A2 - major interactions of the 4 spheres: Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
The area nearest the surface of the earth can be divided up into four inter-connected "geo-spheres:" the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
Scientists can classify life and material on or near the surface of the earth to be in any of these four spheres.
The names of the four spheres are derived from the Greek words for stone (litho), air (atmo), water (hydro), and life (bio) -sphere.
Scientists can classify life and material on or near the surface of the earth to be in any of these four spheres.
The names of the four spheres are derived from the Greek words for stone (litho), air (atmo), water (hydro), and life (bio) -sphere.
atmosphere
The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface by retaining heat from incoming solar radiation (the greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night (the diurnal temperature variation).
Air contains roughly (by volume) 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1%.
Structure
The Atmosphere is divided into layers according to major changes in temperature. Gravity pushes the layers of air down on the earth's surface. This push is called air pressure. 99% of the total mass of the atmosphere is below 32 kilometers.
http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/struct.html
This website has a detailed description of the different layers, but they are arranged as in the diagram below
Air contains roughly (by volume) 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1%.
Structure
The Atmosphere is divided into layers according to major changes in temperature. Gravity pushes the layers of air down on the earth's surface. This push is called air pressure. 99% of the total mass of the atmosphere is below 32 kilometers.
http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/struct.html
This website has a detailed description of the different layers, but they are arranged as in the diagram below
biosphere
The part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life. This includes all plants, trees, animals, birds and aquatic life.
hydrosphere
The hydrosphere is the liquid water component of the Earth. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The hydrosphere covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth and is the home for many plants and animals.
Lithosphere
The lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which constitute the hard and rigid, rocky outer layer of the Earth. The uppermost part of the lithosphere that chemically reacts to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere through the soil forming process is called the pedosphere.
interactions
The 4 spheres interact with each other to form many processes essential to life and the formation of distinctive landforms