1. Chapter 3 Earth’s Environmental Systems

2. 3.2 Systems in the Environmental Science  The earth is a complex interaction of living organisms and nonliving objects  Within the Earth’s system is a variety of cycles that help form the surface of earth and allow chemicals to flow through earth an allow for life to continue and climate regulation

3. Interacting Systems  The output of one system on Earth is often the fuel or input to another system  Systems as a whole can “exchange energy, matter, and information with other systems or be a part of other systems”

4. Earth’s Systems  Energy : Solar and geothermal activity of life, human activity such as fossil fuel use.  Information : Sensory cues, genes  Matter : chemicals or physical materials that move among systems

5. Feedback Loops  Classified as a negative or positive loop these loops are the result of events that cause both input and output

6. Negative Feedback Loops  The output of one system is the input for another system that moves in the other direction, simply input and output respond opposite to each other and cancel each other out within one system  Enhance stability  Examples:  Thermostat  Predator/prey populations

7. Positive Feedback Loop  Rather than stabilizing a system positive feedback loops allow for extreme conditions  Destabilization  Rare in natural environmental systems  Often the result of human impact  Examples:  Erosion

8.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inVZoI1A kC8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inVZoI1A kC8

9. Earth’s Spheres  The earth is often divided into spheres based on the make of each sphere  Geosphere: all rock at and below the Earth’s surface  Lithosphere: hard rock just below the Earth’s surface (outmost layer of geosphere)  Biosphere: all living and once living things on the planet as well as the nonliving things with which they interact  Atmosphere: layers of gases around the Earth  Hydrosphere: all water (salt, fresh, liquid, ice, vapor) on the surface, underground and in the atmosphere

10. 3.3 Earth’s Spheres  Geosphere  Biosphere  Atmosphere  Hydrosphere  Water Cycle

11. Geosphere  Rock and minerals on the surface of the Earth and below it  Layers of the Geosphere:  Crust  Mantle  Core

12. Earth’s Crust  The outer most layer of the Earth, it includes dry land and cool rock in the ocean

13. Earth’s Mantle  Just below the crust the mantle, is hot but solid rock  the upper end of the mantle and the Earth’s crust make up the Lithosphere  Below the Lithosphere is a softer hot layer of rock known as the asthenosphere  Lithosphere and asthenosphere make up the upper mantle  Lower mantle is solid rock

14. Earth’s Core  Below the lower mantle  Molten metals including Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni)  Temperature is close to that of the sun  The inner core is dense and solid metal  Convection is the process that pushes soft rock upward and sinks it downward as it cools Dense Solid Metal Molten MetalsAsthenosphere

15. Plate Tectonics  While the asthenosphere moves it will move plates of the lithosphere known as the tectonic plates  There are 15 major tectonic plates  Tectonic plates move 2 to 15 cm per year  Plate movement is influenced by factors that include:  Earth’s climate  Evolution of life http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=HLXY1MmhS6lHaM&tbnid=WONawbHvSTX7- M:&ved=0CAUQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldatlas.com%2Faatlas%2Finfopage%2Ftectonic.htm&ei=jZwpVLXJCIHmsATZmYGAAg&bvm=bv.76247 554,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNF1vecyBxzigTPcPxTePS1Oc5VNPA&ust=1412099583316955

16.  It is thought that at least twice all continent were combined  Pangaea is the name given to the most recent “super continent”  When plates collide and separate various landforms can be made as a result  When new landforms are made or shifted, climates can also shift http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=gPTeu0AGkNaPnM&tbnid=51SFsU5T3- LyVM:&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphasesexperimental.weebly.com%2Fpangaea.html&ei=8pwpVI7- MpLisASb1IGoBQ&bvm=bv.76247554,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNHA4sbyJiZpvwaKyPEh2-x7CzY6Jg&ust=1412099675206714

17. Divergent Plate Boundaries  Magma moves upward to the surface of the Earth and pushes plates apart  Creates new crust  Example: Mid-Atlantic Ridge http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=CSa_kTb-kLAR-M&tbnid=53zklHbL- ZSNtM:&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iris.edu%2Fhq%2Fprograms%2Feducation_and_outreach%2Fanimations&ei=aJ0pVOfPNbjLsAT5yYD IDw&bvm=bv.76247554,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGpJ_cYyqONE8Ofn7gqqcg1xA4Ahw&ust=1412099800228153

