1-6: Nitrogen Cycle, Sulfur Cycle; Tropospheric Ozone

Importance of this Unit to the Course

This unit provides basic information on oxides of nitrogen and sulfur and ozone in the lower atmosphere that will be needed for understanding why some but not all chemicals contribute to global warming, ozone depletion, and acid rain covered in future units.

Objectives

To examine the cycling of chemically active trace gases in the earth's atmosphere.
To understand how reactivity of trace gases relates to their spatial and temporal distribution.

Preparation for Discussion (You must complete this section before class.)

Read the summary information. (Print text for offline revies; images only.)

Take the Quiz over the summary information. (see your portfolio)

Review additional reading material (this material is not covered in the quiz, but offers more ideas for online discussion)

Nutrient Overload: Unbalancing the Global Nitrogen Cycle

Discussion (online / face-to-face) (See your portfolio for due dates and times)

A major component of the course is participation in the online dialog. The following types of comments are required:

Social Comments
Knowledge-building Comments
Ethical Comments

The following may be used as discussion starters for the online dialog:

Unit Problem to Ponder:

If nitrous oxide is the most inert of the atmospheric nitrogen compunds, why is it in some respects the most dangerous?
Unit exam questions from previous years
Unit discussions from previous years, available from the current online discussion

Additional Reading