Earth+Systems

=** This is the Wikispace of Deborah Kiserow, Tess Allen, and Siddharth Agarwal! ** = ==** Our articles are based off of the topic of Earth's Systems, which was Unit 2 from our APES class. ** == = = =** To read about the earth's core, its growth and rotational speed, and the possible effect it may have on the earth's geomagnetic sphere, click here.[] ** = ===** The Earth’s core rotates at a rate that is slightly faster than the rest of the layers of the planet. However, the rate at which it is rotating is much slower than expected, and through this discovery, scientists are now able to determine the core’s effect on the geomagnetic field of the earth more accurately. This is critical, as the development of the geomagnetic field over time will affect how protected Earth’s surface is from solar radiation. The change in the field occurs from the outward growth of the core, which also influences convection in the outer core fluid, a topic we discussed in the Earth Systems unit this semester in APES. ** ===


===** To learn about el ninos and a new type that has developed, which may impact the number of hurricanes that occur each year, click here. []  ** === ====** Recently scientists have discovered a new type of el nino that has developed. This el nino has a higher amount of hurricanes and increases the chance of the hurricanes making landfall. These hurricanes form in the Central Pacific, unlike normal el nino hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific. Although there is an increase in the amount of hurricanes, one positive aspect is that the hurricanes can be tracked months before they can cause any damage on land. ** ====

===** To find out information regarding ocean acidification and its effect on various biogeochemical cycles, click here. [] ** === ==== **Increased CO2 levels in ocean water have led to a drop in pH, affecting cycles such as the nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle, processes which play a major role in our environment. Decreased nitrates underwater could severely affect ocean ecosystems and play a part in changing the global balance. Experiments run by scientists comparing decreased pH levels to normal pH levels resulted in decreases of 8% to 38% in some cases. This is and will continue to be a problem because of the burning of fossil fuels that is the major contributor to the increased atmospheric CO2 levels. Organisms in the ocean convert ammonium to nitrates, a form of nitrogen that plants use to grow. They also produce nitrous oxide, a gas that is present in our atmosphere. The negative consequences of the reduction of these constituents are not yet known, but they are sure to have a measureable impact on ecosystems all around the world.** ==== ===** After reading these articles, here are some discussion questions to get your minds thinking about the topics! ** === ** In what ways may changing solar radiation levels impact Earth’s systems? ** ** Would ocean acidification have any effect on the number of hurricanes occurring in a given year? If so, what possible effects may be seen? ** <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> **What possible impact may an increase in hurricanes have on ocean acidification?**

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Works Cited <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">"Earth's Core Rotation Faster than Rest of the Planet, but Slower than Previously Believed." //Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology//. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110220142817.htm>.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">"New Type Of El Nino Could Mean More Hurricanes Make Landfall." //Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology//. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702140835.htm>.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Orcutt |, Mike. "Observations: Ocean Acidification May Disrupt the Marine Nitrogen Cycle." //Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American//. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=ocean-acidification-may-disrupt-the-2010-12-20>.