The Earth's Subsystems

The Earth’s Subsystems
The Earth as a Closed System

A closed system is a
system in which
there is only an
exchange of heat or
energy and no
exchange of matter.

Earth is a dynamic body with many separate, but highly interacting parts or
spheres.
The Earth’s Four Spheres
Geosphere
• Geosphere: comprises the solid Earth and
includes both Earth’s surface and the various
layers of the Earth's interior.
• It is composed of naturally – occurring solid
aggregate of minerals, organic material, rocks,
and loose particles that blanket the surface of the
Earth called regolith.
• It defines much of the environment we live in,
controls the distribution of minerals, rocks and
soils and generates natural hazards that shape the
land and impact humans.
•Atmosphere: Volcanism spews
significant amounts of gases into the
atmosphere. For example, volcanoes
inject large amounts of Sulphur dioxide
to the upper atmosphere, resulting in
Geosphere global cooling.
Interactions with •Hydrosphere: The formation of many
minerals involve incorporation or release
other Earth of water. Also, water speeds up
System chemical reactions that produce or
components destroy minerals, and aids in the melting
of rock.
•Biosphere: Nutrients released from
rocks during their breakdown are
dissolved in water (to be used by aquatic
plants).
System Interactions
Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sending ash and
gases into the air (atmosphere) and sending
lava and ash down onto surrounding forests
(biosphere) and human habitations
(biosphere).
Geosphere
Atmosphere Biosphere
System Interactions
Earthquakes (geosphere) can damage
buildings which may kill people (biosphere),
as well as cause fires which release gases into
the air (atmosphere). Earthquakes in the
ocean may cause a tsunami (hydrosphere)
which can eventually hit land and kill both
animals and people (biosphere).
Biosphere
Geosphere Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
• The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, commonly
known as air, that surrounds the planet Earth and is retained by
Earth's gravity.
• It is divided into five layers:

1. The troposphere is the first layer above the surface and
contains half of the Earth's atmosphere. Weather occurs in
this layer.
2. Many jet aircrafts fly in the stratosphere because it is very
stable. Also, the ozone layer absorbs harmful rays from the
Sun.
3. Meteors or rock fragments burn up in the mesosphere.
4. The thermosphere is a layer with auroras. It is also where
the space shuttle orbits.
5. The atmosphere merges into space in the extremely
thin exosphere. This is the upper limit of our atmosphere.
Atmosphere
Interactions with other Earth System Components
•Hydrosphere: The gases of the atmosphere readily exchange with

those dissolved in water bodies (e.g. oceans, lakes, etc.)
•Biosphere: The atmosphere supplies oxygen and carbon dioxide that
form the basis of life processes (photosynthesis and respiration).
•Geosphere: Gases in the atmosphere react with water to produce
weak acids that aid in the breakdown of rock.
System Interactions
Hurricanes (atmosphere) sweep across the
ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land
(geosphere), damaging the dwellings of
people (biosphere) who live along the coast.
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
• A hydrosphere is the total
amount of water on a
Hydrosphere planet, including water that
is on the surface of the
planet, underground, and
in the air.
• Some of the important
functions of water in the
hydrosphere:
1. Forms a part of living
cells
2. Provides a habitat
3. Dissolves gases,
nutrients, and ions
4. Regulates climate
•Atmosphere: Water is transferred
between the hydrosphere and biosphere
by evaporation and precipitation. Energy
Hydrosphere is also exchanged in this process.
Interactions with •Biosphere: Water is necessary for the
transport of nutrients and waste
other Earth products in organisms.
System •Geosphere: Water is the primary agent
for the chemical and mechanical
Components breakdown of rock (weathering), to form
loose rock fragments and soil, and
sculpts the surface of the Earth.
• The biosphere is the “life
zone” of the Earth, and
includes all living organisms
and all organic matter that
has not yet decomposed.
• It is the worldwide sum of all
ecosystems.
• The biosphere is structured
into a hierarchy known as the
food chain
• Energy and mass is
transferred from one level of
the food chain to the next.
Biosphere
Biosphere
Interactions with other Earth System Components
Atmosphere: Life processes involve many chemical reactions
which either extract or emit gases to and from the atmosphere
(e.g. photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide and releases
oxygen, whereas respiration does the opposite).
Hydrosphere: Evaporation of water from leaf surfaces
(transpiration) transfers water to the atmosphere.
Geosphere: The biosphere is connected to the geosphere
through soils (mixtures of air, mineral matter, organic matter,
and water). Plant activity (e.g. root growth and organic acid
production) are also for the mechanical and chemical breakdown
of the rocks.
Water Cycle

The Earth's Subsystems

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The Earth's Subsystems

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The Earth’s Subsystems

The Earth as a Closed System

• It is divided into five layers:

•Hydrosphere: The gases of the atmosphere readily exchange with

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