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/
Needs
•
•
•
•
Amino Acidsproteins
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
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
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