More advanced treatise of the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Could be useful for teachers who have limited science background or for students in upper middle or high school.

1. By Moira Whitehouse PhD.

2. • Carbon is an element found on Earth in both living and nonliving things. Free ware http://wareseeker.com/download/periodic-table-xp-1.20.rar/451361

3. •Carbon is an element found throughout the universe. • Carbon is an element found in all living things and without it there would be no life on Earth. • Carbon along with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium and sulfur form most of the compounds that make up living things. Free clip art for educational use http://www.dorlingkindersley -uk.co.uk/nf/ClipArt/Image/0,,239037_1584216_,00.html • The characteristics of the remarkable carbon atom make possible compounds necessary for life on Earth.

4. • Carbon is also part of nonliving things such the oceans, rocks ,animal shells, and the atmosphere. • However, carbon doesn’t stay in one place. It’s always on the move. • Carbon atoms continually move through living things, the oceans, the atmosphere and the crust of the Earth. • This movement is known as the carbon cycle

5. The global carbon cycle can be divided into two categories: geological which operates over large time scales (millions of years), biological/physical, which operates shorter time scales (days to thousands of years). and

6. The geological carbon cycle In the geological carbon cycle, with time frames in the hundreds of millions of years, carbon within rocks is dissolved and then carried by run-off water to the ocean.

7. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere combines with water to form a weak acid. This acid dissolves a mineral called calcium carbonate found in limestone rock. http://www.esi.utexas.edu

8. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov This mineral is carried to the oceans where it is deposited forming limestone on the sea floor.

9. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov As the Earth’s plates move, layers of limestone subduct under the continental plate. The great heat and pressure far below the Earth’s surface cause the limestone to melt releasing carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide then moves into the atmosphere through volcanic eruptions.

10. As previously noted, the global carbon cycle can be divided into two categories: geological which operates over large time scales (millions of years), biological/physical, which operates shorter time scales (days to thousands of years). and

11. Remembering that this is a cycle, we can start about anywhere in the cycle and will end up at that point when we finish. Starting here Photosynthesis

12. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to producers. In the atmosphere, carbon exists as a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants use light energy from the Sun and CO2 from the air for the process of photosynthesis, CO2 from the air Producers absorb carbon dioxide from the air to make molecules of glucose (food) which includes carbon atoms. photosynthesis 6CO2 + 6HO2 = C6O12O6 + 6O2

13. After plants make glucose molecules, they change these molecules into molecules of starches, proteins, and fats, all which also contain carbon atoms—carbon atoms that were once part of the CO2 in the air.

14. By photosynthesis, tiny producers in the ocean called phytoplankton, absorb a massive amount of dissolved carbon dioxide from the water and release oxygen into the atmosphere. http://www.epa.gov/

15. Carbon removed from the ocean by marine creatures can also end up as rock on the ocean floor. These organisms use carbon to make their shells of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ). When they die, the shells settle to the bottom of the ocean and are buried by sediment. Eventually these shells change into limestone on the sea floor, and can become part of the geological carbon cycle. Free clip art courtesy of http://www.clipartguide.com/

16. to consumers

17. Carbon moves from producers to consumers via food chains. The carbon that is in plants is transferred to the animals that eat them. Carnivores in turn get carbon from the animals they eat.

18. At the most basic level, we should understand that the photosynthesizers are feeding us all. http://www.ncat.org/

19. This represents a big part of the carbon cycle, but certainly not all of it. Now we have to get the carbon back into the air to keep the cycle going. http://alaska.fws.gov/

20. Back to the air through Respiration

21. Carbon gets back into the air is through respiration. Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere or water as a result of respiration (“burning” of food for energy). When animals or any other nonproducers metabolize glucose, they expel carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into the atmosphere or water. Plants cells also under respiration and get rid of carbon dioxide gas through the stomata in their leaves.

22. Both plants and animals release carbon dioxide when they “burn” glucose for energy to carry out their life processes. Plants, however, store some carbon in starches, fats and proteins. http://extension.oregonstate.edu

23. Decaying matter (still respiration)

24. Another way that the carbon gets back into the air: When living things die, the carbon from which they are made can move back to the air. Decomposers are organisms that eat the dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so carry out the natural process of decomposition. By “eating” this decaying matter they return carbon dioxide to the air or soil through respiration. This isn’t some special creation of CO2, the gas is released as the result of their normal bodily functions, eating carbon burping carbon dioxide, it is still respiration.

25. The primary decomposers are bacteria and fungi. In the process of carrying out their unsavory but very necessary duties, they do a great service to us all by continually chipping a way at the planets unending supply of smelly carrion and releasing carbon dioxide back into the air. Continuing around the carbon cycle....

26. Back to the air through Burning fossil fuels

27. Plants and animals that do not decompose for various reasons, may be buried deep in the earth (with their carbon intact) and over millions of years change into into coal, crude oil or natural gas.

29. Storage of carbon: We know that there is a great reservoir of energy in the form of carbon stored deep underground in the form of coal, oil and gas. We should also recognize that trees store great amounts of carbon. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to bodies of water when carbon dioxide is dissolved and stored in oceans, lakes and rivers. Most of the Earth’s carbon dioxide is found in the ocean where wave action is important in taking CO2 from the air. Free photo courtesy of http://www.pdphoto.org/

30. That’s the ol’ Carbon cycle for you. It has been a sweet system for millions of years. But recently, there has been problem. And it is right here.

