In: Biology
( please do not answer in handwriting, the answer should be in print type)
a. Discuss one process or system in the construction field, where the industrial ecology mimics biological ecology.
Natural system or biological ecology has evolved over many millions of years from open system to closed system having a dynamic equilibrium between organisms, plants, and Source. While industrial ecology evolved in short time period through extract raw materials from the earth and transform them into products. Biological ecology is characterized by high degrees of integration and interconnectedness i.e. food web by which all organisms feed or are eaten as a food source by other members of the web. Both biological and industrial ecology have cycles of energy and nutrients or materials. Following are the different types of system:
a) Type I (open system) system is illustrated as a linear process in which materials and energy enter the system and leave either as products or by-products/wastes.
b) Type II system (closed system) characterized by some wastes are recycled or reused within the system while others still leave it.
c) Type III system (closed) complete cyclic has been achieved (except for solar energy). A Type III system represents the dynamic equilibrium of ecological systems, the energy and wastes are constantly recycled and reused by other organisms and processes within the system.
Industrial ecology in linear system, resources are consumed and damaging wastes are dissipated into the environment. Industrial ecology in cyclic loop system is analog to of ecological systems.