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Oxygen Cycle

What is the oxygen cycle.

It is the process of biogeochemical transitions of oxygen atoms in its different forms in nature between the three main reservoirs of our ecosystem.

What are the Three Main Reservoirs of Oxygen in Nature

The atmosphere, biosphere , and lithosphere forms the three main reservoirs or sources of oxygen on earth.

The Three Steps of the Oxygen Cycle

1) production of free oxygen.

Occurs through the following processes:

• Photolysis – Ultraviolet radiation of the sun breaks down atmospheric water and nitrous oxide
• Photosynthesis – Plants make food and release oxygen as a byproduct
• Weathering – Oxygen-containing minerals in rocks gradually breaks down  

2) Utilizing the Free Oxygen

Involves the following processes:    

• Respiration – Animals take in oxygen from the atmosphere and use it to break down carbohydrates
• Decomposition – Invertebrates, including fungi, bacteria , and some insects decay the dead organic matter of plants and animals remains
• Combustion – Organic materials, including fossil fuels, plastics, and wood, are burned in the presence of oxygen
• Corrosion – Metals like iron or alloy rust when they are exposed to moisture and oxygen for an extended period, new compounds of oxides are formed by the combination of oxygen with the metal

3) Utilizing Carbon Dioxide and Releasing Oxygen Back

Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere is again utilized by green plants with the help of:

• Photosynthesis – Plants utilize the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere for preparing food, thus completing the cycle

Importance of the Oxygen Cycle in Nature

• Maintaining the oxygen level in the atmosphere which helps to carry out important physiological processes such as respiration and photosynthesis
• Helping in the proper functioning of the carbon cycle since the oxygen and carbon cycle are interconnected
• Facilitating other biogeochemical cycles such as nitrogen and sulfur cycles to continue since oxygen binds and forms stable compounds with other molecules
• Sustaining the aquatic ecosystem present beneath the surface
• Forming the outer layer of earth’s crust, the lithosphere

How Do Humans Affect the Oxygen Cycle

Human activities release excess carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and some other harmful gases into the atmosphere, thus decreasing the concentration of oxygen in the following ways:   

• Indiscriminate cutting of trees or deforestation 
• Much higher human birth rate compared to death rate
• Effluents from vehicles, industries, and burning of fossil fuels

Deforestation naturally leads to lower oxygen levels in air as it eliminates the main source of oxygen production. It consecutively increases the concentration of carbon dioxide as well.

Global warming decreases the solubility and concentration of oxygen in the waters of lakes, rivers, and oceans, thus severely affecting life in the aquatic ecosystem.

Oxygen enters the atmosphere through the process of photolysis, which is the first step of the oxygen cycle.

Phytoplankton participate in the oxygen cycle in the same manner as terrestrial plants. But being aquatic plants, they perform photosynthesis under water to produce oxygen for the survival of aquatic animals.

The two major processes involved in the oxygen cycle are photosynthesis and respiration.

The carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles are similar because they all are biogeochemical cycles showing the continuous utilization and replacement of those three elements with the help of interactions between the living and non-living elements of the earth.

Article was last reviewed on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

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Oxygen Cycle Environment

Oxygen cycle environment free pdf download.

As the surface grew 4.6 billion years ago, Oxygen was not present in the atmosphere. As life started evolving on the planet 3.6 billion years ago, cyanobacteria and primitive life forms started synthesizing Oxygen. The Oxygen was gradually produced over a carboniferous period of 299 million years and it developed to the extent that we know of now.

Almost 21% of the earth's atmosphere comprises Oxygen. It is the second most abundant gas available in nature after nitrogen. Human beings respire Oxygen and utilize Oxygen for their metabolic activities. The cells, tissues, and organs require Oxygen for their growth and development. In human beings, Oxygen is carried by hemoglobin present in the blood to various organs in the body. It is also crucial in the formation of multiple molecules like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins.

What is the Oxygen Cycle?

