In animate thermodynamics, Sven Jorgensen (1934-) is a Danish ecologist and chemical engineer noted for his publications, in the field of ecological thermodynamics, on the application of various thermodynamics principles, such as exergy and emergy, as well as Prigoginean thermodynamics of self-organization of critical systems, etc., to the study of ecosystems. About sixty percent of his many articles in this area are focused on the logic of exergy, and the maximum exergy principle, in ecosystem modelling. An example concept he discusses is the dilute solution model. [1]
Jorgensen’s first publication in this area was the 1982 section “A Holistic Approach to Ecological Modeling by Application of Thermodynamics” in the book Systems and Energy. [2] His latest publication, focused on evolution thermodynamics, is the 2008 book Evolution Essays: A Thermodynamic Interpretation of Evolution. [3] Jørgensen was the recipient of the 2004 Prigogine Medal, the inaugural year of the prize, awarded annually to a leading scientist in the field of ecological systems. [5]
A thermodynamic interpretation of evolution
In his 2008 book Evolutionary Essays: A Thermodynamic Interpretation of Evolution, Jorgensen uses the concept of eco-exergy as a fundamental concept to describe evolutionary processes, using the idiom that:
“All real processes are irreversible which implies that exergy inevitably is lost. Exergy is not conserved.”
He views eco-exergy as a bridge between equilibrium systems, which he views as dead systems, and far from equilibrium systems, which he views as living systems, a view that he enmeshes with Belgian chemist Ilya Prigogine’s dissipative structure theory. [6]
Education
Jorgensen completed his MS in chemical engineering in 1958 at the Technical University of Denmark. [4] In 1975, he completed a PhD in environmental engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. In 1990, he completed a second PhD in ecological modeling at Copenhagen University. [5]
References
1. Jorgensen, Sven E. and Svirezhev, Yuri M. (2004). Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems. New York: Elsevier.
2. Jorgensen, Sven E. (1982). “A Holistic Approach to Ecological Modeling by Application of Thermodynamics”. In: Mitsch, W., Ragade, R.K, Bossermann, R.W., and Dillon, J. (Eds.), Systems and Energy, 192-pages. Ann Arbor, Mi.: Ann Arbor Press.
3. Jorgensen, Sven E. (2008). Evolution Essays: A Thermodynamic Interpretation of Evolution. Elsevier Science.
4. (a) Sven Erik Jørgensen – faculty of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen.
(b) Author. (2004). “Ecology Pioneer to Receive Prize from Swedish King.” Denmark.dk , Aug. 13.
5. Sven Erik Jørgensen – Curriculum Vitae, EcologicalModel.net.
6. ibid, Jorgensen. (2008). Preface, pgs. ix-x.
Further Reading
● Jorgensen, Sven E. (2010). Global Ecology: A Derivative of Encyclopedia of Ecology. Amsterdam: Academic Press.
External links
● Sven Erik Jorgensen – Wikipedia.
● Jorgensen, Sven Erik (1934-) – WorldCat Identities.
