Iron cycle
Article
The iron cycle is the movement and transformation of iron among rocks, soils, oceans, sediments, the atmosphere, and organisms. Iron is abundant in Earth's crust and essential for respiration, photosynthesis, and many enzymes.
Weathering releases iron from minerals, but its solubility depends strongly on oxygen, acidity, organic molecules, and microbial activity. Under oxygen-rich conditions, iron often forms insoluble oxides; under reducing conditions, more soluble forms may develop.
Dust, rivers, hydrothermal vents, glaciers, and sediments supply iron to the oceans. In many marine regions, limited iron availability restricts phytoplankton growth and biological carbon uptake.
Microorganisms oxidise and reduce iron and help form minerals and sedimentary deposits. Mining, smelting, combustion, fertilisation, erosion, and changing oxygen conditions can alter the cycle.
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- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_cycle