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The Oxygen Cycle is one of the most important biogeochemical Cycles present in nature and comprises production and consumption or utilization of Oxygen in the Environment. It is a biological process in which the Oxygen travels through the lithosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The earth's crust comprises land and water, which is the lithosphere. It is the outer part of the earth's crust and is the largest Oxygen reservoir. The biosphere is the living ecosystem present on the planet where an organism lives. The atmosphere is the blanket of air present around the earth consisting of a mixture of gases like Oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases. The Oxygen Cycle is the flow of Oxygen molecules through these spheres. The flow of nitrogen, Oxygen, carbon, and water Cycles in nature is essential for the sustainable development of the living components of the ecosystem.

Stages of the Oxygen Cycle

There are three stages involved in the Oxygen Cycle. They are:

Step 1: All green plants produce food through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the green plants use carbon dioxide, sunlight, chlorophyll, water to form glucose. Oxygen forms as a by-product by plants in this process. This Oxygen released into the atmosphere. Oxygen forms appropriating photodissociation. Photodissociation is the dissociation of water vapor molecules in the atmosphere, which form Oxygen as a by-product. Thus, releasing the Oxygen into the atmosphere. 

Stage 2: It consists of the consumption and utilization of Oxygen by aerobic organisms. The Oxygen is used for the various biochemical processes in the body. Several life processes depend on the availability and consumption of Oxygen. Animals respire the Oxygen produced in nature, which in turn helps in their growth and development. 

Stage 3: The aerobic organisms which have used the Oxygen, now release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The process of respiration is the inhalation of Oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide. The food consumed by the aerobes is digested with the help of Oxygen to form water, carbon dioxide, and energy in the form of calories. Aerobes require energy for any activity performed by their bodies. Hence, the formed carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere through respiration, and carbon dioxide reaches back. The plants use the same carbon dioxide, and the Cycle continues. This Cycle restores the Oxygen content in the biosphere, and the period is crucial for life to grow and survive.

Uses of Oxygen

Oxygen has many functions in nature. Few of them include:

Breathing: Humans and other organisms utilize Oxygen for metabolism and digesting food. This process helps in the differentiation of cells, breaking down glucose in Glycolysis, Kreb's Cycle, and means that it helps in absorption and formation of biomolecules in the organisms. Carbon dioxide is a product of these processes in the body which is exhaled by the aerobes. 

Decomposition: It is one of the natural processes that occur in nature. The fungi, bacteria, insects further decompose the dead and decayed organic matter in the soil, and saprophytes present in the ground. During the process, they utilize atmospheric Oxygen and release carbon dioxide. 

Combustion: It is a process where heat is released by burning organic matter, wood, fossil fuel in the presence of atmospheric Oxygen. Oxygen is an essential element required for combustion. It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 

Rusting: The oxidation of metals and alloys with prolonged exposure to atmospheric Oxygen and moisture is called rusting — oxides of iron forms around iron when the iron is in humid conditions for an extended period. New compounds form on the surface of the metal during rusting. 

Production of Oxygen

There are two ways in which Oxygen is formed in nature. They are:

Photosynthesis: It is a complex process used by green plants where the leaves of the green plants with the help of sunlight and chlorophyll convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and Oxygen. The glucose produced is transferred to the fruits and edible parts of the plant. As already explained, the Oxygen released into the atmosphere as a by-product of this process. 

Photodissociation: It is the formation of Oxygen molecules when sunlight interacts with the water vapor present in the atmosphere. Water vapor exists in the atmosphere as a result of the water Cycle. The destruction of the ozone layer by various gases can also lead to the formation of molecular Oxygen. 

Some Interesting Facts on Oxygen

Phytoplanktons are plants existing in the marine ecosystem, which can consume ammonia. These are the primary plants that release most of the Oxygen present in the world. Almost 80% of the Oxygen currently present in the world is due to the action of phytoplankton. 

The earth's crust also has a reservoir of Oxygen, but it cannot be used for respiration as all the Oxygen is present in the form of oxides. 

