Category 5 · Environment & Ecology

Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles)

8 micro topics in Environment & Ecology for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Concept of Biogeochemical Cycle: Parts and Types; Carbon Cycle: Steps, Long-Term and Short-Term Cycles, Carbon as a Climate Buffer; and 6 more.

1. 5.1

   Concept of Biogeochemical Cycle: Parts and Types

   A biogeochemical cycle is the pathway by which a chemical element or compound moves between the living (bio) and non-living (geo) parts of the Earth, through chemical, physical and biological processes. Matter is finite and is…

2. 5.2

   Carbon Cycle: Steps, Long-Term and Short-Term Cycles, Carbon as a Climate Buffer

   The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, land, living things and rocks. Carbon enters living matter when plants, algae and cyanobacteria fix carbon dioxide by photosynthesis, passes along food chains, and…

3. 5.3

   Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle and Effects of High Greenhouse Gas Concentration

   Human activity has disturbed the carbon cycle mainly by burning fossil fuels, clearing forests, changing land use, making cement and farming livestock and rice. Together these have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide from about 280 parts per…

4. 5.4

   Hydrological (Water) Cycle: Steps and Storage

   The hydrological or water cycle is the continuous circulation of water between the oceans, atmosphere, land and living things, driven by solar energy and gravity. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes and soil and is released by…

5. 5.5

   Nitrogen Cycle and Human Impact on It

   The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen between the atmosphere, soil, water and living things. Nitrogen makes up about 78 percent of air, but plants and animals cannot use the inert gas directly. It must…

6. 5.6

   Oxygen Cycle

   The oxygen cycle is the movement of oxygen between the atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Free oxygen makes up about 21 percent of the air. It is produced mainly by photosynthesis, when plants, algae and cyanobacteria split…

7. 5.7

   Sulphur Cycle and Human Impact on It

   The sulphur cycle is the movement of sulphur between rocks, soil, water, the atmosphere and living things. It is a sedimentary cycle with a gaseous phase. The main reservoir is the Earth's crust, in sulphide and…

8. 5.8

   Phosphorus Cycle and Human Influence on It

   The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus between rocks, soil, water and living things. It is a sedimentary cycle with no significant gaseous phase, so the atmosphere plays almost no part. The main reservoir is…

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Frequently asked questions

Which topics are in Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles)?

Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles) has 8 micro topics in Environment & Ecology: Concept of Biogeochemical Cycle: Parts and Types; Carbon Cycle: Steps, Long-Term and Short-Term Cycles, Carbon as a Climate Buffer; Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle and Effects of High Greenhouse Gas Concentration; Hydrological (Water) Cycle: Steps and Storage; Nitrogen Cycle and Human Impact on It; Oxygen Cycle; Sulphur Cycle and Human Impact on It; Phosphorus Cycle and Human Influence on It.

Is Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles) important for UPSC Prelims?

Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles) is a part of the UPSC Prelims Environment & Ecology syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 8 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.