Rusty’s Adventure

1. Rusty, a carbon atom, welcomes you to the atmosphere. Rusty is currently in a molecule of CO2 in the atmosphere, but that is soon going to change. You get to decide where Rusty will go next on his adventure. It’s your choice… Rusty’s Adventure Your Choices… A) Rusty goes into a leaf through photosynthesis B) Rusty dissolves into CO2 in the ocean

2. Rusty is Now in the Pacific Ocean Rusty is now part of a CO2 molecule in the Pacific Ocean. He has met another carbon molecule named Tim along with many other CO2 carbon molecules. Rusty has a serious case of seasickness when all of the sudden, Rusty is photosynthesized into a plant. What plant should Rusty be photosynthesized into? A) Photosynthesized into phytoplankton B) Photosynthesized into seaweed

3. Rusty is Now Inside a Phytoplankton Plant Rusty is now inside a phytoplankton plant, and it is very different from the ocean. Then, out of the blue, another carbon atom jumps out and attacks Rusty. Rusty is defenseless, he need to escape, but how? Rusty can escape in one, of two ways… Phytoplankton A.) Sink to the bottom of the ocean B) Eaten by a dolphin

4. Rusty is Now on the Ocean Floor Rusty has escaped from the other carbon atom, and he has sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor and the phytoplankton has decomposed. Rusty feels the ground shake and the ocean floor he is on is subducted into the mantle. Some time after, Rusty is shot into the air through a volcanic eruption and he is back home, in the atmosphere. Return to the Atmosphere

5. Rusty is Now in a Leaf Rusty is now inside of an aspen leaf, and there is little activity. Rusty is cold and cannot wait to get out of the leaf. Where will Rusty’s adventure take him next? Combustion A.) Rusty goes through combustion – he returns to the atmosphere B.) Rusty is absorbed into a maple tree

6. Rusty is Now in a Maple Tree Rusty is now inside of a tree where it is dark and cold. Rusty is suddenly grabbed by another carbon atom and he is dragged away. Rusty has only two ways to escape. Which way should he choose? A.) Rusty can go through respiration back into the atmosphere B.) The maple tree is eaten by a beaver along with Rusty

7. Rusty Has Been Eaten! Rusty has been eaten by a beaver! Thankfully, because of this, Rusty can return to the atmosphere through respiration and Rusty can go back to his carbon family and friends.  Go back to the atmosphere

8. Rusty is Now Inside a Seaweed Plant Rusty is now inside a seaweed plant. The place where Rusty is, is slimy, and the slime is moving. As Rusty moves along with the slime, he comes to a slime waterfall. Rusty must get out of the seaweed plant before he goes down the slime waterfall. To leave the plant he can either… A.) Decompose into CH4 in the ocean B.) Respire into CO2

9. Rusty is Now CO2 in the Red Sea Rusty is now CO2 in the sea. He can now leave his CO2 form and return to the atmosphere. Go back to the atmosphere

10. Rusty Has Been Eaten By a Marine Animal Rusty has been eaten by a dolphin. Rusty’s new location is smelly because the dolphin is dying and decomposing. Rusty does not like it in here, he must get out, but how? A.) Dolphin dies and decomposes into organic matter B.) Respiration into CO2- back to the atmosphere

11. Rusty is Now in Decomposing Organic Matter Rusty is now sitting in a pile of decomposing organic matter with many other carbon atoms, all complaining about this or that. Rusty now has a way home; respiration into the atmosphere. Rusty can go home.  Rusty returns to the atmosphere

12. Rusty is now back home in the atmosphere with his family and friends. 