Go Tenacious Tigers!

Where does all of the energy on earth

come from?

Let's take a look at electromagnetic radiation, of various wavelengths and energies, from the Sun as it penetrates into Earth's atmosphere. The Sun emits a broad range of light frequencies, from high-energy X-rays and ultraviolet radiation, through visible light, and down the spectrum to the lower energy infrared and radio waves. Different wavelengths of this solar radiation behave differently as they enter our atmosphere.

All of the high-energy X-rays are absorbed by our atmosphere well above our heads, which is very fortunate for us indeed! Likewise, most of the UV radiation (especially the highest energy, shortest wavelength regions of the UV spectrum) is blocked by the thermosphere, mesosphere, and stratosphere. The relatively low energy, long wavelength portion of the UV spectrum that does reach the ground forces us to wear sunglasses and slather ourselves with sunscreen to protect ourselves from sunburn and skin cancer.

SPACE

Unusable EnergyUsable Energy

Energy flows from the Sun, to the Earth and back out into space

Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and water from soil. Using photosynthesis processes and absorbing sunlight energy, produce glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

CO2 + H2O + O2

C6H12O6

What are the first living things to capture sunlight energy?

Major controlling factors affecting plant growth:

• Availability of: _NUTRIENTS (nitrates, phosphates,

potassium, carbon) Water Sunlight (varies daily & seasonally) Temperature (that allows bio-chemical

reactions to occur)

Some places on Earth have better conditions for plant growth

• Oceans, areas where nutrients in the ocean rise to the surface & estuaries (Narragansett Bay is a great example!)

• Rain forests• Temperate forests (like those in New England)• Salt Marshes

Energy and Matter

– ENERGY is transferred through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to plants and then to various consumers.

– Matter is always recycled and never destroyed (Law of Conservation of Matter).

Energy flow in a marine ecosystem

• Categories of organisms:

– Producers– Consumers– Decomposers

Ecological Pyramids 0.1% Third-level consumers

1% Second-level consumers

10% First-level consumers

100% Producers

Energy Pyramid: Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level.

Only part of the energy that is stored in one trophic level is passed on to the next level.

Matter is not createdor

destroyedLaw of Conservation of Matter

• Matter is passed from one organism to another and from one part of the Earth to another through biogeochemical cycles

• Matter is recycled because biological organisms do not use up matter, they just transform or re-organize it

• Matter is assembled into living things or passed out of the body as waste

Matter is recycled

Water Cycle: water cycles between the ocean, atmosphere, and land

CO2 in Atmosphere

Photosynthesis

feeding

feeding

Respiration

Deposition

Carbonate Rocks

Deposition

Decomposition

Fossil fuel

Volcanic activity

Uplift

Erosion

Respiration

Human activity

CO2 in Ocean

Photosynthesis