Transcript Matter: Forms, Structure, and Quality.

Environmental Science
Unit 2
Abiotic and Biotic Parts of Ecosystems
Thanks to Dr. E – La Canada
High School
Systems and Feedback
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System:
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Open System:
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A set of components or parts that function together to act as
a whole.
Not generally contained within boundaries
Some energy or material moves into or out of the system
Closed System:
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No energy movement into or out of the system
Systems and Feedback
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Feedback
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Negative Feedback
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Occurs when the output of the system also serves as an
input, leading to further changes in the system
Occurs when the system’s response is in the opposite
direction of the output
Self-regulating
Positive Feedback
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Occurs when an increase in output leads to a further
increase in output
© 2008 John Wiley and Sons Publishers
© 2008 John Wiley and Sons Publishers
Exponential Growth
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Exponential growth:
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Growth occurs at a constant rate per time period
Equation to describe exponential growth is:
Doubling time
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The time necessary for the quantity being measured to
double.
Approximately equal to 70 divided by the annual
percentage growth rate
Environmental Unity
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Environmental unity:
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It is impossible to change only one thing;
everything affects everything else.
Uniformitarianism
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Uniformitarianism:
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The principle that processes that operate today
operated in the past.
Observations of processes today can explain
events that occurred in the past and leave evidence
“The present is the key to the past.”
Changes and Equilibrium in Systems
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Steady state:
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A dynamic equilibrium
Material or energy is entering and leaving the
system in equal amounts
Opposing processes occur at equal rates
© 2008 John Wiley and Sons Publishers
Changes and Equilibrium in Systems
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Average residence time:
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The time it takes for a given part of the total
reservoir of a particular material to be cycled
through the sytem
The equation for average residence time is:
ART = S/F
© 2008 John Wiley and Sons Publishers
Earth as a Living System
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Biota:
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All the organisms of all species living in an area
or region up to and including the biosphere
Biosphere:
1.
2.
That part of a planet where life exists
The planetary system that includes and sustains
life
Ecosystem
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Ecosystem:
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A community of organisms and its local nonliving
environment in which matter (chemical elements)
cycles and energy flows.
Sustained life on Earth is a characteristic of
ecosystems
Can be natural or artificial
Ecosystems
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The Gaia Hypothesis:
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Named for Gaia, the Greek goddess Mother Earth
States that the surface environment of the Earth, with
respect to such factors as the
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atmospheric composition of gases
acidity-alkalinity of waters
Surface temperature
are actively regulated by the sensing, growth, metabolism
and other activities of the biota.
Or, life manipulates life the environment for the
maintenance of life.
Why Solving Environmental Problems
Is Often Difficult
Exponential growth
1.
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The consequences of exponential growth and its
accompanying positive feedback can be dramatic
Lag time
2.
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The time between a stimulus and the response of a
system
If there is a long delay between stimulus and response,
then the resulting changes are much more difficult to
recognize.
Irreversible consequences
3.
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Consequences that may not be easily rectified on a
human scale of decades or a few hundred years.
© 2008 John Wiley and Sons Publishers
Matter
Forms, Structure, and Quality
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Matter is anything that has mass and takes
up space.
Matter is found in two chemical forms:
elements and compounds.
Various elements, compounds, or both can
be found together in mixtures.
Solid, Liquid, and Gas
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
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Atoms: The smallest unit of matter that is
unique to a particular element.
Ions: Electrically charged atoms or
combinations of atoms.
Molecules: Combinations of two or more
atoms of the same or different elements held
together by chemical bonds.
What are Atoms?
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The main building blocks of an atom are
positively charged PROTONS, uncharged
NEUTRONS, and negatively charged
ELECTRONS
Each atom has an extremely small center,
or nucleus, containing protons and
neutrons.
http://mediaserv.sus.mcgill.ca/content/2004-Winter/180-Winter/Nuclear/frame0008.htm
Atomic Number and Mass
Number.
 Atomic
number
 The
number of protons in the
nucleus of each of its atoms.
 Mass
 The
number
total number of protons and
neutrons in its nucleus.
Elements are organized through the periodic
table by classifications of metals, metalloids,
and nonmetals
Inorganic Compounds
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All compounds not Organic
Ionic Compounds
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sodium chloride (NaCl)
sodium bicarbonate (NaOH)
Covalent compounds
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hydrogen(H2)
carbon dioxide (CO2)
nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Ammonia (NH3)
Inorganic Compounds
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The earth’s crust is
composed of mostly
inorganic minerals
and rock
The crust is the source
of all most
nonrenewable
resource we use: fossil Various combinations of only
eight elements make up the bulk
fuels, metallic
of most minerals.
minerals, etc.
Nonmetallic Elements.
 Carbon
(C), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen
(N), Sulfur (S), Hydrogen (H), and
Phosphorous (P).
 Nonmetallic elements make up
about 99% of the atoms of all
living things.
