Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical cycles are the movements of matter between Earth's different spheres. The statement that these cycles implies that they are all interconnected. Whether that may be the water, nitrogen or oxygen cycle, each is affected by a change or altering of the others. At the time the article, "Earth's Biogeochemical Cycles, Once in Concert, Falling Out of Sync" was written, scientists were preparing to convene at a meeting in which they would discuss coupled biogeochemical cycles (CBC) funding. "CBC is an emerging scientific discipline that looks at how Earth's biogeochemical cycles interact." Many scientists and researchers are beginning to look at the coupled cycles rather than sticking to them separately as their own entities. A prime example of this is the dead zone idea. Nitrogen-based fertilizers that are used in the cornfields of Iowa seep into the Mississipi River, and are carried down to the Gulf of Mexico. There, the nitrogen stimulates an algae growth. Upon the algae dieing, their decomposition consumes oxygen making an area of water roughly the size of New Jersey inhospitable to animal life. A simple action that began in the nitrogen cycle could end up having a drastic effect in the oxygen cycle. All the biogeochemical cycles take place in the many environments of this world. Even the smallest changes in atmospheric composition or fertilizers used could end up affecting the other cycles and the environment in the end. There is so much more to learn about the cycles and their relations with each other than there would be to learn from them separately.

The cycles are like a machine; when one piece starts running off course, the other parts cant function properly making the machine ineffective.