What are the subsystems of

the Earth?
The 4 spheres
 Essential Questions
• What are the 4 spheres of the Earth?
• How do these spheres interact?
• What are the major cycles of the Earth?
• How do humans impact these cycles?
What are the 4 spheres of
the Earth?
 The Geosphere
• The Geosphere contains all of the cold,
hard solid land of the planet's crust
(surface), the semi-solid land underneath
the crust, and the liquid land near the
center of the planet.
 The Hydrosphere
• The hydrosphere contains all the solid,
liquid, and gaseous water of the planet. It
ranges from 10 to 20 kilometers in
thickness. The hydrosphere extends from
Earth's surface downward several
kilometers into the lithosphere and upward
about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere.
• Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is
salty.
 The Biosphere
• The biosphere contains all the planet's living
things. This sphere includes all of the
microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth.
• Within the biosphere, living things form
ecological communities based on the physical
surroundings of an area. These communities are
referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and
tropical rainforests are three of the many types
of biomes that exist within the biosphere.
 The Atmosphere
• The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's
system.
• It extends from less than 1 m below the planet's
surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's
surface.
• The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the
organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet
radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. When air
temperature in the lower portion of this sphere
changes, weather occurs. As air in the lower
atmosphere is heated or cooled, it moves around
the planet. The result can be as simple as a breeze
or as complex as a tornado.
How do the 4 spheres interact?
 Examples
• Humans (biosphere) built a dam out of
rock materials (geosphere).
• Water in the lake (hydrosphere) seeps into
the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming
groundwater (geosphere), or evaporating
into the air (atmosphere).
• Humans (biosphere) harness energy from
the water (hydrosphere) by having it spin
turbines (geosphere) to produce electricity.
 Examples….
• With a partner,
practice describing
interactions in this
scene, tracing the
movement of
materials or energy
through all four of
Earth's spheres if
possible. Add this
to your portfolio.
 Earth:
Matter does not come and go

So…
Earth is a
matter is
closed
constantly
system
recycled on
to matter
Earth
Some Major Cycles of Matter

•Water Cycle
•Rock Cycle
•Chemical Cycles
•Carbon
•Nitrogen
•Phosphorous
•Sulfur
Water Cycle
 Water Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere Transpiration

Evaporation
Biosphere
Precipitation

Precipitation

Evaporation

Surface run-off

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Biogeochemical Cycles:
Atmosphere
Atmosphere

Biosphere

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere Respiration& Decay

Photosynthesis

Biosphere

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Carbon Transfer:
Biosphere Atmosphere

Photosynthesis (Atmosphere to Biosphere)

Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight --> Sugar + Oxygen

Respiration (Biosphere to Atmosphere)

Sugar + Oxygen --> Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
 Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere Respiration& Decay

Photosynthesis

Biosphere

Dissolution Weathering
& Volcanism
Exsolution
Burial &
Lithification

Photosynthesis Geosphere
Hydrosphere Burial &
Lithification
 Human
Impacts
Carbon Cycle
Deforestation:
Atmosphere Decrease Photosynthesis
Atmosphere Increase Respiration

Biosphere
Net Effect:
Increase in Carbon
in Atmosphere Burning fossil fuels:
Increased combustion

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Nitrogen Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere

Denitification:
bacteria Biosphere
Nitrogen fixation:
• bacteria Absorption
• lightning

Waste &
Decomposition

Erosion
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Human
Impacts
Nitrogen Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere

Biosphere
Net Effect:
Increase in Nitrogen Nitrogen fixation:
• industrial (fertilizer)
in water & soil • combustion

Increased Erosion
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
 Phosphorous Cycle
Never enters the atmosphere
Atmosphere
Atmosphere

Biosphere

Absorption

Waste &
Decomposition
Weathering & Erosion
Geosphere
Hydrosphere Absorption
Sedimentation
 Human
Impacts
Phosphorous Cycle
Atmosphere

Biosphere
Net Effect:
Increase in phosphorous in water &
“algal blooms”; Depletion in soils

Mining, use (fertilizer, detergent, etc.)

& increased runoff

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
More Phos. for organisms
 Sulfur Cycle
Atmosphere Bacteria
Atmosphere Absorption

Bacteria
Release Biosphere

Volcanoes Absorption
Precipitation & Weathering

Waste &
“Evaporation” Weathering Decomposition

Sedimentation
Geosphere
Hydrosphere Absorption

Deep Sea Vents

 Human
Impacts
Sulfur Cycle
Atmosphere
Atmosphere

Net Effect: Biosphere

Precipitation”
Increase in Acid Rain
atmosphere Burning
(health Fossil Fuels
effects) and
acid rain

Geosphere
Hydrosphere