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Earth Systems
Introduction
The earth system refers to the different conditions which work together in
an interconnected approach. The four different parts of the earth system are
described below.
At the macro level, there are
different spheres that work
together or are interrelated to
form the whole system, which
is the earth. These include the
lithosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere, and biosphere.
The interrelated aspects of
these spheres mean that the
processes in one are directly
affected or influenced by the
other. This means that each of
these spheres can be
understood as a single element
but also as an interconnected
system with which they occur.
Based on observations by
Orion et al. (2014), the
interconnection of the spheres
could be understood through a
number of processes, such as
evaporation, transpiration,
erosion, or photosynthesis.
The way in which each of
these processes occurs is an
indication of how the different
spheres are interconnected in
the natural cycle of life. The
different parts of the earth’s
system are, therefore,
interconnected in a way that
maintains the general balance
of life.
The earth’s system and all of its interconnected systems are often driven by
the sun’s energy. Specifically, the sun plays an important role in dictating
the energy balance within the systems. Campbell (2023) observes this in
the context of energy input and output. The balance between these
processes is responsible for specific processes such as photosynthesis and
maintaining the hydrological cycle. According to Campbell (2023), the
major attribute of the earth system is that all the different elements are
working together to support life. The aspect of maintaining life balance
could, therefore, be seen from the context of the effect or the role played
by the sun. Besides, the earth tends to tilt as it moves around the sun. The
above is responsible for seasons and influencing the majority of the earth’s
processes.
2
Description
At its basic level, the lithosphere can be
described as the Earth’s outer she, ll,
which encompasses the entire crust and
the uppermost mantle. The layer can be
divided into different large tectonic
plates that float on the semi-fluid
asthenosphere beneath them. Such
plates are very constant in motion due
to the forces of the mantle convection.
Equally, the interaction at the plate
boundaries has been giving rise to a
range of geological phenomena, such as
volcanic activities and earthquakes
(Qiu et al, 2022). The lithosphere also
influences and is influenced by
different earth perspectives and is also
closely connected to the atmosphere
and hydrosphere. Equally, the
outermost later has been playing a
critical role in the carbon and rock
cycles and is also a reservoir of
different minerals and natural resources
that are essential to the human
community.
The Lithosphere can be continental or
oceanic as shown below.
Lithosphere
The lithosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth, and it consists
of a solid crust and the rigid uppermost part of the mantle (Qi et al,
2021). The layer is an essential component of the Earth’s structure
as it plays a critical role in different geological procedures. The
Figure below shows the position of lithosphere in comparison with
other spheres
The main critical aspect of the lithosphere is its connection to plate
tectonics, the theory that highlights the large-scale motion of Earth’s
lithosphere. The theory has been transforming people’s understanding of
the Earth’s dynamics and has also provided a unique framework for the
explanation of various ranges of geological phenomena. Equally, the
lithosphere movements are not limited to the present day. The geologic
time has enabled the tectonic plates to undergo cycles of assembly and
fragmentation, which has led to the formation and breakup of the
supercontinent (Qiu et al 2022). The continuous cycle of supercontinent
formation and breakup is an indication of the dynamic nature of the
lithosphere throughout the earth’s history. Another significance of the
lithosphere is that it serves as a medium for the transfer of materials
such as water and carbon. Equally, the lithosphere has been controlling
the distribution of mineral resources such as ores and groundwater.
3
Description
The hydrosphere is related to
other Earth spheres, such as
the atmosphere and biosphere.
For instance, water constantly
cycles through the above
spheres in what is referred to
as a hydrologic cycle. The
above cycle entails different
procedures such as
evaporation, condensation and
precipitation, and it enhances
the distribution and availability
of water across different
ecosystems. According to
Alexakis (2023), the main
significance of the hydrosphere
is regulating Earth’s climate.
As a result of heat regulation,
there is a huge impact on
regional and climate patterns,
such as the distribution of
rainfall and the formation of
weather systems such as
monsoons. Equally, the water
vapour in the atmosphere has
been acting as a greenhouse
gas, and as a result, it affects
the Earth’s temperature by
trapping the sun’s heat.
