Turnover time

Turnover time refers to the period of time during which certain materials remain within a particular system. For example, the protein that we get from food is broken down by enzymes in our bodies and then resynthesized in a different form. The time during which any one protein molecule survives unchanged in the body is called the turnover time for that molecule. Each component of an environmental system also has a turnover time. On an average, for example, a molecule of water remains in the atmosphere for a period of 11.4 days before it falls to the earth as precipitation.

See also Chemicals

turnover time The measure of the movement of an element in a biogeochemical cycle; the reciprocal of turnover rate. Turnover time is calculated by dividing the quantity of nutrient present in a particular nutrient pool or reservoir by the flux rate for that nutrient element into or out of the pool. Turnover time thus describes the time it takes to fill or empty that particular nutrient reservoir.

turnover time The measure of the movement of an element in a biogeochemical cycle; the reciprocal of turnover rate. Turnover time is calculated by dividing the quantity of nutrient present in a particular nutrient pool or reservoir by the flux rate for that nutrient element into or out of the pool. Turnover time thus describes the time it takes to fill or empty that particular nutrient reservoir.

turnover time Measure of the movement of an element in a biogeochemical cycle; the reciprocal of turnover rate. Turnover time is calculated by dividing the quantity of an element present in a particular pool or reservoir by the flux rate for that element into or out of the pool. Turnover time thus describes the time it takes to fill or empty that particular reservoir.