31. Man has been busy releasing as much of that stored up carbon as he can, while at the same time ridding the planet of much of its plant life. This is the problem:

32. Life as we know it is possible on Earth because of a natural greenhouse effect keeps our planet about 60o F warmer than it otherwise would be. natural greenhouse effect

33. http://clinton5.nara.gov/Initiatives/Climate/greenhouse.html

34. When we burn fossil fuels to power our factories, power plants and vehicles, carbon in the form of CO2 moves from the fossil fuels into the atmosphere. The burning and logging of forests (add) carbon to the air by reducing the amount of carbon stored in trees. The result is that the atmospheric levels of CO2 have increased 30 percent since 1860. Most scientists believe that these steady additions have begun to tip a delicate balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causing the earth’s temperature to rise.

35. This model of earth’s natural greenhouse protection shows what is happening over time. Notice that the red area is getting thicker indicating a hotter world for us all. http://www.nps.gov/goga/naturescience/climate-change-causes.htm

36. For review, we can take a look at this model of the carbon cycle.

37. Nitrogen Cycle

38. Important facts about nitrogen

39. • Nitrogen is a gaseous element found on Earth in both living and nonliving things. Free ware http://wareseeker.com/download/periodic-table-xp-1.20.rar/451361

40. • Nitrogen is a gaseous element found on Earth in both living and nonliving things. • 79% of the atmosphere on Earth is nitrogen gas. Wikipedia commons

41. • Nitrogen is an element found on Earth in both living and nonliving things. • 79% of the atmosphere on Earth is nitrogen gas. • All living things need nitrogen to live, grow and reproduce.

42. • Nitrogen is an element found on Earth in both living and nonliving things. • 79% of the atmosphere on Earth is nitrogen gas. • All living things need nitrogen to live, grow and reproduce. • Nitrogen is necessary for cells to carry out the life processes.

43. • Nitrogen is an essential component of both proteins and DNA. Graphic image of a molecules of protein Graphic image of DNA images from Wikipedia Commons

44. Nitrogen, DNA and Proteins • All cells have a genome, information inherited from “parents”. The genome is the blueprint on how to “build” a cell like a construction design is blueprint for how to build house. • So how is nitrogen important to the “building” of a cell?

45. First, nitrogen is an essential component of DNA, the molecule in the cell that contains all the instructions of how the cell is to be made and what it is to do. Second, the actual house, “the cell,” is build out of protein molecules which all contain the element nitrogen. .

46. Nitrogen based proteins are not only the building blocks of all living things. They are also the chemicals that control all the things that go on in a cell. Think of any process that may be happening in the cells of a living organism. Proteins are most likely either making it happen or regulating it. Photosynthesis, digestion, respiration, movement, growth, getting rid of waste products are examples.

47. What then is the Nitrogen Cycle? • Like carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms do not stay in one place. • Nitrogen atoms move in a continuous pattern through soil, air, water and all living things. • Nitrogen’s journey through the biosphere and all living things is called the nitrogen cycle.

48. Nitrogen travels through the five processes in the Nitrogen Cycle! (1) Nitrogen Fixation (5) Denitrification Nitrogen Cycle (4) Ammonification (2)Nitrification (3) Assimilation Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

49. Although the earth's atmosphere is 79% nitrogen, plants or animals cannot use nitrogen in its gaseous form. It must be changed to a useable form for both plants and animals. Nitrogen Fixation In order for plants or animals to absorb nitrogen, it must be "fixed”.

50. How does atmosphericnitrogen get “fixed” (changed into a form that can be used by plants)? N N

51. Atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia or nitrates. N N Atmospheric Nitrogen (N2) N N Nitrates (NO3) Nitrogen combines with oxygen to make nitrates Ammonia (NH3) Nitrogen combines with hydrogen to make ammonia

52. Wikipedia Commons

53. And what things in the biosphere change nitrogen gas from the air into ammonia (a nitrogen compound)?

54. Nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil Wikipedia commons Nitrogen fixing bacteria found in the roots of plants such as peas, beans, peanuts and soybeans. 3. Lightning http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

55. Wikipedia Commons

56. Most atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is “fixed” and changed to ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is highly toxic to many organisms. Can plants use ammonia? Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

57. A few plants can use ammonia (NH3) …but, most can’t. Fortunately the second processNitrificationcan help! )… …but, most can’t. Fortunately the second processNitrificationcan help! Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

58. Nitrification For acid loving plants ammonia can be the source of nitrogen. However, most plants extract their nitrogen from nitrates not ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria change ammonia in the soil to nitrites and then into nitrates that are dissolved in water and absorbed through the roots of most plants .

59. Wikipedia Commons

60. Assimilation Assimilation is the process by which plants absorb the nitrates and and/or the ammonia from the soil and use them to make proteins. Nitrogen is particularly important to the production of chlorophyll.

61. More Assimilation… Animals and other living things that do not make food get the nitrogen they need by eating plants or by eating other animals that eat plants.

62. Wikipedia Commons

63. How does nitrogen reenter the atmosphere in the nitrogen cycle? Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

64. Through the fourth and fifth processes called ammonification and denitrification! (1) Nitrogen Fixation (4) Denitrification (2) Nitrification (3) Ammonification (3) Assimilation Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

65. So what is ammonification? Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

66. Ammonification is what happens when a plant or animal dies. Fungi and bacteria change the remains of the dead plants and animals into ammonia plus other substances. Nitrificaton occurs again. Nitrifying bacteria in the soil change ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates. http://www.freenaturepictures.com/pictures/mushrooms-on-log.php

67. Now is where denitrificationplays its role. Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

68. Denitrification Denitrifying bacteria in the soil change nitrates into nitrogen gas which is released into the air. And so the cycle continues.

69. Wikipedia Commons

70. Thus, through the nitrogen cycle: • Plants obtain nitrogen through nitrogen fixation and nitrification. • Animals get their nitrogen from eating plants or animals that have eaten plants or other animals. • At the same time, nitrogen is returned to the soil through decay (ammonification) and to the air through and denitrification.

71. Animated graphics at http://office.microsoft.com/clipart