earth systems and cycles. n approaches to studying earth science: –reductionist –holistic

Earth Systems and Earth Systems and CyclesCycles


Approaches to studying earth Approaches to studying earth science:science:– ReductionistReductionist– HolisticHolistic

Reductionist ApproachReductionist Approach– Divide earth into separate unitsDivide earth into separate units

AtmosphereAtmosphere HydrosphereHydrosphere BiosphereBiosphere LithosphereLithosphere


Holistic ApproachHolistic Approach– Earth is studied as a unified Earth is studied as a unified

system with interacting system with interacting componentscomponents


System - any portion of the System - any portion of the universe that can be isolated universe that can be isolated from the rest of the universe from the rest of the universe for the purpose of observing for the purpose of observing changeschanges


Systems AnalysisSystems Analysis

SystemSystem– A system is any portion of the A system is any portion of the

universe...universe... Is whatever the observer defines it Is whatever the observer defines it

to beto be A conceptual modelA conceptual model Limits are set for the convenience of Limits are set for the convenience of

our studyour study


SystemSystem– A system … is isolated from the A system … is isolated from the

rest of the universe for the rest of the universe for the purpose of observing changespurpose of observing changes

We must set boundaries around our We must set boundaries around our system to separate it from its system to separate it from its surroundingssurroundings


SystemSystem– Types of SystemsTypes of Systems

Isolated - system in which Isolated - system in which boundaries prevent the system from boundaries prevent the system from exchanging either matter or energy exchanging either matter or energy



Closed - system in which boundaries Closed - system in which boundaries permit the exchange of energy, but permit the exchange of energy, but not matter, with its surroundingsnot matter, with its surroundings



Open - system in which boundaries Open - system in which boundaries permit the exchange of both matter permit the exchange of both matter and energy across its boundariesand energy across its boundaries


Open, Isolated, and Closed SystemsOpen, Isolated, and Closed Systems

The Earth SystemThe Earth System

The Earth SystemThe Earth System– Subsystems are huge reservoirs Subsystems are huge reservoirs

in which material and energy are in which material and energy are stored before moving onstored before moving on


The Earth SystemThe Earth System– Earth System Science - the study Earth System Science - the study

of the earth and relationships of the earth and relationships among its subsystemsamong its subsystems


The Earth SystemThe Earth System– Constant cycling of matter and Constant cycling of matter and

energy among subsystemsenergy among subsystems


Earth CyclesEarth Cycles– Energy CycleEnergy Cycle– Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle– Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles– Rock CycleRock Cycle


Earth CyclesEarth Cycles– Energy CycleEnergy Cycle

Internal and external energy sources Internal and external energy sources that drive all the major Earth cyclesthat drive all the major Earth cycles



Energy inputsEnergy inputs– Solar radiationSolar radiation– Geothermal energyGeothermal energy– Tidal energyTidal energy



Energy outputsEnergy outputs– ReflectionReflection– Re-radiationRe-radiation


Earth CyclesEarth Cycles– Hydrologic Cycle Hydrologic Cycle

Movement of water among Earth’s Movement of water among Earth’s subsystemssubsystems

Driving energy source is solar Driving energy source is solar radiationradiation


The Hydrologic CycleThe Hydrologic Cycle

Earth CyclesEarth Cycles– Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

Movement of various chemicals Movement of various chemicals among Earth’s subsystemsamong Earth’s subsystems

ExamplesExamples– CarbonCarbon– NitrogenNitrogen– OxygenOxygen


Earth CyclesEarth Cycles– Rock CycleRock Cycle

Reflects interactions betweenReflects interactions between internal internal and and externalexternal processes processes– Internal processes driven by geothermal Internal processes driven by geothermal

energy (radioactive decay)energy (radioactive decay)– External processes driven by solar External processes driven by solar

radiationradiation


The Rock CycleThe Rock Cycle

earth systems and cycles. n approaches to studying earth science: –reductionist –holistic

Documents

earth system slide

n earth cycles rock

subsystems earth systems

boundaries earth systems

study earth systems

changes earth systems

surroundings earth systems

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