Biogeochemical Cycles Project

The goal of this project is for you to learn about biogeochemical cycles within particular biomes. To accomplish this, please do the following things:

1) Pick 5 terrestrial biomes that you would like to draw distinguishing plants and representative large animals from (from chapter 5).

2) Please draw the hydrological cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, and the sulfur cycle using a different biome fore each. A single piece of copy paper can be used for 2 cycles. You can place the cycle diagram on the right side of your notebook and the questions on the left side of your notebook. Use at least two other resources beyond your text. The biology books (4 kinds available) and environmental science books will be great resources and give you different view of the cycles and biomes.

3) Answer the follow-up questions for each cycle by putting them on the cycle/biome drawing. Be sure to number and letter them as they are on this page.

Rubric for your project evaluation:

50% Poor Quality
70% Developing
85% Good Quality
100% Exemplary Quality
Really, the pictures look like they could have been drawn by an elementary (kindergarten-2nd) brother or sister who was threatened by there older sibling
Pictures of some cycles are drawn carefully and with detail.
Pictures of most cycles are drawn carefully and with great detail.
Pictures of each cycle are drawn carefully and with great detail.
The cycle component labels look like an after-thought or were done while driving to school (by the driver)
Some cycle components are clearly labeled and arrows show explicitly the flow of materials within the cycle
Most cycle components are clearly labeled and arrows show explicitly the flow of materials within the cycle
Cycle components are clearly labeled and arrows show explicitly the flow of materials within the cycle
The drawings are there but they look like they were done by an individual with a multiple personality disorder
There is a consistent theme or style used for some drawings.
There is a consistent theme or style used for most drawings.
There is a consistent theme or style used for all drawings. For example: If it is sketched and shaded in black and white, that continues for all cycles. If organisms are printed in color, cut-out, and pasted on one, then it happens for all.
Most explanations are lacking in definition of key components
Some explanations include definitions of key components
Most explanations include definitions of all key components
Explanations include definitions of all key components
Explanations are copied from group or class members or are from the book.
Some explanations are paraphrased in the voice the writer and are totally unique to that individual.
Most explanations are paraphrased in the voice the writer and are totally unique to that individual.
Explanations are paraphrased in the voice the writer and are totally unique to that individual.

Hydrologic Cycle:

1. Briefly describe the processes involved in the hydrologic cycle: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runuff, infiltration & percolation
2. Name the two driving forces behind the water cycle.
3. Distinguish the following terms: groundwater, aquifer, and water table.
4. Describe three significant anthropogenic (man-made) interventions in the hydrologic cycle:

Carbon Cycle:

5. What 4 organic compounds is carbon found in?
6. Carbon dioxide comprises approximately what percent of tropospheric gases?
7. How is this relative* amount(%) of CO2 so significant in contributing to the earth’s “natural thermostat”?
8. Identify the two processes which have the greatest influence on tropospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide on a monthly or yearly basis. Explain:
9. Name the two largest sinks (storage areas) for carbon.
10. Discuss how oceans play a major role in regulating CO2 levels in the troposhpere.
11. Describe the two major anthropogenic interventions in the carbon cycle:

Nitrogen Cycle:

12. What 2 organic compounds is nitrogen found in?
13. Identify the two major ways that nitrogen is “fixed”;
14. Describe what takes place in each of the following processes or steps of the N-Cycle: (include a description of the events and chemical transformations occurring in each step:)
  1. Nitrogen Fixation:
  2. Nitrification:
  3. Assimilation:
  4. Ammonification:
  5. Denitrification:

15. Describe two anthropogenic interventions in the nitrogen cycle:

Phosphorus Cycle:

16. Which organic compound is Phosphorus found in?
17. Explain why phosphorus does not circulate in the troposphere to a great extent:
18. Identify the largest sinks for phosphorus:
19.Phosphorus is typically found in what ionic form?
20. Explain why the addition of phosphate compounds to aquatic areas typically has a dramatic effect on biological productivity.
21. Comment on how human activities have influenced the phosphorus cycle regarding each of the following:

  1. Mining phosphate rock:
  2. Animal wastes from Livestock Feedlots:
  3. Commercial phosphate Fertilizers in Agricultural areas:
  4. Discharge of Municipal Sewage/Wastewater Treatment Facilities:

Sulfur Cycle:

22. Which organic compound is Sulfur found in?
23. Identify the two largest storage areas for sulfur:
24. Identify two major human activities influencing the sulfur cycle: