AICE Environmental Management Study Guide Notes

AICE Environmental Management Study Guide Notes

Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Management

1.1 Continents and Oceans

  • Continents: 7 total

    • Africa

    • Antarctica

    • Asia

    • Europe

    • North America

    • South America

    • Oceania

  • Oceans: 5 total

    • Atlantic Ocean

    • Pacific Ocean

    • Indian Ocean

    • Arctic Ocean

    • Southern Ocean

  • Key Facts: 🌟

    • Pacific Ocean: Largest, covering 33% of Earth, home to Mariana Trench (11,034 m deep).

    • Atlantic Ocean: Second-largest, covers 20% of Earth; divided into North and South Atlantic.

    • Indian Ocean: Third largest.

    • Southern Ocean: Southern circulation.

    • Arctic Ocean: Smallest, located around the North Pole.

      → Use acronym PAISA !

1.2 Country Classification by Income Level

  • World Bank Income Groups:

    • Low-Income Economies (LICs): GNI per capita ≤ $1,086.

      • Examples: Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan.

    • Middle-Income Economies (MICS): GNI per capita between $1,086 and $13,205.

      • Examples: Ukraine, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Kenya, Brazil, Bulgaria, Jamaica.

    • High-Income Economies (HICS): GNI per capita > $13,205.

      • Examples: US, UK, Sweden, France, Australia.

  • Characteristics: 🌟

    • LIC: Shortage of clean water, no factories, corrupt governments, high emigration rates.

    • HIC: Stable water supply, able to purchase raw materials at low prices, stable governments, low emigration rates, high percent of dependents.

1.3 Sustainability

  • Definition: Ability to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. 🌟

  • Resource Types:

    • Renewable Resources: Renew over months, years, or decades (e.g., timber, soil, freshwater).

    • Nonrenewable Resources: Exist in limited amounts (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals).

1.4 The Water Cycle 🌟

  • Closed System (Global): Water is neither created nor destroyed. EX: Hydrological CycIe

  • Open System (Local): Local variations exist.

  • Stages of the Water Cycle: 🌟

    • Through-flow: Horizontal water flow within soil.

    • Interception: Precipitation trapped by canopies/buildings.

    • Infiltration: Water movement from surface to below.

    • Run-off: Water flowing on the surface after precipitation.

    • Evaporation: Liquid water converts to gas via sun energy.

    • Transpiration: Water vapor moving from plants to atmosphere.

    • Condensation: Gas turning into liquid by cooling.

    • Through-fall: Precipitation falling from plants to the soil.

    • Groundwater (Aquifer): Water stored in permeable rock layers.

    • Groundwater flow: Water moving between aquifers.

1.5 The Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

  • Composition:

    • Nitrogen: 78%

    • Oxygen: 21%

    • Other gases: 1% (e.g., 0.93% argon, 0.03% CO2, 0.04% water vapor)

  • Layers of the Atmosphere:

    • Troposphere:

      • First layer, decreasing air density/pressure/temperature with altitude.

      • Contains most water vapor; greenhouse gases cause global warming.

    • Stratosphere:

      • Second layer, increasing temperature with altitude, contains ozone layer.

    • Mesosphere:

      • Third layer, coldest; decreases air density/pressure/temperature.

    • Thermosphere:

      • Fourth layer, high temperatures due to solar radiation.

1.6 Ecosystems

  • Definitions: 🌟

    • Population: Group of individuals of the same species.

    • Community: Group of organisms living together.

    • Ecosystem: Interaction between organisms and abiotic factors.

    • Biome: Large geographic area with similar climate and vegetation.

    • Habitat: Place where an organism is found.

    • Niche: Range of environmental conditions and the role of the organism in a community.

  • Ecosystem Components:

    • Abiotic Factors: Water, soil, climate, sunlight, salinity, acidity.

    • Biotic Factors: Producers, consumers, decomposers.

Trophic Structure of Ecosystems

  • Trophic Levels:

    • 1st Level: Producers/Autotrophs (photosynthesis).

    • 2nd Level: Primary Consumers (herbivores).

    • 3rd Level: Secondary Consumers (carnivores).

    • 4th Level: Top Consumers/Apex Predators.

  • Energy Transfer: Only 10% energy passed to the next level, 90% lost as waste or heat.

Energy in Ecosystems

  • Photosynthesis Reaction: 6H2O + 6CO2 { -- (solar energy) --> } C6 H12 O6 + 6O2

    • Occurs in chloroplasts; utilizes light energy, produces glucose and oxygen.

  • Rate of Photosynthesis Limits:

    • Influenced by light intensity, CO2 concentration, temperature.

Cellular Respiration

  • Aerobic Respiration Reaction: C6 H12 O6 + 6O2 { -> } 6CO2 + 6H2O

    • Breaks down glucose to release energy (ATP).

Carbon Cycling Processes

  • Abiotic Stage: Carbon as CO2 in atmosphere, sediments, fossil fuels.

  • Biotic Stage: Stored in living organisms; transferred via photosynthesis and respiration.

Biotic Interactions

  • Types of Interactions:

    1. Competition: Seeking same limited resources; can be intra- or interspecific.

    2. Grazing: Feeding without killing (e.g., grasshoppers).

    3. Predation: Predator consumes prey, influencing population dynamics.

    4. Parasitism: Parasite benefits at host's expense; can be ecto- or endoparasitic.

    5. Mutualism: Both species benefit from interaction (e.g., bees and flowers).