AICE Marine Science AS Chapter 3 Interactions in Marine Ecosystems Day 6

Chapter 3 Interactions in Marine Ecosystems Day#6. Lesson plan

3.3 Nutrient cycles
- explain the processes by which the reservoir of dissolved nutrients is replenished and removed
- describe the carbon cycle

Residence time: the average time that a particle spends in a particular system
Excretion: the process of eliminating the waste formed from the chemical reactions within living cells
Sink: an area where there is a net loss of material (for example, where more gas dissolves into the ocean than diffuses into the atmosphere)
Source: an area where there is a net gain of material (for example, where more gas diffuses into the atmosphere than dissolves in the ocean)
Marine snow: particles of organic material that fall from surface layers to the deeper ocean

Bellringer#6
Alternative: Describe the biological role of nitrogen and magnesium in marine organisms.

Kick off the lesson with an interactive activity called “The nutrient relay race.” Set up stations around the classroom representing different parts of the ocean ecosystem: surface waters, deep waters, marine organisms, and sediments. Provide each student or group with a set of “nutrient cards” that they need to move between stations according to specific scenarios you provide (e.g., upwelling, marine snow, decomposition).
This activity will help students visualize and understand the dynamic movement of nutrients within the marine environment, setting the stage for a deeper dive into the replenishment and removal processes, and the carbon cycle.

Lecture/Notes
- Explain the processes by which the reservoir of dissolved nutrients is replenished and removed
  - Upwelling: The process by which deep, nutrient-rich waters are brought to the surface, replenishing nutrients in surface waters.
  - Tectonic activity– add nutrients in the water
  - Marine Snow: Particles of organic material that fall from the surface to the deep ocean, contributing to nutrient removal from surface waters and replenishment in deeper layers.
  - Decomposition: The breakdown of organic matter by bacteria and other decomposers, releasing nutrients back into the water.
  - Runoff and River Input: The flow of nutrients from land to sea through rivers and runoff, replenishing coastal nutrient levels.
- Use diagrams and flowcharts to visually represent the processes of nutrient replenishment and removal. Highlight the key pathways and interactions between different parts of the marine ecosystem.
- Discuss real-world examples of upwelling zones, such as the coasts of Peru and California, to illustrate how nutrient replenishment supports high productivity in these areas.
- Explore the impact of human activities, like agriculture and urbanization, on nutrient runoff and marine ecosystems.
- Create detailed infographics showing the carbon cycle, with clear labels for each component and process. Use arrows to indicate the movement of carbon between different reservoirs.

Exit ticket
- If you opt to have students complete their notes using the Student Guided Notes format during your lecture, then use the bellringer as the exit ticket activity in class.
- If you opt to have students complete their notes using the Student Guided Notes format at home (homework), then use the following exit ticket activity:
  - What was the most challenging topic of today’s lesson?