organising an ecosystem- CH17

potable water

water that is safe to drink

desalination

process of obtaining potable water from fresh water b ut is very expensive as it uses a lot of water

the water cycle

water evaporates- condenses into clouds- transported- falls as precipitation- surface runoff- infiltration- transpiration- respiration

infiltration

where the precipitation is absorbed into the ground and it stored in underground rocks called aquifers

decomposition

breaking down of complex structures in dead organism biomass by decomposers and enzymes

detritus

dead organic material that detritivores feed on

rate of decomposition=

mass lost in grams/ number of days

photosynthesis is the only way to

remove CO2

photosynthesis =

carbon dioxide + water= glucose + oxygen

producers of CO2

respiration, combustion, decomposition

temperature’s effect on decay

needs to be at optimum temperature so they don’t denature

microorganisms grow faster in moist conditions and makes it easier for them to digest their food. the more moisture the faster the decay

moisture’s effect on decay

oxygen’s effect on decay

most microorganism respire aerobically so decay increases when there is more oxygen

anaerobic decay produces

ammonia