abiotic

Examples of abiotic in the following topics:

• Sources and Sinks of Essential Elements

  • Biogeochemical cycles are pathways by which essential elements flow from the abiotic and biotic compartments of the Earth.
  • Most important substances on Earth, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and water undergo turnover or cycling through both the biotic (living) and abiotic (geological, atmospheric, and hydrologic) compartments of the Earth.
  • This flow from abiotic to biotic compartments of the Earth is typical of biogeochemical cycles.

• Martian Biosignatures

  • Scientists determine the significance of a biosignature not only by examining the probability of life creating it, but mostly by the improbability of abiotic processes producing it.

• Role of Microbes in Biogeochemical Cycling

  • A biogeochemical cycle is a pathway by which a chemical element (such as carbon or nitrogen) circulates through the biotic (living) and the abiotic (non-living) factors of an ecosystem.
  • Although biogeochemical cycles in a given ecosystem are coordinated by the full complement of living organisms and abiotic factors that make up that system, microorganisms play a primary role in regulating biogeochemical systems in virtually all of our planet's environments.

• Iron Oxidation

  • Under aerobic, moderate pH conditions ferrous iron is oxidized spontaneously to the ferric (Fe3+) form and is hydrolyzed abiotically to insoluble ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3).

• Endophytes and Plants

  • ., Lolium spp.) carry fungal endophytes (Neotyphodium spp.) which may improve the ability of these grasses to tolerate abiotic stresses such as drought, as well as improve their resistance to insect and mammalian herbivores.

• The Carbon Cycle

  • Outline the flow of carbon through the biosphere and abiotic matter on earth