Matter and Energy Exchange Energy and Matter There

Matter and Energy Exchange

Energy and Matter • There is lots of energy and matter within the biosphere, but we are not in a closed system. • Matter can go out into outer space, and energy comes from the Sun at a constant amount, also the earth is giving off a constant amount of energy too. • The amount of sunlight that is received by an ecosystem will affect the productivity

Productivity • The rate at which the producers capture and store energy. • Can be expressed in terms of energy per area per year (J/m 2/a) or biomass (g/m 2/a) • The productivity of an ecosystem is determined by the available nutrients and sunlight • Thought Lab 2. 3 – pg 54

Factors • Water is a major factor in the productivity of an ecosystem – Desert has lots of sunlight but not very productive – Arctic receives lots of water but is mostly trapped in ice and permafrost

Balance in the Biosphere • Organisms have internal conditions, p. H, sugars and ions in the blood – This equilibrium is called homeostasis • This is the same at the global levels – Gaia Hypothesis – Maintaining environmental conditions within certain limits

Balance of elements • 2. 5 -3. 5 billion years ago, the atmosphere lacked oxygen for animals life. • 1. 8 billion years ago we can start to see evidence of oxygen production • Evidence of oxygen can be seen in stromatolites in the form of iron oxides • Table on next slide show more about this:

Atmosphere with and without

Homework • PG 61 #1 -4

Biosphere experiments • Scientists built a large scale biosphere in Arizona • The experiment lasted about 2 years as the correct balance was there but this research is useful for other projects • NASA has designed projects similar including one on Devon Island in northern Canada

Human Activities • Dead zones can occur in lakes and oceans due to excess nutrient in the water – Deforestation – washed into the water – Sewage – not/poorly treated – Surface run-off – livestock – Run-off – fertilized fields/ lawns • Draining wetlands to make room • Natural balance – wind turbine, etc • Consequences

Summary • Biotic and Abiotic process maintain balance of matter and energy exchange • Natural process and human activities can affect the transfer of matter and energy through the biosphere • Wetlands clean water

Questions • Pg 61 #7, 8 • Pg 64 #6, 11, 16, 20, (For Monday) • Pg 68 #6, 7, 13, 18, 24, 37 (For Sunday)