This is a partially developed activity description. It is included in the collection because it contains ideas useful for teaching even though it is incomplete.
Nutrient addition from atmospheric deposition
Greg Michalski, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University
Topic: Linking a couple of courses we are currently developing (Atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere)
Course type: Introductory or upper level undergraduate course
Description
Calculate HNO3 production with increasing NOx emmissions, from that the increase in N deposition, and the feedback on primary productivity.
Learning Goals or Outcomes
The connection between atmosphere and surface interactions. How air pollution impacts systems other than the air we breathe.
1) What are the sources of NOx?
2) How is NOx concerted into HNO3?
3) How is NO3 used by the biosphere/
4) what is nutrient limitation?
5) How does N addition change biomass production and CO2 fluxes?
6) What would the anticipated impacts of increased NOx be based on this simulation?
How would you assess whether those goals have been met?
Testing, student proposed hypothesis and hypothesis testing