1. Warm up Get out a piece of paper and complete this assignment. Hypothesize: How would earth change if all decomposers disappeared today? Something to think about: What is the role of decomposers? How does this role relate to cycles of matter?

2. Bio- life Geo- earth Chem- chemicals

3. SEV1a You will… Interpret processes in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another as well as through the non- living elements of an ecosystem.

4. The law Matter cannot be created or destroyed. With regards to matter, Earth is mostly a closed system. Matter doesn’t leave or enter. What we have is recycled We will examine the cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

6. 1. Hydrologic (water) cycle Three core processes to connect Evaporation Condensation Precipitation

7. Hydrologic cycle What happens to water on a hot stove? Evaporation – liquid becomes gas Liquid water  Water vapor Transpiration – water evaporating from leaves of plants What if water vapor cools? Condensation water vapor  liquid water

8. warm moist air cools as it rises Cool air can’t hold all that water vapor. Water condenses into clouds. Heavier water droplets fall to earth as precipitation: hail, sleet, snow, or rain Water evaporates into warm air

9. Hydrologic cycle

10. 2. Where is carbon?

11. Human influence An increase in CO2 can raise the earth’s temperature. Some human activities increase the CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 levels have risen 30% since 1800.

12. Human activities Making concrete CaCO3 (s)  CaO (s) + CO2 (g) Burning coal C (g) + O2 (g)  CO2 (g) Burning natural gas CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g) Burning gasoline 2C 8 H 18(g) + 25O2 (g)  16CO2 (g) + 18 H2O (g)

13. Carbon (C) Cycle Carbon is the key ingredient in all living things. 4 processes involved 1. Biological processes- Photosynthesis: Absorbs CO2 CO2 + H2O  sugar and O2 Respiration: Releases CO2 sugar and O2  CO2 + H2O Decomposition: releases CO2

14. Carbon Cycle 2. Mixed biogeochemical - burial of carbon-rich remains become fossil fuels by pressure of overlying earth 3. Geochemical processes - release of CO 2 by volcanoes 4. Human activity- mining, burning of fossil fuels, cutting down/burning forests

15. Carbon Cycle

16. 3. Nitrogen Cycle Why should you care? Nitrogen makes up this much of the air, but you can’t use it like that. Plants need nitrogen to grow You need nitrogen to make proteins.

17. What is nitrogen fixation? Nitrogen-fixing bacteria living around roots turn atmospheric N2 to ammonia, NH3, or ammonium ions, NH4 +. Other soil bacteria may oxidize to NO2 - or NO3 -. Herbivores get their N from plants Carnivores get their N from herbivores Omnivores can use both sources

18. Breaking down wastes Decomposers with bacteria return N in urine, dung, decaying plants and animals to the soil Bacteria return a small amount to atmospheric N2 Without these organisms, N would be stuck in corpses and wastes forever

19. Nitrogen Cycle

20. Nitrogen Cycle in depth 1. Atmospheric N2 is converted to ammonia NH3 or ammonium NH4 + or lightning converts N2 to Nitrogen oxides 2. NH3 & NH4 + are oxidized by soil bacteria to nitrite ions NO2 - then to nitrate ions NO3 -. 3. Plants take in nitrogen as nitrate ions.

21. Nitrogen Cycle cont’d 4. Nitrogen passes through food chain 5. When organisms die bacteria & fungi take up some nitrogen. The rest is released as NH3 gas or NH4 + 6. Denitrifying bacteria convert some NH3 back to N2 which returns to atmosphere

22. 4. Phosphorus (P) Cycle If you like your teeth and skeletons, pay attention Plants source of P is soil & water Animals get their P By eating plants By eating animals who eat plants

23. Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus rarely occurs as a gas This is the slowest cycle 1. Erosion of rocks (phosphate PO4 3- ) 2. Plants take in PO 4 3- through roots 3. Excess P in animal waste, decomposing animals and plants 4. Runs off into ocean and sinks to the bottom

24. Phosphorus Cycle

26. Cycles of matter Expert groups of four Answer these questions about each process in your cycle. 1. Where does it occur? 2. What is the name of the process? 3. How does the matter change? 4. How do people affect this process? Create a visual aid for your project