Question

For the sedimentary type of biogeochemical cycles, the reservoir is
A. Atmosphere
B. Water
C. Earth’s crust.
D. Living organisms

Answer 1

Hint: The ecosystem is composed of abiotic and biotic components. There occurs a process of substance turnover in a definite pathway in which a chemical substance moves through the biotic components or the biosphere and the abiotic components such as the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. These different types of chemicals are not lost but they are constantly recycled and replenished for further use.

Complete answer: The abiotic components of the ecosystem are the essential elements that are important for the proper development of the living organisms. The different physiological and biological processes of the living organisms are affected by the abiotic or non-living matter.
The abiotic matters are circulated in the environment by natural pathways. These natural pathways are known as biogeochemical cycles. Biogeochemical pathways or cycles are the circulation of the different elements and it flows in various forms through nonliving or abiotic components to the biotic components and back to the abiotic components.
Biogeochemical cycles are of two types that are the gaseous cycle and sedimentary cycle. The gaseous cycle includes the cycles which involve the gas which are fixed in various ways in the living organisms. The gaseous cycle includes the oxygen cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and water. The sedimentary cycles of the biogeochemical cycles includes the sulphur cycle and phosphorus and other more earthbound elements.
Each type of biogeochemical cycle is considered to have a reservoir or storage pool. The reservoir or the storage pool is also known as the nutrient pool. Along with the nutrient pool, an exchange pool is also present which acts in exchange of elements between the abiotic and biotic components. The nutrient pool is the larger and much slower in action part of the cycle and it is mostly associated with the abiotic components. But the exchange pool is much smaller and is a very dynamic, fast and more active cycle.
In the sedimentary cycle, the main reservoir is the earth’s crust as it is enriched with various types of elements that are the components of the sedimentary cycle. Also, when the living organisms die and after their decay and decomposition the living matter is returned to the soil. In this manner, the process of cycling exchange of different elements takes place.
Hence, option (C) is the correct option.

Note: The biogeochemical cycle ensures the proper cycling of different essential elements and the cycle moves from the abiotic components to the biotic components and back to the abiotic component. The sedimentary cycles have a reservoir which is the earth’s crust and at the end of the cycle each element is returned to the crust of the earth or the soil.