18. Transform Plate Boundaries  Two plates meeting that may slip and grind along one another. Friction between the plates can result Iin Earthquakes Example: California’s Sand Andreas Fault http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=xiEOcTxLrxFaCM&tbnid=28o11M1DgQSjWM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeographicalconcepts.wikispaces.com%2FDangers%2Bof%2BPlate%2BBoundries&ei=250pVJDDG6j9sASmioHABA&bvm=bv. 76247554,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGHZOflPPjc8NwHRu0oM_fUJLLGAA&ust=1412099884964922

19. Convergent Plate Boundaries  Plates that collide and cause one of two outcomes  Subduction: One plate slides under the other, this can send up magma and cause volcanic eruptions (Mount Saint Helens eruption in 1980 was a result of a subduction plate movement  Mountain Building: Plates collide and lift materials from both plates, the Himalayas were formed this way and continue to be uplifted. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=Yg8DPqIoy9cJzM&tbnid=H5q- oildfbz02M:&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.platetectonics.com%2Fbook%2Fpage_5.asp&ei=aZ4pVMupLPDmsASfn4LQDg&bvm=bv.7624755 4,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGp_R37tBuBbrrxY1RlsssuXhr5Zw&ust=1412100020158815

20. Biosphere  Interacts with the atmosphere through gas exchange of organisms  Where living and non-living things interact  The area of the earth where living things can be found http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=DIJXcKPe_58GsM&tbnid=tT9kxqzRQ2U_TM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scenicreflections.com%2Fmedia%2F202233%2FBiosphere_Wallpaper%2F&ei=o6wqVLHcCajfsATNmIGoCA&bvm=bv.76 477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNFA_hUQxGESUg95_CwXi2qkA5gHFQ&ust=1412169238876053

21. Atmosphere  An “ocean” of gases  Protects and supports the biosphere (ozone layer)  Gases of the atmosphere include :  Oxygen  Carbon dioxide (part of greenhouse gas)  Methane (part of greenhouse gas) http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=SN9AY1waB8FSZM&tbnid=0urYM8i8ZKOnxM:&ved=0CA YQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3ATop_of_Atmosphere.jpg&ei=zq8qVOjQGtDhsATQpILgCg&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&ps ig=AFQjCNHgd436VJs3oLXN9EnJnbFgLUiQjQ&ust=1412170055610406

22. Parts of the Atmosphere  Exosphere: 640 to 64,000 km (400 to 40,000 mi) --- Satellites that observe Earth  Thermosphere: 80 to 640 km (50 to 400 mi) --- Meteorites burn up  Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km (31 to 50 mi) – meteors  Stratosphere: 14.5 to 50 km (9 to 31 mi) --- ozone layer  Troposphere: up to 14.5 km (9 mi) --- planes, clouds http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=XKkzfazcFvrU8M&tbnid=tB6CHcnNaQGXzM&ved=0CAcQjB0&url=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.vtaide.com%2Fpng%2Fatmosphere.htm&ei=NbIqVPi2NZG2yATf7YHQCA&psig=AFQjCNEiJUnq9xH5YkAM_w1YdcG_3_efNQ&ust=1412170 677974635

23. Hydrosphere  Part of the lithosphere, biosphere and atmosphere as a result of cycling of water  Most of the water on Earth is in the form of salt water (97.5%)  Of the 2.5% that is fresh water over 75% is frozen  Most water is found underground and must be brought to the surface for consumption http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=6J8aFmAqeY3qLM&tbnid=we- BtLbZxbkyOM:&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FWater_resources&ei=arMqVJybHPe1sQS9vYCoDQ&psig=AFQjCNHS OVTvB7fr9dTBJEhCMNTqoFzQNQ&ust=1412170978705060

24. Water Cycle  Or Hydrologic Cycle  includes water in the form of liquid, gas and solid  Explains the role of water in the environment  Includes the following processes:  Evaporation  Transpiration  Precipitation  Condensation

25. Evaporation and Transpiration  Evaporation : conversion of a liquid to a gas, this is how water is absorbed into the atmosphere (areas with high sun exposure will dry out or evaporate faster)  Transpiration : release of water as a vapor (gas) through plant leaves  These processes together naturally distill water by removing various mineral and chemicals Transpiration

