Home | Search

# Chapter 9 notes Category: /AP Env. Sci.

Team,
Nice work on the last exam. Here is a link to some background on the coal/nuclear video you are working on now:
http://www.pbs.org/e2/teachers/pdfs/206_coal_and_nuclear_edu.pdf
Please remember to email your answers to me before class Tuesday.

Chapter 9:Energy

From the lab:
kWh is a unit of energy, bc Watts are a unit of power (work/time), so need to multiply kW by time (hours) to get energy

we found: you can measure current (i) with a clamp on meter
most applicances are either 120 Vac or 220 Vac, 60 Hz (cycles per second)

ohms law: V=iR volts = current(amps) x resistance (ohms)
Using ohmmeters, we can measure resistance, and calculate current.

Also useful: Power = V2/R

Joule's law: P = iV (also known as "pie" formula: P=iE)

Again, power is in watts, i is in amperes (amps) and voltage is in volts.

we calculated power of the hot water heater/coffee maker, about 900 watts
we could calculate the power of a 220 Vac air conditioner to be 8.8 amps at 220 volts, or 2000 watts. Units like these are found all over the campus. Note where you see a fatter than usual cord plugged into a special looking outlet, these are 220 volt outlets.

biggest expenses in homes are "vampire loads", on 24/7
not large, but the time factor makes them costly

cost: electrical energy in Hawaii is about $0.35/kWh, highest in the nation
CA is about 7, Oregon is about 5.

To calculate cost, multiply amount of kW by number of hours (recall that 720 hours are in a month)
so, kWh x $0.35/kWh gives you dollars

We can measure light output at 50 cm (0.5m) for a 45 watt incandescent light bulb and a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL)
The incand. bulb emitted 220 lux at 50 cm, and consumes 45 watts
the cfl emitted 450 lux at 50 cm and consumes 13 watts

recall the lux per watt of power numbers, the cfl comes out about 6x more efficient.

This demonstration needs to be done in a dark room, such as the electrical room.

--------
Textbook chapter 9 notes:

Between 1900-2007:
world energy changed 16x, economy 70x, population only 4x
why?
80% fossil fuels: all ultimately stored solar energy
fossil: nonrenewable
renewable: in this lifetime, perpetual
resources: all that is out there
reserves: all that can be extracted economically
resources-stay constant
reserves-increase as technology enables access, decreases with use.
Q infinity
Pennsylvania in 1859: oil discovered in PA
Coal: from freshwater swamps 300 my ago, covered with water, so anaerobic decay (e.g. peat bogs)
sediment wt. compressed to peat, then to lignite, then sub-bituminous coal, bituminous and anthracite (lowest water content).
n.b. relative carbon content increases as organics decompose, lose H and O molecules (plants were CHO, coal is just C)
US and china have lots of coal reserves...
global warming issues, railroads as transport,
question: what did Warren Buffet buy on Friday, 11.6.2009? Why?

Oil/natural gas:
marine organisms, ocean bottom, decay released oils into muddy sediments->shale (see oil shales in Canada)
IFF sandstone on top of shale, (oil sands, see Colorado), oil will pass through sands.
IFF cap rock, it will trap oil in domes:
gas-oil-water
"gushers" are not the real way, usually gas first-very dangerous, some emit H2S gas-very toxic (indonesia)
middle east has 60% of oil reserves, but they have reached "peak oil"
We need to discuss this-it is very important-----

80% world energy is non-renewable-heading for a crash
80% = coal 25%, oil 36%, gas 21%
n.b. could trains transport natural gas? what method is used in the US to move most of our coal? why? notice any connections?

Coal: more
lignite-brown coal, all that is left in UK, lots of water, low energy content, usually burned near the mine for energy
Sub-Bituminous coal-used for power plants
Bituminous coal-used for power, cement, steel
Anthracite-bldg heating (cleanest)

surface mining-strip mining, leaves tailings (see mine disaster of 2008 in US)
IFF overburden too thick (>100m) then mining needed
drift or vertical shaft mines
silicosis-black lung disease: external cost of mining (we pay the health care of miners)

Issues: land damage, toxic runoff (see butte, MT), dust, acid deposition, CO2 (coal is worst of oil/gas/coal for CO2 per kWh gained)

Oil: benefits: easier to extract, more concentrated energy, burns cleaner, can be moved through pipes (no trucks or trains needed).
found: land or ocean floor, harder to find today
primary recovery vs. secondary recovery (water injection), tertiary (steam)-see tar sands and oil shale issues
Processing: see 9.14

transport issues: exxon valdez, others (France:amoco cadiz, santa barbara)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_spills

p.195: ANWR-which option is sustainable?

Natural Gas:
21% of global energy
Usually extracted like oil, uses air for secondary extraction.
transported as LNG (liquified natural gas)
cleanest burning, least env impact, safest, cleanest burning, most kWh per CO2
Also: CH4 used to form NH4 fertilizers (thanks again, Dr. Haber and Dr. Bosch)

Renewable energy---------
fossil fuels: 80% global use
nuclear: 6%
energy use: 2% per year, present doubling time is 20 years, as supplies are constant or decrease as demand increases, renewables become more profitable
(n.b. if you use the rule of 70 on this 2% you get 35 years. Why do I then say 20 years?)

12% of global energy:
biomass, hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, tidal
biomass (e.g. wood) mostly in Under Developed countries
biomass: fuel wood, solid waste (Hpower plant)
bagasse (Maui land and sugar), and ethanol (e.g. corn, or sugar cane-Brazil)

energy from biomass:
burning; wood stoves, co-gen (combined heat and electricity generation system)
biofuels: ethanol, biodiesel
E85 is 85% ethanol

biodiesel: palm, rapeseed, soy, jetropha, 36% of global BD produced in DDR

biogas: anaerobic bacterial digestion-methane and CO2
see also landfills (e.g. kailua, oahu)

pyrolysis: fischer-tropsch process-syngas process

issues: competition with food crops, habitat loss,biodiversity loss, global warming, air pollution (leading cause of lung cancers in LD countries)

hydropower:
high "head" means deep dam, with thermoclines, habitat disruption (cool water pollution), sedimentation, limited dam lifespan. See logarithmic backflow curve.

low "head" systems like Aswan dam in Egypt, three gorges dam in China (look this up) 22,500 mW !
minihydro: less than 10 mW
microhydro: less than 1 mW
can be diverse, lower impact, decrease transit losses

issues: flooding of back lands (see china)
The construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China inundated 153 towns and 4500 villages and caused the displacement of over a million people. In addition, numerous archeological sites were submerged and the nature of the scenic canyons of the Three Gorges was changed.

fish ladders, silt fertilization, inorganic mercury -> organic mercury, bioaccumulation.

Solar energy--------
ultimate answer-
issues: only available in daytime-so must store energy
intermittent and diffuse (e.g. oceans)
ocean thermal energy conversion: OTEC Keahole
1. passive solar/solar thermal
2. active solar-pumped solar thermal
3. PV

passive: trombe walls: energy lab is essentially a liquid trombe wall in reverse
sunspaces are like the spaces in the ladakh school (see e2 video on this)

design of windows and floors to absorb heat from day to warm in night is another
see "daylighting" or smart skylights...
n.b. passive systems require no external energy to collect
another example: solahart passive convective solar thermal energy collector systems

Active solar: contrast this with solahart-need a pump (can be PV powered) to run solar thermal system
can be simple or complex (varied pump speeds with radiation, optimized ∆t, etc.)

coolant can be the substance used (e.g. hot water) or something else (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol)-these are also used for geothermal well cooling heating systems.

some systems are testing hot oil to 300°C, stored for later use, e.g. spain project, Keahole project, mojave desert project.

Solar Electric plants
two types: PV (direct) and solar thermal to steam (STS)

PV systems: crystalline silicon is expensive (see solar film video), but direct kWh from sunlight, no moving parts, 30 year lifespan, no maintenance (cleaning only)

Solar furnace: heats oil or other storage medium to 390°C (e.g. SEGS and Segovia plant in Spain)

see also solar stills for water desalinization and purification in LD countries

PV now at $0.20 per kWh (more than US, less than Hawaii-we are past the profit point on this)
efficiency: now at 14%, soon to be 40% (sanyo bifacials are 22% at elab)

18x increase in 20 years

Wind-----essentially solar energy working through convection
Hadley, Ferrel, and polar cells-see the weather this week
cell circulation allows for the transfer of heat from hot earth to cool space
Issues: variable, site specific, usually far from urban centers (high demand)-if there were a means to transfer the energy without loss...
Hydrogen power?
Europe leads wind power
concerns: birds (myth, except at Altamont pass), unsightly (true) latest plan: site them offshore cape cod in Mass.
people are NOT happy about it
map 9.29 is bogus, we are class 7 in Waimea
two types of turbines, VAWT and HAWT-why is each suited for specific uses?
noise, pressure waves also...


Geothermal---
What is it? heat close to the surface: hot rocks, or steam from water percolating down into hot rocks. MAG-MA (important: say in voice of Doctor Evil)
CA leads in geothermal, HI also (here on BI, puna geothermal ventures)
see also NZ (Rotorua) and iceland (everywhere) 50% for heating, 50% for electricity-also being seen as hydrogen fuel site-see car talk video:

Who else do you know who has "vast energy resources and a very small population"?
Ring any bells?

see also closed loop systems: uses a coolant solution, very hot pipes, but no toxic gases released (an issue in Puna)
Hydrogen sulfide gas is very nasty-turns to sulfuric acid in the lungs, toxic to fish, etc. etc.
See also pyrolysis of water at high temperatures, perhaps even on your roof (one future elab project)

Tidal/current---
Solar energy of another sort: the sun's gravity allows us to orbit, with the momentum from our initial explosion that formed the solar system ca. 5 by ago. Moon is also orbiting-us. As the moon passes overhead, its gravity attracts everything (very small rocks, cider, mud, churches, a duck) including MAG-MA, continental plates, you, and the oceans.
As these bulges in water recede, they form currents and tides (not the same: tides ebb and flow, currents are relatively constant-see the Alenuihaha channel between Maui and Hawai'i)
One can harness these currents and tides for power, as they are essentially very small head (∆h) hydroelectric projects, except current energy, which has less to do with relative height than with global movement of water.
5 meters of ∆h needed to make tidal worthwhile. About 5 mph (2 m/s) needed to make current profitable, Hawaii has 12-20 mph current in the channel (google the UH ship Holo Holo, lost at sea, about 1977. issues: technical-biofouling, damage, corrosion.

Conservation---
Not sexy, but dollar for dollar, 4x more efficient than installing new wind or PV.
Like filling a bathtub while leaving the drain open.
idea: find out what energy-star means on an appliance
CFL bulbs-issues: mercury
see also small scale cogen plants (lichtblick)
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5883E520090909

Storage methods:
Fuel cells-just like in Apollo 13
+ no pollution
- 40% efficient, 90% if you capture the waste heat for heating water, buildings, etc. Recall your first weeks here, and the idea of entropy-see how it fits now?
Can one make hydrogen non-flammable? No, but we can make it less explosive (lithium hydride canisters)

PSH pumped storage hydro (one reason the energy lab is sited where it is)

ASSIGNMENTS:
View these videos, questions follow:
About the School in Ladakh:
http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/e2_videos/e2%20design%202/1%20druk%20white%20lotus%20school-ladakh.m4v

Hydrogen Power:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/car/program.html
or here:
http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/media/e2/nova_new_cars/nova_cars.mov
or Here if you are on the HPA network:
http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/media/e2/web_movies/nova.mp4

Read chapter 9, short quizzes this section instead of larger ones, be prepared each day.

Next assignment: Read this weblog on biofuels:
http://xserve.hpa.edu:80/groups/apes/wiki/2d15f/biofuel_articles.html

Mr. Emmons' moonshine page:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6042008_make-biofuel-potatoes.html

Let us know how we can help.
aloha
b

Posted by:


0 comments

Chapter 7 population questions Due Thursday 10.14.10

What factors impact a population?

What are the three survivorship curves for sheep, birds and plants?

Describe the population curves for + growth, neutral growth and - growth

Explain "biotic potential"

What are the 4 parts of a population curve, including overshoot

In the Denali wolf/moose example, explain the overshoot and phase shift

Explain the K and r tragegies, including the formula for growth rate

What is the extinction rate?

Explain the rule of 70, and give three examples

What was Malthus' proposal, and why has it not come true (so far)

Explain the IPAT formula, and give an example (be creative)

TFR means what?

What TFR is belived to be stable equilibrium?

What was the TFR for women in China in the 1980's? Why?

Explain why the literacy of women is related to fertility and sustainability?

Explain the trophic level pyramids, and why vegetarians are more sustainable than carnivores (e.g. humans)

Explain and graph the four stages in the demographic transition model

If you look at the population curves for the US (figure 7.18), you will see the WW I baby boom and the WW II baby boom. Explain the "boom echo".

Chapter 7 population notes

n.b. c/c means cunningham text, see the AP env sci folder on this server, here:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/cunningham_text/



population: same species, same location

Factors: birthrate (natality), death rate (mortality), sex ratio, age distribution, growth rate (r), density, spatial distribution

birthrate is per 1000 people, so 20/2000 is 10/k per year

mortality is same

survivorship curves (see fig 7.2) sheep-long life, birds-predators, non specific, plants-lots of offspring don't survive

population growth rate = Brate - Drate

See Fig 7.1, see also 6.6 in c/c page 123

Sex ratio: women always on the right

age distribution curves: pyramid is + growth, parallel is stable growth, inverted pyramid is - growth

repro years = 15-40 for female humans

see figure 7.3

spatial distribution: flowers

emigration: out, immigration:in

biotic potential: inherent repro capacity: geese=10/year, elephants=0.5/year

population curves: see figure 7.5
lag section: lots of food, takes time to reproduce
exponential section: grows according to At = A0 e kt
deceleration: food supply outstripped by population
stable: balance
overshoot: too many for food supply

see figure 6.3 and 6.4 in c/c chapter 6, page 119
see also figure 6.8 in c/c on overshoot

limiting factors: environmental resistance
extrinsic: predators, food source
intrinsic: self controlled, mice fertility drops in overpopulation (negative feedback)

see figure 6.10 in c/c, extinction rate

density dependent: predators, food
density independent: frost, flood, fire

limiting factors: energy, waste, raw materials

CARRYING CAPACITY-always on the AP exam: stable population, renewable resources, sustainable

"stable" is really negative feedback, equilibrium

Strategies:
K: mammals, take care of young, reach stable population at carrying capacity, few offspring, density dependent, low infant mortality

r: bacteria, lots of offspring, high infant mortality, limited by density independent factors (fire, flood, etc.)

see the growth formula: N is population, t is time, r is growth rate, K is carrying capacity:

∆N/∆t = rN(1-N/K)

n.b. as N/k -> 1, ∆N/∆t -> 0

negative feedback is the key here

r: less crowded, so N/K is close to 0, so rate is rN

K: follows carrying capacity, so N/K close to 1, so rate is close to 0

Malthus: population grows exponentially, food linearly, tf crash

see fig 7.12

Impact: IPAT
Impact = population * affluence * technology (we are high on all three)

imagine a village...

Demography: birthrate vs. deathrate

TFR: total fertility rate: number of offpring in female lifetime
2.1 is stable (why not 2.0?)

first child age: 14 in LDC, 21 in DC

see population bomb, ca. 1970

see c/c 7.17

see fig 7.14

Africa vs. US (5.0 TFR vs. 1.6 TFR)

female literacy prop. to TFR, tf GFO focus, also Grameen bank

china 1980, one child policy (some of these kids go to HPA)
tf no concept of sister or brother...the term disappeared...

ChengDu earthquake-China govt. allowed parents to have another child

GNI = gross national income
PPP = purchase power parity (e.g."fair trade")
see Mexico workers

see fig. 7.15, p. 159 Grameen bank

Trophic pyramid: n = 1% for carnivore, 10% for herbivore

see fig. 7.17 Demographic transition model

1. premodern: high BR, high DR, low, stable population
2. urbanization: high BR, low DR, growing pop.
3. mature: low BR (literacy of females), low DR, slowly increasing pop.
4. post-industrial: low BR, low DR, stable pop.

see fig 7.18, pop curves
WW I baby boom, ca. 1918
WW II baby boom, 1945-65 (parents were 20-40 yrs. old)
where is the "boom echo"?

What happened to the pop curves of Iran and Iraq following 1980-1990 period?
To what gender?
Why?

See c/c 7.11 and 7.14


Quarter 2 plan

Team,

Nice work on the last quarter, our next section will begin with population, then spend a few chapters on Energy.

Let's begin this week with Chapter 7 in the text, which you should read before class. We'll go over notes on chapter 7 Monday in class, then test on it when we meet on Thursday. Since this is being posted on Sunday afternoon, instead of Friday afternoon, let's make the chapter outline due to Mr. Emmons on Thursday, unless we have any schedule changes.

Here's an outline of the next two weeks:


Monday, 10.11: Chapter 7-Population notes in class (check here for video updates as well)

Thursday, 10.14: Chapter 7 test: population


Monday, 10.18: Begin Chapter 8 on energy, begin our first energy lab

Wednesday, 10.20: Chapter 8 on energy, more hands-on labs

Thursday, 10.21 (parent's day): short class on energy audits, you get to show your parents how smart you are...


Please complete the practice quiz for chapter 7 by Thursday, here is the link:


http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383201/student_view0/chapter7/practice_quiz_.html


One last thing: Here is a question from the AP exam last year. Make sure you know the answer before class tomorrow:


If you were to look at a map of the world biomes, what five-step pattern would you generally see as your eyes move from the regions at the equator to the regions at the poles (put these in correct order):


deciduous forest, tropical forest, ice and snow, taiga, tundra




As always, let us know how can help.

aloha

b



Week of 10.4.10, last week in the first quarter

Team,

This week (Tuesday and Thursday), we'll be going over chapter 6 (see notes below), reviewing your answers to the Earth video, and wrapping up our soils lab. As you may already know, Friday is the end of the quarter, so all work must be turned in for credit before then.

We'll plan on a chapter 6 test Thursday, along with all of the other test in every other class you are taking.


Here are some helpful links from past entries:


Study questions online:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383201/student_view0/


Remember to select the chapter on the left, then look for practice quiz below that:


http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383201/student_view0/chapter6/practice_quiz_.html


Test link:

https://www.eztestonline.com/207829/index1.tpx


Online grades:

http://physics.hpa.edu/~admin/grades/apes/


Let us know if you have any questions.

aloha

b



Notes for chapter 5, 6 and earth videos

Team,

Please check out the notes below, and the earth videos assignment:


Addition: here are Mr. Emmons' notes from last class:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/Presentationch5.pdf


apes reading notesch 5

apes reading notes

ch 5 environments and organisms

codes:

n.b. means nota bene, in latin, "note well"

esp. = especially

w/o = without

bc = because

wrt= with respect to

iff=if and only if

e.g.=for example

Op cit= Opus Citera, cited in the work

btw=by the way

ttfn=ta ta for now

pos=parent over shoulder

Notes

energy and matter flow is critical

everything that affects an organism=environment

abiotic=not living, biotic=living

limiting factor-see also rate limiting factor-recall cafeteria line, create your own image

range of tolerance-critical to adaptability (not mentioned in the book)

habitat-place, niche-role

adaptation-change in organism to meet surroundings and survive/thrive

genes-DNA determining characteristics

you=25% mom, 25% dad

population=same kind, same place

species=population concept: all organisms capable of reproduction with that gene set

natural selection: process, close fit between demands of environment and organism

NS over time=evolution

Natural Selection:

1. genetic variation (if none, then there is no outstanding survivor possible)

2. plenty of offspring, leading to

3. stress on the system resources (food, water, land etc.)

4. outstanding survivors reproduce

5. incremental changes over generations improve adaptation (could be fast, like bacteria or fruit flies)

Speciation=like specialization in medicine: general doctors become radiologists

Often caused by splits in populations (sub populations) like the bunnies and the river

diploid=you, 2 sets of chromosomes (colored bodies)

ployploidy=many chromosomes (e.g. plants)

Extinction=not enough of a species to effectively reproduce. Effective is the key word, genetic variation diminishes way before extinction occurs.

background rate: 10 species per year

present rate: many times this

co-evolution: two species change together, often in symbiosis

Interactions:

Predator-prey

Competition: interspecies (hawks, owls, foxes hunting the same mice), intraspecies (fastest wins in similar plants)

Symbiosis (see below)

Competitive Exclusion Principle (CEP): no 2 species can occupy the same niche in the same place (habitat) at the same time.

Symbiotic relationships:

Parasitism: B (parasite) feeds on A (host), A suffers for this

Vectors may be involved that carry the parasite (e.g. mosquitoes)

ectoparasites-outside endoparasites-inside

Commensalism: B benefits from A, A does not suffer

"opportunistic"

Mutualism: A benefits, B benefits

e.g. nitrogen fixing bacteria: mycorrhizae

Others: nest parasitism (cow bird), blood parasites

Community: different species in same area (ecosystem)

Ecosystems:

Producers: turn inorganic sources into organic sources, e.g. plants (sun energy) or sulfur plants (Sulfur oxidation and heat from deep sea volcanic vents)

consumers: Primary (eat the plants, e.g. herbivores) or secondary (carnivores, they eat the herbivores)

Omnivores: eat everything

Decomposers: decay everything back to organic and inorganic materials

Keystone species: critical role in balance of the ecosystem: remove them and the ecosystem cannot function

e.g. bison, sea otter

n.b. energy flow through the ecosystem

Trophic levels (very important)

producers: level 1

primary consumers: level 2

secondary consumers: level 3

meat eating carnivores: level 4

90% energy is lost in every transition (recall our talk on energy tax)

Low trophic level is sustainable

Can also be demonstrated by comparing biomass pyramid

Food chains, food webs (both were on the AP exam last year btw)

Food chain: series of organisms at ascending trophic levels, energy flows up

see also bio-accumulation of Hg (mercury)

detritus-decaying matter from living things

good web-intersection of several food chains, mutual interdependence, biodiversity, all good things...

Biochemical cycles (n.b. chemical)

Many chemical cycles, three are critical: carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus

Carbon-stored in atmosphere as CO2, then in bones and organic matter (e.g. wood)

Nitrogen-stored in atmosphere as N2 (gas), used as NO3 and NH4 by primary producers, basis for protein (CHON)

Phosphorus-from rocks, stored in bones-see Waterloo diggersyuk

photosynthesis-50% occurs in the oceans

light converted to sugar (recall Maui onions)

can track carbon as C14/6 through atmosphere, to CHO (plant) to CHON(protein) to CO2 or oil

All Americans over 50 have traces of C14 from atomic bomb testing in our bones radioactive phosphorus as well more yuk

green manure-sacrificial bean crops

crop rotation-n.b.

Question: why was Nauru so high in PO4? Hint: it is an island

fossil fuels burned-how does this change the Carbon cycle balance?

n.b. erg runoff: recall the video on Chesapeake R. eutrophication, algal blooms and red tides (we did not cover these, look them up on wikipedia)


Chapter 6 notes

Chapter 6 notes: Ecosystems and communities

Succession-communites proceed through series of recognizable, predicatable changes in structure over time

long lasting and stable

factors: climate, food, invasion etc.

climax comm. stable, long lasting result of succession

determined by climate, water, substrate and org. type

primary succession-no existing organisms

secondary succession-destruction of existing ecosystem

Primary succession-terrestrial-

factors: substrate (e.g. soil), climate, repro structures, rate of growth, organic matter, water

pioneer comm.- first to colonize bare rock (e.g. lichen)

later comm.-soil available, holds water (life)

1 pioneer stage

lichen: mutualistic: algae/bacteria(photosynthesis) + fungi to hold on

2 secondary stage: soil: retains water, structural support

(succession: plants shade lichens)

3 climax community-stable, diverse, interconnected, interdependent, many niches, recycle biomass (constant)

process of succession is called a sere, stages are seral stages

see fig 6.3-imagine driving from puako to waimea

Primary succession-aquatic

oceanic-stable

limnotic/riparian-transitional, fills with sediment

stages:

1. aquatic vegetation-e.g. aquarium, leads to wet soil and terrestrial networks (roots, wet meadow)

2. transitional: biomass of trees creates top layers of soil, transition to terrestrial climax comm.

imagine trip from middle of lake to shore-see all transitions

bogs=transitional stage from shore to dry land (Ireland, Scotland)

Secondary Succession-terrestrial

recall: existing comm. is replaced

e.g. pond fills to become a meadow, then climax forest

can reverse: beaver dams: land to aquatic

see also human dams, exponential decay curve

Biomes-------

determined by climate, altitude, water (precipitation), temperature

similar niches and habitats in each biome


Earth Questions

earth questions

How old is the earth? How old did early church leaders think it was?

Hutton found what rock formation in Scotland was the clue to the real age of the earth?

Kelvin used thermal cooling calculations to determine the age for the earth-how long was this?

Why was he wrong?

What is "deep time"?

What is so special about "pillow lavas"? What is the Hawaiian name for these?

What does Zircon have to do with aging the planet? What do they tell us about the source of water?

Water is neat stuff. Why would the temperature of the earth 4 bY ago accelerate changes?

3.4 bY ago a new type of rock was formed-what is this rock, and how does it fit into the asthenosphere picture of plate tectonics?

South Africa hosts the CapeVal Cretins: what are these? Why are these important? What did these have to do with the beginning of life? Where was life limited to before these?

What are stromatolites, and what did they produce? From what?

Playford found what? What is the impact of what he found?

What caused the change in the color of the oceans? What then happened to the atmosphere? What color was the planet after this?

What is a trilobite, and where are they found? Why are they significant? What did they prove?

What did Wegener believe? How easy was this to prove? When and how was it finally proven?

What does convection have to do with plate tectonics?

Why is Iceland such an ideal place to study plate tectonics?

What was Rodinia? Why did it cause climate change about 700 mY ago? Why is this so critical to understand today?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodinia

What was the Cambrian Explosion? Why is it important? What did Walcott discover? Where? What is the Burgess Shale Quarry? Why is shale so special in this process?

When did carnivores show up? Why? How did their presence change the evolution of creatures?

What did the ozone shield enable the growth of? Where did the ozone come from?

What formed the carbon in the carboniferous era? What did life look like 60 mY ago? What does this carbon look like today?

What does the freshwater in a swamp enable? Why is this important?

What did dead marine organisms transform into? Why is this important to us?

What caused the first mass extinction? What is a mantle flume eruption?

What was the name of the next supercontinent?

What were the predominant survivors of the first mass extinction?

Why would Utah be a good place to find these survivors?

What would be the advantage of being "luke-warm" blooded?

How did the first global warming trend change the dinosaurs? Why did this eventually become their downfall?

The Kimberly "stove pipe" means what? How are diamonds formed?

Who discovered the CT (KT) boundary, and what does it signify? When was this? When was it discovered, and how?

How big was the Yucutan meteor? How was it found (look this up on wikipedia)

50 mY ago, the mammals evolved. How did the demise of the dinosaurs make this possible? Science fiction movies often show cavemen fighting dinosaurs-why is this totally bogus?

What is similar about the Alps and the Himalayas, apart from them being mountains? What limits their ultimate altitude?

Mauna Loa is the largest landmass in the world. From the base of Mauna Loa on the 20,000 ft. deep ocean floor to it's top 13,500 ft. above sea level is much higher than Everest (29,000 ft.). How is this possible?

2 mY ago, an ice age again struck. What triggered this? How long did it last?

What makes glaciers flow? Do they flow faster or slower when they are thicker? Why?

Explain the balance between temperature and the progress of glaciers.

Glaciers often leave "unsorted" rocks, called glacial "till". What does this mean? Why would this differ from normal sedimentary sorting?

It is said that our civilization has been a brief, stable warm period. What does this predict for global warming/cooling?

What two oceans/seas will disappear when pangea ultima forms?



Where are the videos?

Here:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/media/earth/


We'd like you to view this video (broken into pieces for downloading) this week, so we can discuss it in class. The earth questions above will be due Tuesday, 10.5.10.

Please prepare for a quiz on chapter 5 Thursday, 9.30.10. We'll be going over notes on chapter 6 Tuesday and Thursday, as we have time, and you can plan for a chapter 6 test 10.5.10.


Let us know if we can help, we hope chapter 6 articulates well with chapter 5. Chapter 7 will be on Populations, which is extremely interesting for you, we hope.

aloha

b



e2 questions

e2 questions

Gray to Green

1. What is the gray in gray to green?

2. What were the challenges for the architects in the story?

3. What is the Bauhaus, and why was it key in the success of the story?

4. Can you imagine a similar recycling solution in your home town? How?

5. What is the final message of this story?


Green Machine

1. Why is the title of this piece ironic (hint: it has to do with Chicago politics)

2. What is the "heat island effect" and why is it so key in this case?

3. How did they address this heat island effect?

4. As a botanist, why would you think this is important?

5. There is a proposal floating around to restore the prairie to native prairie grasses, which could then be used as biofuels. From an ecological perspective, why would this be a good step? Why from an energy standpoint? How would this compare to planting the same areas with corn for bio-ethanol?

6. Sadhu Johnston mentions that Chicago is in a unique position to effect change. Why?

7. What were the main industries in Chicago, and how could these moves change that direction?

8. Sustainability is seen as finding new solutions to age old problems. Is this a social, education or technical issue?

9. The lady mentions that quality of life does not need to diminish, why?

10. What is the impact of LEED on green building? Short term and long term. 11. Describe the Factor 10 house.

12. Describe the McDonald's green roof, and why it is bogus

13. Looking around the energy lab, what ideas are shared in this story?



Weekend readings-UPDATED

Team,

We hope you have a great weekend, full of glee and bliss, while Mr. Emmons and I are shackled to our desks Monday.

That said, to even out the burden of pain, we'd like you to read chapter 5, which is full of all sorts of goodies, including but not limited to:

"Help! I've lost my niche!

Who is that predator predating me and why?

Keystone species exposed in building fraud!

I'm a prisoner of a food web chain gang!

My boyfriend and I have a symbiotic relationship..."


As our resident biologist, Mr. Emmons will be leading the charge on these scintillating (good SAT word) goings-on, so make sure you bring lots of paper for notes, and kleenex for the weepy bits.


We'll also be going into our soils lab, so you would be wise little grasshoppers if you read chapter 13 as preparation. Make sure you bring along your lab handouts. And your shovels. And your tractors. And any earth moving equipment you might own. We'd like to take you to the flume to see the double-secret ash deposits.


Our next unit will be on biomes and ecosystems, which we will follow with chapter 7, on populations, which will be a real barn burner, particularly if your name is Malthus.


For this weekend, please view the two videos, and check here for questions on them. I should have them up by Saturday.

UPDATE--Team, let's move the e2 video assignment to Friday, ok?

Notes and questions will be up tonight.

b


Let us know how we can help.

aloha

b



Friday 9.17.10

Team,

Please remember to bring in your chapter 4 outlines for HW. We'll have a test on chapter 4 in class, then begin our soils lab (weather permitting). Let us know if you have any questions. Please bring in a flash drive so we can give you the movies for the weekend:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/e2_videos/web/3%20green%20machine/

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/e2_videos/web/4%20gray%20to%20green/


Check here for questions on these videos, due next week.


Test link:

https://www.eztestonline.com/207829/index1.tpx



aloha

b



Wednesday

Team,

Wednesday we'll begin with a quick quiz on atoms, elements and pH, then we'll begin our soils lab. It would be a good idea to review thermodynamics as we'll have a piece on this in our Friday quiz, and we want you to be prepared.

aloha

b


Flash drives

Team,

Please bring in a flash drive of your choice so we can pass on videos for questions this week.

aloha

b


Cycle 3

APES cycle 3

3.1:

Monday 9.13

W 9.15

F 9.17

-

W 9.22

F 9.24


This weekend, chapter 4 is the reading assignment. Here are some notes:

Please look these up on wikipedia for our discussion in class Monday:

Cold fusion

Cargo cult science


Monday, we'll continue our discussion on the scientific method, then get into some basic notes on matter and chemistry. These are all in chapter 4.

We'll be meeting in the whiteboard rooms so make sure you bring your notebooks.


Wednesday, we'll begin our soils lab, which will use some of the concepts we discuss on Monday, such as pH, compounds and elements


Friday, we'll have a test on chapter 4, then begin a discussion of chapter 5: the predator chapter


Wednesday 9.22 we'll continue the soil lab and chapter 5 notes, with the soil lab completed by Friday 9.24.


Please let me know by email if you are still having issues viewing the e2 video.


Jhernie found this cool 4 minute video on graphs:

http://www.gapminder.org/videos/gapcasts/gapcast-10-energy/

Check it out


Check here for notes and updates



Lab report format

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/APES%20Water%20Quality%20Lab%20Report.pdf


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/WQI_worksheet.pdf


e2 videos, homework

Folks,

After viewing the two TED videos on sustainability, we'd like you to move on to the first in a series of videos from a program called "e2: the economies of being environmentally conscious"


The first series is on Design I, and the first episodes are "The Green Apple" and "Green for All". Please watch these so we can discuss in class Friday.

We'll have three more in this series, then we'll move on to the others:


Design I

Design II

Design III

Energy

Transport


Each season has 5 episodes, with each episode focusing on an aspect of what we are studying together. We hope you find these as compelling as we do, and that they might inspire you to be change agents...


"Green Apple"

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/e2_videos/web/1%20green%20apple/1%20green%20apple.mov

"Green for all"

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/e2_videos/web/2%20green%20for%20all/2%20green%20for%20all.mov


Questions Due Friday:


design: e2 The Green Apple

1. Why is Manhattan considered greener than most cities?

2. Newer cities like LA have created automobile accessible designs. How does this directly tie to health and energy consumption for those working in that city compared to NYC?

3. Describe 4TimesSquare in NYC as a green skyscraper. Discuss ‚frit‚ (sunlight) and ‚slag‚ (CO2).

4. Describe how the ‚cost of people‚ living in a large city building affects the sustainability of that building.

5. The Solaire is located in Downtown Manhattan's most desirable waterfront neighborhood - Battery Park City. Describe why it has become a marketing trend for culture change and eventually sustainability.


design: e2 Green for All

1. One in seven homes in the world are deemed inadequate. What is predicted in 30 years?

2. Describe the Mexican government‚Äôs attempt to provide ‚modern‚ housing for the Yaqui Indians.

3. The University of Texas graduate students devised a different design. Describe it.

4. Step one of the Guadalupe Project in Austin Texas was The Alley Project? Describe the Alley project and what it was intended to do.

5. New homes create a level of ownership in a community fueling sustainability that in turn develops political and social rights in the world. How can homes essentially reflect how a person lives?


Let us know how we can help.

aloha

b



Peak oil in the news

Folks,

Just released in Germany, this article in Der Spiegel is perfect timing for our discussion of peak oil and of supply and demand. Be sure to read the points in the middle:


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/'Peak_Oil'_and_the_German_Government.pdf



ALSO:

Please have a look at this cool link that Mr. DK found for you:


http://www.uwgb.edu/watershed/data/monitoring/


way cool...

aloha

b


Cycle two: 8.30.10-9.10.10 --UPDATED 1700 8.30.10

APES cycle 2 plan

8.30 Monday

9.1 Wednesday

9.3 Friday

----

9.8 Wednesday

9.10 Friday


UPDATE: study questions online:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383201/student_view0/


In your readings for chapter 3, you may notice that the chart in figure 3.3 is whacky beyond belief.

Here is a link to a much more clear explanation of supply and demand, pay attention to the graphs in blue and red:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand


If you've already had Economics, then you probably know this...


Lab folder:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/wqi_lab/

----


--updated link to Poisoned Waters Video:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/videos/poisoned_waters/POISONED_WATERS.mp4


Weekend: view Poisoned waters on water quality issues, questions due Monday at beginning of class

If you want to get ahead: read chapter 3 (see links below for chapter locations)

8.30 Monday

Poisoned Waters questions due at beginning of class

Review chapters 1 and 2, quiz on chapters 1 and 2

Water Quality Lab discussion

Chapter 3 introduction


9.1 Wednesday

Chapter 3 discussion, more shorter videos online

Water Quality Lab beginning

Reminder: X period open for questions

Please watch this video online:


http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html


and this one on sustainability:


http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future.html


These are the first of many TED talks I'll be passing on to you. I hope these are enlightening for you.I'd like to move from economics and environmental science to design, in other words, how you would use the wisdom you are now developing to change the design of our buildings, our cities and our world.

You will find some things in the readings that would be very helpful to look up on wikipedia. I trust all of you have seen wikipedia at http://www.wikipedia.org

The list from Chapter 3:

risk assessment

ASTM

ISO

LD50

IPCC

clean air act

safe drinking water act

BPA

Eutrophication

cradle to cradle

RfD

DfE

dioxin

seventh son of the seventh son

indoor air pollution

dead zones in gulf of Mexico

supply and demand (study the three curves)

contingent valuation method

deferred costs

external costs

pollution

biodegradable

pollution-prevention costs

cost benefit analysis

Environmental impact statement

NEPA act of 1969

tragedy of the commons

1968

command and control approach

cap and trade

brownfields

SBLRBRA

CERCLA/Superfund

RoHS

sustainable development

debt for nature swap

methyl mercury

Responsible Care


9.3 Friday

Water Quality Lab

Check here for more details

Weekend:

Lab work

Videos (check here for update)

Read chapter 4

9.8 Wednesday

Chapter 3 wrap-up, quiz

Begin work on chapter 4

9.10 Friday Chapter 4 notes, class discussion


UPDATE----

Test link for Monday's class, chapter one test:

https://www.eztestonline.com/207829/index1.tpx


Questions for Water Quality Index, due Wednesday:


Water Quality Index questions


Look up WQI in wikipedia and answer the following:


What is the WQI


What metrics are part of the WQI


Why is it called an index instead of something else?


Why are each category weighted differently?


After viewing the Polluted Waters video, how effective is the WQI in measuring water quality in each of the cases presented? Why? What is missing? How would you detect these?


What would be the impact financially, socially, and environmentally, and in what time frame?


In your opinion, do you think water quality is getting better, worse or staying the same:

In Hawaii

In the Mainland US

In your home town (if you live in Waimea, then in Honolulu)



Resource links

Hi folks,

I hope this helps you now and in the future:

Here is the folder with all of the chapters from the text:


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/enger/


You might find some interesting things hidden in there.


Likewise, there is a folder for all of our videos here:


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/videos


The main folder for all of our resources is here:


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/


Here is a link to the phone version of the video:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/videos/poisoned_waters/poisoned_waters/poisoned_waters%20-%20iPhone%20(Cellular).3gp


I hope this helps.

aloha

b



Week two, cycle 01.2-UPDATED

---UPDATE---

Text link:


http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/enger/ch02/enger_ch2.PDF


Please see me Wednesday if you are having issues with the video.

------------------

Meeting dates this week:

Tuesday 8.24

Thursday 8.26


Readings:

Text chapter two: Environmental Ethics

Outline for homework, due Thursday

Review Questions, due Thursday


Video: Frontline: Poisoned Waters

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/view/

Or here:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/videos/poisoned_waters/

Watch online, answer questions here:

1 When was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed? What events prompted its formation?


2 How did deregulation of industry during the Reagan years affect water quality and the overall power of the Environmental Protection Agency?

What does ‚voluntary compliance‚ mean?


Why do businesses favor voluntary compliance?


3 The Clean Water Act of 1972 allows citizens to sue alleged offenders if government agencies do not act. Why is that provision of the law important?


4 The expression ‚canary in the coal mine‚ means an early warning of danger. (Coal miners would carry canaries or small animals with them into mines to detect deadly but odorless and tasteless methane gas.)

To what does the expression ‚canary in the coal mine‚ apply in Poisoned Waters?


5 Twenty million Americans took to the streets for the first Earth Day in 1970 as a result of pollution they could see and smell: The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland burned, with flames that towered eight stories high; the1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara closed virtually all the beaches in Southern California; people had declared Lake Erie dead.

How, according to the film, have both pollution and people's reaction to Earth Day changed since 1970?


6 What do ‚endocrine disruptors‚ do? Why do genetic mutations in fish disturb scientists so much?


7 How do the products that average people use each day end up polluting the nation's and world's waterways?


8 How should we pay for environmental cleanup? Should it be the responsibility of industry? Government? Individuals? Explain your reasoning.


Please turn in our answers at the beginning of class Thursday.


In class:

Lab format:

See this link:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/lab_format_notes.pdf


Grading template:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/_pdf/lab%20grading%20template.pdf


Data analysis:

Check out this page online:

http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/

Keeling curve and CO2 trends at Mauna Loa


Check this out if you have time:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383201/student_view0/


Let us know how we can help.

aloha

b



Calendar link

Here is a link to our online class calendar:


http://ical.mac.com/WebObjects/iCal.woa/wa/default?u=wiecking&n=Upper_School%20local.ics


I hope this helps.


Friday in class:

Vernier Probeware

Sample lab:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/vernier/01%20Seasons%20S.pdf

Chapter one outline due

Discussion of videos


aloha

b



2010 year begins!

Welcome folks, to AP Environmental Science.

The link to the first chapter of the text is here:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/enger/ch01/enger_ch1.PDF

and the contents page is here:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/enger/chapter%20index.pdf

If you have time, please watch this 22 minute video on wind:

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/media/e2/web_movies/e2_1_harvesting_wind.mp4

and this one on the Grameen Bank

http://physics.hpa.edu/physics/apenvsci/media/e2/web_movies/e2_2_energy_for_a_developing_world.mp4


Here are some thoughts:

The wind video demonstrates how many decisions can be made that are harmonious with both business, consumers and the environment.

The second video is very compelling about the impact of even small changes in society.


We will spend more time on these in the future, this should serve as a teaser to give you a sense of the media we will be covering.


As we mentioned in class, we recommend getting a textbook as soon as possible. If the bookstore is out, you can look on Amazon (used for about $96) or some of the other online textbook sources. Be careful to get the 12th edition, ISBN 0073383201


We'll have a chance to discuss more in class Wednesday.

Let us know if we can help.

aloha

b