Geochemical Cycles – Links Between Geosphere and Biosphere
The fundamental components of the Earth are the chemical elements, which display characteristic cycles. The elements occur in different chemical compounds in various reservoirs in the geosphere, the biosphere and the atmosphere. Transfer and transformation reactions take place between these different systems. Gaseous forms of the elements that are present in the atmosphere play a role in climatic change.
The geochemical cycles of the elements carbon (C) and sulphur (S) are among the ones most strongly influenced by human behaviour. For example, the natural flow patterns of carbon are influenced by the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. This has long-lasting consequences.
Sulphur is a widely used raw material in the chemical and construction industries. It is extracted in large quantities primarily from petroleum and other raw materials that contain sulphur, such as pyrites and gypsum. Thus the mining and processing of these raw materials, as well as the transportation, utilization and disposal of the products derived from them, interfere considerably with natural geochemical cycles.
However, the anthropogenic introduction of materials into our environment can be correctly balanced only on the basis of a quantification of the geochemical cycles that are not influenced by human behaviour.
Moreover, in the context of current disposal practices (the recycling of mass-produced mineral refuse) it is essential to find new ways to transform our one-way economy into a recycling economy.
