Earth Labs: Oceans and the Carbon Cycle Part a: Down – to the Deep The Ocean’s Biological Pump – Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA a range of images: – Bolin Centre for Climate Research: Stockholm University. The Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database Lesson 3 Key idea 6.2a Phytoplankton Global Starter sequester atmospheric distribution of Teacher to address student uncertainties identified last (1 hour) 6.2 Biological carbon during carbon lesson regarding the carbon cycle. Informal Q and A. processes photosynthesis in surface stores and flows. sequester carbon ocean waters; carbonate on land and in the Main shells/tests move into oceans on shorter The role of photosynthesis, respiration and decomposition the deep ocean water timescales. in the carbon Factors influencing the rate of through the carbonate photosynthesis/respiration/decomposition. Teacher-led pump and action of the Suggested using PowerPoint images, video clips, discussion. thermohaline circulation. learning Seasonal variations in plankton blooms: Global objectives 6.2b Terrestrial primary distribution of What causes a plankton Describe and producers sequester terrestrial carbon explain the carbon during What is stratification? stores and flows. process of marine photosynthesis; some of Identify locations and seasonal variations. and terrestrial this carbon is returned to NASA: Earth Observatory Global Patterns and cycles – – photosynthesis. the atmosphere during respiration by consumer Labs: Oceans and the Carbon Cycle Part b: – Describe and organisms. Phytoplankton, the Ocean’s Green Machines explain the 6.2c Biological carbon process of can be stored as dead Plenary respiration and organic matter in soils, or decomposition. the processes of the carbon cycle’ consolidation ‘Explain – returned to the of carbon cycle understanding, peer assessment of atmosphere via biological Skills objectives decomposition over explanation. To know how to several years. describe distributions on Resources global maps, e.g. Key words NOAA Research website PMEL Carbon program –
– Earth Labs: Oceans and the Carbon Cycle Part a: Down to the Deep – The Ocean’s Biological Pump Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA – a range of images: Bolin Centre for Climate Research: Stockholm University. The Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database Lesson 3 (1 hour) Key idea 6.2 Biological processes sequester carbon on land and in the oceans on shorter timescales. Suggested learning objectives Describe and explain the process of marine and terrestrial photosynthesis. Describe and explain the process of respiration and decomposition. Skills objectives To know how to describe distributions on global maps, e.g. 6.2a Phytoplankton sequester atmospheric carbon during photosynthesis in surface ocean waters; carbonate shells/tests move into the deep ocean water through the carbonate pump and action of the thermohaline circulation. 6.2b Terrestrial primary producers sequester carbon during photosynthesis; some of this carbon is returned to the atmosphere during respiration by consumer organisms. 6.2c Biological carbon can be stored as dead organic matter in soils, or returned to the atmosphere via biological decomposition over several years. Key words Global distribution of carbon stores and flows. Global distribution of terrestrial carbon stores and flows. Starter Teacher to address student uncertainties identified last lesson regarding the carbon cycle. Informal Q and A. Main The role of photosynthesis, respiration and decomposition in the carbon Factors influencing the rate of photosynthesis/respiration/decomposition. Teacher-led using PowerPoint images, video clips, discussion. Seasonal variations in plankton blooms: What causes a plankton What is stratification? Identify locations and seasonal variations. – NASA: Earth Observatory – Global Patterns and cycles – Labs: Oceans and the Carbon Cycle Part b: Phytoplankton, the Ocean’s Green Machines Plenary ‘Explain the processes of the carbon cycle’ – consolidation of carbon cycle understanding, peer assessment of explanation. Resources NOAA Research website – PMEL Carbon program