26. Precipitation and Condensation  Precipitation is how water returns to the Earth from the atmosphere it is the result of CONDENSATION of the water vapor.  Condensation is the change of water from a gas to a liquid http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=dp940n7z0KWhGM&tbnid=jocY4kO6D73bYM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fterracetimes.com%2F2012%2F04%2F25%2Fwhat-is-a-cycle-an-explanation-by-2nd-graders%2F&ei=17YqVOXzOY- UsQSY1YLQBA&psig=AFQjCNFsW2qfoGwVi90sOG1swmp3iCDfYQ&ust=1412171847145406

27. Groundwater / Aquifers  Groundwater: fresh water that is found underground that is recharging or refilling  Aquifer: is water that is soaked through the soil and held in underground storage areas  Water table: upper limit of ground water held (often what you will hear about in news reports)  It can take hundreds to thousands of years for groundwater to replenish completely

28. Human Impact on Water  Clearing of plants: increases water runoff, erosion, evaporation and overall reduces transpiration  Watering of farms: reduces surface and groundwater and increases evaporation  Pollution: causes acidic precipitation  Depletion of water sources can result in conflicts http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=lvCUkLXCBESy5M&tbnid=8PK4FAE2QoYKVM:&ved=0CA YQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.glencoe.com%2Fqe%2FscienceOLC.php%3Fqi%3D6049&ei=_70qVOmxOaG1sQTpn4KgDQ&psig=AFQjCNFcbaPth4rR zPpjQxdoMiM9E4Tyhw&ust=1412173691023456

29. Nutrient Cycling  Nutrients such as carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen cycle endlessly through the environment, these nutrients are necessary for life processes  Nutrients are able to cycle as a result of the law of conservation of matter which states “matter may be transformed from one type to another but cannot be created nor destroyed” these cycles are called biogeochemical cycles http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=cj5Go96CcWuadM&tbnid=_kCm2N8eaevvbM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikibooks.org%2Fwiki%2FEcology%2FBiogeochemical_cycles&ei=x88qVP4elNuwBJLXgXA&psig=AFQjCNGc_Fy8hicBssjef Hb6S7-n83HvhA&ust=1412178237804032

30. Carbon Cycle  The route that carbon atoms take as they cycle through the environment  Primary producers create their own food and are large part of the carbon cycle  Through photosynthesis primary producers are able to use CO 2 from the atmosphere to allow them form Glucose https://www.google.com/search?biw=984&bih=470&tbm=isch&q=photosynthesis%20equation&revid=829813794&ei=BtEqVOzeCqnksASUi4LYDg&ved=0C CIQsiU

31. Consumers and Decomposers  Carbon that has moved into a producer can be carried to other organisms through ingestion and decomposition  Consumers are organisms that must eat other organisms to get their nutrients  Decomposers are organisms that break down waste and dead organisms

32. Cellular Respiration  The process by which organisms use oxygen to release chemical energy of sugars, CO 2 and, water  It is the opposite reaction of photosynthesis  Not all carbon is released back to the atmosphere some carbon is necessary for the organisms life processes http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=eu4F8iqePzBrsM&tbnid=Mj_T42t7MyK4hM:&ved=&url=http %3A%2F%2Fchsweb.lr.k12.nj.us%2Fmstanley%2Foutlines%2Frespiration%2Frespiration.htm&ei=5tUqVOvzAtf_yQT5lYBA&psig=AFQjCNEPTGpltEtuRWB PVfXe_XSycc5i1w&ust=1412179814244919

33. Carbon Sinks  A sink is a reservoir of a substance that accepts more that substance than it releases  There is a missing carbon sink this is from humans, of the carbon we return through cellular respiration 1-2 billion metric tons goes unaccounted.  Plants are a major carbon sink because of the use of carbon for photosynthesis and other processes.

34.  Sediments: the remains of organisms that settle as layers on the Earth’s surface. The layers form on one another and cause conversion of tissues into rocks such as limestone  Limestone and sedimentary rocks are the largest carbon sink  Carbon is released from the sedimentary rocks through erosion and volcanic eruptions

35.  The oceans of the world are the 2 nd largest carbon reservoir  Carbon is absorbed into the ocean a variety of ways including  Through the atmosphere  Runoff from coastlines  Undersea volcanos  Waste and remains of organisms

36. Human Impact on Carbon  Removal of fossil fuels takes carbon from storage  Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere in the form of CO 2  Cutting and burning of forests increases carbon through release from storage and reduction of carbon absorbing plants  Currently producers can not keep up with human activity http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=HopynZG7LcjRZM&tbnid=UNEI566ahPhzVM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Feesc.columbia.edu%2Fcourses%2Fv1003%2Flectures%2Fglobal_carbon_cycle%2F&ei=c94qVIWdAbC1sQS4zoDgBA&bvm=b v.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGBLDHK0UcFXr0MAFOvgygIPKElhA&ust=1412182000867115

