Bellringer What is the most basic level of ecological organization? What is the broadest level?

Bellringer Answer Most basic level = organism Broadest level = biosphere

By the end of this section, you should be able to: Objectives By the end of this section, you should be able to: distinguish between the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere explain how the different spheres are related diagram explain the major steps of the water cycle discuss the importance of each component of the water cycle and the impacts from human activity

Earth’s Environmental Systems 3 CHAPTER Placeholder opening page, but maybe we can duplicate the look of the SE chapter opener page by using the same fonts and colors (and maybe that Ch 14 icon?)

Lesson 3.4 Biogeochemical Cycles A carbon atom in your body today may have been part of a blade of grass last year, or a dinosaur bone millions of years ago. Fossilized bones in a Colorado dig.

The Biosphere and Atmosphere Lesson 3.3 Earth’s Spheres The Biosphere and Atmosphere Biosphere: The part of Earth in which living and nonliving things interact Atmosphere: Contains the gases that organisms need to survive. Earth’s atmosphere, seen from space

The Atmosphere cont. A layer of ozone, composed of oxygen, protects the biosphere from the sun’s radiation. Additional gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane keep Earth warm enough to support life.

The Hydrosphere Consists of Earth’s water Lesson 3.3 Earth’s Spheres The Hydrosphere Consists of Earth’s water Most of Earth’s water (97.5%) is salt water. Only 0.5% of Earth’s water is unfrozen fresh water usable for drinking or irrigation. Earth’s available fresh water includes surface water and ground water. Greenlaw Brook, Limestone, Maine Did You Know? If it is depleted, groundwater can take hundreds or even thousands of years to recharge completely.

Where Do We Get Our Fresh Water? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz6AQXQGupQ What types of countries consume the most water? Why? In these countries, water is mostly used for agriculture (~70%) and industrial uses (~22%)

Lesson 3.3 Earth’s Spheres The Water Cycle

Water Cycle Rap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Yi4dAzHsc

Water Cycle Foldables Inside Outside Write the basic 4 steps in the water cycle, one per flap, and draw arrows to show the path of circulation. Add illustrations to help you remember what each step means. On the inside of each flap, describe the step that you named on the outside of that flap (how and where does it occur). In the large, middle section, make a simplified illustration of the water cycle.

What is an aquifer and how is it important to our survival? Bellringer What is an aquifer and how is it important to our survival?

Nutrient Cycling Matter cycles through the environment endlessly. Lesson 3.4 Biogeochemical Cycles Nutrient Cycling Matter cycles through the environment endlessly. Matter can be transformed, but cannot be created or destroyed. Nutrients, matter that organisms require for life process, circulate throughout the environment in biogeochemical cycles. Did You Know? Organisms require several dozen nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, to survive.

Nutrient Types Where Nutrients Are Found Available Organic Living organisms, detritus Unavailable Organic Coal, oil, peat Available Inorganic Atmosphere, soil, water Unavailable Inorganic Minerals in rock

Put your homework on the front table and pick up today’s activity. Bell Ringer Put your homework on the front table and pick up today’s activity.

What are biogeochemical cycles? Bellringer What are biogeochemical cycles?

Biogeochemical Cycles Complex cycles that circulate nutrients throughout the environment Bio- means life -geo- means earth -chemical means to arrange atoms

The Carbon Cycle Lesson 3.4 Biogeochemical Cycles Common Sources: Fossil fuels DNA Plastics Medicine

Stop and Think! Notice that there are many more processes that release carbon than there are processes that take in or use carbon. How many of these processes are due to human activity? http://www.livescience.com/40118-to-capture-co2-scientists-look-to-sea-urchins-video.html

The Phosphorus Cycle Lesson 3.4 Biogeochemical Cycles Common Sources: Rock Soil Sediment Oceans Why is it scarce to living organisms? Phosphorous is released naturally when rocks are broken down by wind and water

The Nitrogen Cycle Lesson 3.4 Biogeochemical Cycles nitrogen makes up 78% of our atmosphere 6th most abundant element Nitrogen is relatively scarce in organisms because it must be chemically altered to become usable Nitrogen fixation = the conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia