Water and Nutrient Cycles

Ecology: Water and Nutrient CyclesPHA Biology: 2009Moretti/ Dickson

Tuesday, 5.26.09Title: Intro Water and Nutrient CyclesHomeworkRe-write homework due for today on separate paper to be handed in. Do NowWhat are 6 major processes of the water cycle? Nutrient Cycles & Energy Flow

95% of most organisms is made of: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, & Nitrogen Elements, Chemical Compounds, etc. are passed from organism to organism Energy is a one-way flow starting w/ Sun Matter is not Created or Destroyed; it is Cycled and Transformed Water Cycle

Movement of water through ecosystemNecessary for all life forms on Earth3 phases of Water: Solid = IceLiquid = WaterGas = Vapor

Processes: EvaporationTranspiration CondensationRun-OffGroundwater

The Water Cycle in Motion

The Water Cycle Activity: How Different Land Surfaces Affect Water MovementWednesday, 5.27.09Title: Nutrients and PollutionHomeworkRead Pollution PaperDo NowWhat is a Limiting Nutrient?NutrientsThe bodys chemical Building Blocks

Use these to build tissues and carry out essential functions (think: digestion unit)

Passed from organism to organism through environment (cycled)Limiting NutrientPrimary Productivity: Rate organic matter is created by Producers

Limiting Nutrient: When an essential nutrient is scarce and limits the growth of producers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)

Naturally limited move slowly through the environmentinvolve a number of transformations to make them usable

Overall production is limited by available nutrients in an ecosystem this is how they are limiting

Nitrogen Cycle

Needed to build amino acidsMost abundant gas in atmosphere (78%)Nitrogen fixing bacteria convert Gas (N2) into Ammonia (NH3).Other bacteria convert this to Nitrates and NitritesThese forms are used by producers to make proteinsDecomposers return nitrogen to the soil.Denitrification: bacteria convert Ammonia back to N2

Phosphorous Cycle

Important for DNA, RNA, ATP, ADPLimiting NutrientNot in Atmospheric FormStays bound to rocks and soil mineralsWhen they erode, it is available for producers to absorbDissolves in WaterUsed by marine organisms

Pollution VideoWrite down these questions to answer during the video:What is nonpoint source pollution?

What are some examples?

Nonpoint Source Pollution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cACFw8lzkPI&feature=related

Sources of Water PollutionPoint Source Pollution From a direct sourceSewage Treatment PlantFactory Storm water discharge pipeNon-Point Source PollutionFrom a non-specific sourceMost Storm water Run-offCar exhausts

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Non-Point Source Pollution Pathways

Runoff in the form of Rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. Picks up and carries natural and human-made pollutantsDeposits pollutants into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water. 80 percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from land-based sources*We all play a role in Non Point Pollutionhttp://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/qa.html: (taken from EPA's Polluted brochure EPA-841-F-94-005, 1994)

*http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/facts/pollut.htm

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Nutrient LoadingLimiting Nutrients Introduced to Ecosystem

Residential/ Commercial Fertilizers: Apply a limiting nutrients to boost productivity (mostly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)

Pet Wastes (and other feces):Full of Phosphorus and Nitrogen

Combined Sewer OverflowDischarge human waste, sediments, detergents, etc. into waterways

Agricultural WastesWastes from agriculture, grazing, and feedlots Include FertilizersNutrient loading from animal wastes

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Nutrient Loading: Whats the problem? Fertilizers , Sediment, and Pet Wastes Run-off into waterways (water cycle)Combined Sewer Overflow discharges into waterwayIntroduce limiting nutrients to ecosystem = more production of producers (algae)Shade other producers below the surfaceNot enough consumers to eat all of the algaeAlgae and other producers die = Oxygen Depletion

