<p>The planet’s ecosystem has many cycles, like the water cycle or the seasonal cycle, and one of the most important ones is the nutrient cycle. <strong>This is a biogeochemical cycle involving both living and nonliving components, describing the use, movement, and recycling of nutrients in the environment.</strong></p>
<p>The various global and local cycles of nutrients involve valuable elements like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphorus.</p>

Nutrient Cycling

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<ul>
<li>Carbon is the backbone element of all organic polymers, and we are ourselves known to be carbon-based life forms.</li>
<li>The movement of CO2 and other carbon compounds through biological components is known as the fast carbon cycle. </li>
<li>The abiotic components like rocks, soil and oceans also circulate carbon compounds taking as much as 200 million years and is known as the slow carbon cycle.</li>
</ul>

The Carbon Cycle

<ol>
<li>Removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by plants and bacteria.</li>
<li>Generation of organic molecules, and building of biological mass in plants.</li>
<li>Consumption of plants by animals.</li>
<li>Respiration of animals restoring the CO2 in the atmosphere.</li>
<li>Dead and decaying organic matter getting decomposed.</li>
<li>Burning of organic matter releasing CO2 in the environment.</li>
<li>Fossil fuel combustion, volcanic eruptions and erosion returning CO2 in the atmosphere.</li>
</ol>

Steps Of The Carbon Cycle

<p>Nitrogen is an essential component of biological molecules like amino and nucleic acids, but most living organisms cannot use the element in its pure form and need a derivative component, NH3(ammonia) to be able to synthesize organic components.</p>

The Nitrogen Cycle

<ol>
<li>Nitrogen (N2) is converted in ammonia (NH3) by bacteria in water and soil, and subsequently converted into nitrite and its derivatives.</li>
<li>Plants get nitrogen from the soil through the roots, producing organic compounds.</li>
<li>Animals absorb nitrogen by eating the plants.</li>
<li>Decomposed plants and animals, along with the solid waste return nitrogen into the soil.</li>
<li>Bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite and nitrate.</li>
<li>These compounds are then converted into pure nitrogen by nitrifying bacteria, taking it back into the atmosphere.</li>
</ol>

Steps Of the Nitrogen Cycle

<p>Photosynthesis in plants takes care of the production of most of the oxygen. </p>
<p>Plants make use of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen, which is used by animals(respiration and consumption of plants). Oxygen is then removed from the atmosphere by the process of decomposition.</p>

The Oxygen Cycle

<p>A component of certain biological molecules like phospholipids, DNA and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphorus is circulated in the environment through the soil, water rocks and living organisms.</p>
<p>It is found organically as phosphate ion and is added to the soil and water through natural weathering of rocks. It is absorbed from the soil by plants, which are in turn consumed by animals, getting back into the soil by the process of decomposition.</p>

