News http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33045773/ns/us_news-environment/ http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,359567,00.html http://web.mit.edu/mitei/research/spotlights/cell-batteries.html http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/09/28/recor d_year_for_nh_falcons/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/28/aquarium_and_rog er_williams_university_grow_first_triggerfish_to_be_raised_in_captivity/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/25/fanged_frog_162_ other_new_species_found_in_mekong/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/28/as_bats_disappear _at_a_rapid_rate_a_national_response_plan_is_drafted/ http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2009/09/27/environmentalists _seek_to_wipe_out_plush_toilet_paper/ http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/27/mothe r_nature_ready_to_reward_new_england_with_vivid_foliage/ Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Images removed due to copyright restrictions. Needs • • • • Amino Acidsproteins Nucleic Acids Chlorophyll Carbon to Nitrogen ratio Forms of Nitrogen N2 (Atmosphere, inert) Useable Nitrogen NH3 (Ammonia) NOx (NO + NO2) NO3- (Nitrate) & NO2- (Nitrite) HNO3 (Nitric Acid) Organic Nitrogen (Norg) Sources Nitrogen Fixing bacteria Legumes Clover Cyanobacteria Lightning Haber Process (factory fertilizer production) Internal combustion engines (cars) Mankind has doubled N-inputs to coastal areas eutorphication We have doubled the usable N to Coastal Waters Images removed due to copyright restrictions. Fall Colors Chlorophyll-N recalled Accessory pigments shown Huge loss of C, but not N Carotenoids-Yellows and oranges Anthocyaninins-Reds and Purples Cool nights, sunny days (sunscreen?) Images removed due to copyright restrictions. Lawn calculation If you add 1 pound of nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn, how many pounds of lawn clippings must you carry away? Water Carbon/Nitrogen ratio Phosporus Cycle Images removed due to copyright restrictions. Sulfur Cycle Image courtesy of Environmental Protection Agency Biogeochemical Cycles Conservation of Mass Earth Systems Global cycling of elements Cycles are linked Can’t make or destroy, only change the form of C, N, S, P, etc. Stoichiometry (C/N ratios) Biotic and Abiotic cycles are intimately linked Bacteria drive many biogeochemical cycles