The $\text{Four}$ $\text{Interacting}$ $\text{Spheres}$ 🤝
$\text{Earth's}$ $\text{Systems}$ $\text{Science}$ views our $\text{planet}$ as an $\text{integrated}$ $\text{system}$ made up of $\text{four}$ $\text{major}$ $\text{spheres}$ that $\text{constantly}$ $\text{exchange}$ $\text{energy}$ and $\text{matter}$.
The $\text{Four}$ $\text{Spheres}$ $\text{Defined}$ 📏
1. $\text{Geosphere}$ ($\text{Geo} = \text{Earth}$)
The $\text{solid}$ $\text{Earth}$: $\text{core}$, $\text{mantle}$, and $\text{crust}$. Includes $\text{rocks}$, $\text{minerals}$, and $\text{landforms}$.
$\text{Key}$ $\text{Process}$: $\text{Plate}$ $\text{Tectonics}$, $\text{Volcanism}$.
2. $\text{Hydrosphere}$ ($\text{Hydro} = \text{Water}$)
All the $\text{water}$ on $\text{Earth}$: $\text{oceans}$, $\text{lakes}$, $\text{rivers}$, $\text{glaciers}$, and $\text{groundwater}$.
$\text{Key}$ $\text{Process}$: $\text{Water}$ $\text{Cycle}$, $\text{Ocean}$ $\text{Currents}$.
3. $\text{Atmosphere}$ ($\text{Atmo} = \text{Vapour}$)
The $\text{layer}$ of $\text{gases}$ surrounding the $\text{planet}$. Includes $\text{weather}$ and $\text{climate}$.
$\text{Key}$ $\text{Process}$: $\text{Convection}$, $\text{Greenhouse}$ $\text{Effect}$.
4. $\text{Biosphere}$ ($\text{Bio} = \text{Life}$)
All $\text{living}$ $\text{things}$ and the $\text{regions}$ of $\text{Earth}$ where $\text{life}$ $\text{exists}$.
$\text{Key}$ $\text{Process}$: $\text{Photosynthesis}$, $\text{Respiration}$.
Interactions: $\text{Biogeochemical}$ $\text{Cycles}$ 🔄
The spheres are connected through major global cycles that move essential elements through $\text{abiotic}$ (non-living) and $\text{biotic}$ (living) parts of the system.
$\text{Carbon}$ $\text{Cycle}$
The movement of $\text{carbon}$ between the $\text{atmosphere}$ ($\text{CO}_2$), $\text{hydrosphere}$ (dissolved $\text{CO}_2$), $\text{biosphere}$ (organic $\text{matter}$), and $\text{geosphere}$ ($\text{fossil}$ $\text{fuels}$ and $\text{rocks}$).
$$\text{Example}: \text{Volcanoes}$ $\text{release}$ $\text{CO}_2$ ($\text{Geo} \to \text{Atmo}$).
$\text{Water}$ $\text{Cycle}$
The continuous movement of $\text{water}$ on, above, and below the $\text{surface}$ of the $\text{Earth}$.
$$\text{Example}: \text{Evaporation}$ $\text{from}$ $\text{oceans}$ ($\text{Hydro} \to \text{Atmo}$).
⚡ $\text{System}$ $\text{Interaction}$ $\text{Check}$!
Identify which $\text{two}$ $\text{spheres}$ are interacting in the following scenario.
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