Oxygen cycle is the cycle that helps move oxygen through three main regions of the earth.
i.e.,
1. The atmosphere (air).
2. The biosphere ( sum of all ecosystem ).
3. The lithosphere (earth's crust).
1. The ATMOSPHERE
It is the region of gases that lies above the earth's surface . It is the largest reservoir's of free oxygen on earth. In the atmosphere oxygen is realeased by the process called photosynthesis.
Plants mark the beginning of the oxygen cycle. During photosynthesis, plants convert carbondioxide and water into carbohydrate and oxygen.
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + hv -----------> C6 H12 O6 + 6O2
This means that plants "breathe" in carbondioxide and "breathe" our oxygen.
2. THE BIOSPHERE
Biosphere is the sum of all the earth's ecosystem. In the biosphere the main cycles are respiration and photosynthesis. Animals and humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
6O2 + C6H12O6 -----> 6CO2 +6H2O + energy
3. The LITHOSPHERE
The largest reservoir of oxygen is lithospshere. Here oxygen is present as silicates and oxides. When oxygen bearing mineral is exposed to the elements, a chemical reaction occurs that wears it down and produces free oxygen.
Thus, these are the main oxygen cycles and each play an important role in helping to project and maintain life on the earth.
Respiration cycle <-----> photosynthesis cycle.
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