Sunlight and water vapor can react with each other to form Oxygen, and this process is called photodissociation.

If a person does not receive Oxygen to any organ of the body for a prolonged time, cells of the organ get damaged permanently and cannot be regenerated. 

Trees produce Oxygen only in the day time with the availability of sunlight. At night trees also produce carbon dioxide and carry on respiration. 

Oxygen can be stored in cylinders, and for people with respiratory distress and problems with respiration, Oxygen is given directly to maintain the Oxygen saturation of the body. 

Oxygen has a wide range of applications. Steel is the most prevalent use for this material. It may also be used to process metal from ore, filter water, make plastic, and make rocket fuel. Oxygen tanks are also used to treat people who have respiratory disorders, as well as to provide life support for astronauts and scuba divers.

Around 21% of the Earth's atmosphere is made up of Oxygen. It accounts for almost half of the Earth's crust, making it the most prevalent element on the planet. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe and the most abundant element in the human body, accounting for 65 percent of the mass of the body. Oxygen makes about 1% of the Sun's mass.

In order for life to exist on Earth, Oxygen is required. The Oxygen Cycle, which is the flow of Oxygen between air, living organisms, and the Earth's crust, plays this role.

Importance of the Oxygen Cycle

The Oxygen Cycle is an essential biogeochemical Cycle to maintain the concentration and level of Oxygen in the atmosphere. The Oxygen Cycle is one of the main reasons for the existence of life on earth. Without Oxygen, the biosphere could not exist. However, Anaerobes can live without the presence of Oxygen. Few anaerobes called the obligate anaerobes might even die due to the presence of Oxygen. 

The critical functions of Oxygen include breathing, combustion, rusting, and decomposition. 

Oxygen Cycle Overview

The Oxygen is first produced by plants by the process of photosynthesis. This Oxygen is circulated in the atmosphere, which is inhaled by organisms that require Oxygen for living. The microorganisms and other animals utilize Oxygen and utilize it for their metabolism. They release carbon dioxide as a by-product into the atmosphere and which is again used by plants.

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FAQs on Oxygen Cycle Environment

1. What is an Oxygen Cycle?

The transport of Oxygen through the atmosphere (air), Biosphere (plants and animals), and Lithosphere (the earth's crust) is referred to as the Oxygen Cycle. The Oxygen Cycle shows how free Oxygen is produced accessible in each of these areas and how it is utilized. Although the earth's crust has the biggest store of Oxygen, the majority of it is bound in mineral compounds and hence inaccessible. Photosynthesis, a process in which plants employ carbon dioxide, light, and water to make Oxygen from carbon dioxide, is the most significant contributor to the Oxygen Cycle. As a result, the carbon and Oxygen Cycles are inextricably linked. The carbon Cycle has been interrupted by growing carbon dioxide emissions, and plants are no longer able to generate enough Oxygen to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations from rising.

2. What are the uses of Oxygen gas?

There are many uses of Oxygen. They are as follows: 

 Aerobic respiration, which allows for the extraction of energy from ingested nutrients, requires Oxygen in cells. Those with respiratory diseases, such as emphysema, require supplementary Oxygen at home and in hospitals.

Mountaineers utilise compressed Oxygen tanks at high elevations to compensate for the decreasing Oxygen pressure.

Supplemental Oxygen is required for surgical patients who have been rendered paralysed for medical operations and are kept alive by "heart-lung machines."

Certain anaerobic bacteria are destroyed by sufficient exposure to Oxygen and can be used as a sterilizing agent.

3. What are major reservoirs of Oxygen?

Reservoirs of Oxygen are:

Atmosphere: the terrestrial biosphere (which often includes freshwater systems and non-living organic material like soil carbon), the seas (which contains dissolved inorganic carbon as well as living and non-living marine biota), and the sediments (which includes fossil fuels).

