What is Earth

and
Environmental
Science?

Earth and Environmental Science

The true music of the spheres
Celestial
sphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Biosphere

Earth and Environmental Science

Celestial sphere
aka exosphere

Solar system dynamics

Planetary geology
Astrobiology
Astronomy

Earth and Environmental Science

Atmosphere
Weather
Climate
Gases
Aerosols & dust

Earth and Environmental Science

Hydrosphere
Oceans
Lakes
Rivers
Cryosphere

Earth and Environmental Science

Geosphere (Earth)
Lithosphere
Mantle
Core

Earth and Environmental Science

Biosphere
Flora
Fauna
Biochemistry
Evolution & Fossils

Earth Systems Science

Open System?
Closed System?
Energy in/out & cycling
Matter cycling
The spheres are reservoirs

Earth Systems Science

An open or closed system?
Boundary condition

Isolated systems
No energy exchange
No matter exchange

Closed system
Energy exchanges
No matter exchange

Open system
Energy exchange
Matter exchange

Earth Systems Science

An open or closed system?
Isolated systems

Not possible in the real world

Maybe useful in modelling

Closed system
Energy exchanges
No matter exchange
Hard to find a 100% closed system

Open system
Energy exchange
Matter exchange
Most natural systems and sub-systems

Earth Systems Science

Examples?
Example of a closed system and why its not perfect!
Example of an open system and why its not closed!

What about planet Earth?

Earth Systems Science

study of processes
that move energy &
materials on/in/above
the Earths surface
integrates a variety
of sciences:
biology, chemistry,
geology, physics
+
astronomy,

Earth Systems Science

A system is any
portion of the
universe that can be
isolated from the rest
for the purpose of
observing and
measuring changes
by observing &
measuring changes,
systems can be used
to study complex
problems

Earth
and
Environmental
Science
is
the study of
Earth Systems

Earth Systems Science

Activity!
Examples of
processes that move
energy & materials
on/in/above the
Earths surface
4 groups team
effort!
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Lithosphere

Earth Systems Science

Concrete examples
you already know
about?
Share what you know

What dont you know?

IESO expectations
Key principals
We live in a cyclic world
sub-systems
coexist
. material & energy passing through
them.
Humans are an integral part of the
natural system

IESO expectations
9 Objectives

To acquire basic knowledge about the

physical systems of Earth in
composition, structure and the active
processes inside them.

To recognise and understand the

reciprocal relations of the transfer of
energy and matter in and between the
Earth systems including the Biosphere.

To understand the place of the human

system as part of the Earth systems.

IESO expectations
9 Objectives

To acquire basic scientific research skills

of making an observation and the ability
to discern between an observation, a
conclusion and an assumption.

To develop thinking aspects which are

unique to Earth science: Thinking in a
geological time dimension (Deep Time),
spatial thinking and three-dimensional
thinking.

To develop the skills which are needed

in order to develop an environmental
insight: Cyclic thinking and System

IESO expectations
9 Objectives

To use Earth Science as a tool to

illustrate chemical, physical and
biological principles.

To cultivate the connection with the

natural world while understanding the
uniqueness of Earth.

To understand the causes of natural

hazards and their interrelationships with
the human activity on earth.

IESO expectations
The Geosphere and Earth Systems
Key ideas
Energy and matter cycle through reservoirs
The geosphere and biosphere are
intimately linked
Plate Tectonics is central to these
processes

Skills and abilities

Identify minerals and rocks
Identify rock structures and landscape
features
Identify fossils and forms of fossilisation
Ability to read 2D maps and interpret in 3D
Ability to construct cross sections
Ability reconstruct geological histories

IESO expectations
The Hydrosphere and Earth Systems
Key ideas
Energy and matter cycle through reservoirs
The hydrosphere & geosphere are intimately
linked
The hydrosphere & atmosphere are
intimately linked
Water is a finite resource

Skills and abilities

Identify hydrosphere processes & reservoirs
Identify hydrosphere related problems
Identify hydrosphere orientated solutions

IESO expectations
The Atmosphere and Earth Systems
Key ideas
Energy and matter cycle through reservoirs
Differential response to solar heating drives
processes
The hydrosphere & atmosphere are intimately
linked
The biosphere & atmosphere are intimately
linked

Skills and abilities

Identify atmosphere processes & reservoirs
Identify atmosphere related problems
Identify atmosphere orientated solutions
Find biogeochemical associations

IESO expectations
The Planetary System & Earth
Systems
Key ideas
The Earth systems are a sub-system
Some planets are similar
Other planets are very different
Planet energy balance includes external
sources

Skills and abilities

Ability to compare data and draw conclusions
Ability to identify connections between
planets
Ability to identify connections across the solar
system

IESO expectations
Other learnings
Field observations
3D thinking skill
Deep time thinking
Thinking spatially & temporally
simultaneously
Cyclic and system thinking

Earth Systems
Science
is
the study of
a Planetary
System
through time
& space

Earth Systems
Science
is
founded on one
principle

Uniformitarianism
Natural laws and processes that
operate now have always operated in
the past and apply everywhere
and will continue into the future

Hutton

(1726-1797)

from what has actually been, we have data for

concluding with regard to that which is to happen
thereafter
....no vestige of a beginning, - no prospect of
an end

Lyell

(1797-1875)

Things to note
Not all past processes are
Observable in the present
Understood
Possible at present

Not all present processes were

Operating in the past
Possible in the past

Questions?