Cycling WebQuest
Directions: Visit the following websites and answer the related questions. Your goal is to gain a better understanding of the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Background: In biogeochemical cycles (including carbon, water and nitrogen cycles), elements are transported between the atmosphere, biosphere (living things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (rocks, minerals, and soils). These cycles help us remember that Earth is a complex system.
Background: In biogeochemical cycles (including carbon, water and nitrogen cycles), elements are transported between the atmosphere, biosphere (living things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (rocks, minerals, and soils). These cycles help us remember that Earth is a complex system.
Carbon Cycle
1. Draw the carbon cycle (on a separate piece of paper)
2. How does carbon exist in the atmosphere?
In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). With the help of the Sun, through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the air to make plant food from carbon.
3. How are fossil fuels created? Explain. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decay bringing the carbon into the ground. Some become buried miles underground and will become fossil fuels in millions and millions of years.
4. Describe two ways that carbon enters the atmosphere.
Each time you exhale, you are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into the atmosphere.When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas.
5. How are the oceans involved in the carbon cycle?
Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the atmosphere.
The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the atmosphere.
6. How is the temperature of the Earth partly controlled by carbon?
The atmosphere has not held this much carbon for at least 420,000 years according to data from ice cores. More greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in our atmosphere are causing our planet to become warmer.
7. What role do rocks have within the carbon cycle?
Weathering of rocks on land over millions of years adds the carbon onto surface water. Carbon is removed from seawater the shells and bones of marine animals and plankton collect on the sea floor. These shells and bones are made of limestone which contains Carbon.
In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). With the help of the Sun, through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the air to make plant food from carbon.
3. How are fossil fuels created? Explain. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decay bringing the carbon into the ground. Some become buried miles underground and will become fossil fuels in millions and millions of years.
4. Describe two ways that carbon enters the atmosphere.
Each time you exhale, you are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into the atmosphere.When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas.
5. How are the oceans involved in the carbon cycle?
Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the atmosphere.
The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the atmosphere.
6. How is the temperature of the Earth partly controlled by carbon?
The atmosphere has not held this much carbon for at least 420,000 years according to data from ice cores. More greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in our atmosphere are causing our planet to become warmer.
7. What role do rocks have within the carbon cycle?
Weathering of rocks on land over millions of years adds the carbon onto surface water. Carbon is removed from seawater the shells and bones of marine animals and plankton collect on the sea floor. These shells and bones are made of limestone which contains Carbon.
8. Where are you starting within the carbon cycle?
Carbon Dioxide from the burning of fossil fuel.
9. How much of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Only a small amount (0.04%) of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide.
10. By how much has CO2 increased in the atmosphere during the past 150 years?
the amount has increased 30% in the past 150 years.
As you work through this game, take some notes about where you go as a carbon atom. Make sure you visit all reservoirs!
11. Next stop = __Surface Ocean_____________
What did you learn?
The ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than the land does. The surface ocean takes in approximately 90 Gigatons of carbon per year. Cold water absorbs carbon faster than warm water.
12. Next stop = ___Quiz Question____
What did you learn?
Chilly water absorbs carbon faster.In ocen carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere most quickly.
The deep ocean accounts for more than 65% of the Earth’s carbon.
How much carbon does the surface ocean absorb from the atmosphere each year?
The ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than the land does. The surface ocean takes in approximately 90 Gigatons of carbon per year.
True : When plants die and decay, they bring carbon into soil.
13. Next stop = ___Soil ____
What did you learn?
Soil stores about 3% of Earth's Carbon.
14. Next stop = __Land Plants_____
What did you learn?
With more Carbon Dioxide there is in our environment, plants will be able to grow faster.
15. Next stop = __Marine Life _
What did you learn?
High levels of dissolved Carbons dissolved in the water is harmful to marine organisms like Algae, Corals, and Mollusks.
When carbon enters the deep ocean, how long does it stay there?
_Hundreds of years.__
True : Phytoplankton are tiny plants and algae that float in the ocean and take up carbon dioxide as they grow.
True : Plants both absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and release it into the atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide from the burning of fossil fuel.
9. How much of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Only a small amount (0.04%) of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide.
10. By how much has CO2 increased in the atmosphere during the past 150 years?
the amount has increased 30% in the past 150 years.
As you work through this game, take some notes about where you go as a carbon atom. Make sure you visit all reservoirs!
11. Next stop = __Surface Ocean_____________
What did you learn?
The ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than the land does. The surface ocean takes in approximately 90 Gigatons of carbon per year. Cold water absorbs carbon faster than warm water.
12. Next stop = ___Quiz Question____
What did you learn?
Chilly water absorbs carbon faster.In ocen carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere most quickly.
The deep ocean accounts for more than 65% of the Earth’s carbon.
How much carbon does the surface ocean absorb from the atmosphere each year?
The ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than the land does. The surface ocean takes in approximately 90 Gigatons of carbon per year.
True : When plants die and decay, they bring carbon into soil.
13. Next stop = ___Soil ____
What did you learn?
Soil stores about 3% of Earth's Carbon.
14. Next stop = __Land Plants_____
What did you learn?
With more Carbon Dioxide there is in our environment, plants will be able to grow faster.
15. Next stop = __Marine Life _
What did you learn?
High levels of dissolved Carbons dissolved in the water is harmful to marine organisms like Algae, Corals, and Mollusks.
When carbon enters the deep ocean, how long does it stay there?
_Hundreds of years.__
True : Phytoplankton are tiny plants and algae that float in the ocean and take up carbon dioxide as they grow.
True : Plants both absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and release it into the atmosphere.
_______________________________________________________________________ Nitrogen Cycle:
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16. What are the two conditions under which nitrogen will react with oxygen? (In other words, what is necessary for nitrogen in the air to combine with oxygen?)
Nitrogen will only combine with oxygen in presence of high temperature, and pressures found near lightning bolts, combustion reactions in power plants, and internal combustion engines.
17. What are the two compounds that are formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen?
When Nitrogen combines with oxygen, Nitric oxide and nitric dioxide are formed.
18. How does nitric acid (HNO3) form?
HNO3 forms when nitrogen dioxide reacts with water in rain.
19. Why is nitric acid (HNO3) important?
The HNO3 may be used by plants for their nutrients.
20. What percentage of the air we breathe is nitrogen?
79% of the air we breathe is Nitrogen.
21. Even though considerable nitrogen is available in the air, most plants do not use the nitrogen (N2) found in the air. Why not?
Plants can only secure their nitrogen in "fixed forms" such as nitrate ions, ammonia, and urea
22. In what compounds can plants use nitrogen?
Plants get nitrogen as nitrate ions, ammonia, and urea.
23. How do animals get the nitrogen they need?
Animals get the nitrogen they need by feeding off plants or animals that have eaten plants.24. Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is pretty inert. This means that it does not easily break apart.
When molecules do not break apart easily, it is difficult (or impossible) for organisms to use
them as a nutrient source. As a result, nitrogen fixation is the term used to describe the
process of breaking up N2.
a. What is atmospheric fixation?
Atmospheric fixation is the high energy of lightning breaks nitrogen molecules enabling them to combine with oxygen creating nitric oxides. This dissolves in the rain and is then carried to the earth. 5-8% of total nitrogen fixed.
b. What is industrial fixation? [This is how artificial fertilizers are made.]
Industrial fixation is when atmospheric nitrogen is mixed with temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, and help from a catalyst, nitrogen and hydrogen can combine to form ammonia. Ammonia can be used as fertilizer but most is processed to urea and ammonium nitrate.
c. What is biological fixation? (In your answer, describe the types of plants associated with the symbiotic relationship.)
Biological fixation is the ability to fix nitrogen found in certain bacteria and archea. Some establish a symbiotic relationship with plants such as alders.
Go to: http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html and answer these questions.
25. Draw the nitrogen cycle: On a separate piece of paper: (Remember there are other diagrams on the previous websites.) If you’re not sure what a term means, look through the reading and links for help.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
16. What are the two conditions under which nitrogen will react with oxygen? (In other words, what is necessary for nitrogen in the air to combine with oxygen?)
Nitrogen will only combine with oxygen in presence of high temperature, and pressures found near lightning bolts, combustion reactions in power plants, and internal combustion engines.
17. What are the two compounds that are formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen?
When Nitrogen combines with oxygen, Nitric oxide and nitric dioxide are formed.
18. How does nitric acid (HNO3) form?
HNO3 forms when nitrogen dioxide reacts with water in rain.
19. Why is nitric acid (HNO3) important?
The HNO3 may be used by plants for their nutrients.
20. What percentage of the air we breathe is nitrogen?
79% of the air we breathe is Nitrogen.
21. Even though considerable nitrogen is available in the air, most plants do not use the nitrogen (N2) found in the air. Why not?
