Science Take-Out® What Does Carbon Have To Do With It?

Investigate why the oysters are dying at an oyster farm.

• Test a simulated sample of ocean water to determine the level of carbon dioxide in the water

• Use models of the carbon cycle to identify sources of carbon and to explain how carbon moves through earth's spheres
• Explore how human activities can modify the amounts of carbon in earth’s spheres

Students test a water sample to determine if the level of CO₂ in ocean water is causing oysters to die at a local oyster farm. By exploring models of the carbon cycle, students identify sources of carbon to explain how carbon cycles through Earth’s spheres. Using the carbon cycle models, students explore how human activities can modify the amounts of carbon in each sphere.