Earth’s Life-Support Systems Processes necessary for life!

Important Earth Systems Nutrient Cycles (Water, Carbon) Nutrient Cycles (Water, Carbon) Rock Cycle Rock Cycle Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect Weather Weather

Important Nutrients for Living Things

Carbon Carbon Oxygen Oxygen Water Water Nitrogen Nitrogen Phosphorus Phosphorus Iron Iron Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iodine Iodine Magnesium Magnesium

Water Cycle List and define the parts of the water cycle. Seepage Condensation

Why is the Water Cycle important?

1. It moves water around on Earth so that it is continuously available for all living things. 2. Water gets naturally cleaned and filtered as it goes through the cycle.

Carbon Cycle

1) Fast Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis & Respiration Photosynthesis (Plants) Respiration (Animals)

1) Fast Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis & Respiration Photosynthesis (Plants) Carbon dioxide + Water Sun Glucose + Oxygen CO 2 + H 2 O Sun C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O Sun C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 Respiration (Animals) Glucose + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O + Energy

2) Slow Carbon Cycle Decomposition Fossil Fuels Uplifting Weathering & Erosion

2) Slow Carbon Cycle Decomposition – decomposers eat dead organic matter and the carbon goes into the soil. Fossil Fuels – over millions of years, soil rich in organic matter (mostly carbon) can be compacted into coal, oil and natural gas. Uplifting – over millions of years, rock containing carbon can be pushed back to the surface of the Earth. Weathering & Erosion – rock at the surface can be worn down by wind and water releasing some carbon back into the atmosphere.

Rock Cycle Volcano

Rock Cycle Explanation The crust of the Earth is always moving and changing. The crust is made of rocks, soil and minerals. It floats on the layer of Earth called the mantle which is made of liquid rock called magma. As the crust moves, rocks are melted and changed in to metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure. Those metamorphic rocks melt into magma which might eventually ooze on to a volcano and cool into an igneous rock! Later on, pieces of that igneous rock on top of the mountain will be chipped off by wind and rain and will travel down a stream in to the ocean. Those pebbles will be crushed into sedimentary rocks by the Pressure of the ocean and higher rock layers. Eventually the plates will move and those sedimentary rocks will fall deep into magma and melt again, starting the cycle all over!

Rock Cycle Terms UpliftingVolcano Weathering & Erosion Deposition of Sediment

Rock Cycle Terms Uplifting – Earth’s crust (plates) collide and push up mountains. Volcano – Earth’s inner liquid mantle leaks up through the crust and hardens into new rock. Weathering & Erosion – Rain, snow, wind, glaciers wear down rock. Deposition of Sediment – worn down rock sediment deposits form the parent material for new soil.

Greenhouse Effect Explanation The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap infrared radiation (heat). This effect makes the planet warmer, in the same way a greenhouse keeps its inside temperature warmer. The greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gases; the most important in Earth's atmosphere are: water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. When there is more greenhouse gas in the air, the air holds more heat. This is why more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing global warming. The greenhouse effect is important for life on Earth. Without it, the Earth's average temperature would be around -18 or -19 degrees Celsius. Because of the greenhouse effect, the Earth's actual average temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.

Greenhouse Gases

A Food Web in Lake Erie

Processes necessary for … Clean air Clean air Pure drinking water Pure drinking water Productive soil Productive soil Healthy wildlife populations Healthy wildlife populations Correct temperatures Correct temperatures LIFE!

Rock Cycle Volcano

Rock Cycle Explanation The crust of the Earth is always moving and changing. The crust is made of rocks, soil and minerals. It floats on the layer of Earth called the mantle which is made of liquid rock called magma. As the crust moves, rocks are melted and changed in to metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure. Those metamorphic rocks melt into magma which might eventually ooze on to a volcano and cool into an igneous rock! Later on, pieces of that igneous rock on top of the mountain will be chipped off by wind and rain and will travel down a stream in to the ocean. Those pebbles will be crushed into sedimentary rocks by the Pressure of the ocean and higher rock layers. Eventually the plates will move and those sedimentary rocks will fall deep into magma and melt again, starting the cycle all over!

Rock Cycle Terms UpliftingVolcano Weathering & Erosion Deposition of Sediment

Rock Cycle Terms Uplifting – Earth’s crust (plates) collide and push up mountains. Volcano – Earth’s inner liquid mantle leaks up through the crust and hardens into new rock. Weathering & Erosion – Rain, snow, wind, glaciers wear down rock. Deposition of Sediment – worn down rock sediment deposits form the parent material for new soil.

Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse Effect Explanation The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap infrared radiation (heat). This effect makes the planet warmer, in the same way a greenhouse keeps its inside temperature warmer. The greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gases; the most important in Earth's atmosphere are: water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. When there is more greenhouse gas in the air, the air holds more heat. This is why more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing global warming. The greenhouse effect is important for life on Earth. Without it, the Earth's average temperature would be around -18 or -19 degrees Celsius. Because of the greenhouse effect, the Earth's actual average temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.