Hydrosphere
A hydrosphere can be described as the total amount of water both
on the underground and on the surface. In this case, the
hydrosphere consists of every body of water, such as oceans, lakes
and seas and the water vapour of the atmosphere (Himiyama, 2020).
The main significance of the hydrosphere is supporting life and
shaping the Earth’s climate and water patterns. The hydrosphere
often constitutes of the water bodies as shown below.
Hydrosphere has also been supporting a wide array of life forms.
For instance, freshwater bodies such as rivers and lakes have been
sustaining terrestrial ecosystems and serving as habitats for different
organisms. It is, therefore, clear that groundwater plays a critical
role in the maintenance of the ecosystem for many communities.
However, as noted by Alexakis (2023), the hydrosphere has been
experiencing different challenges and threats. For instance, human
activities such as deforestation and pollution mainly jeopardize the
health and sustainability of this essential resource. In this case, the
community should manage and conserve the hydrosphere, for this
will play a critical role in enhancing its long-term availability and
maintaining the balance of Earth’s ecosystem.
4
Description
The atmosphere consists
of various layers which
are based on different
characteristics. The lowest
layer is referred to as the
troposphere, where
weather occurs and
temperature minimizes
with increasing altitude.
Other layers of the
atmosphere are the
stratosphere, thermosphere
and exosphere, where
every layer is
characterized by variations
in temperature and
composition. The main
significance of the
atmosphere is protecting
life on Earth from
excessive solar radiation.
For instance, the ozone
layer, which is located in
the stratosphere, has
mainly been absorbing a
significant portion of the
sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be described as a layer of gases that surrounds the
Earth, and it extends outwards up to hundreds of kilometers (Haworth
et al, 2023). The main significance of the atmosphere is supporting life
on the planet through the provision of oxygen to breathe and
protecting people from harmful solar radiation. The main gases that
continuously circulate in the Earth’s atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen,
carbon dioxide and water vapour. The Figure below shows the
different layers of atmosphere.
The atmosphere also plays an essential role in the regulation of the
Earth’s climate. By trapping the heat from the sun, it is able to create the
greenhouse impact, which maintains an average temperature suitable for
life. However, there are several human activities, especially the burning
of fossil fuels, which have greatly increased the concentration of
greenhouse gases, and this has led to an enhanced greenhouse impact and
also resulted in global warming. The atmosphere has also been
influencing the quality of the air, which has a direct impact on the health
of living organisms (Su et al, 2020). Air pollution mainly results in
respiratory problems, acid rain and other environmental issues. In this
case, people should understand the atmosphere and its dynamics in order
to predict the weather patterns and develop strategies for mitigating the
impact. Through the management of atmospheric conditions, it is
possible to protect the ecosystems, human health and the overall
sustainability of the atmosphere.
5
Description
Wheeler et al. (2012)
examined the components of
the biosphere. This includes
the living and non-living
components. The living
component is known as biota
and constitutes all known
organisms. National
Geographic (2024) also
estimates that there could be
millions of different species of
plants, animals, and
microorganisms. All these
organisms are fully dependent
on the earth’s system for
survival. Within this sphere,
there are abiotic or non-living
components such as water, air,
soil, temperature, etc, which
either form the habitat or
support system for the living
organisms. It is possible that
living organisms would not
survive without these abiotic
factors. It would be important
to note that the life-sustaining
part of the earth has been
constantly changing based on
responses to external factors
such as climate change. As
described above, the lifesustaining part of the earth
system exists either in soil,
water, or air. This is a clear
indication of the interaction or
interconnectedness of the
different aspects within the
earth system.
Biosphere
Refers to the part of the earth that supports life. The Figure below
shows the biosphere.
According to Wheeler et al. (2012), this part constitutes a very
narrow phase where different aspects of the hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and atmosphere often interact to support life. Based on
observations by Wheeler et al. (2012), the soil, water, and air all
work together in a way that is likely to support life on Earth. As a
result, scholars believe that this part of the earth’s system could
extend from the deepest roots to the bottom of oceans to the skies
above the mountain tops. The above simply covers all the areas that
living things are most likely to reside in. Ideally, there are no living
things beyond this area. The National Geographic (2024) estimates
that this entire area inhabited by life could be around 12 miles from
top to bottom.
6
Description
Interaction
The interconnected nature of the earth system is also
All the four parts of the earth
system described above
interact clearly in what has
been described as the cycle of
life. One of the main examples
or descriptions of the
interactions is the water cycle.
The process often begins with
the sun heating water bodies
(the hydrosphere). The above
results in evaporation into the
atmosphere (Campbell, 2023).
Within the atmosphere,
changes in temperature cause
the water vapor to condense,
forming clouds. From the
atmosphere, the condensed
vapor is released back to the
earth in the form of water
(rain) or snow. The water
released at this point often
goes back to the hydrosphere
and plays a significant role in
supporting life. Water from the
surface of the earth is heated
again, which repeats the
process in a feedback loop.
evident through other processes such as weathering or
erosion. Often, these processes begin from the lithosphere
to the atmosphere and back to the surface of the earth
again. In their study, Orion et al. (2014) observe that
precipitation that occurs over a period of time often
connects with the earth in a way that promotes erosion and
weathering. This process occurs over a period of time in a
way that materials are often returned to the surface of the
earth. Based on the observations above, it can be argued
that manipulation of one sphere or system would have
serious implications for others within the interconnected
framework. For instance, it can be argued that both the
lithosphere and hydrosphere work together to support the
biosphere. Similarly, the atmosphere contains a mix of
different gases, which equally play a role in supporting life
in the biosphere (Wheeler et al., 2012). Disruption of either
of these would make,e it difficult to support life. This,
therefore, indicates that earth systems often coexist in a
way that supports the delicate balance of life.
7
References
Alexakis, D. E. (2023). Anthropogenic and Geo-Environmental Impacts on the Hydrosphere: Diagnosis, Monitoring,
Assessment, and Sustainable Management. Water, 15(7), 1390.
Campbell, M. O. N. (2023). Earth Systems Science (ESS) and Systems Ecology. In Biogeochemistry and the Environment
(pp. 113–166). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Haworth, M., Marino, G., Materassi, A., Raschi, A., Scutt, C. P., & Centritto, M. (2023). The functional significance of the
stomatal size to density relationship: Interaction with atmospheric [CO2] and role in plant physiological behaviour. Science
of The Total Environment, 863, 160908.
Himiyama, Y. (2020). Human sphere—The earth surface realm created by human. Human geoscience, 47-57.
National Geographic, (2024). Biosphere. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biosphere/
Orion, N., Libarkin, J., Lederman, N. G., & Abell, S. K. (2014). Earth system science education. Handbook of research on
science education, 2, 481-496.
Qi, K., Ren, Z., Cui, J., & Yu, Q. (2021). Meso-Cenozoic lithospheric thermal structure and its significance in the evolution of
the lithosphere in the Ordos Basin, WNCC, China. International Geology Review, 63(17), 2146-2165.
Qiu, R.Z., Li, T.D., Xiao, Q.H., Sun, K., Liu, Y., Qiu, L., Chen, X.F., Zhao, H.J., Wang, L.L., Zhu, Q.L. and Ren, X.D., 2022. A
new pattern of the tectonic units and metallogenic belts in Africa continent in terms of lithosphere. China Geology, 5(3),
pp.528-542.
Su, T., Li, Z., Li, C., Li, J., Han, W., Shen, C., … & Guo, J. (2020). The significant impact of aerosol vertical structure on
lower atmosphere stability and its critical role in aerosol–planetary boundary layer (PBL) interactions. Atmospheric
Chemistry and Physics, 20(6), 3713-3724.
Wheeler, Q. D., Knapp, S., Stevenson, D. W., Stevenson, J., Blum, S. D., Boom, B. M., … & Woolley, J. B. (2012). Mapping
the biosphere: Exploring species to understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity. Systematics and
biodiversity, 10(1), 1-20.
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