Contemporary Environmental Issues Activity IV – Carbon in the Atmosphere Introduction In this activity, you will use a simulator to explore the carbon cycle and the ways in which humans impact it and how these impacts in turn may impact global climate. The objectives of this activity are as follows. 1. To identify the main components of the carbon cycle and how they interact 2. To identify how increased fossil fuel emissions impact the carbon cycle 3. To gain an understanding of how
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Not long ago, few people thought much about the role carbon dioxide plays in Earth's atmosphere. Today, with each new mention of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and higher than average temperatures, we hear more than ever about a connection between human activities, carbon dioxide, and global warming. What is the connection between this gas and a potential global catastrophe? Before looking at carbon dioxide's role in global warming, it is important to recognize the role this naturally occurring
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1. What would happen to the atmospheric carbon level if the total amount of land vegetation decreased by 50% by 2100 (perhaps due to deforestation)? Explain in your answer in 3-5 sentences. 2. Compare the build up of carbon in the ocean with what happens in soil. Which sink increases faster (the ocean or soil)? 3. Identify at least two ways the carbon content in soil increases? In other words, how does carbon get into soil? The Carbon Cycle – Part 2 Questions 1. How does the change
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Lab 5: DATA TABLES: CARBON CYCLE LESSON 1 |Lesson 1: |Gaseous Carbon |Ocean Water |Fossil Fuels |Biosphere Gaseous Carbon | |Step 1 | | | | | |To Year |Atmosphere |Ocean Surface |Deep Ocean |Oil and Gas |Coal |Soil |Terrestrial Plants| |2000 |700
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life on Earth. The water cycle, phosphorus cycle, nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle are only a few examples of these processes; but are all equally important in the function of our atmosphere. The carbon cycle is vital to the flow of carbon through the Earth system. An individual carbon atom compacted in a leaf on a bush may move to the body of an animal that eats the leaf. When the animal dies, this carbon atom could link with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Carbon is released into our atmosphere
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or perhaps it is the result of over-consumption. There are three biogeochemical cycles that humans effect daily: The Carbon Cycle, The Phosphorus Cycle as well as the Nitrogen Cycle. As learned by the Law of Conservation of Matter, atoms simply cannot be destroyed or created, instead they recycle themselves, so these cycles indicate how the unique variations of atoms are converted and used by consumption. Carbon is found in the World’s atmosphere, as well as released from the burning of fossil
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water, air and land creatures alike. One flourishing estuary in particular is located in the Tampa area and is known as the Tampa Bay Estuary. The Nitrogen cycle is a cycle where nitrogen through decaying vegetation, excrement and carcasses materialize into the nitrogen we find in the soil. The Nitrogen cycle is almost identical to the Carbon cycle. Natural Disturbance are disturbances caused by Mother Nature. Anthropogenic caused disturbances are man’s way of harming the ecosystem. Nature has a way
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contribution to the carbon cycle during the term? Consider the differences between the two in terms of methods of travel, and use of facilities, energy, and other resources. Remember to focus on the impact to the carbon cycle. Part 2) Complete the ecological footprint quiz at the following link: http://myfootprint.org/en/visitor_information and report your results. What did you learn about you and your family's impact on the environment? • Part 1) We decrease the distribution to the carbon cycle by being in
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to get cut down for more places to plant plantations. Not only that but we also need the wood for furniture and paper products for everyone. Looking at the Water & Carbon Cycle (chapters 3 & 10), discuss how deforestation impacts these two cycles. 4) Trees are extremely important to the water and carbon cycles. Firstly they absorb rainfall and produce water vapor that is released into the atmosphere. The biggest advantage of this is that it prevents widespread flooding. In the Amazon
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Pollutants can also affect non-living materials such as paints, metals, and fabrics. The video also talked about “The Carbon Cycle” which is a complex series of processes through which all of the carbon atoms in existence rotate. The same carbon atoms in your body today have been used in countless other molecules since time began. The wood burned just a few decades ago could have produced carbon dioxide which through photosynthesis became part of a plant. Secondary pollutants are generally more problematic
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