12/03/2014

KA40803 - Advanced Environmental Engineering

Topic : Ecosystems and Energy Flows

By Dr. Nurmin Bolong
nurmin@ums.edu.my

Learning outcome
This topic will provide the learners with the ability to: Explain ecosystem & its role and importance to environmental engineer Identify and analyze energy and material flows Distinguish the Circulation of energy and matter in human

List out the meaning/definition of an ecosystem

5-10 min

12/03/2014

An ecosystem consists of the biological community that occurs in some locale, and the physical and chemical factors that make up its non-living or abiotic environment http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalcha nge1/current/lectures/kling/ecosystem/ecosyste m.html

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system
Tansley (1934); Molles (1999), p. 482; Chapin et al. (2002), p. 380; Schulze et al. (2005); p. 400; Gurevitchet al. (2006), p. 522; Smith & Smith 2012, p. G-5

Eco? a prefix mostly relating to ecological or environmental terms System? a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular. a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network. a set of organs in the body with a common structure or function.(physiology) a group of related hardware units or programs or both, esp. when dedicated to a single application. (computing) a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method. (organization)

12/03/2014

Ecosystem processes
Work in group (3-5) 10-15 min task Write down and explain

List the processes, and explain (at least one provide your reference) *do make sure no duplication with other friends/team

10 mins+ 10 mins

Remarks!

Study of plants, animals, and their physical environments and how energy-materials behave in ecosystem Ecosystem complex yet possible to be narrowed and linked to the role u are in. (ie. Engineers, Geologist, zoologist, scientists, etc)

STD PROJECT: PRESENTATION topic: TOPIC #1-Discuss two examples of ecosystems and explain the connection towards current global issues.

20 min

12/03/2014

STD PROJECT- Presentation on: TOPIC#2 Human activities impact on ecosystems and environment. Why we as engineers should care.
10 mins+ 10 mins

Environmental engineers need to consider the ecosystems impacted by designs -by incorporating the expertise of professionals in other disciplines
example An example of a bear-proof trash can in Shenandoah national Park, US

Black bear in south carolina

Energy & material flows in ecosystem

Inside ecosystem both energy & materials flows with fundamental difference
Energy flow only in one direction Material flow is cylndrical
Example in photosynthesis (simple way) All energy originates from sun (as light energy)

sunlight [Nutrients] + CO2 O2+ [high energy molecules]

12/03/2014

An Example of a one-way flow of energy

Rate of energy extracted or decreasing And NOT recycled

12/03/2014

An Example of a nutrient flow through an ecosystem

Plants then die or use by other

Start with dead organic (also termed as detritus)

Produces compounds as ammonia etc

Formation of new plant tissue

CO2 use by plants & others as nutrients

Stabilized or fully oxidized & forms as a more stable compounds

3 types of microbial decomposers: Aerobic Anaerobic facultative

5 min think & answer

What are major properties?

[detritus]+O2CO2+H2O+[nutrients]

[detritus]CO2+CH4+H2S+NH3+.+[nutrients]

Facultative use oxygen when available and also can use anaerobic reactions if not available

12/03/2014

The arrow shows how energy is received from the sun and flows through the system

Balance equation: [IN]=[OUT]

Human influence on ecosystem

(1) Effect of pesticides Organic pesticides such as DDT Decomposed very slowly Stored in fatty tissus of animals transferred through food chain
Biomagnified in the food chain
Data from Woodell, G.M et al, 1967, Science 156:821-824

Human influence on ecosystem

ALGAE

(2) Effect of nutrients on a lake

Model of lake shows the producers (algae) receive energy from sun (photosysthesis) produce biomass & oxygen Consumers: fish, plankton etc use oxygen & produce CO2, transfer nutrients Decomposers: eg worms, microorganism also respire (use energy) & use oxygen & produce CO2 When not in balance eutrophication can be reversed

12/03/2014

Human influence on ecosystem

(3) Effect of organic wastes on a stream Problem also due to oxygen depletion Water can hold only limited amount of gas; amount of oxygen can be dissolved depends on :
water temp, atms pressure, concentration of dissolved solids
Stream flushed out compared to lake

Ref: Vesilind, Morgan, Heine; 2011

12/03/2014

Mechanism of re-aeration in natural streams (constant noted as k)

If the rate of oxygen use> the dissolved oxygen level drop (cannot keep up with oxygen consumption) =Deficit (D) consume

Deficit (D) = saturation of oxygen in water (S)-Concentration of DO (C) Unit mg/L

[IN]=[OUT] Qs+Qp=Q0
p=pollution source S=upstream 0=downstream

12/03/2014

Human influence on ecosystem

(4) Effect of Design on an ecosystem Remodel & incorporate : energy-efficient Example? Water-efficient Environment-friendly materials Green and sustainable design

5 min think & answer

Energy flows and balances

Flow of energy in the living ecosystem

10

12/03/2014

More example of energy flow occurrences

[Rate of energy IN] = [Rate of energy OUT]

Energy is NEVER produced or consumed but changed form

The first law of thermodynamics: The total amount of energy in the universe can neither created nor destroyed, only exchanged.

11

12/03/2014

A power plant uses 1000 Mg of coal per day The energy value of the coal is 28,000 kJ/kg The plant produces 2.8 x 10exp6 kWh of electricity each day What is the efficiency of the power plant?

Try! (ans: eff=36%)

The Circulation of Matter and Energy

Humans being will always seek to improve their quality of life, and without doubt, this will harm the environment. The Earths entire biosphere can be viewed as a single, self-regulating body as which will react to disturbances much as a human reacts to attack by disease - Gaia Hypothesis - (such as extreme weather)

12

12/03/2014

THANK YOU

13