Biogeochemii

Biogeochemii, commonly rendered as biogeochemistry, is the scientific study of how biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes govern the distribution and transformation of chemical substances in the Earth system. It focuses on the cycles of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals, and how these cycles connect organisms and ecosystems to the atmosphere, oceans, soils, and rocks.

Biogeochemical processes include weathering, mineral dissolution and formation, mineralization and immobilization of nutrients, redox reactions, and isotope fractionation. Biological activity, including photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and microbial metabolism, mediates many reactions, influencing chemical speciation, mobility, and bioavailability of elements.

The field relies on measurements, experiments, and models to quantify fluxes and reservoirs, using isotopic tracers, mass balance approaches, and ecosystem or basin-scale models.

Historically, biogeochemistry emerged from geochemistry and ecology; Vladimir Vernadsky and, in marine systems, the Redfield ratio, are among influential milestones. The discipline is interdisciplinary, bridging chemistry, geology, microbiology, ecology, and environmental science.

Applications include understanding and addressing climate change, soil fertility and agricultural sustainability, water quality, pollution remediation, and resource management.