The Earth
Systems &
interactions
1
The Earth System
“Earth is a
complex system
of interacting
physical,
chemical &
biological
processes.”
2
Earth System Science
• Earth is a dynamic body
with many separate, but
highly interacting parts
or
spheres.
• Earth system science
studies Earth as a system
composed of numerous
parts, or subsystems.
3
4
The Earth’s Four Spheres
5
The Earth is a system consisting of four major
interacting components:
Geosphere: comprises the solid Earth and includes both
Earth’s surface and the various layers of the Earth's interior.
Atmosphere: gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth &
constitutes the transition between its & the vacuum of space.
Hydrosphere: includes all water on Earth (including
surface water and groundwater)
Biosphere: the life zone of the Earth and includes all living
organisms, and all organic matter that has not yet decomposed.
6
7
Atmosphere:
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air,
which we call the atmosphere (consists of a
mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen
(about 78%) , oxygen (about 21%), carbon
dioxide, and water vapor).
• The atmosphere consists of four unique layers
(the troposphere, the stratosphere, the
mesosphere, and the thermosphere).
• The atmosphere reaches over 560 kilometers
up from the surface of the Earth.
8
9
10
Atmospheric 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.
11
12
System Interactions:
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere Geosphere
Biosphere
Hurricanes (atmosphere) sweep across the
ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land
(geosphere), damaging the dwellings of
people (biosphere) who live along the coast.
13
The Biosphere
The biosphere is the “life zone” of the Earth,
and includes all living organisms (including
humans), and all organic matter that has
not yet decomposed.
•Energy and mass is transferred from one
level of the food chain to the next.
14
15
Biosphere: Interactions with other
Earth System components.
Atmosphere: Life processes involve a 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).
16
17
18
The hydrosphere contains all the water found on our
planet.
• Water found on the surface of our planet includes the
ocean as well as water from lakes and rivers & streams.
• Water found under the surface of our planet includes
water trapped in the soil and groundwater.
• Water found in our atmosphere includes water vapor.
• Frozen water on our planet includes ice caps and
glaciers.
• Only about 3% of the water on Earth is “fresh” water,
and about 70% of the fresh water is frozen in the form of
glacial ice.
19
Subcomponents of hydrosphere
are connected via the Water cycle
20
Hydrosphere: Interactions with other
Earth System components
Atmosphere: Water is transferred between the
hydrosphere and biosphere by evaporation and
precipitation. Energy is also exchanged in this process.
Biosphere: Water is necessary for the transport of
nutrients and waste products in organisms.
Geosphere: Water is the primary agent for the
chemical and mechanical breakdown of rock
(weathering).
21
The Geosphere
The geosphere is the solid Earth that
includes the continental and ocean
crust as well the various layers of
Earth’s interior.
• 94% of the Earth is composed of
the elements oxygen, silicon, and
magnesium.
• The geosphere is not static
(unchanging), but its surface (crust)
is in a constant state of motion.
• Mineral resources are mined from
the geosphere.
22
Earth’s Layers: Composition and
Mechanical Characteristics
Composition Physical Characteristics
crust brittle solid
Primarily lithosphere
silica plus
asthenosphere solid (but
light metallic nearly
elements liquid)
mantle
mesosphere solid
Primarily
silica plus
iron and
magnesium
outer core liquid
Primarily iron
core
and nickel
inner core solid
23
24
Geosphere: Interactions with other
Earth System components
Atmosphere: volcanism spews significant amounts of gases
into the atmosphere.
Hydrosphere: Water speeds up chemical reactions that
produce or 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).
25
System Interactions
Geosphere
Atmosphere Biosphere
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).
26
System Interactions
Biosphere
Geosphere Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
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 & kill both animals & people (biosphere).
27
Where Do Humans Fit In ?
As components of the biosphere, humans are temporary
receptacles of the matter and energy that flows through the
Earth System
“You are what you eat, drink, and breathe”
Human health is, to some degree, a function of how this
flow of matter and energy flows through, and interacts
with, the human body
In many cases, problems of human health are
fundamentally linked to the natural distribution of Earth
materials
28
The Bottom Line
Considerations on how processes within the Earth System
interact are extremely important in the understanding of
the real world !
Understanding physical and chemical processes in the
Earth System is as important as understanding
biological entities in terms of understanding biological
systems (all are connected)
Let’s break down some walls this term !
29
30
