Understandings:
- Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.
- In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogencarbonate ions.
- Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.
- Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration and diffuses out of organisms into water or the atmosphere.
- Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.
- Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.
- Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.
- Partially decomposed organic matter from past geological eras was converted either into coal or into oil and gas that accumulate in porous rocks.
- Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of biomass and fossilized organic matter.
- Animals such as reef-building corals and mollusca have hard parts that are composed of calcium carbonate and can become fossilized in limestone.
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Utilization:
- Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
- Physics
- Topic 8.1 Energy sources
- Chemistry
- Topic C.2 Fossil fuels
- Topic C.5 Environmental impact—global warming
Aims:
- Aim 8: The ethical implications of diverting crops such as maize from a food to a fuel crop could be considered.
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