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Lesson 2 Earth Subsystems 2

The document discusses Earth's subsystems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. It highlights Earth's unique characteristics that support life and the importance of understanding the interactions among these components for maintaining balance within the Earth System. The Gaia Hypothesis is introduced, suggesting that Earth functions as a single organism, with human health being linked to the natural distribution of Earth materials.

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marvelyn.jabeguero
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© © All Rights Reserved
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4 views

Lesson 2 Earth Subsystems 2

The document discusses Earth's subsystems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. It highlights Earth's unique characteristics that support life and the importance of understanding the interactions among these components for maintaining balance within the Earth System. The Gaia Hypothesis is introduced, suggesting that Earth functions as a single organism, with human health being linked to the natural distribution of Earth materials.

Uploaded by

marvelyn.jabeguero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EARTH & LIFE

SCIENCE
Marvelyn Jessica T. Jabeguero
PASS &
SING
EARTH’S
SUBSYSTEMS
Earth is the third planet from the sun
and considered as haven for many
life forms.
The Earth System
Connections among the great spheres
Why should we discuss the Earth System ?
We must gain an appreciation of the connections and
interactions between Earth’s main components.
It is important to appreciate how Earth processes
interact with each other. By doing this, we can
maintain a broad perspective of our relationship to
Earth.
This Island Earth

About 4.5 billion years old

Geologically dynamic
internally and externally

Only planet presently known


to support life
As far as life is concerned:
“Goldilocks of the Solar
System” (relative to Sun, not
too far, not too close, just
right !)

A closed system !
Earth As A Closed System

Closed system: exchange of energy but negligible


exchange of mass with surroundings
Earth’s Four Spheres
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 and


constitutes the transition between its surface and 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.
The Earth’s Four Spheres
Geosphere (Solid Earth)

• 94 % percent of the earth is


composed of the elements oxygen
and silicon (combined as the
compound silica [silicon oxide:
SiO2]), iron and magnesium

• interior of the earth is layered both


chemically and mechanically.
Earth’s Layers: Composition and Mechanical Characteristics

Composition Physical Characteristics


crust Primarily silica
lithosphere brittle solid
plus light solid (but
asthenosphere
metallic nearly
elements liquid)

mantle
mesosphere solid
Primarily
silica plus
iron and
magnesium

outer core liquid


Primarily iron
core and nickel
inner core solid

Note: Lithosphere contains both crust and uppermost (brittle) layer of mantle
The dynamic geosphere

Earth 200 million years ago to present


The geosphere is not static. Due to movement of material within Earth, the
lithosphere (Earth’s brittle outer shell) is broken into plates that are in a
constant state of motion (plate tectonics).

The movement of plates is indicated by continental drift.


Geosphere: Interactions with other Earth System components

Atmosphere: volcanism spews significant amounts of gases


into the atmosphere. For example, volcanoes inject large amounts of
sulfur dioxide to the upper atmosphere, resulting in global cooling.

Hydrosphere: The formation of many minerals involve incorporation or


release of water. Also, 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).
ATMOSPHERE
consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and water vapor

•The mesosphere,
thermosphere, and
exosphere are zones of
diffuse atmospheric
components in the far
reaches of the atmosphere.
The stratosphere
•The troposphere (0-10 km) (10 to 50 km), contains ozone
constitutes the climate system that protects life on the planet by
that maintains the conditions filtering harmful ultraviolet
suitable for life on the planet's radiation from the Sun.
surface.
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.
Hydrosphere
• abundance of liquid water on Earth makes it distinct from other bodies in the
solar system (71% of the earth covered by water)

• it is because the Earth has just the right mass, the right chemical
composition, the right atmosphere, and is the right distance from the Sun (the
"Goldilocks" principle) that permits water to exist mainly as a liquid.

• range of surface temperatures and pressures of our planet permit water to


exist in all three states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour).

• even so, most of the water is contained in the oceans and the high heat
capacity of this large volume of water buffers the Earth surface from large
temperature changes
Subcomponents of hydrosphere are connected via the hydrologic cycle
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), to form loose rock
fragments and soil, and sculpts the surface of the Earth.
Biosphere
• Life evolved on earth during its early history by at least 3.5 billion
years ago and the biosphere readily distinguishes our planet from
all others in the solar system (as far as we know)

•The chemical reactions of life (e.g., photosynthesis-respiration,


precipitation of minerals in skeletons, etc.) have also imparted a
strong signal on the chemical composition of the atmosphere
through time. For example, our oxygen-rich atmosphere is largely
a product of photosynthesis.
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). Plant activity
(e.g. root growth and organic acid production) are also for the
mechanical and chemical breakdown of the rocks.
Just how integrated is the Earth System ?

James Lovelock (1979) introduced a somewhat extreme concept called the


Gaia Hypothesis

Proposed that Earth functions as a single superorganism that maintains


conditions necessary for its survival.

Inherent in explanation is the idea that the biosphere, atmosphere,


geosphere and hydrosphere are in a delicate balance – that a homeostatic
condition is maintained

Analogous to how processes within the human body insures that


temperature, blood pH, electrochemistry, etc. are kept in balance for our
survival.
In an extreme sense, the inner workings of Gaia could be
viewed as a study of the physiology of the Earth where
water is the Earth’s “blood,” the atmosphere is the Earth’s
lungs, the geosphere is the Earth’s “solid tissues,” and
living organisms are the Earth’s “senses”.
…while Earth is probably not a sentient being as Lovelock
implies, the Gaia Hypothesis does underscore the
importance of looking at Earth processes as interconnected
parts of a larger system

As a closed system, Earth’s processes adjust to disturbances


in the system to maintain balance
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
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 !


Reflection

In a ½ crosswise, write your reflection from the video


watched – THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.
Make sure to include the different sub systems and
other key points discussed during the lesson.

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