Earths Subsystem

Earth System
◼ Earth is a dynamic body

with many separate, but
highly interacting spheres.
◼ Earth system science
studies Earth as a system
composed of numerous
subsystems.
Earth As A Closed System
Closed system: exchange of energy but negligible

exchange of mass with surroundings
THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
Biosphere Hydrosphere
Geosphere Atmosphere
Earth’s Four Spheres
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 and constitutes the transition between its
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.
Major Themes
Energy
The Earth system is powered by one external source:
the Sun
and two internal ones:
- radioactive decay
- gravitational energy (heat still being lost from
planetary formation).
Major Themes
Cycles
Material in the Earth system is continually recycled in

numerous overlapping cycles.
Overlapping Cycles in the Earth System
http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/GRAPHIC0/Astronomy/EarthSystems.gif
The Atmosphere
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the
atmosphere.
• The atmosphere consists of four unique layers (the
troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the
thermosphere).
• The atmosphere reaches over 560 kilometers (348 miles)
up from the surface of the Earth.
• The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (about
78%) and oxygen (about 21%). Other components exist in
small quantities.
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
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, and creeks.
• 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.
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.
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 geopsphere is not static
(unchanging), but its surface
(crust) is in a constant state of
motion.
• Mineral resources are mined
from the geosphere.
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
Geosphere: Interactions with other Earth System components
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 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).
Biosphere
Includes all life

forms on Earth
It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the

rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs,
and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the
deep sea.
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.
• The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy
known as the food chain (all life is dependant
on the first tier – mainly the primary
producers that are capable of photosynthesis).
• Energy and mass is transferred from one
level of the food chain to the next.
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.
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
ACTIVITY: 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
Atmosphere Geosphere
http://www.itvs.org/risingwaters/
Biosphere
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
Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sending

infovolcano-eruption
ash and gases into the air (atmosphere)

and sending lava and ash down onto
surrounding forests (biosphere) and
human habitations (biosphere).
Geosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
http://www.ecuador-
travel.net/information.volcano.pichin
cha.eruption.htm

Earths Subsystem

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Earths Subsystem

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Earth System

◼ Earth is a dynamic body

Closed system: exchange of energy but negligible

The Earth is a system consisting of four major

Geosphere: comprises the solid Earth and includes

and two internal ones:

Material in the Earth system is continually recycled in

Hydrosphere: The gases of the atmosphere readily exchange

Biosphere: The atmosphere supplies oxygen and carbon

Geosphere: Gases in the atmosphere react with water to

Atmosphere: Water is transferred between the hydrosphere

Biosphere: Water is necessary for the transport of nutrients

Geosphere: Water is the primary agent for the chemical and

outer core liquid

Atmosphere: volcanism spews significant amounts of gases

Hydrosphere: The formation of many minerals involve

Biosphere: Nutrients released from rocks during their

Includes all life

It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the

Atmosphere: Life processes involve a many chemical

Hydrosphere: Evaporation of water from leaf surfaces

Geosphere: The biosphere is connected to the geosphere

As components of the biosphere, humans are temporary

“You are what you eat, drink, and breathe”

Human health is, to some degree, a function of how this

In many cases, problems of human health are

Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sending

ash and gases into the air (atmosphere)

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