Biosphere: The biosphere is made up of all the places on the planet where life may be found. From the deepest root systems of plants to the gloomy Environment of ocean depths, lush rain forests, and high mountaintops, the biosphere encompasses everything.

Hydrosphere: The entire amount of water on a planet is referred to as a hydrosphere. The hydrosphere is made up of water on the planet's surface, beneath, and in the atmosphere. The hydrosphere of a planet might be liquid, vapour, or ice.

Lithosphere: The lithosphere is the Earth's solid outer layer. The lithosphere is made up of the brittle upper mantle and the crust, which are the Earth's outermost layers. The atmosphere above it and the asthenosphere (another component of the upper mantle) below it define its boundaries.

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• Oxygen Cycle

Oxygen Cycle Explanation

We all know how important oxygen is for our sustenance, it is present in the air we breathe and the water we drink. With oxygen taking up 20.95% of dry air, it is the second most abundant gas on our planet.

Table of Contents

• What is Oxygen Cycle?
• Oxygen Cycle Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oxygen Cycle?

The oxygen cycle portrays how the flow of oxygen occurs through several parts of our vast ecosystem. Oxygen is found in several parts of the ecosystem, from the air we breathe (Atmosphere), the water bodies on the planet (Hydrosphere), inside all the biological beings (Biosphere) and inside the earth’s crust (Lithosphere).

Definition:

The biogeochemical cycle describes the movement of oxygen in the atmosphere (air), the biological matter of the ecosystem biosphere (the global sum of all ecosystems) and the lithosphere (earth’s crust).

Oxygen Cycle Steps:

• Photolysis : This is the process by which molecules like atmospheric water and nitrous oxide are broken down by the ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun and release free oxygen.
• Photosynthesis : The process by which plants make energy by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and give out oxygen
• Respiration : The process by which animals and humans take in oxygen from the atmosphere and use it to break down carbohydrates and giving out carbon dioxide.
• Lithosphere: The part of the planet contains most of the oxygen content through biomass, organic content and mineral deposits. These deposits are formed when free radical elements were exposed to free oxygen and over time they form silicates and oxides. This trapped oxygen is released back due to several weathering processes. Also, animals and plants draw nutrient materials from the lithosphere and free some trapped oxygen.
• Hydrosphere: Oxygen dissolved in water is responsible for the sustenance of the aquatic ecosystem present beneath the surface. The hydrosphere is 33% oxygen by volume present mainly as a component of water molecules with dissolved molecules including carbonic acids and free oxygen.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is the oxygen cycle.

The cycle of oxygen describes the different forms in which oxygen is found and how it moves on Earth through various reservoirs. Three major oxygen reservoirs are present: the atmosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. The hydrosphere, a subdivision of the biosphere, is often known by some people to be the fourth reservoir.

Why is the oxygen cycle important?

The primary cycles are respiration and photosynthesis in the biosphere. Respiration occurs when oxygen is consumed by animals and humans to be used in the metabolic process and carbon dioxide is exhaled. They are the major cycles of oxygen and each plays an important role in helping to sustain and retain life on Earth.

What is the oxygen cycle in simple terms?

The cycle of oxygen isthe distribution of oxygen through nature in different ways. Free in the air and dissolved in water, in excess of uncombined elements in the atmosphere, oxygen is second only to nitrogen. In order to respire, plants and animals use oxygen and return it as carbon dioxide (CO2) to the air and water.

What is the role of respiration in the oxygen cycle?

In the oxygen cycle, the purpose of breathing is to release carbon dioxide, which is then taken up by the plants to carry out photosynthesis, which releases oxygen that human beings use in breathing to create carbon dioxide for plants again, and this cycle continues.

What’s the difference between the carbon cycle and the oxygen cycle?

They work independently but are dependent on each other since the carbon cycle releases oxygen for the usage of the oxygen cycle, and the oxygen cycle emits carbon dioxide (CO2) that goes back to the carbon cycle in turn. The key vehicle in which the processes of oxygen and carbon are related plants.

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