Biogeochemical Cycles

Learning Objectives

  • Define and describe the importance of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur
  • Define and give an example of bioremediation

Energy flows directionally through ecosystems, entering as sunlight for phototrophs or as inorganic molecules for chemoautotrophs. The six most common elements associated with organic molecules—carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur—take a variety of chemical forms and may exist for long periods in the atmosphere, on land, in water, or beneath earth’s surface. Geologic processes, such as erosion, water drainage, the movement of the continental plates, and weathering, all are involved in the cycling of elements on earth. Because geology and chemistry have major roles in the study of this process, the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their nonliving environment is called a biogeochemical cycle. Here, we will focus on the function of microorganisms in these cycles, which play roles at each step, most frequently interconverting oxidized versions of molecules with reduced ones.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon is one of the most important elements to living organisms, as shown by its abundance and presence in all organic molecules. The carbon cycle exemplifies the connection between organisms in various ecosystems. Carbon is exchanged between heterotrophs and autotrophs within and between ecosystems primarily by way of atmospheric CO2, a fully oxidized version of carbon that serves as the basic building block that autotrophs use to build multicarbon, high-energy organic molecules such as glucose. Photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs harness energy from the sun and from inorganic chemical compounds, respectively, to covalently bond carbon atoms together into reduced organic compounds whose energy can be later accessed through the processes of respiration and fermentation (Figure 1).

The carbon cycle. CO2 from the atmosphere moves into plants, soils, surface ocean, and rivers. From plants, the carbon moves back to the air. From the water, the carbon moves to marine biota, the deep ocean, and sediments. Carbon also moves back to the air from fossil fuel and cement production.

Figure 1. Click for a larger image. This figure summarizes the carbon cycle. Eukaryotes participate in aerobic respiration, fermentation, and oxygenic photosynthesis. Prokaryotes participate in all the steps shown. (credit: modification of work by NOAA)

Overall, there is a constant exchange of CO2 between the heterotrophs (which produce CO2 as a result of respiration or fermentation) and the autotrophs (which use the CO2 for fixation). Autotrophs also respire or ferment, consuming the organic molecules they form; they do not fix carbon for heterotrophs, but rather use it for their own metabolic needs.

Bacteria and archaea that use methane as their carbon source are called methanotrophs. Reduced one-carbon compounds like methane accumulate in certain anaerobic environments when CO2 is used as a terminal electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration by archaea called methanogens. Some methanogens also ferment acetate (two carbons) to produce methane and CO2. Methane accumulation due to methanogenesis occurs in both natural anaerobic soil and aquatic environments; methane accumulation also occurs as a result of animal husbandry because methanogens are members of the normal microbiota of ruminants. Environmental methane accumulation due to methanogenesis is of consequence because it is a strong greenhouse gas, and methanotrophs help to reduce atmospheric methane levels.

Think about It

  • Describe the interaction between heterotrophs and autotrophs in the carbon cycle.

Nitrogen Cycle

Many biological macromolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, contain nitrogen; however, getting nitrogen into living organisms is difficult. Prokaryotes play essential roles in the nitrogen cycle (Figure 2), transforming nitrogen between various forms for their own needs, benefiting other organisms indirectly. Plants and phytoplankton cannot incorporate nitrogen from the atmosphere (where it exists as tightly bonded, triple covalent N2), even though this molecule composes approximately 78% of the atmosphere. Nitrogen enters the living world through free-living and symbiotic bacteria, which incorporate nitrogen into their macromolecules through specialized biochemical pathways called nitrogen fixation. Cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems fix inorganic nitrogen (from nitrogen gas) into ammonia (NH3) that can be easily incorporated into biological macromolecules. Rhizobium bacteria (Figure 1 in Introduction to Microbial Metabolism) also fix nitrogen and live symbiotically in the root nodules of legumes (such as beans, peanuts, and peas), providing them with needed organic nitrogen while receiving fixed carbon as sugar in exchange. Free-living bacteria, such as members of the genus Azotobacter, are also able to fix nitrogen.

