Notes about Reservoirs, Flux, and Processes Reservoirs can be described at any scale that is useful to the analysis The world’s forests can be described as a reservoir of carbon or water. A potted can also be described as a reservoir of carbon or water. The world’s oceans and a cup of tea are both reservoirs of thermal energy or heat, at very different scales. (italicized below) and Fluxes occur at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Processes is a continuous process when conditions are right, but molecules of CO2 can be removed Photosynthesis from the atmosphere and stored in a leaf in a faction of second. The of minerals from exposed bedrock into the pedosphere is also a continuous process that weathering happens at a very slow rate. The of a volcano moves energy and matter from the geosphere into the atmosphere very eruption rapidly. The of a dead animal moves matter and energy from the biosphere into the pedosphere decomposition and atmosphere slowly. can be described at any temporal or spatial scale, from the drying of a shirt on a clothes line Evaporation to the continuous process of evaporation that moves water molecules from the oceans into the atmosphere. A bird’s of moves matter and energy from one element of the biosphere into another. digestion Forest fires (combustion) move vast amounts of matter and energy from the biosphere into the atmosphere and pedosphere in a short period of time. Rotting or will eventually transfer decomposition the same amount of matter and energy into other spheres but over a much longer period of time.
Notes about Reservoirs, Flux, and Processes Reservoirs can be described at any scale that is useful to the analysis The world’s forests can be described as a reservoir of carbon or water. A potted can also be described as a reservoir of carbon or water. The world’s oceans and a cup of tea are both reservoirs of thermal energy or heat, at very different scales. Processes (italicized below) and Fluxes occur at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Photosynthesis is a continuous process when conditions are right, but molecules of CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere and stored in a leaf in a faction of second. The weathering of minerals from exposed bedrock into the pedosphere is also a continuous process that happens at a very slow rate. The eruption of a volcano moves energy and matter from the geosphere into the atmosphere very rapidly. The decomposition of a dead animal moves matter and energy from the biosphere into the pedosphere and atmosphere slowly. Evaporation can be described at any temporal or spatial scale, from the drying of a shirt on a clothes line to the continuous process of evaporation that moves water molecules from the oceans into the atmosphere. A bird’s digestion of moves matter and energy from one element of the biosphere into another. Forest fires (combustion) move vast amounts of matter and energy from the biosphere into the atmosphere and pedosphere in a short period of time. Rotting or decomposition will eventually transfer the same amount of matter and energy into other spheres but over a much longer period of time.
earth_system_concepts-notes.docx