GEO 131 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Biogeochemical Cycle, Ecosystem Approach, Thermodynamics
5 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Ecosystem approach: the model of the earth system set of interacting spheres , open systems energy and mass is constantly cycled between them, the transport and transformation of substances are known collectively as biogeochemical cycles. Energy is neither created nor destroyed: second law. With each successive energy transfer, less energy is available to perform work. There are many others: the atoms of earth have always been the same. Just find themselves in different places at different times. I. e. calcium in your bones came from cows, who it from corn, which took it from rocks that were once formed in the sea: atoms cycle from biotic to abiotic world and back biogeochemical cycle. Nutrients: the elements of life: 15 elements or so account for the major portion of living biomass, only half of these 15 have been studied extensively as they circulate through ecosystems, *refer to chart on online notes*
