Aim: How does matter cycle among the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem ? Text read pages 67 – 80

six different levels of organization

Water Cycle The Water Cycle Section 3-3 Condensation Precipitation Transpiration Evaporation Runoff What happens to the amount of water in the cycle when water is left in a plastic water bottle ? Seepage Root Uptake Go to Section:

Nitrogen Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle NO3- and NO2- NH3 N2 in Atmosphere Section 3-3 N2 in Atmosphere Although about 80 percent of the air surrounding Earth is nitrogen gas, usable forms of the element are scarce in ecosystems. Only certain types of bacteria can convert nitrogen gas to ammonia (nitrogen fixation) and then other bacteria convert that to nitrate and nitrite ions for plants to use. When organisms die decomposers return the nitrogen to the soil as ammonia. During denitrification, soil bacteria can return nitrogen into the soil, in the form of ammonia. NO3- and NO2- NH3 Go to Section:

Carbon Cycle Figure 3-13 The Carbon Cycle CO2 in Atmosphere Section 3-3 CO2 in Atmosphere Carbon is found in several large reservoirs in the biosphere. In the atmosphere, it is found as carbon dioxide gas; in the oceans as dissolved carbon dioxide; on land in organisms in organic compounds, rocks and soil; and underground as coal, petroleum and calcium carbonate rocks. What occurs as the amount of Carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere? It is causing an increase in temperature (Global Warming). Looking at this cycle what would decrease the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere? CO2 in Ocean Go to Section:

Carbon Sequestration Carbon sequestration refers to the provision of long-term storage of carbon in the terrestrial biosphere, underground, or the oceans so that the buildup of carbon dioxide (the principal greenhouse gas) concentration in the atmosphere will reduce or slow. http://cdiac2.esd.ornl.gov/index.html

In other words.. how can we get the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and into other reserves where it won’t affect climate change Recently, I heard of a millionaire offering scientists a million dollars if someone could come up with a way to reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Research Sequencing Genomes of Micro-organism for Carbon Management: Sequencing the genomes of microbes that produce fuels such as methane and hydrogen or aid in carbon sequestration. This will enable the identification of the key genetic components of the organisms that regulate the production or capture carbon dioxide. Find the gene that uses carbon dioxide. Insert this gene into select organisms and put them to work using the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.