ENV100Y5 Lecture 7: Chapter 3.1 - Earth Systems and Ecosystems (cont.)
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ENV100Y5 Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
Cycles can be portrayed visually, graphically or mathematically. When we construct a portrayal of the characteristics and functioning of a cycle or any other environmental process, it"s called a model. Models of natural cycles and other processes can be: Box models are the first step in developing mathematical and computer models. The content of a reservoir is a function of both concentration and overall size. = total mass of a substance in the reservoir. Compare: same amount of material in a small reservoir vs a large reservoir. Same amount means higher concentration in smaller reservoir. Mechanisms that cause substances to move from one reservoir to another. Physical, chemical, biological, geological, or a combination. Fluxes are flows of matter into and out of reservoirs. Amount of material transferred, described in terms of mass per volume per unit of time. Fluxes are controlled by rates of transfer processes and capacities of reservoirs. A source gives out more than it takes in.
