Earth Science

Michigan Merit Curriculum Standards

E2.3c  Explain how the nitrogen cycle is part of the Earth system.

E2.3d  Explain how carbon moves through the Earth system and how it may benefit or harm society.

E2.3b  Explain why small amounts of some chemical forms may be beneficial for life but are poisonous in large quantities. 

E4.1C  Explain how water quality in both groundwater and surface systems is impacted by land use decisions.

E2.4d  Describe the life cycle of a product, including the resources, production, packaging, transportation, disposal, and pollution.

Pine River Monitoring Project Application to Earth Science Standards

Nitrogen gets "fixed" naturally (lightening/rhizobia) and through the formulation of fertilizers or as a waste product.  Nitrogen enters stream primarily as nitrate and ammonia.  Nitrogen then becomes incorporated in plant material where it is consumed by organisms - directly or after die-off and sometime degasses as N2 in the atmosphere.

Carbon enters stream system as CO2 (gas) and as organic matter and cycles through -- photosynthesis plays an important role.  Organic matter cycles carbon through detritus feeders and decomposers where it returns as a gas through organic digestion.

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for life in stream system -- as algae (plant) forms the basis of the food chain.  Nutrient loading --over-abundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus-- cause algal blooms that die-off, settlel to the bottom of the stream and form organic matter that is broken down by over-abundance of detritus feeders and decomposers who consume massive quantities of oxygen to break down the matter.  This deprives fish and other organisms oxygen in the stream system.  Also, nitrogen in some forms, like ammonia, can be toxic to life in high concentrations.

Map where these streams occur relative to agriculture and industry.  For example, the location of the former refinery, the former chemical plant, wastewater treatment plants and Alma Iron and Metal were adjacent to the Pine River.  Farm fields and livestock operations occur adjacent to tributaries of the Pine River.  The products produced at these facilities are all necessary and desirable in our lives/economy.  The location of the facilities and the production of waste also affect us in negative ways. 

Biology Standards

Chemistry/Physics Standards

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