Mr. C, - Mon, Sept 14th, 3/3

What we did today:

• reviewed from last week (E pyramids, laws of t'dynamics, trophic levels), and question 3a. on p32 (E flow calculations)
• introduced concept of biogeochemical cycles (2nd part of mantra)
  
• introduced "bottle biosphere" project (pairs, due Tues Sept 22nd)
• discussed H2O cycle and worked on water T/F Qs worksheet
• dodged having to prepare for food calorimetry lab tomorrow (Mr. C forgot photocopies)

Thoughts about material:
Our discussion made me wonder about the biodome project (why didn't it work?), if there are examples of food chains with more than 5 trophic levels, and just how thick is the biosphere (other than "saran wrap on a basketball"). It's hard to believe that this small region is the only place that life exists in the universe.

Above and Beyond:
According to this site: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/biosphere the average thickness of the biosphere is about 5400m above sea level to 9000m below sea level. That's 14.4km - not very thick (you could walk that far in about an hour and a half!). Note: some organisms have been recorded outside of this range - at least temporarily e.g. Ruppels vulture found at 11,300m! (Mt Everest is 8850m) and some fish found at -8372m! (10,000psi of pressure!). Most organisms at the extremes of the biosphere are simple, single-celled bacteria.
NOTE: this section includes a website reference link, and is paraphrased in MY OWN WORDS.

The picture shows a charming baby octopus found deep in the ocean.