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Data Table Carbon

This document contains instructions and data tables for a multi-part simulation on the carbon cycle. Students are directed to complete three lessons by running the simulation at different time intervals and recording data on carbon levels in different reservoirs. They then answer analysis questions about trends in the data and relationships between various carbon reservoirs. The overall goal is to examine how the carbon cycle changes over time based on human activities like fossil fuel consumption and deforestation.

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Emily Hoot
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2K views5 pages

Data Table Carbon

This document contains instructions and data tables for a multi-part simulation on the carbon cycle. Students are directed to complete three lessons by running the simulation at different time intervals and recording data on carbon levels in different reservoirs. They then answer analysis questions about trends in the data and relationships between various carbon reservoirs. The overall goal is to examine how the carbon cycle changes over time based on human activities like fossil fuel consumption and deforestation.

Uploaded by

Emily Hoot
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name:___________________________________________Period:_______________

HabitablePlanetCarbonLab
Directions:
1. Go to
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/interactives/carbon/index.php
2. Open the simulator
3. Follow the links on the side to complete the data tables
4. Answer the questions for each section on a separate sheet of paper
DATA TABLES: CARBON CYCLE
LESSON 1

Lesson
1:
Step 1
To Year

Gaseous
Carbon
Atmosphere

Ocean Water
Ocean
Surface

Deep
Ocean

Fossil Fuels
Oil and
Gas

Biosphere Gaseous
Carbon

Coal

Soil

Terrestrial
Plants

2000
2050
2100
Lesson
1:
Step 2

Total
Carbon
Emissions

Gaseous
Carbon

To Year
Smokestack Atmosphere
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
2070
2080
2090
2100

Ocean Water
Ocean
Surface

Deep
Ocean

Fossil Fuels

Biosphere
Gaseous Carbon

Oil
and
Gas

Soil

Coal

Terrestrial
Plants

[Typetext]

Lesson 1 Questions:
Step 1:

1.
2.
3.

If only one half of the flora in the world existed in 2100 (perhaps due to deforestation), what do you
predict the atmospheric carbon level would be ? How would you change the simulation to reflect this?
What is the relationship between increased carbon in the ocean and increased carbon in the soil? How
else might carbon be transferred to soil?
Using the data generated by the simulation, determine the mathematical relationship between the
percentage increase in fossil fuel consumption and the increase in atmospheric carbon. Is the
relationship linear?

Step 2:

1.
2.
3.
4.

What is the relationship between an increase in fossil fuel consumption and increased carbon in
terrestrial plants? How might this change flora populations? What impact could twenty years at this
level of consumption have on flora?
What is the relationship between an increase in total carbon concentration (the smokestack) and
increased carbon in the ocean surface? How might this change marine life populations? What impact
could fifty years at this level of emissions have on marine fauna? On marine flora?
In addition to circulating through the carbon cycle, where else might excess carbon be found? In fifty
years, where would you be most likely to see excess carbon?
Which areas are most highly (and quickly) affected by an increase in carbon emissions (and increase in
fossil fuel consumption)? How would these effects manifest themselves? What are the
dangers/benefits to these areas?

For Your Consideration:

1.

2.
3.

How will the increase in biosphere production of carbon alter the carbon levels in:
1. Atmosphere
2. Surface ocean
3. Deep ocean
4. Fossil fuels
5. Number and variety of terrestrial plants and animals?
How will the increased carbon levels as noted in your Data Table affect current taxonomy? Will the
number and variety of species change? How will they change?
From your collected data and what you have learned so far, what do you propose as a solution to this
dilemma?

[Typetext]
DATA TABLES: CARBON CYCLE
LESSON 2

Lesson
2:
Step 1
To Year

Gaseous Carbon
Atmosphere

Ocean Water
Ocean
Surface

Deep
Ocean

Biosphere Gaseous
Carbon
Soil

Terrestrial
Plants

2000
2050
2100
Lesson
2:
Step 2
To Year

Gaseous Carbon
Net Def.
Rate

Fossil
Fuel %
Increase

Atmosphere

Deep Ocean

2000
2050
2100
Lesson 2 Questions:
Step 1:

1.
2.

How have atmospheric carbon levels changed?


Without any fossil fuel consumption, which parts of the cycle have improved their carbon levels in
comparison to previous data? Which sections of the cycle have improved from the previous levels you
have recorded but still are increasing their carbon levels?

Step 2:

1.
2.

What effect does a high carbon level have on the deep ocean? Why might it be important to keep an
eye on the deep ocean carbon levels? What could that one number tell you about the cycle as a whole?
Try reducing the level of fossil fuel percentage increase and decrease deforestation by 50%. Predict
what will happen to the atmospheric carbon levels and record it in your Data Table. Run the simulation
to test your hypothesis. Were you correct? Were you surprised by the result? What about your result
surprised you?

For Your Consideration:

1.

Considering the extra carbon created by humans, how might it be possible (or is it?) to generate more
means of recycling carbon?

[Typetext]
DATA TABLES: CARBON CYCLE
LESSON 3

Lesson 3:
Step 1
To Year
2000
2060
2080
2100
Lesson
3:
Step 2
To Year

Biosphere Gaseous Carbon


Net Def. Rate

Net
Def.
Rat
e

Soil

Terrestrial Plants

Tundra
Melt
Rate

Gaseous
Carbon

Ocean Water

Atmosph
ere

Ocea
n
Surfa
ce

1
-
6

Deep
Ocea
n

Fossil
Fuels
Oil
and
Gas

Co
al

Biosphere
Gaseous
Carbon
Soil

Terrestri
al
Plants

2000
2050
2100

Lesson 3 Questions:
Step 1:

1.
2.

By 2080, how has the terrestrial flora population changed? What is the carbon level in the soil and
how does the carbon level affect the flora populations and species variety?
Compare this chart to the first one you made.
1. In 2060, how are soil carbon levels different? In what ways will this difference in soil carbon
level manifest itself?
2. By 2060, how might the worldwide decomposer populations change? What effects could
business as usual and the last rate of deforestation you selected have on human health?

Step 2:

1.
2.

Have an impact on coastal seaweed populations in 2050? How great an impact?


Have an impact on atmospheric carbon in 2100 that is similar to another scenario youve investigated?
What commonalities exist between these two scenarios?

For Your Consideration:

What are some viable ways of lessening the effect that increased carbon has on the following?
1. Impact on human life
2. Destruction of the cycle
3. Global warming
4. Alteration/destruction of species, biomass
The carbon cycle is only one of many natural (and human "enhanced") cycles: hydrogen, water, nitrogen, and
oxygen are some other cycles you may want to investigate. Think about how these cycles have changed due to
human impact.

[Typetext]

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