GEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this unit
you should be able to:
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1. define the terms reservoir, flux
and feedback in the context of the chemical cycle of a given element;
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2. highlight the source materials
and products in the processes of plant photosynthesis and respiration;
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3. explain the consequence from
the fact that plants grow tissue out of the products of one of these processes;
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4. describe why animal respiration
contributes to maintain a constant balance in the amount of oxygen present
in the atmosphere;
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5. indicate the importance of the
function of decomposers;
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7. discuss the consequence/s of
extensive burial of plant debris;
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8. elaborate on the concept of anoxia
and its relationship with valuable energy resources;
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9. analyze how and why the ratio
between carbon 13 and carbon 12 can be related to burial and weathering;
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10. illustrate the relationship
atmospheric oxygen abundance and the rate of burial of organic matter;
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11. specify in what ways the processes
of weathering, metamorphism and precipitation of calcium carbonate affect
the atmospheric content of carbon dioxide;
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12. give examples of processes of
negative feedback related to the abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere;
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13. delineate how to interpret the
ratio of oxygen 18 to oxygen 16 with reference to global temperatures,
salinity and extension of the ice cover on the planet;
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14. interpret data of magnesium
to calcium ratios in term of the rate of activity at mid-ocean ridges and
the type of calcium carbonate mineral to be predominantly precipitated
in the oceans.
OUTLINE
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GEOL 1122H Back Home