37. Nitrogen Cycle  Relies on bacteria to convert nitrogen into a usable form for organisms and convert it back to the atmosphere when organisms are done with it  78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen, this makes nitrogen the 6 th most abundant element  Nitrogen is the essential ingredient in proteins, DNA and RNA as well as for plant growth http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=mN723CzOsxvw1M&tbnid=_tJf3x8qUfDu1M:&ved=0CAYQ jB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.physicalgeography.net%2Ffundamentals%2F9s.html&ei=lt4qVNHgNYfksATDkYCABg&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AF QjCNH9_65Vsmp2_BwZh0QL7ANPQFqgXA&ust=1412182033480952

38.  Nitrogen in its gaseous form can not be used by organisms so it must be converted to in order to be used. As a result nitrogen is scarce in the lithosphere, hydrosphere and in organisms  Chemical Change of nitrogen to usable form can occur through :  Lightning  Specialized bacteria  Human technology

39. Nitrogen Fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) into ammonium (NH 4 + ) which can be used to make organic compounds like amino acids. Can occur through two natural routes: - intense energy of lightning strike - top layer of soil comes in contact with a nitrogen fixing bacteria (NH 4 + ) which can be used to make organic compounds like amino acids. N 2 NH 4 + http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=r3CsnQqUVq1e1M&tbnid=QtSMY5Njj0PTlM:&ved=0CAYQ jB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FNitrogen_fixation&ei=1d4qVKu_GKjLsASI84LYAw&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNHGJ9 OHajONXmKHFyNyohZEDZnOQg&ust=1412182074870269

40. Nitrification and Denitrification  Nitrification is the process by which ammonium is converted to nitrite then to nitrate which can by used by plants  Denitrification is the process by which nitrates are converted back to nitrogen gas http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=2QWxWvRAm3wGYM&tbnid=Lf_bMia3Lev8kM:&ved=0CA YQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcclynchblog.com%2Fmeasuring-nitrite-in-wastewater- treatment%2F&ei=OusqVPitJqbhsAT1zYLYAw&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNFXJqm1O7yZWKHcpJPHZz3Wb8L7cg&ust=1412185269055568

41. Humans and nitrogen  Humans fix nitrogen artificially as much as nitrogen is fixed naturally  This is the result of studies conducted by Haber and continued by Bosch  Human nitrogen fixing increases the flow of nitrogen from reservoirs however this also increases the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in the atmosphere which becomes nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) which results in acid rain.

42. Nitrogen and Agriculture  Excess nitrogen from agriculture and human activities on the Mississippi river have caused a major issue for shrimpers and scientists in the Gulf of Mexico.  A dead zone results in the Gulf because of excess nitrogen that is washed down river. The nitrogen causes major blooms and then reduces oxygen in those areas thus organisms are unable to survive. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRiQzChfQVwrtOHoQaK91lRd4Y8zrVV2bSXxR6nqZyM45Q6Xv5ccQ

43. Phosphorus Cycle  Involves mainly the lithosphere and oceans  Important for molecules such as DNA and RNA as well as cell membranes.  Phosphorus does not enter the atmosphere like carbon, water and Nitrogen.  Remains mostly on land, in the form of phosphate rocks.  Is released naturally when rocks are worn down  An increase in phosphorus can cause a dramatic jump in the growth of plants and algae

44. Organisms and Phosphorus  Plants are only able to use phosphorus if it is dissolved in water  Consumers are able to acquire phosphorus through the water they consume and organisms that they eat  Decomposers are able to return phosphorus to the soil. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=KQUHZcqegzBmzM&tbnid=rw522rkrPOldFM:&ved=0CAY QjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbioh.wikispaces.com%2FMore%2BElemental%2BCycles&ei=wO0qVJybHtfIsATS3YD4Aw&bvm=bv.76477589,d.aWw&psig=AF QjCNFEi8CNNyxnr9aw3y0eYmFTKITseA&ust=1412185907876405

45. Human Impact on Phosphorus  Mining releases phosphorus and it is used a fertilizer  Waste water is often full of phosphorus (detergents)  The additional phosphorus can lead to eutrophication which is an over growth of primary producers  extreme eutrophication can lead to hypoxia or low levels of oxygen which eventually inhibits the growth of organisms