environmental science

2. movement of rock layers bringing nutrients back to surface
5. bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites (NO₂⁻) and nitrates (NO₃⁻)
7. storage location for elements or compounds (e.g., ocean, atmosphere, soil)
9. rain, snow, sleet, or hail returning water to Earth
10. the solid parts of Earth, including rocks, soil, and landforms.
11. any process, location, or system that releases a substance or energy into the environment, adding it to a cycle
14. conversion of nitrates back to atmospheric N₂ gas

1. water stored underground in aquifers
3. downward movement of water into soil and rock layers
4. all water on, above, and below Earth’s surface
6. water vapor cools to liquid forming clouds
8. phosphate settles in oceans forming new rocks
12. layer of rock or sediment holding groundwater
13. any process, location, or system that absorbs or stores a substance or energy from the environment, temporarily or permanently removing it from a cycle.
15. bacteria temporarily lock up nutrients for their own use