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Introduction |
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It’s hard to deny in today’s world that there are
major environmental issues we are facing. The depletion of our ozone, rise of
global warming, and devastation of coral reefs are just three of the many
problems that have captured the attention of the world population. A good
illustration of this is a 5 minute speech by a middle school age girl who
began the Environmental Children’s Organization (ECO). Listen to her view of
the future and what challenges lie before us.
She
speaks of not knowing the answer for many of these problems we face. At the
heart of this is developing an understanding of the science behind these
global issues. If we can understand what elements impact the problem, we may
be able to find ways to solve them. This investigation will help you develop
a better understanding of how the study of biogeochemistry can contribute to
an awareness of elements that affect living and non-living things on earth. |
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Science Focus |
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The question before you is how do biogeochemical cycles impact our earth system? There are four cycles that are part of the larger cycles that describe the functioning of the earth systems including the water, nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon cycles. The change that elements go through as they pass back and forth through each of these cycles, impacting both living and non living things, makes up the larger biogeochemical cycle. Of the total of 92 elements produced in nature, 6 are considered critical to all organisms on earth including: hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Each of these elements passes through our earth systems. These systems are “the atmosphere, the biosphere (the sum of all living things as well as formerly living things that have not yet decomposed), the hydrosphere (the entirety of Earth's water except for vapor in the atmosphere), and the geosphere (the upper part of Earth's continental crust on which human beings live and which provides them with most of their food and natural resources)…Matter moving back and forth through the various earth systems, and particularly between living and nonliving matter, are known as biogeochemical cycles” (http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Earth-Science-Vol-3/Biogeochemical-Cycles.html). The term biogeochemical stands for the three areas of science that are of importance when studying the various elements that impact all earth systems. Bio (short for biology) stands for life and living things. Geo (short for geology) stands for the non-organic such as earth, rock and land. Chemical relates to molecules and their reactions within a system. Biogeochemistry then focuses on how each of these groups interacts and impacts the function of the whole Earth. For additional information on the definition and importance of biogeochemistry in the study of cycles use the following resources: |
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Problem Scenario |
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The EPA has asked that experts be teamed to investigate each of the five major cycles including the nitrogen, water, carbon, phosphorus and sulfur cycles. Each team is then asked to investigate their designated cycle. Teams must then produce a presentation that will be presented to members of the EPA. This presentation must include: · A clear description of what the cycle is
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Investigation
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Each expert designated with a team will have a unique role. While investigating the cycle assigned, each team member must perform their predetermined role as well as contribute to the team’s final presentation to the EPA. Team member roles are as follows: Team leader · Organizes elements of presentation.
Computer specialist · Gathers and organizes all resources used by team members in preparing the presentation (that should be included in the Power Point presented)
Environmentalist · Investigates how the cycle relates to current global environmental issues
Scientist · Investigates each of the aspects of the cycle assigned gathering details on each stage in the cycle for the presentation.
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Use these sites to gather
research and begin preparing your presentation. Feel free to seek out other
sources as well.
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