What is the purpose of the biogeochemical cycles?
a to cycle energy through a food chain
b to recycle matter through the biosphere
c to recycle rocks through the layers of earth
d to cycle nutrients through the human body

Answer;

-To recycle matter through the biosphere.

Explanation;

-Biogeochemical cycle are the natural pathways by which essential elements of living matter are circulated. The most important biogeochemical cycles are the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, phosphorus cycle, and the water cycle.

-The biogeochemical cycles transport and store these important elements so that they can be used by living organisms.These cycles always have a state of equilibrium. The state of equilibrium occurs when there is a balance in the cycling of the elements between compartments.

A naturally occurring cycle in which conserved matter present in various forms is cycled through the biosphere is called a biogeochemical cycle. A biosphere includes both biotic and abiotic elements of the ecosystem and their interaction among themselves as well as between each other.

Further Explanation:

The Earth acts as a closed system for the matter present inside it. Therefore, all the elements required for the chemical and structural processes of life are obtained from the already present matter within the Earth’s crust. This matter is continuously cycled within the Earth’s system and forms the biogeochemical cycles as they involve biological, chemical and geological processes.  

The elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrogen are important components of life. The transportation and storage of these elements occur through biogeochemical cycles in order to be used by the living organisms. The rate of recycling of each element varies depending on the different pathways they follow.

The biogeochemical cycles are categorized as gaseous and sedimentary cycles. The elements like oxygen, nitrogen, water, and carbon fall under gaseous cycle and the oceans or the air acts as the reservoir. On the other hand, phosphorous and sulfur are included in the sedimentary cycle for which Earth’ crust is the reservoir. The movement of gaseous cycles is more rapid as compared to the sedimentary cycles due to the presence of large atmospheric reservoir.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Ecology

Chapter: Biogeological cycles

Keywords:

Biogeochemical cycle, biosphere, components of life, carbon cycle, phosphorous cycle, sulfur cycle, oxygen cycle, hydrogen cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, sedimentary cycle, gaseous cycle, atmospheric reservoir.