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Envi. Sci. Handouts. \m/
Transcript of Calcium cycle
- 1. Calcium Cycle Group 3: Joannah Borallo Kit Delez Kirby
Manuel LJ Martin Ysabel Montenegro
- 2. What is Calcium? Calcium is the chemical element with the
symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078
amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth
most abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust. Calcium is also
the fifth most abundant dissolved ion in seawater by both molarity
and mass, after sodium then chloride, magnesium, and sulfate.
- 3. Importance of Calcium in Life Calcium is necessary for life
In early life, calcium helps build strong bones and teeth Helps
with muscle contraction and other body process Plants need calcium
to help in cell wall development and their metabolism; stronger
cell walls protect from pathogens
- 4. Calcium in human bodies From birth to death calcium is an
essential element for human beings. Besides its presence in bones
and teeth, the mineralized tissues which contain 99% of the bodys
calcium, it is present in ionized form in the blood, extracellular
fluids and within the cells of soft tissues such as muscles. It is
necessary for the release of energy in muscular contraction, for
nerve transmission and the regulation of heart beat, must be
present for blood to clot, and influences the transport function of
cell membranes. The proper balance of calcium with sodium,
potassium and magnesium ions maintains muscle tone and controls
irritability.
- 5. From the biosphere Calcium enters from biosphere in dust or
from organisms Like phosphorous, there is no gaseous state so it
does not stay in the atmosphere When animals die, the calcium in
their bodies are decomposed and go into soil In the soil Water can
carry calcium to or from soil through weathering When in the soil,
calcium is in an insoluble form until it is broken down by microbes
into a usable form Mineralization can store calcium in rocks
Calcium can be returned from root leakage Calcium can be absorbed
by plant roots
- 6. In plants When absorbed by plants, calcium is now in an
organic state The calcium can continually be recycled between the
plant roots and soil Or herbivores can eat the plants or drink the
water and the calcium returns to the biosphere If the plant or
animal dies, decomposers break down the organism and calcium is
returned to water or soil
- 7. Calcium Cycle Diagram
- 8. Occurrence Calcium is not naturally found in its elemental
state. Calcium occurs most commonly in sedimentary rocks in the
minerals calcite, dolomite and gypsum. It also occurs in igneous
and metamorphic rocks chiefly in the silicate minerals:
plagioclase, amphiboles, pyroxenes and garnets.
- 9. The End