The term biogeochemical is used to describe the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes that occur in the natural world. Biogeochemical processes are essential for the functioning of ecosystems and the cycling of nutrients and energy through the environment.
Definitions
Biogeochemical is an adjective that refers to the interactions between living organisms and the chemical and physical processes that occur in the environment. It is also used to describe the study of these interactions and processes.
Origin
The word biogeochemical is derived from the Greek words ‘bios’ meaning life, ‘ge’ meaning earth, and ‘chemia’ meaning chemistry. The term was first used in the early 20th century by scientists studying the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of biogeochemical is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes that occur in the natural world.
Associations
Biogeochemical processes are associated with the cycling of nutrients and energy through ecosystems. They are also associated with the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which are essential for the functioning of ecosystems.
Synonyms
Synonyms of biogeochemical include biogeochemistry, geochemical, and ecological.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of biogeochemical, but it can be contrasted with abiotic processes, which do not involve living organisms.
The same root words
The same root words as biogeochemical are used in other scientific terms, such as biogeography, which is the study of the distribution of living organisms, and geochemistry, which is the study of the chemical composition of the Earth.
Example Sentences
- Biogeochemical processes are essential for the functioning of ecosystems.
- The study of biogeochemical cycles is important for understanding the impacts of human activities on the environment.
- Biogeochemical research has revealed the importance of microbial communities in nutrient cycling.
- The biogeochemical cycling of carbon is a key process in the global carbon cycle.
- Biogeochemical studies have shown that the release of nutrients from thawing permafrost could have significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems.