Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

►Earth is a dynamic systemEarth is a dynamic system►Has many interacting subsystemsHas many interacting subsystems►Goal is to study all branches (i.e. Goal is to study all branches (i.e.

chemistry, biology, geology) to chemistry, biology, geology) to understand and solve many global understand and solve many global environmental problemsenvironmental problems

What is a System?What is a System?

►Any size group of interacting parts that Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.form a complex whole.

►Natural systems are driven by sources Natural systems are driven by sources of energy that:of energy that: Move matter and/or energy from one Move matter and/or energy from one

place to anotherplace to another►Natural systems are open systems:Natural systems are open systems:

Both energy and matter flow into and out Both energy and matter flow into and out of the systemof the system

Energy Energy

►Earth system:Earth system: Sun – drives external processes that occur Sun – drives external processes that occur

in atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at in atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at surface.surface.

Interior – powers internal processes that Interior – powers internal processes that produce volcanoes, earthquakes, produce volcanoes, earthquakes, mountainsmountains►heat that remains from time earth was formedheat that remains from time earth was formed►heat continuously generated by decay of heat continuously generated by decay of

radioactive elementsradioactive elements

Earth’s Systems InteractEarth’s Systems Interact

►Volcano erupts Volcano erupts Lava may flow out at surface and block Lava may flow out at surface and block

nearby valleynearby valley Could create a lake or cause streams to Could create a lake or cause streams to

change coursechange course

►Volcanic ash can blow high into Volcanic ash can blow high into atmosphereatmosphere result in drop in air tempsresult in drop in air temps

Earth’s Systems InteractEarth’s Systems Interact

►Humans are part of the Earth system!Humans are part of the Earth system! Our actions have affects on all other Our actions have affects on all other

systemssystems Burn coal and gasolineBurn coal and gasoline Build breakwaters along a shorelineBuild breakwaters along a shoreline Dispose of our wastesDispose of our wastes Clear landClear land

People and EnvironmentPeople and Environment

►Environment – everything that Environment – everything that surrounds and influences an organismsurrounds and influences an organism

►Biological & SocialBiological & Social►NonlivingNonliving

Water, air, soil, rock, humidity, temp, Water, air, soil, rock, humidity, temp, sunlightsunlight

Environmental ResourcesEnvironmental Resources

►Water and soilWater and soil►Metallic and nonmetallic mineralsMetallic and nonmetallic minerals►EnergyEnergy

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources

►Can be replenished over relatively Can be replenished over relatively short time spansshort time spans

►Plants and animals - foodPlants and animals - food►Natural fibers – clothingNatural fibers – clothing►Forest products – lumber & paperForest products – lumber & paper►Energy from flowing water, wind, sunEnergy from flowing water, wind, sun

Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources

►Continue to form, but processes are so Continue to form, but processes are so slow it takes millions of years for slow it takes millions of years for significant deposits to accumulatesignificant deposits to accumulate

►Metals – iron, aluminum, copperMetals – iron, aluminum, copper►Fuels – oil, natural gas, coalFuels – oil, natural gas, coal

PopulationPopulation

► Until 19Until 19thth century – pop. century – pop. Under 1 billionUnder 1 billion

► By 2010 – estimated at 7 By 2010 – estimated at 7 billionbillion

► Increase population = Increase population = increase demand for increase demand for resourcesresources

► Rate of mineral & energy Rate of mineral & energy resource usage increasing resource usage increasing faster than population.faster than population.

► Can alternatives be Can alternatives be found?found?

Environmental problemsEnvironmental problems

►Air pollutionAir pollution►Acid rainAcid rain►Ozone depletionOzone depletion►Global warmingGlobal warming►Loss of fertile soils – erosionLoss of fertile soils – erosion►Disposal of toxic wastesDisposal of toxic wastes►Contamination and depletion of water Contamination and depletion of water

recourcesrecources

Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems

►Natural hazards:Natural hazards: EarthquakesEarthquakes LandslidesLandslides FloodsFloods HurricanesHurricanes DroughtDrought