Energy Flows, Material Cycles and Global Development (eBook)

A Process Engineering Approach to the Earth System

Georg Schaub, Thomas Turek (Autoren)

eBook Download: PDF

2010
204 Seiten
Springer Berlin (Verlag)
978-3-642-12736-6 (ISBN)

Infos

The book deals with the global flows of energy and materials, and changes caused by human activities. Based on these facts, the limitations of anthropogenic energy and material flows and the resulting consequences for the development of human societies are discussed. Different scenarios for lifestyle patterns are correlated with the world´s future development of energy supply and climate. The book provides a process engineering approach to the Earth system and global development. It requires basic understanding of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and provides an insight into the complex matter for readers ranging from undergraduate students to experts.

Inhalt

Preface 4
Why a Process Engineering Approach to the Earth System? 4
Acknowledgements 5
Contents 6
Acronyms 9
1 Introduction and Fundamentals 11
1.1 The Starting Point: Sustainability and Global Change 11
1.2 Systems and Balances 15
1.2.1 Types of Systems and General Balances 15
1.2.2 Example: Historical Developmentof Atmospheric CO2 Concentration 17
1.2.3 Characteristics of Dynamic Systems 19
1.3 Thermodynamics: the Different Forms of Energy 27
1.3.1 The First Law of Thermodynamics 27
1.3.2 The Second Law of Thermodynamics 29
1.3.3 Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics:Complex Behavior and Formation of Structures 32
References 34
2 Biogeosphere as Environment for Life 36
2.1 Planet Earth and the Present Biogeosphere 36
2.2 Historical Development of the Biogeosphere 41
2.2.1 Formation of Earth and Driving Forces for Change 41
2.2.2 Atmosphere 43
2.2.3 Climate 47
2.2.4 Life 51
2.2.5 Civilization 55
References 59
3 Energy Balance of the Earth 61
3.1 Energy Exchange by Radiation 62
3.2 Role of the Atmosphere and Greenhouse Effect 64
3.3 Spatio-temporal Variations 68
3.4 Photosynthesis 72
3.5 Energy Balance and Climate 78
3.5.1 Snowball Earth: Ice-Albedo Feedbackand Multiple Climate States 78
3.5.2 Simple Models for the Self-Regulating Behavior of the Earth System 80
3.5.3 Global Climate Models 82
References 85
4 Global Material Cycles 87
4.1 The Carbon Cycle 88
4.2 The Oxygen Cycle 92
4.3 The Water Cycle 94
4.4 The Nitrogen Cycle 98
4.5 The Sulfur Cycle 101
4.6 The Phosphorus Cycle 103
4.7 The Chlorine Cycle 104
4.8 Interaction of Material Cycles 109
References 111
5 Anthropogenic Material and Energy Flows 113
5.1 Changes in the Natural Carbon Cycle 113
5.1.1 Overview of Factors and Phases 113
5.1.2 Phase 10000-250 Years Ago 115
5.1.3 Phase 250 Years Ago Until Today 118
5.2 Other Anthropogenic Material Flows 121
5.3 Global Utilization of Primary Energy 123
5.4 Energy Flows in Germany 124
5.4.1 Overview 125
5.4.2 Energy Flows Related to Mobility and Transport 128
5.4.3 Energy Flows Related to Industry 131
5.4.4 Energy Flows Related to Buildings and Domestic Use 134
5.5 Correlation Between Energy Flows and Carbon Flows 135
References 139
6 Limits for Anthropogenic Material and Energy Flows 141
6.1 Reserves and Resources of Fossil Fuels 141
6.2 Net Primary Production of Photosynthesis NPP 146
6.3 Local and Regional Ecosystems 148
6.4 Impact on Climate System 150
References 151
7 Approaches to Global Development 152
7.1 Criteria and Aims of Future Development 152
7.2 Examples of Sustainable Technologies 155
7.2.1 Electrical Energy Generation 155
7.2.2 Heat Generation 159
7.2.3 Energy Supply for Mobility and Transport 163
7.2.4 Bioenergy 165
7.2.5 Hydrogen 170
7.3 Climate Engineering 171
7.4 Individual Living Conditions and Lifestyles 173
7.5 Global CO2 Emission and Atmospheric Carbon Inventory Scenarios 177
References 182
8 Conclusions 184
Glossary 187
Nomenclature 197
Index 200

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 13.12.2010
• Reihe/Serie: Environmental Engineering
• Reihe/Serie: Environmental Engineering
• Reihe/Serie: Environmental Engineering
• Reihe/Serie: Environmental Science and Engineering
• Reihe/Serie: Environmental Science and Engineering
• Zusatzinfo: XII, 204 p.
• Verlagsort: Berlin
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Natur / Ökologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Genetik / Molekularbiologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: Effects of Human Activities • Global Energy Flows • Global Material Cycles • Per Capita Flows
• ISBN-10: 3-642-12736-3 / 3642127363
• ISBN-13: 978-3-642-12736-6 / 9783642127366