may not believe in

reincarnation as a spiritual concept, but there's no question that atoms in your body have been
part of a huge number of living and nonliving things over the course of time!
Which biogeochemical cycles are key to life?
● Water, which contains hydrogen and oxygen, is essential for living organisms. That
places the water cycle pretty high on the list of cycles we care about!
● Carbon is found in all organic macromolecules and is also a key component of fossil
fuels.
● Nitrogen is needed for our DNA, RNA and proteins and is critical to human agriculture.
● Phosphorus is a key component of DNA and RNA and is one of the main ingredients—
along with nitrogen—in artificial fertilizers used in agriculture.
● Sulfur is key to protein structure and is released to the atmosphere by the burning of
fossil fuels.
Activity :
In recent years, human activities greatly contribute to the destruction of our environment that
resulted in many environmental problems. These problems are still prevalent to many parts of
the world and affecting the health of many individuals. In this activity, you will compose an
essay that explicitly describes the causes and the possible effects of this human action.
Direction: Write your answer on the space provided below the picture.
Criteria for evaluation: (50 pts.)
Relevance of the Content – 20 pts.; Organization of Ideas – 15 pts.

Originality- 15 pts.
Figure 1: Waste Dumpsite

ACTIVITY ANSWER SHEET:
Submit only this page.

Analysis
Direction: Analyze and explain the diagrams below. Write your answer on the space provided.
Criteria for evaluation:
Relevance of the Content – 5 pts.; Organization of Ideas – 5pts.
A.
Figure 2: Energy Flow

B.
Figure 3: Gas Exchange

Abstraction:
The Water Cycle
The water cycle is driven by the Sun’s energy. The sun warms the ocean surface and
other surface water, causing liquid water to evaporate and ice to sublime—turn directly from a
solid to a gas. These sun-driven processes move water into the atmosphere in the form of water
vapor.
Figure 4: The Water Cycle
● The vast majority of Earth's water is saltwater found in oceans. Only a tiny fraction is
readily accessible freshwater, which is what humans need.
● Water found at the Earth's surface can cycle rapidly, but much of Earth's water lies in ice,
oceans, and underground reservoirs; this water cycles slowly.
● The water cycle is complex and involves state changes in water as well as the physical
movement of water through and between ecosystems.
● Groundwater is found underground between soil particles and in cracks of

rocks. Aquifers are groundwater reservoirs often tapped by wells.

The Carbon Cycle

The geological pathway of the carbon cycle takes much longer than the biological
pathway. In fact, it usually takes millions of years for carbon to cycle through the geological
pathway. Carbon may be stored for long periods of time in the atmosphere, bodies of liquid
water—mostly oceans— ocean sediment, soil, rocks, fossil fuels, and Earth’s interior.
Figure 5: The Carbon Cycle

● Carbon is an essential element in the bodies of living organisms. It is also economically
important to modern humans, in the form of fossil fuels.
● Carbon dioxide CO2 from the atmosphere is taken up by photosynthetic organisms and
used to make organic molecules, which travel through food chains. In the end, the carbon
atoms are released as CO2 in respiration.
● Slow geological processes, including the formation of sedimentary rock and fossil fuels,
contribute to the carbon cycle over long timescales.
● Some human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, increase
atmospheric CO2 and affect Earth's climate and oceans.

The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen enters the living world by way of bacteria and other single-celled prokaryotes,
which convert atmospheric nitrogen N2 into biologically usable forms in a process
called nitrogen fixation. Some species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria are free-living in soil or water,
while others are beneficial symbionts that live inside of plants.
● Nitrogen is a key component of the bodies of living organisms. Nitrogen atoms are found
in all proteins and DNA.
● Nitrogen exists in the atmosphere as N2 gas. In nitrogen fixation, bacteria convert N2
into ammonia, a form of nitrogen usable by plants. When animals eat the plants, they
acquire usable nitrogen compounds.
● Nitrogen is a common limiting nutrient in nature, and agriculture. A limiting nutrient is

the nutrient that's in shortest supply and limits growth.
● When fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus are carried in runoff to lakes and
rivers, they can result in blooms of algae—this is called eutrophication.
Figure 6: The Nitrogen Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for living organisms. It’s a key part of nucleic acids,
like DNA and of the phospholipids that form our cell membranes. As calcium phosphate, it also
makes up the supportive components of our bones. In nature, phosphorus is often the limiting
nutrient—in other words, the nutrient that’s in shortest supply and puts a limit on growth—and
this is particularly true for aquatic, freshwater ecosystems.
● Phosphorus is an essential nutrient found in the macromolecules of humans and other

organisms, including DNA.
● The phosphorus cycle is slow. Most phosphorus in nature exists in the form of phosphate ion
● Phosphorus is often the limiting nutrient, or nutrient that is most scarce and thus limits
growth, in aquatic ecosystems.
● When nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer are carried in runoff to lakes and oceans, they
can cause eutrophication, the overgrowth of algae. The algae may deplete oxygen from the
water and create a dead zone.
Figure 7: The Phosphorus Cycle

