Nutrient Cycles:

We are but stardust…

Every atom within us is on a journey…

“Odyssey” – part one – by Aldo Leopold

Other planets can move matter about…

Great Red Spot on Jupiter Wind Storms on Mars

Volcano on Io

…but as the only planet that contains water in its liquid state…

… Earth is the only planet that can effectively move large amounts of solid material from one place to another.

Case in Point…Encontras do Aguas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

The Andes Mountains are washed away…

So too are the Guinea Highlands

The Result:

Silty, volcanicsediment

Sandy,quartz sediment

All washes down to the Atlantic Ocean

The Upshot

Underwater view of deep ocean sediment fan off Amazon. Where were these sediments before?

http://www.sciencecodex.com/biogeochemistry_at_the_core_of_global_environmental_solutions

A. P.E.S. digression

Major Biogeochemical Cycles on Planet Earth

Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Oxygen Cycle

Sulfur Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Water Cycle – the driver for all other cycles

Carbon Cycle

LIFE & LIMESTONE

Nitrogen Cycle

N-Cycle: Aquatic Science application

Oxygen Cycle

Aquatic O – cycle

Sulfur Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Why is it important that these cycles be kept in balance?

How do we throw them

out of balance?

Aquatic Science Biogeochemical Review Game

With 2-3 classmates, create the following…

- a board game that reviews the inputs, reservoirs, and outflows of each biogeochemical cycle.

Must cover the movement of each cycle, the reservoirs, and anthropogenic effects.

Game is due for teacher grade on Tuesday, 6 September, 2011.