Sulfur cycle
Sulfur Cycle
The Sulfur Cycle (pronounced: /ˈsʌlfər ˈsaɪkəl/) is a biogeochemical cycle that involves the movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It plays a vital role in the earth's ecosystems and is crucial for the production of proteins and vitamins in both plants and animals.
Etymology
The term "Sulfur Cycle" is derived from the element sulfur, which is an essential element for life, and the word cycle, which refers to a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order.
Process
The sulfur cycle consists of several stages:
- Mineralization: Organic sulfur is converted into inorganic forms through the action of microorganisms.
- Oxidation: Inorganic sulfur is converted into sulfate by certain bacteria.
- Reduction: Sulfate is converted back into organic sulfur by other bacteria.
- Incorporation: Plants absorb sulfate from the soil and convert it into organic sulfur compounds.
Related Terms
- Biogeochemical cycle: The movement of chemical elements between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts of an environment.
- Microorganisms: Microscopic organisms, which may exist in a single-celled form or in a colony of cells.
- Oxidation: A chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state.
- Reduction: A chemical reaction that involves the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state.
- Mineralization: The process by which organic matter is decomposed into its inorganic constituents.
- Incorporation: The process by which plants absorb nutrients from the soil and convert them into organic compounds.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sulfur cycle
- Wikipedia's article - Sulfur cycle
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