1. Welcome to the Air Cleaning Department 1

2. 2 Every place on Earth is an ecosystem, including our club site.

3. In today’s GEN club adventure, we will investigate air cleaning eco-services… 3

4. …on our club site.

5. What is in the Air Around Us? Gases: Nitrogen: 79% Oxygen: 21% Carbon dioxide: 0.03% Trace amounts of many other molecules

6. What is in the Air Around Us? Particulates: Dust Salt spray Material from volcanoes Soot from forest fires

7. Earth’s Early Atmosphere Volcanic activity produced a methane-rich atmosphere

8. Earth’s Early Atmosphere Bacteria that used methane as a carbon source changed composition of air

9. Earth’s Early Atmosphere Later, new species of bacteria developed which could use sunlight for energy. Photosynthesis Oxygen is made!

10. How do plants change the composition of the air? Stomata – Special cells that allow gas to move in and out of the leaf. Gas exchange in leaves

11. Gas Exchange in Leaves Once inside the leaf, gases undergo chemical reactions with the plant’s cells Guard cells

12. Let’s take a moment and thank trees for the oxygen they give us. Everyone stand up and hold your arms out like the limbs of a tree. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a tree. Take a deep breath in, then out. Take a moment to thank trees and other plants for their gifts to us.

13. What other things are in the air? Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide Ozone Man-made pollutants

14. Effects of Air Pollution on Plants Damage to leaves Poor growth More sensitive to disease and pests Root ecosystem effects Gene Daniels, U.S. EPA

15. Can some plants withstand air pollutions? Can some plants rid the air of pollutants? Spider plants Pothos Philodendron

16. Let’s meet some of the other workers in the Air Cleaning Department Redbud White Oak Eastern Red Cedar Longleaf Pine

17. What threatens Air Purification on Garden Earth? Deforestation

18. What threatens Air Purification on Garden Earth? Deforestation Exhaust from cars

19. What threatens Air Purification on Garden Earth? Deforestation Exhaust from cars Exhaust from power plants

20. What threatens Air Purification on Garden Earth? Deforestation Exhaust from cars Exhaust from power plants Acid rain

21. How does Air Pollution hurt organisms? Plants –Lichens –Mosses –Oaks –Firs Species Vulnerability

22. How does Air Pollution hurt organisms? Animals –Invertebrates –Fish Species Vulnerability

23. How does Air Pollution hurt organisms? Animals –Amphibians permeable skin is sensitive to chemicals Species Vulnerability

24. What will we do? To learn about the Air Cleaning Department, we’ll… meet Old Man Spruce and his workers. extract pigments from leaves.

25. What will we do? To learn about the Air Cleaning Department, we’ll… explore the trees around us and see how they clean the air. discover how trees are protected and cared for around the globe.

26. How can we help Garden Earth maintain clean air? Plant trees Use cars wisely –Combine trips –Choose fuel efficient vehicles when replacing cars Conserve energy in your home and school