Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Universe
Galaxies
?
Biosphere
Solar systems
Supermacro or
cosmic world
(the very large)
Planets
Earth
Biosphere
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
Communities
Life
Populations
Realm of
ecology
Macro world
(the ordinary)
Organisms
Communities
Organ systems
Organs
Tissues
Cells
Populations
Protoplasm
Borderline
Micro world
(the very small)
Molecules
Organisms
Nonlife
Atoms
Subatomic particles
Active Figure 2-3
Natural capital:
levels of organization of matter in nature. Ecology focuses on five of these
levels.
See an animation based on this figure and take a short quiz on the concept.
fluorine (F), bromine (Br), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca),
lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and uranium
(U).
Good news.
The elements in the list above are the
only ones you need to know to understand the mater-
ial in this topic.
From a chemical standpoint, how much are you
worth? Not much. If we add up the market price per
kilogram for each element in someone weighing
70 kilograms (154 pounds), the total value comes to
about $120. Not very uplifting, is it?
Of course, you are worth much more because your
body is not just a bunch of chemicals enclosed in a bag
of skin. You are an incredibly complex system in which
air, water, soil nutrients, energy-storing chemicals, and
food chemicals interact in millions of ways to keep you
alive and healthy. Feel better now?