The Phosphorus Cycle

<figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3LH69fyi-K3ZF5MuYmy_P5akxlE=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-85594744-4f1a06bedaf741009ad2b5b6ed6de870.jpg" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/cPbOEeAe26GD2_jp4AWtZVxvsjk=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-85594744-4f1a06bedaf741009ad2b5b6ed6de870.jpg 300w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/miGRiAbc4JY6-rUc5kYzrfVw8sM=/417x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-85594744-4f1a06bedaf741009ad2b5b6ed6de870.jpg 417w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/dv31GNACRCkMy49deQCXsNVaRAU=/534x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-85594744-4f1a06bedaf741009ad2b5b6ed6de870.jpg 534w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3LH69fyi-K3ZF5MuYmy_P5akxlE=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-85594744-4f1a06bedaf741009ad2b5b6ed6de870.jpg 768w" alt="An intricate biogeochemical cycle or nutrient cycle underwater and on seabed in a marine ecosystem features many different complex organisms" width="721" height="481"><figcaption dir="auto">Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><div>
Updated January 30, 2020
</div><p dir="ltr">Nutrient cycling is one of the most important processes that occur in an ecosystem. The nutrient cycle describes the use, movement, and recycling of nutrients in the environment. Valuable elements such as <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-carbon-cycle-607606" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">carbon</a>, oxygen, hydrogen, <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/phosphorus-facts-606574" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">phosphorus</a>, and nitrogen are essential to life and must be recycled in order for organisms to exist. Nutrient cycles are inclusive of both&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biology-meaning-373266" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">living</a>&nbsp;and nonliving components and involve biological, geological, and chemical processes. For this reason, these nutrient circuits are known as biogeochemical cycles.</p><p dir="ltr">Biogeochemical cycles can be categorized into two main types: global cycles and local cycles. Elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen are recycled through abiotic environments including the <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-atmosphere-604801" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">atmosphere</a>, water, and soil. Since the atmosphere is the main abiotic environment from which these elements are harvested, their cycles are of a global nature. These elements may travel over large distances before they are taken up by biological organisms. The soil is the main abiotic environment for the recycling of elements such as phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. As such, their movement is typically over a local region.</p><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Carbon Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/m5gLQ9eaSoYaTmDgNJlfFlcGUCs=/2550x1443/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/carbon-cycle-141482463-5a022bb0beba33001ae856ba-5cffc7f132f14061b4d2541f3aeeeb14.jpg" alt="Carbon cycle describes the system whereby atmospheric carbon is sequestered in soil, plantlife, and the ocean"><figcaption dir="auto">Encyclopaedia Britannica / UIG / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Carbon is essential to all life as it is the main constituent of living organisms. It serves as the backbone component for all&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biological-polymers-373562" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">organic polymers</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/carbohydrates-373558" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">carbohydrates</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/proteins-373564" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">proteins</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/lipids-373560" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4" dir="ltr">lipids</a>. Carbon compounds, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), circulate in the atmosphere and influence global climates. Carbon is circulated between living and nonliving components of the ecosystem primarily through the processes of&nbsp;photosynthesis&nbsp;and respiration.&nbsp;Plants&nbsp;and other photosynthetic organisms obtain CO2&nbsp;from their environment and use it to build biological materials. Plants, animals, and decomposers (<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/bacterial-reproduction-373273" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5" dir="ltr">bacteria</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/interesting-facts-about-fungi-373407" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6" dir="ltr">fungi</a>) return CO2&nbsp;to the atmosphere through respiration. The movement of carbon through biotic components of the environment is known as the&nbsp;fast carbon cycle. It takes considerably less time for carbon to move through the biotic elements of the cycle than it takes for it to move through the abiotic elements. It can take as long as 200 million years for carbon to move through abiotic elements such as rocks, soil, and oceans. Thus, this circulation of carbon is known as the&nbsp;slow carbon cycle.</p><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Steps of the Carbon Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><UL><LI>CO2&nbsp;is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthetic organisms (plants, cyanobacteria, etc.) and used to generate organic molecules and build biological mass.</LI><LI>Animals consume the photosynthetic organisms and acquire the carbon stored within the producers.</LI><LI>CO2&nbsp;is returned to the atmosphere via respiration in all living organisms.</LI><LI>Decomposers break down dead and decaying organic matter and release CO2.</LI><LI>Some CO2&nbsp;is returned to the atmosphere via the burning of organic matter (forest fires).</LI><LI>CO2&nbsp;trapped in rock or fossil fuels can be returned to the atmosphere via erosion, volcanic eruptions, or fossil fuel combustion.</LI></UL><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Nitrogen Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/WNNAk34zD-nDBkL6VpLk3pTz9Gg=/2247x1498/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-987474368-b798b00327344a018d9a932cb13c53ba.jpg" alt="The Nitrogen Cycle moves nitrogen between systems in the earth, animals, and the atmosphere"><figcaption dir="auto">colematt / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Similar to carbon, nitrogen is a necessary component of biological molecules. Some of these molecules include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/amino-acid-373556" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">amino acids</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/nucleic-acids-373552" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">nucleic acids</a>. Although nitrogen (N2) is abundant in the atmosphere, most living organisms can not use nitrogen in this form to synthesize organic compounds. Atmospheric nitrogen must first be fixed, or converted to ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria.</p><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Steps of the Nitrogen Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><UL><LI>Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted to ammonia (NH3) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in aquatic and soil environments. These organisms use nitrogen to synthesize the biological molecules they need to survive.</LI><LI>NH3&nbsp;is subsequently converted to nitrite and nitrate by bacteria known as nitrifying bacteria.</LI><LI>Plants obtain nitrogen from the soil by absorbing ammonium (NH4-) and nitrate through their roots. Nitrate and ammonium are used to produce organic compounds.</LI><LI>Nitrogen in its organic form is obtained by animals when they consume plants or animals.</LI><LI>Decomposers return NH3&nbsp;to the soil by decomposing solid waste and dead or decaying matter.</LI><LI>Nitrifying bacteria convert NH3&nbsp;to nitrite and nitrate.</LI><LI>Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrite and nitrate to N2, releasing N2&nbsp;back into the atmosphere.</LI></UL><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Oxygen Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/GKy62T9N8kQndJiCiX9hE40fk44=/4551x3034/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-103763979-e16775a951d2461aa8bd8dccacf7c463.jpg" alt="The oxygen cycle showing the coastline, mountains, and forests, plus manmade rural and industrial areas"><figcaption dir="auto">Dorling Kindersley&nbsp;/ Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Oxygen is an element that is essential to biological organisms. The vast majority of atmospheric oxygen (O2) is derived from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/photosynthesis-373604" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">photosynthesis</a>. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use CO2, water, and light energy to produce glucose and O2. Glucose is used to synthesize organic molecules, while O2&nbsp;is released into the atmosphere. Oxygen is removed from the atmosphere through decomposition processes and respiration in living organisms.</p><div dir="ltr">
 <h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Phosphorus Cycle </span> </h2>
</div><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/qtT6AUcxQBydXdqPVkaWhL03cu8=/3000x2000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-836346618-8ee4116c48a44168b569814e2892996a.jpg" alt="Schematic of the phosphorus cycle"><figcaption dir="auto">Danylyukk&nbsp;/ Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">Phosphorus is a component of biological molecules such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/rna-373565" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">RNA</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/dna-373454" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">DNA</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/phospholipids-373561" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">phospholipids</a>, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a high energy molecule produced by the processes of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/cellular-respiration-process-373396" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4" dir="ltr">cellular respiration</a>&nbsp;and fermentation. In the phosphorus cycle, phosphorus is circulated mainly through soil, rocks, water, and living organisms. Phosphorus is found organically in the form of the phosphate ion (PO43-). Phosphorus is added to soil and water by runoff resulting from the weathering of rocks that contain phosphates. PO43-&nbsp;is absorbed from the soil by plants and obtained by consumers through the consumption of plants and other animals. Phosphates are added back to the soil through decomposition. Phosphates may also become trapped in sediments in aquatic environments. These phosphate-containing sediments form new rocks over time.</p>

