Environmental Chemistry

A. Brainstorming : What are some environmental issues ?

             1. Define "Environment" Make a list of some issues that you know about .

                2. How would chemistry be connected to these issues?

                        Local Issues to Know: PowerPoint

                3. Use the web and add some information.  Find some resources with information about the environment.

                     Record names of the resources and the web addresses on a Google Doc.

                4. What are some jobs and companies related to the environment

                5. Define "Environmental Chemistry".

                6. A Pennsylvania Issue : What is "Hydraulic Fracturing"?  What are some of the issues?

B. The Earth's Atmosphere: 

            1. What are the percentages of the gases in the Earth's atmosphere?  Find the percentage for                         nitrogen , oxygen, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, methane, and neon.  List them in a data                     table.

               2. Make a pie chart showing the percentages of gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

               3. How does gas pressure change as altitude increases in the atmosphere?

               4. Explain how the atmosphere is a solution.  What is the solvent?

               5. Watch the video. Why is it colder at higher altitudes ( or warmer at lower altitudes)?

                6. Research and explain "Ozone Depletion."   What is ozone, how does it protect life on Earth,                             what depletes it and how does the depletion occur?

                                                            Layers of the Atmosphere

                                                Satellite Images showing the hole in the ozone over time.

C. Biochemical Cycles in Nature :  Use the web to find information.  Create a Google Doc with photos, information and videos.

                1. The Water Cycle

                    a. Use the web and find a diagram of the Water cycle.

                    b. What is the source of the water for the lab sink at school?  Where does the water go from the lab sink?

                        Find the specific locations that the water travels through to complete the cycle back to the lab sink.                Hint:                The Cacoosing Creek is one step of the journey.  Use Google maps, Google Earth or other resources to   follow the journey.

                    c. What are some measurements of water quality?  Where would water quality need to be checked?

                    d. Make a list of your water uses.  List some other uses that other people might need.

                    e. What are some sources of water pollution?

                    f. Visit the web site and list the stream conditions from the USGS.  Web Site

                    g. THE LAB :   Document

                2. The Carbon Cycle

                    a. Use the web and find a diagram of the Carbon cycle.

                    b. What is the connection of photosynthesis to the carbon cycle?

                    c. How is cellular respiration connected to the carbon cycle?  ( What is the basic idea of cellular respiration?)

                    d. What is a "Carbon Foot-print"?

                    e. Where does carbon fixation occur?  What does it mean?

                    f. How does the burning of fossil fuels add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

                    g. Watch the video and explain the green -house effect.

                3. The Nitrogen Cycle

                    a. Use the web and find a diagram of the Nitrogen cycle.

                    b. What biological macromolecules have nitrogen atoms?  Find a molecular image showing these molecules                         as a monomer and as a polymer.

                    c. How is Nitrogen gas converted to a solid nitrogen containing compound?  What is nitrogen fixation?                                  What organism ( living thing) does nitrogen fixation?

                4. The Phosphorus Cycle

                    a. Use the web and find a diagram of the Phosphorus cycle.

                    b. What biological macromolecules have Phosphorus atoms?  Find a molecular image showing these                                         molecules as a monomer and as a polymer.

                    c. What is "weathering" of rock?