Friday, November-18-11 Assignment #2 Worksheet Answer all of the following questions.

Then go to Assignments > Assignment #2 on our course Blackboard site, with this worksheet handy, and submit your answers. 1. (2 marks) Would a beluga whale be an example of an open system, a closed system, or an isolated system? Support your answer by defining that particular type of system, and explaining how the beluga whale fits that definition.

An open system has a dynamic equilibrium because it allows input and output of matter and energy to be exchanged across boundaries. The Beluga whale is an example of an open system because it exchanges resources with its environment. For example, the Beluga Whale breathes in oxygen through its blowhole and releases carbon dioxide into its environment.

Please identify two locations within our course materials where you found the information needed to help answer Question #1. (Do this later, if you are taking a timed practice test.) Chapter 5- systems & Cycles 11-12 Glossary

2. (3 marks) In the box model that you created for Assignment #1, the beluga whale represented a sink a final accumulation site for PAHs. What is the difference between a source and a sink? In what way (through what processes) could the body of a beluga whale become a source instead of a sink for PAHs?

A source is a reservoir that releases the flux and it releases it more than it takes in. A sink is a reservoir that receives the flux and it receives more than it gives out. The body of a Beluga whale

can become a source in many ways. One of the ways is through bioaccumulation; in which each animal obtains some level of PAHs from its prey that had levels of PAHs in its body. Another way would be if the Beluga whale dies and it becomes a fossil fuel. Another process would be if it produced offspring, the PAHs level could also be passed onto its offspring. The process by which the organism eliminates feces is another example of how the body of a beluga whale can become a source instead of a sink.
Please identify two locations within our course materials where you found the information

Chapter 5- systems & Cycles 11-12 Glossary

3. (1 mark) In addition to PAH contamination, a problem in the St. Lawrence Estuary that may be contributing to health problems for belugas and other organisms is hypoxia, caused by eutrophication. What is hypoxia?

Hypoxia is a detrimental condition to aerobic organism in which there is a reduction in dissolved oxygen in the body of water

Please identify two locations within our course materials where you found the information needed to help answer Question #3. (Do this later, if you are taking a timed practice test.) ENV100%20Oct%2017 lecture pdf ENV100%20Oct%2019%202011%281%29 lecture pdf

4. (2 marks) In our textbook and lectures, we have described soil as an ecosystem. What is an ecosystem, and why is this a good way to describe soil?

An ecosystem is a community of organisms living in a given place and their interaction with their environment. Soils are good examples of ecosystem because it plays an important role in the interaction between living and non living matter. For example, it is broken down by decomposers such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria which allow plants to obtain the nitrogen from its soil. It also provides other nutrients such as phosphorus and sulphur to plants. Moreover, the moisture held in by the soil provides water to plants. The large pores in soil allow microbial growth to occur by providing it with oxygen and nitrogen. It plays an important role in the nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and potassium cycle. It gives a place for soil animals, such as earthworms, to live or hide from predators.

Please identify two locations within our course materials where you found the information

Chapter 5- geologic systems 11-12

Glossary