The nitrogen that enters living systems by nitrogen fixation is eventually converted from organic nitrogen back into nitrogen gas by microbes through three steps: ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. In terrestrial systems, the first step is the ammonification process, in which certain bacteria and fungi convert nitrogenous waste from living animals or from the remains of dead organisms into ammonia (NH3). This ammonia is then oxidized to nitrite, then to nitrate, by nitrifying soil bacteria such as members of the genus Nitrosomonas, through the process of nitrification. Last, the process of denitrification occurs, whereby soil bacteria, such as members of the genera Pseudomonas and Clostridium, use nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration, converting it into nitrogen gas that reenters the atmosphere. A similar process occurs in the marine nitrogen cycle, where these three processes are performed by marine bacteria and archaea.

Human activity releases nitrogen into the environment by the use of artificial fertilizers that contain nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which are then washed into lakes, rivers, and streams by surface runoff. A major effect from fertilizer runoff is saltwater and freshwater eutrophication, in which nutrient runoff causes the overgrowth and subsequent death of aquatic algae, making water sources anaerobic and inhospitable for the survival of aquatic organisms.

The nitrogen cycle. Gaseous atmospheric nitrogen shore; this moves into organic matter (R-H2) through bacterial and lightning fixation. Fertilizers and mineralization produce ammonium (NH4+). This can enter waterways via run off and leaching. Ammonium is converted to nitrates (NO2-) via nitrification. These are then converted to nitrates (NO3-) via nitrification. Both of these can end up in waterways causing eutrophication. Nitrates can be taken in by plants or converted to gaseous nitrate (N2) by denitrification.

Figure 2. Click for a larger image. This figure summarizes the nitrogen cycle. Note that specific groups of prokaryotes each participate in every step in the cycle. (credit: modification of work by NOAA)

Think about It

  • What are the three steps of the nitrogen cycle?

Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur is an essential element for the macromolecules of living organisms. As part of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, it is involved in the formation of proteins. It is also found in several vitamins necessary for the synthesis of important biological molecules like coenzyme A. Several groups of microbes are responsible for carrying out processes involved in the sulfur cycle (Figure 3). Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria as well as chemoautotrophic archaea and bacteria use hydrogen sulfide as an electron donor, oxidizing it first to elemental sulfur (S0), then to sulfate [latex]\left({\text{SO}}_{4}^{2-}\right)[/latex]. This leads to stratification of hydrogen sulfide in soil, with levels increasing at deeper, more anaerobic depths.

Sulfur cycle. Atmospheric sulfur (SO2 gas) is taken in by plants. Plant residues and animal manures and biosolids produce organic sulfur. Mineralization produces sulfate (SO42-). Immobilization reverts sulfate back to organic sulfur. Sulfate is converted to H2S via anaerobic respiration. Decomposition also produces H2S. Sulfate can be absorbed or converted to mineral sulfur. Bacterial reduction converts sulfate to reduced sulfur (H2S, HS). Oxidation converts reduced sulfur and elemental sulfur (SO0) to sulfate.

Figure 3. Click for a larger image. This figure summarizes the sulfur cycle. Note that specific groups of prokaryotes each may participate in every step in the cycle. (credit: modification of work by NOAA)

Many bacteria and plants can use sulfate as a sulfur source. Decomposition dead organisms by fungi and bacteria remove sulfur groups from amino acids, producing hydrogen sulfide, returning inorganic sulfur to the environment.

Think about It

  • Which groups of microbes carry out the sulfur cycle?

Other Biogeochemical Cycles

Beyond their involvement in the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles, prokaryotes are involved in other biogeochemical cycles as well. Like the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles, several of these additional biogeochemical cycles, such as the iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and chromium (Cr) cycles, also involve redox chemistry, with prokaryotes playing roles in both oxidation and reduction. Several other elements undergo chemical cycles that do not involve redox chemistry. Examples of these are phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and silica (Si) cycles. The cycling of these elements is particularly important in oceans because large quantities of these elements are incorporated into the exoskeletons of marine organisms. These biogeochemical cycles do not involve redox chemistry but instead involve fluctuations in the solubility of compounds containing calcium, phosphorous, and silica. The overgrowth of naturally occurring microbial communities is typically limited by the availability of nitrogen (as previously mentioned), phosphorus, and iron. Human activities introducing excessive amounts of iron, nitrogen, or phosphorus (typically from detergents) may lead to eutrophication.

