write short notes on the following topics -
a) soil formation
b) biogeochemical cycles
Answers
Answer:
1. Soil formation
Generally the part of the surface of the earth wherein the vegetation grows is known as 'SOIL'
The soil is a thin layer composed of various elements on the surface of the earth .
Minerals, humidity, humus and air are mixed up in it.
the parental rocks lie below the soil .
Soil is formed due to the mineral available through the denudation.
Biotic elements, humidity, and air get mixed up with it .
In other words, the soil is a natural mixture of minerals and biotic elements which have the capacity to grow and develop vegetation.
2. Biogeochemical cycles
The term biogeochemical is derived from “bio” meaning biosphere, “geo” meaning the geological components and “chemical” meaning the elements that move through a cycle.
The matter on Earth is conserved and present in the form of atoms. Since matter can neither be created nor destroyed, it is recycled in the earth’s system in various forms.
The earth obtains energy from the sun which is radiated back as heat, rest all other elements are present in a closed system. The major elements include:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulphur
These elements are recycled through the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. The atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere are the abiotic components of the ecosystem.