Nutrient Cycling
Essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are cycled from the soil to organisms and bak again to the soil. This nutrient cycle includes decomposition of once living plants and animals and their wastes. Abiotic (non-living) process are also involved in nutrient cycling. Leaching removes many important nutrients from soil. However, the weathering of the parent material can replace much or all of them when ground water rises and pushes nutrients up through the horizons. In addition, dust carried by the winds can help replace nutrients. For example, Hawaiian rainforest soil receives dust from central Asia over 3730 miles away!
Activity:
There is evidence that the tradition of burying the dead dates back some 130,000 years ago when Neanderthals may have used stone tools and animal bones to bury a person along with personal items of importance. Since that time, every culture has adopted their own rites and rituals that dictate their desired methods of being "laid to rest". Many of them are quite fascinating! Using the internet (you can start with wikipedia), research "burial" and identify some of the methods that are interesting to you. In doing so, think about the environmental impact of these choices and changes in burial practice. Read this attached article about the environmental impact of traditional burials.
In reviewing some of the "alternatives to burial" found online, you can learn about some of the more interesting choices some people are making these days. You can have your ashes mixed into fireworks and set off at a display for mourning family and friends. Or you can have your ashes blasted into space like Scotty from Star Trek. Or a favorite of mine, ashes can be turned into "diamonds' under tremendous heat and pressure. Your loved ones can keep you as a pair of earrings or a ring (depending on your size, I suppose).
On Edmodo- post your favorite option and explain why. You will receive a grade for your post- there is no wrong answer- but remember, that this is meant to be fun while taking a critical look at the environmental impact of something many of us don't consider.
Activity:
There is evidence that the tradition of burying the dead dates back some 130,000 years ago when Neanderthals may have used stone tools and animal bones to bury a person along with personal items of importance. Since that time, every culture has adopted their own rites and rituals that dictate their desired methods of being "laid to rest". Many of them are quite fascinating! Using the internet (you can start with wikipedia), research "burial" and identify some of the methods that are interesting to you. In doing so, think about the environmental impact of these choices and changes in burial practice. Read this attached article about the environmental impact of traditional burials.
In reviewing some of the "alternatives to burial" found online, you can learn about some of the more interesting choices some people are making these days. You can have your ashes mixed into fireworks and set off at a display for mourning family and friends. Or you can have your ashes blasted into space like Scotty from Star Trek. Or a favorite of mine, ashes can be turned into "diamonds' under tremendous heat and pressure. Your loved ones can keep you as a pair of earrings or a ring (depending on your size, I suppose).
On Edmodo- post your favorite option and explain why. You will receive a grade for your post- there is no wrong answer- but remember, that this is meant to be fun while taking a critical look at the environmental impact of something many of us don't consider.