Chemical PollutionNumbers: More than 70,000 commercial and industrial compounds are now in useAn estimated 1,000 new chemicals are introduced each year (most of these are not adequately tested)Pathways Through EnvironmentPoint Source Discharge from Factories/ Industries: Water or AirborneNonpoint Runoff: Urban Centers and FarmsNonpoint Airborne: Autos, aerosols, burning, dust particulate, etc. Airborne brought down through DepositionPoor Disposal/ Leach from Landfills into Groundwaterhttp://www.on.ec.gc.ca/community/classroom/c2-foodweb-e.htmlFriday, 5.29.09Title: Pollution Movement Through EcosystemsHomeworkComplete Water Drop EssayDo NowName some major chemical pollutants from the reading.Bioaccumulation/ Biomagnification:The build-up of toxins in an organisms tissuesHigher concentrations in organisms than in surrounding ecosystemTend to accumulate most in higher-level consumers. Become toxic at certain concentrations Examples: Metals: mercury, lead, & cadmiumPCBSPesticides: DDT

Chemical Pollution: Effects on EcosystemsRefer to EPA Pollution Reading AssignmentMonday, 6.1.09Title: Carbon CycleHomeworkCarbon cycle/greenhouse effect readings. Complete Class Activity.Do NowWhat is the cell respiration equation?Chemical EquationsCell Respiration:Photosynthesis:CompareReactantsCompareCatalystsCompareProductsTuesday, 6.2.09Title: Human Impacts on the Carbon CycleHomeworkComplete Practice MCAS questions.Do NowWhat is the link between increased carbon in the atmosphere and climate change?Carbon Cycle: Discuss Questions

http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/sccs/public/teachers/Carbon-cycle-full.jpgCarbon Cycle

Found in ALL life forms. ALL life is Carbon-Based!

Absorbed: Photosynthesis

Stored (sink): Plant Tissue (forests)Dead organisms turn to fossil fuels (coal, oil, )Released (source): RespirationDecompositionReleased (source): VolcanoesErosionHuman Release (source):Burn Fossil FuelsWednesday, 6.3.09Title: Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle cont. HomeworkEmail me your top two ideas for the poster project by Friday. Check blog by Thursday evening for a list of topicsDo NowWrite down 2 environmental issues that we have learned about that concern you. Pollution Poster Project Ideas

Topics:Nutrient pollution from fertilizers (be specific to Nitrogen and Phosphorus)Nutrient pollution from pet/ animal feces (be specific to Nitrogen and Phosphorus)Acidity in waterwaysPlastics in the environmentCarbon Dioxide in the atmosphere (note: if you choose this option, you need to specific your Source and Effect when you sign up. We will accept up to 5 different proposals).PCBs Pollution in the environmentPAHs Pollution in the environmentMercury Pollution in the environmentLead Pollution in the environmentZinc Pollution in the environmentPrescription drugs/ Antibiotics in the environment (not directly covered in class)The effects of deforestation on the water cyclePollution from other metals in the sedimentPesticides in the environmentMovement of other toxins in the environment (arsenic, cyanide, etc.). Identify the specific toxin you are interested in. Poisonous/ deadly bacteria in the environmentEffects of limited dissolved oxygen on fishThe effects of large-scale forest fires Sewer discharge from storm water overflow (Note: you must identify the type of pollutant you plan to highlight when signing up. We will accept up to 2 different proposals for this.)Leaking discharge of oil and other fluids from automobilesUrban Run Off (This is for those who have a different idea for a pollutant moving through the environment by urban run-off. Present your individual proposal for consideration.). Climate Change VideosAl Gore warns of latest climate trends from TED.com: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/al_gore_warns_on_latest_climate_trends.htmlAl Gores new thinking on the climate crisis from TED.com (begin 5 minutes in): http://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_s_new_thinking_on_the_climate_crisis.html

Note: You can find more of the videos at www.ted.com

Highgate, Vermont

Pollution Issue Analysis:Stonyfield FarmPollutant?

Pathway?

Effects of Pollutants?

Strategy?

Unforeseen Benefits?