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THE PLANET AND THE BIOSPHERE
The part of the surface of Earth that is moved by solar energy and that hosts life forms is called the biosphere or the ecosphere. It is a highly dynamic system that integrates all living species, which is referred to as biota, and its environment, which consists of the atmosphere (air), the hydrosphere (waters and oceans) and the pedosphere, which is the free layer of soil on the ground.
We may also discuss the whole system that is involved in material flows. This is the geo-biosphere which contains in addition to the ecosphere, the cryosphere, and the lithospere, that is the crust of the planet.
The circumstances needed for life on land, that is the oxygen in the atmosphere and the UV protecting shield of ozone in the stratosphere, were present 350 million years ago. Since then life has promoted an increasing amount of organic materials on the surface of the Earth. These contain carbon, but also oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur, in addition to smaller amounts of other elements. Biomass constitutes a material pool of great importance.
The material flows that occur independent of life are limited. They are driven by e.g. volcanism, and chemical reactions caused by e.g. lightning. Life processes have increased these material flows enormously and are since their beginning integral parts of all the major material flows on earth. That is why these flows are called the bio-geo-chemical flows. Through photosynthesis and the coupled carbon dioxide fixation, life has moved masses in the ecosphere which, since the beginning of life, is estimated to be of the same order of magnitude as the mass of the Earth itself. Today's global Net Primary Production (NPP) of biomass is estimated at 50 Gton carbon/year for the continents and about half that amount for the oceans. The turnover of matter from the lithosphere to the ecosphere is mediated by the extremely important thin ................................. layer of soil.
TASK1
FILL IN THE MISSING PREPOSITION:
1. Today’s global Net Primary Production (NPP) … biomass is estimated … 50 Gton carbon/year … the continents and about half than amount … the oceans.
2. The turnover … matter … the lithosphere … the ecosphere is mediated … the extremely important thin layer … soil.
3. Carbon dioxide is a key component … the physics … the planet since it interacts … the heat balance.
4. An important part … the carbon flow is the formation … calcium carbonate … the seas.
5. The comparatively immense utilization … fossil fuels today seriously disturbs the balance … the natural process and the modern combustion practices.
6. Phosphorus is dissolved … water absorbed … plants and … this way enters the biological forms.
7. The large amounts … phosphorus used as fertilizers … agriculture add again … eutrophication … surface waters, especially … lakes.
8. Sulphur is taken … … plants and bacteria and incorporated … several kinds … biomolecules.
9. Sulphur is released … weathering processes and dissolved … various forms … water.
10. Sulphur is added … the atmosphere … volcanic activities.
TASK2
USE THE PROPER FORM OF THE INFINITIVE OR INFINITIVE COMPLEX:
1. In the history of the planet, major pert of the carbon cycle is estimated (to take care) of some 60 entire atmospheres of carbon dioxide.
2. Sweden took the initiative (to place) the issue of environment on the agenda of the United Nations.
3. Molecules are too small (to seen) even with a powerful microscope.
4. Dimethylsulphide seems (to have) a role in climate regulation.
5. Phosphorus is known (to dissolve) in water absorbed by plants.
TASK3
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING COLLOCATIONS FROM ENGLISH INTO RUSSIAN:
1. sustainable development;
2. surface water;
3. to initiate formation;
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING COLLOCATIONS FROM RUSSIAN INTO ENGLISH:
4. ускорить цикл;
5. солнечная энергия;
6. растворяться в воде;
TASK4
MATCH THE WORDS WITH THEIR DEFINITIONS AND TRANSLATE THEM
| 1. atmosphere; 2. biosphere; 3. ecosphere; 4. hydrosphere; 5. lithosphere; 6. biota; 7. combustion; 8. biomolecule; 9. sulfur; 10. carbon dioxide; | a. an organic molecule and esp. a macromolecule in living organisms; b. the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth or other planet occupied by living organisms; c. the biosphere of the earth or another planet, esp. when the interaction between the living and nonliving components is emphasized; d. the animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period; e. the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet; f. all the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas, and sometimes including water over the earth’s surface, such as clouds; g. the chemical element of atomic number 16, a yellow combustible nonmetal. Symbol: S. h. a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. Chem. Formula CO2. i. the process of burning something; j. the solid part of a celestial body (as the earth); |
Вариант 6, 2 семестр
GREENPEACE
1. Read the text and translate the extract in italic in written form.
Most people are aware that the earth is a delicate thing, and that it cannot last for ever, if we don't take care of it. Apart from the dangers of blowing each other up, there is the problem of pollution of the environment, and the destruction of wildlife by hunters.
Many species of whale, for example, are in danger of extinction because of hunters who continue whaling despite the world's attempts to limit the annual catch. Seals are also threatened; and with the increasing use of nuclear power to generate electricity, a new danger has arisen; the pollution of ocean by nuclear waste.
The Greenpeace organization exists to draw our attention to these problems. It is a conservationist group, and its aim is to protect the environment and maintain the balance of ecosystem.
It uses direct action to prevent the killing of whales and seals, and to stop the dumping of nuclear waste at sea.
As well as actually sabotaging activities in these areas, it uses diplomatic pressure to persuade governments to pass new laws to make these things illegal. It is also a supporter of alternative technology and the use of wind, solar, and sea power to generate electricity.
In its most recent campaign, Greenpeace sent two of its ships, Sirius and Cedarlea, to the Atlantic to meet up with two Dutch ships which were dumping nuclear waste at sea. The action took place about 250 miles off the Spanish coast. Members of the Greenpeace team climbed aboard one of the Dutch ships and handcuffed themselves to a crane. Later on they launched inflatable boats and sailed underneath the falling barrels of waste.
Unfortunately they had to call off their action when one of their pilots was injured; a falling barrel had turned his boat over and thrown him against the engine, knocking him unconscious.
This is the way Greenpeace operates: actions speak louder than words. It is to prevent the sea being used as a nuclear dustbin. If the barrels ever leak, they argue, nuclear contamination would quickly spread through the sea and present a serious threat to many countries. Spain would be among the first affected. For this reason the Sirius was given a very friendly reception when it called at the Spanish port of Vigo, even though the mission had been called off.
Greenpeace has had several adventures at sea. Apart from its involvement in anti-nuclear activities, its concern for whales has also taken it to the oceans, where its methods of stopping the work of whaling ships have been just as daring.
Greenpeace places its boats between the harpoon and the whale, forming a human barrier through which the whalers are unwilling to shoot. This gives the whale time to escape. Success has rewarded the campaigners' efforts to save whales.
They are also active in trying to save the lives of the world's seals. Every year 250,000 seals are slaughtered in Newfoundland, Canada. These unfortunate seal pups are shot or clubbed to death, and their pelts are then sold in Europe. Efforts to put a stop to the slaughter have included blocking the way of the hunters' ships, protecting the seals, and making their pelts useless by daubing them with harmless but indelible dye.
In these ways Greenpeace makes us aware of how our activities disturb the ecosystem, and forces official organizations to think of the long-term consequences of their actions.
Grammar work