How do the carbon, nitrogen, hydrologic, and phosphorus cycles get from organisms back to the environment?

Since all organisms are inherently a part of these four cycles, they all return or revert certain compounds to the environment as a result of respiration, photosynthesis, waste excretion, and other daily processes. Moreover, when an organism dies, its remains, whether they be dead leaves, a dead tree in the woods, or a dead mouse, return the nutrients C, N, H2O, and P that the organism contained to the environment for future use (or to be locked away for years if no other creatures use them).

Carbon, nitrogen, hydrologic, and phosphorus cycles return to the environment through various processes:

• Carbon: Released through respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
• Nitrogen: Released through decomposition, excretion, and denitrification.
• Hydrologic: Released through evaporation, transpiration, and runoff.
• Phosphorus: Released through weathering of rocks, runoff, and decomposition.

Carbon, nitrogen, hydrologic, and phosphorus cycles return from organisms back to the environment through various processes:

1. Carbon Cycle: Carbon returns to the environment through processes such as respiration, decomposition, and combustion. Organisms release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere through respiration. Decomposition of organic matter also releases carbon back into the soil and atmosphere. Additionally, human activities such as burning fossil fuels contribute to the release of carbon into the atmosphere.

2. Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen returns to the environment through processes such as decomposition, excretion, and denitrification. Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen compounds into the soil. Excretion by animals also adds nitrogen to the soil through urine and feces. Denitrification converts nitrogen compounds in the soil back into atmospheric nitrogen (N2), completing the cycle.

3. Hydrologic (Water) Cycle: Water returns to the environment through processes such as evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation. Evaporation from bodies of water and transpiration from plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. Condensation forms clouds, and precipitation returns water to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation.

4. Phosphorus Cycle: Phosphorus returns to the environment through processes such as weathering of rocks, erosion, and decomposition. Weathering of rocks releases phosphorus into the soil, where it can be absorbed by plants. Decomposition of organic matter also releases phosphorus back into the soil. Erosion transports phosphorus-containing sediment into bodies of water, where it can be utilized by aquatic organisms.