Bioremediation

Microbial bioremediation leverages microbial metabolism to remove xenobiotics or other pollutants. Xenobiotics are compounds synthesized by humans and introduced into the environment in much higher concentrations than would naturally occur. Such environmental contamination may involve adhesives, dyes, flame retardants, lubricants, oil and petroleum products, organic solvents, pesticides, and products of the combustion of gasoline and oil. Many xenobiotics resist breakdown, and some accumulate in the food chain after being consumed or absorbed by fish and wildlife, which, in turn, may be eaten by humans. Of particular concern are contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), a carcinogenic xenobiotic found in crude oil, and trichloroethylene (TCE), a common groundwater contaminant.

Bioremediation processes can be categorized as in situ or ex situ. Bioremediation conducted at the site of contamination is called in situ bioremediation and does not involve movement of contaminated material. In contrast, ex situ bioremediation involves the removal of contaminated material from the original site so that it can be treated elsewhere, typically in a large, lined pit where conditions are optimized for degradation of the contaminant.

Some bioremediation processes rely on microorganisms that are indigenous to the contaminated site or material. Enhanced bioremediation techniques, which may be applied to either in situ or ex situ processing, involve the addition of nutrients and/or air to encourage the growth of pollution-degrading microbes; they may also involve the addition of non-native microbes known for their ability to degrade contaminants. For example, certain bacteria of the genera Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas are known for their ability to degrade many environmental contaminants, including aromatic compounds like those found in oil, down to CO2. The genes encoding their degradatory enzymes are commonly found on plasmids. Others, like Alcanivorax borkumensis, produce surfactants that are useful in the solubilization of the hydrophobic molecules found in oil, making them more accessible to other microbes for degradation.

Think about It

  • Compare and contrast the benefits of in situ and ex situ bioremediation.

Key Concepts and Summary

  • The recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their nonliving environment is called a biogeochemical cycle. Microbes play significant roles in these cycles.
  • In the carbon cycle, heterotrophs degrade reduced organic molecule to produce carbon dioxide, whereas autotrophs fix carbon dioxide to produce organics. Methanogens typically form methane by using CO2 as a final electron acceptor during anaerobic respiration; methanotrophs oxidize the methane, using it as their carbon source.
  • In the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (ammonification). The ammonia can then be oxidized to nitrite and nitrate (nitrification). Nitrates can then be assimilated by plants. Soil bacteria convert nitrate back to nitrogen gas (denitrification).
  • In sulfur cycling, many anoxygenic photosynthesizers and chemoautotrophs use hydrogen sulfide as an electron donor, producing elemental sulfur and then sulfate; sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea then use sulfate as a final electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration, converting it back to hydrogen sulfide.
  • Human activities that introduce excessive amounts of naturally limited nutrients (like iron, nitrogen, or phosphorus) to aquatic systems may lead to eutrophication.
  • Microbial bioremediation is the use of microbial metabolism to remove or degrade xenobiotics and other environmental contaminants and pollutants. Enhanced bioremediation techniques may involve the introduction of non-native microbes specifically chosen or engineered for their ability to degrade contaminants.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the group of archaea that can use CO2 as their final electron acceptor during anaerobic respiration, producing CH4?

  1. methylotrophs
  2. methanotrophs
  3. methanogens
  4. anoxygenic photosynthesizers

Which of the following processes is not involved in the conversion of organic nitrogen to nitrogen gas?

  1. nitrogen fixation
  2. ammonification
  3. nitrification
  4. denitrification

Which of the following processes produces hydrogen sulfide?

  1. anoxygenic photosynthesis
  2. oxygenic photosynthesis
  3. anaerobic respiration
  4. chemoautrophy

The biogeochemical cycle of which of the following elements is based on changes in solubility rather than redox chemistry?

  1. carbon
  2. sulfur
  3. nitrogen
  4. phosphorus

Fill in the Blank

The molecule central to the carbon cycle that is exchanged within and between ecosystems, being produced by heterotrophs and used by autotrophs, is ________.

The use of microbes to remove pollutants from a contaminated system is called ________.

True/False

There are many naturally occurring microbes that have the ability to degrade several of the compounds found in oil.

Think about It

  1. Why must autotrophic organisms also respire or ferment in addition to fixing CO2?
  2. How can human activity lead to eutrophication?
  3. In considering the symbiotic relationship between Rhizobium species and their plant hosts, what metabolic activity does each organism perform that benefits the other member of the pair?