Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles – notes and videos
Monday, October 19 th, Hand in Tree Extrapolation 2. Unit 2A Quiz on Tuesday 10/20/15 – we will review at the end of class 3. Field Trip form 4. Nutrient Cycles PowerPoint and Webquest
Short-term and Long- term Cycles Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an essential component of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which make up all organisms
Carbon: Good or bad ? How carbon HELPS the planet Element in living things Plants need carbon for photosynthesis Carbon keeps the planet warm and livable Some of the things we use everyday contain carbon Ex.
Carbon: Good or bad? How carbon HURTS the planet Too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere changes the climate Too much carbon dioxide dissolving in the ocean makes it more acidic Chlorofluorocarbons deplete the ozone
The Short-Term Carbon Cycle 1. CO ₂ in atmosphere converted to carbohydrates during photosynthesis by producers. 2. Consumers eat producers 3. Consumers and producers release CO ₂ into atmosphere.
Short-Term Carbon Cycle
Long-Term Carbon Cycle 1. Limestone: Carbon is stored in bones and shells Do not decompose. Over millions of years form limestone deposits (carbon reservoir)
Long-Term Carbon Cycle 2. Coal: Carbon in plants and animals is released into soil Over millions of year soil can form deposits of coal or natural gas (fossil fuels)
Humans and the Carbon Cycle Humans put CO ₂ into the atmosphere by: Burning fossil fuels Burning wood/forest fires Making cement Increased CO ₂ in the atmosphere leads to: Traps heat in our atmosphere and the Earth slowly heats up…global warming.
Nitrogen Cycle Why? - Need nitrogen to build proteins which build new cells Where? – Nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere
Nitrogen Cycle How? – Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: alter atmospheric nitrogen into chemical compounds
The Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen-fixing bacteria Live within nodules on roots of plants called legumes (i.e. beans, peas, clover). Produce nitrates. Nitrates are released into the soil. Plants get these nitrates, animals that eat the plants get the nitrates.
Phosphorus Is an element Makes up cells of living organisms Example: Forms bones and teeth
Where is Phosphorus found? NOT in the atmosphere! Found in rocks - which enters the soil when rocks erode