The Earth’s

Subsystems
LC:
Explain that the Earth
consists of four subsystems,
across whose boundaries
matter and energy flow.
(S11/12ES-Ia-e-4)
Geosphere (lithosphere)
 Solid portion of the Earth
 It
covers Earth’s interior composed of rocks,
minerals, and landforms.
 It
develops a layer of soil with nutrients
become available to living organisms.
 Allowsoccurrence of geologic events that
shape the earth and generate materials
needed by living organisms
 Hydrosphere
 Iscomposed of water which is covering about 70% of
the planet’s surface and 97% of which is found in the
oceans
 Freshwater accounts for just 2.5% of the hydrosphere
which includes those in lakes and rivers, groundwater,
ice and snow
 Itprovides living organisms with water that breaks
down food molecules, generate energy during
respiration process and regulates metabolism.
 Biosphere

It extends as far as 12,500 meters from the

surface that includes the depths of the
ocean.
It contains all living things on earth such as
plants, animals, microbes, humans, insects
and many other life forms.
The biosphere maintains the ecosystems.
 Atmosphere
 It contains water vapor and other gases which help
to moderate our daily temperatures.
 It contains 21% of oxygen necessary for us for
respiration, 78% of nitrogen, and 1% other gaseous
such as argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and
ozone which are important in absorbing harmful
solar radiation.
 It also serves as our protection from meteors by
burning it up before hitting the Earth's surface.
 Interactions in Earth’s Spheres
 Although the four systems have their unique
identities, they are closely connected. For example,
many birds (biosphere) fly through the air
(atmosphere), while water (hydrosphere) flows
through the soil (geosphere). These close
connections cause changes to take place in Earths
spheres. These changes are called events. This two-
way relationship between event and sphere is called
interactions. Below are some examples of events
and the interactions that happen.
 Interactions in Earth’s Spheres
 Volcano. Volcanoes in the geosphere may cause
profound direct and indirect effects on the
hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. This
happens when volcanoes (geosphere) emit large
amount of particulate matter into the air
(atmosphere). These particles serve as nuclei for the
formation of water droplets (hydrosphere). Rainfall
(hydrosphere) often increases often increases
following an eruption, stimulating plant growth
(biosphere).
 Interactions in Earth’s Spheres
 Acid Rain. Acid rain is any form of liquid precipitation
(hydrosphere) that contains high level of nitric and
sulfuric acid. Rain (hydrosphere) brings these acids to
the Earth, acidifying soil (geosphere) lakes and rivers
(hydrosphere). Acidic water leaches nutrients from
the soil (geosphere) into the water table
(hydrosphere, making the soil less fertile for the
plants(biosphere) and the subterranean water
(hydrosphere) not potable for humans (biosphere).
 Interactions in Earth’s Spheres
Forest Fire. Forest fire (an event in biosphere)
may destroy all the plants (biosphere) in the
area. This could lead to increase in erosion
(geosphere). Increased amount of soil entering
the streams (hydrosphere) can lead to
increased turbidity or muddiness of the water
which will affect that plants and animals
(biosphere) that live in it.
 Interactions in Earth’s Spheres

Other examples of events are

typhoon, photosynthesis, El
Nińo, ozone change and many
others.