Question

In biogeochemical cycles, which move or recycle through the Earth’s systems? Select ALL that apply.

matter

bacteria

energy

soil

Answer 1

- Matter — YES. Biogeochemical cycles are the cycling of chemical elements and compounds (carbon, nitrogen, water, phosphorus, etc.) through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
- Soil — YES (in a sense). Soil is a major reservoir for nutrients and is part of those cycles (nutrients move into and out of soil).

- Bacteria — not as the thing being cycled (they are agents/decomposers that help recycle matter, but the cycles are of the chemical matter, not of bacteria themselves).
- Energy — NO. Energy flows through ecosystems (from the sun through trophic levels) and is not recycled the way matter is.