The Carbon Cycle

4th most abundant element on Earth. Essential for all life Found in various forms: Carbon dioxide Limestone Wood Plastic Diamonds Graphite Fossil Fuels Carbon 4th most abundant element on Earth.

Carbon Cycle Movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, and geosphere. The SAME carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. The carbon cycle NEVER ENDS!!!!

How does Carbon move? Plants: Move carbon through Photosynthesis Animals: Move carbon through Cellular Respiration Burning of Fossil Fuels

Photosynthesis Autotrophs take in carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce sugars and oxygen. Controls the amount of C02 Chemical Formula: 6CO2 + 6H20 + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Turn & talk: Why does atmospheric carbon dioxide increase as a result of deforestation?

Cellular Respiration Carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere by breaking down sugar during cellular respiration. Chemical Formula: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 +6H2O + energy

When plants and animals die... Their bodies are DECOMPOSED and carbon atoms are returned to the atmosphere. Some are not fully decomposed and end up in deposits underground (oil, coal, etc.)

Carbon in the Ocean Additional carbon is stored in the ocean Many animals pull carbon from water to use in shells. Animals die & carbon substances are deposited at the bottom of the ocean. Oceans contain the earth’s largest store of carbon.

The SUN is the main source of energy.

Release of Carbon Dioxide Co2 is also released into the atmosphere by: Decaying dead matter Forest fires Volcanoes Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) Release of Carbon Dioxide

Turn & Talk: How has the industrial revolution impacted the carbon cycle?

Human Impact The greatest human impact on the carbon cycle is the burning of fossil fuels. The vast amount of fossil fuels burnt contribute to the greenhouse effect and results in climate change (global warming)

Greenhouse effect Process by which Co2 & other gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from the sun forming a “heat blanket” around the earth.

Climate Change Global Warming: an average increase in the Earth’s temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. This may lead to… Change in rainfall patterns A rise in sea level A wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans It is believed that humans caused climate change.

-Time to draw IN COLOR and LIST each step of the cycle Nitrogen Cycle -Time to draw IN COLOR and LIST each step of the cycle

Nitrogen Is one of the primary nutrients critical for the survival of all living organisms. Makes up 78% of our atmosphere. It is a component of: Chlorophyll Amino Acids ATP DNA

Consists of four processes: Nitrogen Fixation Decay Nitrification Denitrification

Nitrogen Fixation- The process that causes the strong two-atom nitrogen molecules found in the atmosphere to break apart so they can combine with other atoms. Nitrogen gets “fixed” when it is combined with oxygen or hydrogen (converted to ammonium) The only way organisms can attain nitrogen directly from the atmosphere (triple bond) Bacteria live in nodules found in the roots of the legume family of plants

Atmospheric Nitrogen is broken into useable nitrogen (NH3 or NH4+)

Nitrification- Bacteria add oxygen to nitrogen in two steps 1 Nitrification- Bacteria add oxygen to nitrogen in two steps 1. Bacteria take in Nh3 or NH4 & make NO2 (nitrite) 2. Bacteria take in No2 & make NO3 = nitrate

Nitrogen Uptake The ammonia (NH3) produced by nitrogen-fixing bacteria is usually quickly incorporated into protein and other organic nitrogen compounds (organisms!) It is either absorbed by a plant, by the bacteria itself, or by another soil organism. Organisms at the top of the food chain (like us) eat and grow, uptaking nitrogen (that has already been fixed)

Denitrification Removes nitrogen from ecosystems, and converts it back to atmospheric N2.

Human Activity on the Nitrogen Cycle Affects to the Cycle: Contamination of water Nearly tripling the ammonia in the atmosphere Human respiratory systems can become damaged Humans increase the amount of nitrogen with: Fossil Fuel Combustion Use of artificial Nitrogen fertilizers The release of nitrogen in waste

Nitrogen forms that can enter into the atmosphere Smog - nitric oxide (NO) Greenhouse gas - nitrous oxide (N2)) Acid Rain (nitrogen oxides) Nitrogen forms that can enter into the atmosphere

•Yellow arrows indicate human sources of nitrogen to the environment •Yellow arrows indicate human sources of nitrogen to the environment. Red arrows indicate bacterial transformations of nitrogen. Blue arrows indicate physical forces acting on nitrogen. And green arrows indicate natural, non-microbial processes affecting the form and fate of nitrogen.