Grade 9 Science Journal (2022)

Knowledge and understanding of the periodic table might help you understand your ecological concern because then you know what elements are in your ecosystem and how to deal with them. Whether they are bad or good to know if you should get rid of them or if they can stay. The periodic table can help get a better understanding of what is happening in the environment of your ecological concern. 

My ecological concern is soil erosion due to deforestation in Haiti. In Haiti the land is dry and cannot support vegetation, the soil around the rivers has begun to erode due to the bare mountains. The elements from the periodic table I think are connected to soil erosion due to deforestation in Haiti may be calcium, potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. When the soil is eroded these minerals are no longer in the soil.  

Potassium is important in soil because plants need it to grow. When the soil gets eroded the potassium gets lost which can lead to few plants growing on the soil. If there is no potassium in the soil the plant or trees may be wilted and droopy. Plants need potassium to grow and when there is no potassium in the soil the plant life cannot be supported. 

Calcium is lost in the soil when it gets carried away into nearby water sources with the eroded soil. It is bad when calcium is lost in soil because calcuim is a bonding agent that binds organic and inorganic substances. This is important for soil structure. Another reason I think calcium is in the environment is because it is a big part of soil. The deforestation process in Haiti can’t take place if there is no soil, the calcium gives nutrients to plants through the soil.  

Nitrogen is essential for plant growth. When the trees in Haiti are cleared, the nitrogen stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere. This can lead to an increase in nitrogen in the air which can contribute to air pollution. Deforestation can directly impact the nitrogen cycle. 

Phosphorus is good but if there is not enough of it in the soil the plants may be affected. In the soil that has eroded the phosphorus can be lost and it can enter nearby water. If there is not enough phosphorus in the soil it can cause plants to grow poorly or even die. If the eroded soil carries the phosphorus into water, then it can cause excessive algae growth which can lead to water problems.  

My Sources

Phosphorous – too much and plants may suffer – texas A&M agrilife … (n.d.). https://counties.agrilife.org/valverde/files/2014/11/Phosphorus-Too-Much-Plants-May-Suffer.pdf

Phosphorus and river water quality: U.S. geological survey. Phosphorus and River Water Quality | U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/phosphorus-and-river-water-quality#:~:text=Phosphorus%20is%20an%20essential%20nutrient,and%20harm%20other%20aquatic%20life.

Potassium deficiency. Plone site. (n.d.). https://plantscience.psu.edu/research/labs/roots/methods/methods-info/nutritional-disorders-displayed/potassium-deficiency#:~:text=Potassium%2Ddeficient%20plants%20are%20easily,they%20have%20small%20leaf%20blades.

The role of calcium in the soil – aquaaid. (n.d.-b). https://www.aquaaid.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Verdecal-G-2021.pdf

Take online courses. earn college credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers. Study.com. (n.d.). https://homework.study.com/explanation/does-deforestation-affect-the-nitrogen-cycle.html#:~:text=Where%20there%20is%20deforestation%2C%20the,be%20released%20into%20the%20atmosphere.