2.04 Nature's Way: Recycling

Recycle Reuse

In the biosphere there are several natural recycling pathways —yep, you heard that right - the Earth recycles! One important natural law is that matter cannot be created or destroyed. This is the Law of Conservation of Matter. Basically, in English, that means that all of the matter that currently exists on Earth is all we have. It might be changed from one form to another, but it has been cycling in nature since Earth's creation. So, just think...if water recycles, and has been recycling since Earth was created, the water you brushed your teeth with this morning could have been dinosaur spit!

Water isn't the only thing that recycles, though the water cycle is probably very familiar to you. Other elements cycle in nature too. Recall that 96% of all living things are made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.

The Earth must recycle these four elements to make new useful things, let's talk about two of the most important cycles to living things here.

Water Cycle    |    Carbon Cycle

Are you dizzy? Sometimes those cycles get me all wound up and not thinking clearly, but if you've taken good notes and the time to really go through the two excellent interactivities you should have a basic understanding of these two cycles.

That was a pretty steep climb today! I am a little overwhelmed, but I feel good!

Move on to the Travel Log tab to complete this activity.