Plants can only secure their nitrogen in "fixed forms" such as nitrate ions, ammonia, and urea
22. In what compounds can plants use nitrogen?
Plants get nitrogen as nitrate ions, ammonia, and urea.
23. How do animals get the nitrogen they need?
Animals get the nitrogen they need by feeding off plants or animals that have eaten plants.24. Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is pretty inert. This means that it does not easily break apart.
When molecules do not break apart easily, it is difficult (or impossible) for organisms to use
them as a nutrient source. As a result, nitrogen fixation is the term used to describe the
process of breaking up N2.
a. What is atmospheric fixation?
Atmospheric fixation is the high energy of lightning breaks nitrogen molecules enabling them to combine with oxygen creating nitric oxides. This dissolves in the rain and is then carried to the earth. 5-8% of total nitrogen fixed.
b. What is industrial fixation? [This is how artificial fertilizers are made.]
Industrial fixation is when atmospheric nitrogen is mixed with temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, and help from a catalyst, nitrogen and hydrogen can combine to form ammonia. Ammonia can be used as fertilizer but most is processed to urea and ammonium nitrate.
c. What is biological fixation? (In your answer, describe the types of plants associated with the symbiotic relationship.)
Biological fixation is the ability to fix nitrogen found in certain bacteria and archea. Some establish a symbiotic relationship with plants such as alders.
Go to: http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html and answer these questions.
25. Draw the nitrogen cycle: On a separate piece of paper: (Remember there are other diagrams on the previous websites.) If you’re not sure what a term means, look through the reading and links for help.
26. Why is nitrogen needed by plants and animals? Nitrogen is used to create amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acid.
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Water Cycle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Go to http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/index.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Define "water cycle".
A complex process which provides us with water to drink, grow crop, and oceans to fish.
2. What fraction of the Earth’s surface is covered in water?
Three-Fourths.
3. What percentage of all the Earth’s water is in a form that is useable to humans and land
animals?
1%
Click on http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/concepts.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes from its liquid state to a gaseous state.
2. Why is evaporated water so clean?
Impurities in the water are left behind.
3. Condensation occurs when a gaseous is changed into a liquid.
4. Condensation is the opposite of evaporation.
5. When the temperature and atmospheric pressure are right, the small droplets of water in clouds form larger droplets and precipitation occurs.
6. Define transpiration: When water is absorbed from the ground through the roots of a plants. The water then moves to leaves and some of it evaporates into the air.
7. Define percolation: Slow passing of of liquid through a natural filter
Go to http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/cycle.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Using the terms "evaporation", "condensation", and "precipitation", explain the water cycle in your own words.
Water evaporates off of the ground and water vapor rises. Over time, the vapors go through condensation and the vapors begin to form a cloud. The rain water within the clouds then fall back onto the ground through precipitation. The cycle starts over as soon as that rainwater precipitates.
2. What factor is most important in determining whether water is a solid, liquid, or gas?
Temperature is the most important thing to factor the state of water.
3. Is the amount of water on Earth always changing or is it a constant amount?
The amount of water on Earth has and always will be constant.
_______________________________________________________________________
Water Cycle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Go to http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/index.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Define "water cycle".
A complex process which provides us with water to drink, grow crop, and oceans to fish.
2. What fraction of the Earth’s surface is covered in water?
Three-Fourths.
3. What percentage of all the Earth’s water is in a form that is useable to humans and land
animals?
1%
Click on http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/concepts.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes from its liquid state to a gaseous state.
2. Why is evaporated water so clean?
Impurities in the water are left behind.
3. Condensation occurs when a gaseous is changed into a liquid.
4. Condensation is the opposite of evaporation.
5. When the temperature and atmospheric pressure are right, the small droplets of water in clouds form larger droplets and precipitation occurs.
6. Define transpiration: When water is absorbed from the ground through the roots of a plants. The water then moves to leaves and some of it evaporates into the air.
7. Define percolation: Slow passing of of liquid through a natural filter
Go to http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/cycle.htm. Answer the following questions.
1. Using the terms "evaporation", "condensation", and "precipitation", explain the water cycle in your own words.
Water evaporates off of the ground and water vapor rises. Over time, the vapors go through condensation and the vapors begin to form a cloud. The rain water within the clouds then fall back onto the ground through precipitation. The cycle starts over as soon as that rainwater precipitates.
2. What factor is most important in determining whether water is a solid, liquid, or gas?
Temperature is the most important thing to factor the state of water.
3. Is the amount of water on Earth always changing or is it a constant amount?
The amount of water on Earth has and always will be constant.