Ionic Compounds
Structure
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Composed of oppositely-charged ions
Network of ions held together by attraction
Ionic bonds
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Forces of attraction between opposite charges
Formation of Ionic Compounds
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Transfer of electrons between the atoms of
these elements
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Atom that is metal loses electrons (oxidation) to
become positive
Atom that is nonmetal gains electrons
(reduction) to become negative
Results in drastic changes to the elements
involved
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/redox.gif
Sodium Chloride
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Sodium is a rather "soft" metal solid, with a
silver-grey color
Chlorine is greenish colored gas
When a single electron is transferred
between these elements, their atoms are
transformed via a violent reaction into a
totally different substance called, sodium
chloride, commonly called table salt -- a
white, crystalline, and brittle solid
Covalent Bonds
Formed by two non-metals
 Similar electronegativities
 Neither atom is "strong" enough to steal
electrons from the other
 Therefore, the atoms must share the
electrons
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Covalent Bonds
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Chlorine atoms with valence electrons shown
Chlorine atom has seven valence electrons, but
wants eight
When unpaired electron is shared, both atoms now
have a full valence of eight electrons
Individual atoms are independent, but once the
bond is formed, energy is released, and the new
chlorine molecule (Cl2) behaves as a single particle
Organic Compounds
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Compounds containing carbon atoms
combined with each other with atoms of
one or more other elements such as
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc.
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Hydrocarbons
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Chlorofluorocarbons
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Compounds of carbon and hydrogen
Carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms
Simple carbohydrates
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carbon, hydrogen, oxygen combinations
Organic Compounds
Hydrocarbons
Chlorofluorocarbons
Biological Organic Compounds
Carbohydrates (Glucose)
Protein (Cytochrome P450)
Biological Organic Compounds
Lipid (Triglyceride)
Nucleic Acid (DNA)
Earth’s Crust
Matter Quality
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Matter quality is a measure of how useful a
matter resource is, based in its availability and
concentration.
High quality matter is organized, concentrated,
and usually found near the earth’s crust.
Low quality is disorganized, dilute, and has
little potential for use as a matter resource.
High quality & Low quality
HIGH QUALITY
LOW QUALITY
Energy
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Energy is the capacity to do work and
transfer heat.
Energy comes in many forms: light, heat,
and electricity.
Kinetic energy is the energy that matter has
because of its mass and its speed or velocity.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
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The range of electromagnetic waves, which differ in
wavelength (distance between successive peaks or
troughs) and energy content.
Kinetic energy.
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Kinetic energy is the energy that matter has
because of its mass and its speed or velocity.
It is energy in action or motion.
Wind, flowing streams, falling rocks,
electricity, moving car - all have kinetic
energy.
Potential energy
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Potential energy is stored energy that is
potential available for use.
Potential energy can be changed to kinetic
energy.
Energy Quality
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Very High: Electricity, Nuclear fission, and
Concentrated sunlight.
High: Hydrogen gas, Natural gas, and Coal.
Moderate: Normal sunlight, and wood.
Low: Low- temperature heat and dispersed
geothermal energy.
The “Law of Conservation of
Matter and Energy”
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In any nuclear change, the total amount of
matter and energy involved remains the
same.
E = mc2
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The energy created by the release of the strong
nuclear forces for 1 kilogram of matter will
produce enough energy to elevate the
temperature of all the water used in the Los
Angeles basin in one day by 10,000oC
First Law of Thermodynamics
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In all physical and chemical changes
Energy is neither created nor destroyed
But it may be converted from one form to
another
Second Law of Thermodynamics
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When energy is changed from one form to
another
Some of the useful energy is always
degraded to lower-quality, more dispersed,
less useful energy
Also known as Law of Entropy
High Waste Societies
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People continue to use and waste more and
more energy and matter resources at an
increasing rate
At some point, high-waste societies will
become
 UNSUSTAINABLE!
Goals of Matter Recycling Societies
To allow economic growth to continue
without depleting matter resources or
producing excess pollution
Matter Recycling Societies
Advantages
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Saves Energy
Buys Time
Disadvantages
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Requires high-quality energy
which cannot be recycled
Adds waste heat
No infinite supply of affordable
high-quality energy available
Limit to number of times a
material can be recycled
Low Waste Societies
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Works with nature to reduce throughput
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Based on energy flow and matter recycling
Low Waste Societies Function
1. Reuse/recycle most nonrenewable
matter resources
2. Use potentially renewable resources
no faster than they are replenished
3. Use matter and energy resources
efficiently
Low Waste Societies Function
4. Reduce unnecessary consumption
5. Emphasize pollution prevention and
waste reduction
6. Control population growth
www.sws.uiuc.edu/nitro/biggraph.asp
Geosphere
The Earth contains several
layers or concentric spheres
Lithosphere
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Crust and upper mantle
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Crust
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Outermost, thin silicate zone, eight
elements make up 98.5% of the
weight of the earth’s crust
Geosphere
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Mantle
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Surrounded by a thick, solid zone,
largest zone, rich with iron, silicon,
oxygen, and magnesium, very hot
Core
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Innermost zone, mostly iron, solid
inner part, surrounded by a liquid
core of molten material
Inner Core is hotter than surface of
the Sun
Atmosphere
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Thin envelope of air
around the planet
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Troposphere
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extends about 17 kilometers
above sea level, contains
nitrogen (78%),
oxygen(21%), and is where
weather occurs
Stratosphere
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17-48 kilometers above sea
level, lower portions
contains enough ozone (O3)
to filter out most of the
sun’s ultraviolet radiation
Hydrosphere
Consists of the earth’s
liquid water, ice, and
water vapor in the
atmosphere
What Sustains
Life on Earth?
