Subsystems

Geosphere
The geosphere is the physical Earth – the rock, magma and soil. The geosphere extends from
the centre of the Earth (the core, mantle and crust) to the dust in the atmosphere and even
includes the sediments found in the oceans.
Lithosphere
The lithosphere contains all of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust
(surface), the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and the liquid land near the
center of the planet. *The surface of the lithosphere is very uneven (see image at
right). There are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and Andes (shown in red),
huge plains or flat areas like those in Texas, Iowa, and Brazil (shown in green), and
deep valleys along the ocean floor (shown in blue).
The solid, semi-solid, and liquid land of the lithosphere form layers that are physically and
chemically different. If someone were to cut through Earth to its center, these layers would be
revealed like the layers of an onion (see image above). The outermost layer of the lithosphere
consists of loose soil rich in nutrients, oxygen, and silicon. Beneath that layer lies a very thin,
solid crust of oxygen and silicon. Next is a thick, semi-solid mantle of oxygen, silicon, iron, and
magnesium. Below that is a liquid outer core of nickel and iron. At the center of Earth is a solid
inner core of nickel and iron.
*Note: The word "lithosphere" can take on different meanings depending on the speaker and the
audience. For example, many geologists--scientists who study the geologic formations of Earth-
-reserve the word "lithosphere" to mean only the cold, hard surface of Earth, not the entire
inside of the planet. For the purpose of this module, however, there will be no distinction among
the various layers of land. The word "lithosphere" will be used in reference to all land in Earth's
system.
Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of the planet.
**It ranges from 10 to 20 kilometers in thickness. The hydrosphere extends from
Earth's surface downward several kilometers into the lithosphere and upward
about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere.
A small portion of the water in the hydrosphere is fresh (non-salty). This water flows as
precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's
surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's fresh water, however, is
frozen.
Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty. The salty water collects in deep valleys along
Earth's surface. These large collections of salty water are referred to as oceans. The image
above depicts the different temperatures one would find on oceans' surfaces. Water near the
poles is very cold (shown in dark purple), while water near the equator is very warm (shown in
light blue). The differences in temperature cause water to change physical states. Extremely low
temperatures like those found at the poles cause water to freeze into a solid such as a polar
icecap, a glacier, or an iceberg. Extremely high temperatures like those found at the equator
cause water to evaporate into a gas.
**Note: Some scientists place frozen water--glaciers, icecaps, and icebergs--in its own sphere
called the "cryosphere." For the purpose of this module, however, frozen water will be included
as part of the hydrosphere. The word "hydrosphere" will be used in reference to all water in
Earth's system.
Biosphere
The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. ***This sphere includes all of
the microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth.
Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on the
physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes.
Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist
within the biosphere.
It is impossible to detect from space each individual organism within the biosphere. However,
biomes can be seen from space. For example, the image above distinguishes between lands
covered with plants (shown in shades of green) and those that are not (shown in brown).
***Note: Some scientists place humans in their own sphere called the "anthrosphere." For the
purpose of this module, however, humans will be included as part of the biosphere. The word
"biosphere" will be used in reference to all living things in Earth's system.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's system. ****It extends from less than 1 m below
the planet's surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's surface. The upper portion of
the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It
also absorbs and emits heat. When air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes,
weather occurs. As air in the lower atmosphere is heated or cooled, it moves around the planet.
The result can be as simple as a breeze or as complex as a tornado.
****Note: The atmosphere is made up of many layers that differ in chemical composition and
temperature. For the purpose of this module, however, we will not differentiate among the layers
of the atmosphere. The word "atmosphere" will be used in reference to all of the layers.
We know weather happens in the atmosphere, but without the hydrosphere, there would be no
water to evaporate and so no cloud or rain could form. Without oceans and land (hydrosphere
and geosphere), there would be no wind (as winds are produced by differences of
air temperature between the land and oceans).
Without the atmosphere (giving us air to breathe and protection from incoming solar rays), there
would be no life on Earth. It would be as barren as the moon. Without water, life as we know it
would cease to exist. Last of all, without the geosphere, there would be no world to live on!
Look at the changing landscape of Earth. Rivers erode the geosphere, changing the physical
environment so that plants and animals have to adapt or die. Bad weather might increase the
weathering of rocks (the way rocks are broken down) changing both the physical and chemical
makeup of the rocks.
These are a few examples to show how the systems are interlinked. Upsetting one system can
lead to serious consequences in the sustainability of another system.

Subsystems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Subsystems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Subsystems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Geosphere

You might also like