ASSIGNMENT

SUBMITTED BY: Zeeshan Ahmad

ROLL NO: 13

TITLE: 4 Spheres & Factors

Affecting Climate

SEMESTER: BBA( 4th )

SUBMITTED TO: Prof. Shahrukh Aman

KAIMS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE, MULTAN

Introduction:
The Earth is a complex system that consists of four interdependent spheres. Each
sphere plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. The climate is the long-
term pattern of weather in a particular region or the whole planet. It is influenced
by various factors, including human activity and natural phenomena. The entire
environment of our planet can be studied as different sections called ‘domains’. Each of
these domains is a global-scale aspect of the environment. Since the Earth is a sphere,
these domains that surround the Earth can also be described as ‘spheres’ In this
assignment, we will discuss the four spheres and the factors affecting climate,
which are:

i. Atmosphere
ii. Biosphere
iii. Hydrosphere
iv. Lithosphere
The Lithophere:
The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, including the Earth's crust and
the upper mantle. It is the source of essential natural resources, such as minerals,
oil, and gas, which are used in human activities.One of the examples is the rock
cycle.

In this cycle, the melted rock from below the Earth’s crust is blown out to the
surface through vents as lava. Hardened lava, together with rock materials, is
weathered and eroded from earth movements. The eroded particles end up
somewhere and build up. After many years of buildup, the pressure from the
overlying weight causes them to bury themselves more in-depth in the crust. They
are melted by the extreme heat until they are spewed out to the surface again. You
may have noticed that this cycle doesn’t conclude on its own. It is affected by other
factors such as the wind, temperature and water, which are a part of other spheres.
The Hydrosphere:
The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers,
groundwater, and ice caps. It plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth by
providing water for drinking, irrigation, and other human activities.

The oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface and are home to a diverse range
of marine life. They also play an important role in regulating the Earth's climate by
absorbing and releasing heat. Freshwater is a critical resource for human activities,
such as agriculture, industry, and drinking. However, water scarcity is becoming an
increasing concern due to overuse, pollution, and climate change.

The Biosphere:
The biosphere refers to all living organisms on Earth, including plants, animals, and
microorganisms. It is the source of essential ecosystem services, such as food, medicine, and
fiber.
Human activities, such as deforestation and the introduction of invasive species, can have
significant impacts on the biosphere, leading to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Understanding the complex interactions between living organisms and the environment is
essential in maintaining a healthy and sustainable biosphere.
The Atmosphere:
The atmosphere is the thin layer of gases that surround the Earth. It is composed of different gases,
including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others. It plays an essential role in regulating the
Earth's climate, weather patterns, and air quality..

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, emit pollutants that can affect the composition and
quality of the atmosphere, leading to air pollution and climate change. Understanding the
atmospheric processes and how they are affected by human activities is essential in mitigating the
impacts of climate change.
 FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

 Solar radiation:
Solar radiation is the primary source of energy for the Earth's climate system. The
amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface varies due to changes in
the Earth's orbit, tilt, and rotation. Changes in solar radiation can affect the Earth's
climate over long periods.

 Greenhouse gases:
Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and regulate the Earth's temperature.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the
amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and
climate change.

 Land use changes:

Changes in land use, such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture, can affect
the Earth's climate by altering the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,
changing the reflectivity of the Earth's surface, and altering the water cycle.

 Ocean currents:
Ocean currents transport heat around the planet and can affect regional weather
patterns. Changes in ocean currents, such as El Nino and La Nina, can cause
extreme weather events like droughts and floods.

 Albedo:
The Earth's albedo refers to the amount of sunlight that is reflected by the Earth's
surface. Changes in albedo, such as changes in the amount of snow and ice cover,
can affect the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the Earth.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Earth's climate is influenced by various factors, including human
activity and natural phenomena. The four spheres, including the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, all play a crucial role in regulating the
Earth's climate. It is essential to understand these factors and their interactions to
mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future.

END