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Life on the earth depends on three
interconnected factors
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One-way flow of high-quality energy
from the sun
Cycling of matter or nutrients (all
atoms, ions, or molecules needed for
survival by living organisms), through
all parts of the ecosphere
Gravity, which allows the planet to
hold onto its atmosphere and causes
the downward movement of chemicals
in the matter cycles
Sun
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Fireball of hydrogen (72%) and helium
(28%)
Nuclear fusion
Sun has existed for 6 billion years
Sun will stay for another 6.5 billion years
Visible light that reaches troposphere is
the ultraviolet ray which is not absorbed
in ozone
Solar Energy
72% of solar energy warms the lands
 0.023% of solar energy is captured by green
plants and bacteria
 Powers the cycling of matter and weather
system
 Distributes heat and fresh water
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www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ climch/clichgr1.htm
Type of Nutrients
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Nutrient
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Macronutrient
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Any atom, ion, or molecule an organism needs to live grow
or reproduce
Ex: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen… etc
nutrient that organisms need in large amount
Ex: phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, iron … etc
Micronutrient
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nutrient that organism need in small amount
Ex: zinc, sodium, copper… etc
Limiting Factor
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More important than others in regulating
population growth
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Ex: water light, and soil
Lacking water in the desert can limit the growth of
plants
Limiting Factor Principle
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too much or too little of any abiotic factor can
limit growth of population, even if all the other
factors are at optimum (favorable) range of
tolerance.
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Ex: If a farmer plants corn in phosphorus-poor
soil, even if water, nitrogen are in a optimum
levels, corn will stop growing, after it uses up
available phosphorus.
Living Organisms in Ecosystem
Producers or autotrophs- makes their
own food from compound obtained
from environment.
 Ex:
sun
plant gets energy or food from
Living Organisms in Ecosystem
Photosynthesis- ability of producer to convert
sunlight, abiotic nutrients to sugars and other
complex organic compounds
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Chlorophyll- traps solar energy and converts into
chemical energy
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Producer transmit 1-5% of
absorbed energy into
chemical energy, which is
stored in complex
carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins and nucleic acid in
plant tissue
Chemosynthesis
Bacteria can convert simple
compounds from their
environment into more
complex nutrient compound
without sunlight
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Ex: becomes consumed by
tubeworms, clams, crabs
Bacteria can survive in great
amount of heat
Respiration
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Aerobic Respiration
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Uses oxygen to convert organic nutrients back into
carbon dioxide and water
Glucose + oxygen  Carbon dioxide + water +
energy
Anaerobic Respiration or Fermentation
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Breakdown of glucose in absence of oxygen
Second Law of Energy
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Organisms need high quality chemical energy
to move, grow and reproduce, and this energy
is converted into low-quality heat that flows
into environment
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Trophic levels or feeding levels- Producer is a
first trophic level, primary consumer is second
trophic level, secondary consumer is third.
Decomposers process detritus from all trophic
levels.
Chapter 5
Nutrient Cycles and Soils
Matter Cycling in Ecosystems
 Nutrient
 Natural
or Biogeochemical Cycles
processes that recycle
nutrients in various chemical forms
in a cyclic manner from the
nonliving environment to living
organisms and back again
Nutrient Cycles (Closed System)
Energy Flow (Open System)
 Water
 Sulfur
 Carbon
 Rock
 Nitrogen
 Soil
 Phosphorus
 Energy
Flow
Biogeochemical Cycle Locations
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Hydrosphere
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Atmospheric
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Water in the form of ice, liquid, and vapor
Operates local, regional, and global levels
Large portion of a given element (i.e. Nitrogen gas) exists in
gaseous form in the atmosphere
Operates local, regional, and global levels
Sedimentary
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The element does not have a gaseous phase or its gaseous
compounds don’t make up a significant portion of its supply
Operates local and regional basis
Nutrient Cycling & Ecosystem
Sustainability
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Natural ecosystems tend to balance
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Humans are accelerating rates of flow of mater
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Nutrients are recycled with reasonable efficiency
Nutrient loss from soils
Doubling of normal flow of nitrogen in the nitrogen
cycle is a contributes to global warming, ozone
depletion, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity
Isolated ecosystems are being influenced by
human activities