The nutrient cycle outlines the movement of chemical nutrients in the environment. Examples include the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle.

<p dir="ltr">Nutrient cycling is one of the most important processes that occur in an ecosystem. The nutrient cycle describes the use, movement, and recycling of nutrients in the environment. Valuable elements such as <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-carbon-cycle-607606">carbon </a>, oxygen, hydrogen, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/phosphorus-facts-606574">phosphorus </a>, and nitrogen are essential to life and must be recycled in order for organisms to exist. Nutrient cycles are inclusive of both <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="3" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biology-meaning-373266">living </a> and nonliving components and involve biological, geological, and chemical processes. For this reason, these nutrient circuits are known as biogeochemical cycles. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Biogeochemical cycles can be categorized into two main types: global cycles and local cycles. Elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen are recycled through abiotic environments including the <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-atmosphere-604801">atmosphere </a>, water, and soil. Since the atmosphere is the main abiotic environment from which these elements are harvested, their cycles are of a global nature. These elements may travel over large distances before they are taken up by biological organisms. The soil is the main abiotic environment for the recycling of elements such as phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. As such, their movement is typically over a local region. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Carbon is essential to all life as it is the main constituent of living organisms. It serves as the backbone component for all <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biological-polymers-373562">organic polymers </a>, including <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/carbohydrates-373558">carbohydrates </a>, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="3" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/proteins-373564">proteins </a>, and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="4" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/lipids-373560">lipids </a>. Carbon compounds, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), circulate in the atmosphere and influence global climates. Carbon is circulated between living and nonliving components of the ecosystem primarily through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms obtain CO2 from their environment and use it to build biological materials. Plants, animals, and decomposers (<a data-component="link" data-ordinal="5" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/bacterial-reproduction-373273">bacteria </a> and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="6" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/interesting-facts-about-fungi-373407">fungi </a>) return CO2 to the atmosphere through respiration. The movement of carbon through biotic components of the environment is known as the fast carbon cycle. It takes considerably less time for carbon to move through the biotic elements of the cycle than it takes for it to move through the abiotic elements. It can take as long as 200 million years for carbon to move through abiotic elements such as rocks, soil, and oceans. Thus, this circulation of carbon is known as the slow carbon cycle. </p>

