Advertisement

General Chemical Concepts

  • Christopher S. Cronan
Chapter
First Online:
  • 1.3k Downloads
Part of the Springer Textbooks in Earth Sciences, Geography and Environment book series (STEGE)

Abstract

This introductory chapter presents a brief overview of basic chemical concepts that are important in the study of biogeochemistry. Chemical bonding mechanisms are examined, with particular emphasis on complexation reactions that influence the solubility and bioavailability of metals. The chemical behaviors of different elements and compounds are discussed in relation to oxidation-reduction, polarity of molecules, equilibrium reactions, and rate-limited processes. Examples are provided for transforming molar or mass-based concentrations into units of equivalent charges for ionic charge balance analysis. Finally, stable isotopes are introduced as a tool for tracing biogeochemical patterns and processes.

Keywords

Equivalent Charge Heavy Water Molecules Organic acidsOrganic Acids Biogeochemical Analysis Heavy Isotope 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Barnes RT, Raymond PA, Casciotti KL (2008) Dual isotope analyses indicate efficient processing of atmospheric nitrate by forested watersheds in the northeastern U.S. Biogeochemistry 90:15–27Google Scholar
  2. Bashkin MA, Binkley D (1998) Changes in soil carbon following afforestation in Hawaii. Ecology 79:828–833CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Daniels F, Alberty RA (1975) Physical chemistry, 4th edn. Wiley, New York, 687 pGoogle Scholar
  4. Davidson EA, Hart SC, Firestone MK (1992) Internal cycling of nitrate in soils of a mature coniferous forest. Ecology 73:1148–1156CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Ehleringer JR, Buchmann N, Flanagan LB (2000) Carbon isotope ratios in belowground carbon cycle processes. Ecol Appl 10:412–422CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Hobbie EA, Colpaert JV (2003) Nitrogen availability and colonization by mycorrhizal fungi correlate with nitrogen isotope patterns in plants. New Phytol 157:115–126CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Kohl L, Laganiere J, Edwards KA, Billings SA, Morrill PL, Van Biesen G, Ziegler SE (2015) Distinct fungal and bacterial ∂13C signatures as potential drivers of increasing ∂13C of soil organic matter with depth. Biogeochemistry 124:13–26CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Lajtha K, Michener RH (1994) Stable isotopes in ecology and environmental science. Blackwell Scientific Publications, BostonGoogle Scholar
  9. Martinelli LA, Piccolo MC, Townsend AR, Vitousek PM, Cuevas E, McDowell W, Robertson GP, Santos OC, Treseder K (1999) Nitrogen stable isotopic composition of leaves and soil: tropical versus temperate forests. Biogeochemistry 46:45–65Google Scholar
  10. Nadelhoffer KJ, Downs MR, Fry B (1999) Sinks for 15N-enriched additions to an oak forest and a red pine plantation. Ecol Appl 9:72–86CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Olmsted J, Williams GM (1997) Chemistry – the molecular science. Wm. C. Brown Publ, Boston, 1056 pGoogle Scholar
  12. Richardson SM, McSween HY (1989) Geochemistry – pathways and processes. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 488 pGoogle Scholar
  13. Werner C, Schnyder H, Cuntz M, Keitel C, Zeeman MJ, Dawson TE, Badeck F-W, Brugnoli E, Ghashghaie J, Grams TEE, Kayler ZE, Lakatos M, Lee X, Máguas C, Ogée J, Rascher KG, Siegwolf RTW, Unger S, Welker J, Wingate L, Gessler A (2012) Progress and challenges in using stable isotopes to trace plant carbon and water relations across scales. Biogeosciences 9:3083–3111CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Christopher S. Cronan
    • 1
  1. 1.School of Biology and EcologyUniversity of MaineOronoUSA

Personalised recommendations

Cite chapter

Buy options