Category: ES 1: Materials/Energy Flow (MS)

Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.

Earth Science, Earth's System, ES 1: Geochemical Cycles (HS), ES 1: Materials/Energy Flow (MS), ES 2: Hydrological Cycle (MS), ES 3: Earth's Resources (MS), ES 3: Hydrological Cycle (HS), ES 4: Carbon Cycling (HS), ES 5: Life on Earth (HS), Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 1: Ecosystem Interactions (MS), M&E 3: Food Webs (MS), M&E 4: Biogeochemical Cycles (MS), M&E 5: Matter/Energy Cycles (HS), M&E 6: Biogeochemical Cycles (HS), Matter & Energy in Organisms/Ecosystems, W&C 2: Biomes (MS), Weather and Climate

Protozoa and plant growth: the microbial loop in soil revisited

GwynneL.

Protozoa and plant growth: the microbial loop in soil revisited (NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: This is an in-depth review on the rhizosphere and the interactions between protozoa, nematodes, and plant roots. LESSON COMMENTS: This can be read like a textbook for students. Alternatively, teachers can assign relevant sections. The rhizosphere can be grown and observed… Continue reading Protozoa and plant growth: the microbial loop in soil revisited

Earth Science, Earth's System, ES 1: Materials/Energy Flow (MS), ES 3: Earth's Resources (MS), HE 1: Plate Tectonics (HS), HE 2: Early Earth (HS), HE 2: Geoscience (MS), HE 3: Stratigraphic Records (MS), History of Earth

Coal Formation Not Correlated with Fungal Evolution

GwynneL.

Delayed fungal evolution did not cause the Paleozoic peak in coal production SUMMARY: This article provides evidence to refute the theory that most of our coal was formed during a period of time (Carboniferous-Permian age, about 299 million years ago) when fungus had not evolved enzymes to digest lignin. Plant material was thought to have… Continue reading Coal Formation Not Correlated with Fungal Evolution

Earth Science, Earth's System, ES 1: Materials/Energy Flow (MS), ES 4: Carbon Cycling (HS), ES 5: Life on Earth (HS), HE 1: Earth's History (MS), HE 2: Early Earth (HS), History of Earth

Beaming Naphthalene Part 1

GwynneL.

Infrared Study of UV/EUV Irradiation of Naphthalene in H2O+NH3 Ice SUMMARY: This study beamed naphthalene in a mixture of water and ammonia ice with different energy levels of UV light. Results showed that naphthalene breaks down and the pieces react into various small carbon-based compounds. Since conditions of this experiment try to replicate those found… Continue reading Beaming Naphthalene Part 1

Earth Science, Earth's System, ES 1: Materials/Energy Flow (MS), ES 4: Carbon Cycling (HS), M&E 2: Anabolism/Catabolism (HS), M&E 2: Metabolism (MS), M&E 4: Aerobic/Anaerobic Resp. (HS), M&E 5: Changing Ecosystems (MS), M&E 5: Matter/Energy Cycles (HS), Matter & Energy in Organisms/Ecosystems, W&C 2: Future Climate (HS), W&C 3: Global Warming Causes (MS), Weather and Climate

Taking Methane Production Into Account

GwynneL.

Climate-driven shifts in sediment chemistry enhance methane production in northern lakes SUMMARY: Different types of plant material decay and produce different amounts of methane. Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas compared to CO2 and decomposes into CO2 in the atmosphere. This study compared methane production of various types of plants. Plant material was collected… Continue reading Taking Methane Production Into Account