Around and around you go; where you'll stop nobody knows.

The Carbon, Nitrogen, and Water Cycles.



Created by,
Gary Strickland
Sherri Merrill

Curriculum Info • Meet the Authors


Karigaca, Delmica. Waterfall . c_rica-waterfall.jpg. 2003. My eCoach® eLibrary. Online. Available. 18 January 2005.


Introduction

Our world is a truly fascinating place. Our bodies, and most of the living things around us are made up mostly of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. These elements have been present on the earth for billions of years.

It is surprising to many people that these atoms never wear out. They are like Leggos. They can be used to make carbon dioxide and water; add a little sunshine and you get carbohydrates and oxygen. We cycle them through our environment over and over and over.

These resources will assist you in understanding the mechanics and the importance of this never ending merry-go-round.

Carbon Cycle
    •Chemical Carousel; A Trip Around the Carbon Cycle
A very in depth look at the carbon cycle. "Captain Carbon" takes you on an adventure through processes such as photosynthesis, digestion, and combustion. Plan on spending some time at this site.
    •The Carbon Cycle
This website gives a nice summarization of the carbon cycle with a number of graphics. There is quite a bit of information on global warming.
    •EPA Global Warming Kids Site
EPA Global Warming Kids Site A tremendous animation created by the Environmental Protection Agency. This site explains the water cycle in an easy to understand format.
Impact of Changes
    •EPA Global Warming Kids Site
A page devoted to information about the impact of changes in the delicate balance in our environment.
    •NUTRIENT OVERLOAD: UNBALANCING THE GLOBAL NITROGEN CYCLE
A view of the consequences of an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle by the World Resources Institute.
    • Global Nitrogen: Cycling out of Control
A website that treats the impact on global warming, water quality, and human health due to changes in the nitrogen cycle.
Nitrogen Cycle
    •The Nitrogen Cycle
A nice summary of the nitrogen cycle with graphics and links to more information.
    •Soil Organisms and the Nitrogen Cycle
Photosynthesis & Respiration
    •Photosynthesis: Capturing Energy
On this page you will learn about how photosynthetic organisms capture energy and make food.
    •Respiration: Animals Use Energy
The process by which animals make use of food is called respiration
    •Introduction to Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis basics; Making sugar out of air, water, and sunshine; Carbohydrates; What's a carbon-based life form; Oxygen, carbon, and other things we're made of; What a glucose molecule looks like - sort of.
Water Cycle
    •USGS Water Cycle
An in-depth look at the earth's water cycle by the United Staes Geological Survey.
    •EPA Global Warming Kids Site
A tremendous animation created by the Environmental Protection Agency. This site explains the water cycle in an easy to understand format.
    •NASA Earth Science Enterprise; Water and Energy Cycle
Another good explanation of the water cycle. Be sure to check out the resources on this site. There are some tremendous animations.


Last updated: October 09 2005, 12:45 pm
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