Earth’s Environmental
SystemsChapter 3 – Environmental Science
Central CaseAfter reading the Central Case, who do you think
is responsible for the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone?
What do you think is the best way to go about solving the problem?
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Chemistry is CENTRAL in understanding what environmental problems are occurring and in how to correct them.
We begin this chapter with an introduction to basic chemistry….
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Matter – Mass – Volume -
Atoms –
Element -
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Parts of the atom
Nucleus – Protons –
Atomic Number –
Neutrons –
Electron CloudElectrons
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
BondingCovalent bonds –
Ionic bonds
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Molecules and Compounds
Molecules -
Compounds –
Organic molecules –
Inorganic molecules –
Hydrocarbons –
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Solutions
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
MacromoleculesProteins
HormonesEnzymes
Nucleic AcidsCarbohydratesLipids
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Water
Properties of waterCohesionAdhesionResistance to temperature change Ice densityUniversal solvent
Section 1 – What properties of matter are most important to environmental
systems?
Acids, bases, and pH
Acid
Base
pH
Section 2- What types of systems play roles in environmental
science?System
InputsOutputs
Earth’s systems Inputs
Outputs
Section 2- What types of systems play roles in environmental
science?
Feedback loops
Negative feedback loops
Positive feedback loops
Section 2- What types of systems play roles in environmental
science?
Earth’s “spheres”GeosphereLithosphereBiosphereAtmosphereHydrosphere
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?
The Geosphere
3 partsCrustMantleCore
Plate tectonics
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?
Plate Boundaries
Divergent plate boundaries
Transform plate boundaries
Convergent plate boundaries
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?Biosphere
AtmosphereLayers
TroposphereStratosphereMesosphereThermosphere
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?
HydrosphereEarth’s waterThe water cycle
EvaporationTranspirationPrecipitationCondensation
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?Hydrosphere
Groundwater
Aquifers
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?
Nutrient cycling
Law of Conservation of MatterNutrientsBiogeochemical cycles
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?The Carbon Cycle
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?The Phosphorus Cycle
Section 3 – What are the characteristics of the Earth’s
spheres?The Nitrogen Cycle