Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry (pronounced: bio-geo-chemistry) is an interdisciplinary scientific field that explores the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment.
Etymology
The term "Biogeochemistry" is derived from the combination of three scientific fields: Biology, Geology, and Chemistry.
Definition
Biogeochemistry is the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment and the cycles of matter and energy that transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space.
Related Terms
- Biogeochemical cycle: The pathway by which a chemical substance moves through both the biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth.
- Biosphere: The global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the lithosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
- Geosphere: Any of the Earth's four principal components: the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
- Hydrosphere: The total amount of water on a planet. The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air.
- Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding a planet or other astronomical body.
- Lithosphere: The rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite that is defined by its rigid mechanical properties.
- Chemical substance: A form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties.
- Chemical reaction: A process that leads to the chemical transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.
- Chemical component: A pure chemical substance that is used to make up a mixture.
- Chemical composition: The arrangement, type, and ratio of atoms in molecules of chemical substances.
- Natural environment: All living and non-living things occurring naturally, meaning not created or significantly altered by humans.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biogeochemistry
- Wikipedia's article - Biogeochemistry
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