Application:
Direction: Read the article about Global Water Scarcity and generate 10 ways on how to
address this environmental problem. (5 points each)
Global Water Scarcity
Water covers 70% of our planet, and it is easy to think that it will always be plentiful.
However, freshwater—the stuff we drink, bathe in, irrigate our farm fields with—is incredibly
rare. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in
frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use. As a result, some 1.1 billion people
worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one
month of the year. Inadequate sanitation is also a problem for 2.4 billion people—they are
exposed to diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever, and other water-borne illnesses. Two
million people, mostly children, die each year from diarrheal diseases alone.
Many of the water systems that keep ecosystems thriving and feed a growing human
population have become stressed. Rivers, lakes and aquifers are drying up or becoming too
polluted to use. More than half the world’s wetlands have disappeared. Agriculture consumes
more water than any other source and wastes much of that through inefficiencies. Climate
change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and
droughts in some areas and floods in others. At the current consumption rate, this situation will
only get worse. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages. And
ecosystems around the world will suffer even more.

ANSWERS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Closure:
Congratulations! You may now proceed to the next module.

UNIT 2: MIDTERM ASSESSMENT (Examination)
Direction: Illustrate the 4 Biogeochemical cycles and explain the importance of each in our
biosphere.
CRITERIA BELOW AVERAGE ABOVE EXCELLENT SCORE

AVERAGE AVERAGE
Diagram Few required Some required Most required All required

components items are items are items are items are
represented. represented. represented. represented.
(5 points) (10 points) (15 points) (20 points)
Text and labels Few or no labels. Some labels. Most labels are All labels are
(5 points) (10 points) present and some present and
styles and effects styles and
are applied. effects are
(15 points) applied.
(20 points)
Creativity and Appearance Appearance Creative Highly
Appearance and shows least meets lesson appearance. creative,
Originality effort required. requirements. ( 22 points) exceptional
(8 points) (15 points) appearance.
(30 points)
Demonstrated Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates a
learning and little or no some good thorough
understanding understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding
(Explanation) the topic. the topic. the topic. of the topic.
(5 points) (10 points) (15 points) (20 points)
TOTAL SCORE (100 points)

1.THE WATER CYCLE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. THE CARBON CYCLE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. THE NITROGEN CYCLE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

1. THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

References
Agsalud, P. et al., (2013). Environmental science. Malabon City, Philippines: Jimczyville
Publications
Añes, M. & Lee, S. (2010). Lecture notes in environmental science 2nd edition: The economy of
nature and ecology of man.Quezon City, Philippines: C&E Publishing Inc.
Botkin, D. & Keller, E. (2003). Environmental science: Earth as a living planet. New York, USA:
John Willy & Sons, Inc.
Guido, R. et al., (2015). Fundamentals of environmental science. Mandaluyong City, Philippines:

Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Guzman, R. & Genuino, R.M. (2018). Environmental science towards a sustainable earth. Cebu
City, Philippines: Vibal Group Inc.
Maslog, C. et al., (2019). Science writing and climate change. Metro Manila, Philippines: Asian
Institute of Journalism and Communication.

Environmental Science Module 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmental Science Module 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmental Science Module 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SAMAL ISLAND CITY COLLEGE

Datu Taganiog Street, Brgy. Peñaplata, Samal District

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Lesson 1: Biogeochemical Cycles

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

● Illustrate the four biogeochemical cycles; and

● Cite significant roles of the biogeochemical cycles in our biosphere.

Energy flows, but matter is recycled

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Which biogeochemical cycles are key to life?

Relevance of the Content – 20 pts.; Organization of Ideas – 15 pts.

Figure 1: Waste Dumpsite

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

ACTIVITY ANSWER SHEET:

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Relevance of the Content – 5 pts.; Organization of Ideas – 5pts.

Figure 2: Energy Flow

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Figure 3: Gas Exchange

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Figure 4: The Water Cycle

● Groundwater is found underground between soil particles and in cracks of

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

The Carbon Cycle

Figure 5: The Carbon Cycle

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

The Nitrogen Cycle

● Nitrogen is a common limiting nutrient in nature, and agriculture. A limiting nutrient is

Figure 6: The Nitrogen Cycle

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

The Phosphorus Cycle

● Phosphorus is an essential nutrient found in the macromolecules of humans and other

Figure 7: The Phosphorus Cycle

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Global Water Scarcity

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

UNIT 2: MIDTERM ASSESSMENT (Examination)

CRITERIA BELOW AVERAGE ABOVE EXCELLENT SCORE

Diagram Few required Some required Most required All required

TOTAL SCORE (100 points)

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

1.THE WATER CYCLE

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

2. THE CARBON CYCLE

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

3. THE NITROGEN CYCLE

Submit only this page.

Unit 2: Biogeochemical Cycles

1. THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

Submit only this page.