1. Cycles in Aquatic Ecosystems Science 10

2. Carbon Cycle in Aquatic Ecosystems The cycle is similar in an aquatic ecosystem, with a few variations The cycle is similar in an aquatic ecosystem, with a few variations Carbon dioxide is dissolved from the atmosphere into water (forming carbonic acid) Carbon dioxide is dissolved from the atmosphere into water (forming carbonic acid) Aquatic plants obtain the carbon from carbonic acid to perform photosynthesis Aquatic plants obtain the carbon from carbonic acid to perform photosynthesis Additionally, a great deal of carbon is stored in shells as calcium carbonate; this can help to form sedimentary rock Additionally, a great deal of carbon is stored in shells as calcium carbonate; this can help to form sedimentary rock

3. Write A Story Take the next few minutes to write a story about the “life” of a carbon atom as it passes from the biotic to abiotic environment and back Take the next few minutes to write a story about the “life” of a carbon atom as it passes from the biotic to abiotic environment and back Ensure you include the following concepts: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, consumption, decomposition Ensure you include the following concepts: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, consumption, decomposition Story should be one to two pages Story should be one to two pages

4. Aquatic Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen in an aquatic ecosystem in introduced in two main ways: Nitrogen in an aquatic ecosystem in introduced in two main ways: Run off – nitrogen compounds from land ecosystems will enter waterways and provide nitrogen to the ecosystem Run off – nitrogen compounds from land ecosystems will enter waterways and provide nitrogen to the ecosystem Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) – completes nitrogen fixation in an aquatic ecosystem Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) – completes nitrogen fixation in an aquatic ecosystem The remainder of the process is almost identical to the land based nitrogen cycle The remainder of the process is almost identical to the land based nitrogen cycle

5. Eutrophication & Algal Bloom Fresh water ecosystem Fresh water ecosystem extra nitrogen results in a larger growth of surface plants extra nitrogen results in a larger growth of surface plants Underwater plants do not have enough light to complete photosynthesis Underwater plants do not have enough light to complete photosynthesis Decomposer populations explodes, reducing oxygen in the water Decomposer populations explodes, reducing oxygen in the water Consumers die due to reduced resources Consumers die due to reduced resources Marine ecosystem Extra nitrogen will lead to an algal bloom (huge increase in algae population) As algae die, they sink into colder waters and the decomposers work to break down the algae The decomposers increase in population and use the available oxygen Consumers die due to reduced resources

6. Carbon Cycle in Aquatic Ecosystems The cycle is similar in an aquatic ecosystem, with a few variations The cycle is similar in an aquatic ecosystem, with a few variations Carbon dioxide is dissolved from the atmosphere into water (forming carbonic acid) Carbon dioxide is dissolved from the atmosphere into water (forming carbonic acid) Aquatic plants obtain the carbon from carbonic acid to perform photosynthesis Aquatic plants obtain the carbon from carbonic acid to perform photosynthesis Additionally, a great deal of carbon is stored in shells as calcium carbonate; this can help to form sedimentary rock Additionally, a great deal of carbon is stored in shells as calcium carbonate; this can help to form sedimentary rock

7. Draw Create a diagram to show how the carbon cycle works in an aquatic ecosystem Create a diagram to show how the carbon cycle works in an aquatic ecosystem Highlight the differences between a terrestrial and aquatic system Highlight the differences between a terrestrial and aquatic system