<ul><li>CO2 is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthetic organisms (plants, cyanobacteria, etc.) and used to generate organic molecules and build biological mass. </li><li>Animals consume the photosynthetic organisms and acquire the carbon stored within the producers. </li><li>CO2 is returned to the atmosphere via respiration in all living organisms. </li><li>Decomposers break down dead and decaying organic matter and release CO2. </li><li>Some CO2 is returned to the atmosphere via the burning of organic matter (forest fires). </li><li>CO2 trapped in rock or fossil fuels can be returned to the atmosphere via erosion, volcanic eruptions, or fossil fuel combustion. </li> </ul>

<p dir="ltr">Similar to carbon, nitrogen is a necessary component of biological molecules. Some of these molecules include <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/amino-acid-373556">amino acids </a> and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/nucleic-acids-373552">nucleic acids </a>. Although nitrogen (N2) is abundant in the atmosphere, most living organisms can not use nitrogen in this form to synthesize organic compounds. Atmospheric nitrogen must first be fixed, or converted to ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria. </p>

<ul><li>Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted to ammonia (NH3) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in aquatic and soil environments. These organisms use nitrogen to synthesize the biological molecules they need to survive. </li><li>NH3 is subsequently converted to nitrite and nitrate by bacteria known as nitrifying bacteria. </li><li>Plants obtain nitrogen from the soil by absorbing ammonium (NH4-) and nitrate through their roots. Nitrate and ammonium are used to produce organic compounds. </li><li>Nitrogen in its organic form is obtained by animals when they consume plants or animals. </li><li>Decomposers return NH3 to the soil by decomposing solid waste and dead or decaying matter. </li><li>Nitrifying bacteria convert NH3 to nitrite and nitrate. </li><li>Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrite and nitrate to N2, releasing N2 back into the atmosphere. </li> </ul>

<p dir="ltr">Oxygen is an element that is essential to biological organisms. The vast majority of atmospheric oxygen (O2) is derived from <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/photosynthesis-373604">photosynthesis </a>. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use CO2, water, and light energy to produce glucose and O2. Glucose is used to synthesize organic molecules, while O2 is released into the atmosphere. Oxygen is removed from the atmosphere through decomposition processes and respiration in living organisms. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Phosphorus is a component of biological molecules such as <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/rna-373565">RNA </a>, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/dna-373454">DNA </a>, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="3" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/phospholipids-373561">phospholipids </a>, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a high energy molecule produced by the processes of <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="4" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/cellular-respiration-process-373396">cellular respiration </a> and fermentation. In the phosphorus cycle, phosphorus is circulated mainly through soil, rocks, water, and living organisms. Phosphorus is found organically in the form of the phosphate ion (PO43-). Phosphorus is added to soil and water by runoff resulting from the weathering of rocks that contain phosphates. PO43- is absorbed from the soil by plants and obtained by consumers through the consumption of plants and other animals. Phosphates are added back to the soil through decomposition. Phosphates may also become trapped in sediments in aquatic environments. These phosphate-containing sediments form new rocks over time. </p>

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