Earth SYSTEMS

SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are

interacting to form a unified whole.
 EXAMPLE of a system - ECOSYSTEM.
(Organisms are interrelated and interacting)
The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.

A closed system is a system in which

there is only an exchange of heat or
energy and no exchange of matter.

The Earth receives energy from the sun and

returns some of this energy to space.
 • Absorbing and reflecting the
heat radiated by the earth,
these gases act somewhat like
the glass in a greenhouse and
are thus known as greenhouse
gases.

All life on earth relies on the greenhouse

effect. Without it, the average surface
temperature of the planet would be about
18 oC and ice would cover earth from pole
to pole.
Components or Subsystems
of the Earth System
THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
Biosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere
 Factors that Influence the
EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
1. Scale
Processes in the Earth system act on
length scales of microns to
thousands of kilometers, and on time
scales of milliseconds to millions of
years.
2. Energy
The Earth system is powered by one external
source: the Sun

and two internal ones:

- radioactive decay

- gravitational energy (heat still

being lost from planetary
formation).
3. Cycles Biogeochemic
al Cycles
Material in the
Earth
system is
continually
recycled in
numerous
overlapping
cycles.
Processes that Drives
Chemical Recycling
• Biological processes include:
– Photosynthesis  
– Respiration
–  Decomposition
– Excretion

• Geological process involve:

– Weathering
– Diastrophism
– Folding and Faulting
– Volcanism
THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
Biosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere
 Biosphere

Includes all life

forms on Earth

It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the

rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs,
and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the
deep sea.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Hydrosphere

Dynamic mass of
water that is
continuously on the
move
 1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid
water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in the
form of ocean water.
2. Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds
are in the form of ice, and the remaining
one-third is present in streams, lakes, and
groundwater.

The Hydrologic (Water)

Cycle
Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...
Hydrologic Cycle

Condensation, Precipitation, Evaporation, Transpiration,

Infiltration, Surface Runoff.
Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the

thin gaseous layer that
envelopes the
lithosphere.

The present atmosphere is composed of 78%

nitrogen (N2), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9%
argon, and trace amount of other gases.
 Atmospheric
8 layersLayers
are defined by
constant trends in
average air temperature
(which changes with
pressure and radiation),
where the outer
exosphere is not shown.
1. Troposphere
2. Tropopause
3. Stratosphere
4. Stratopause
5. Mesosphere
6. Mesopause
7. Thermosphere
8. Exosphere
One of the most important processes by
which the heat on the Earth's surface is
redistributed is through
atmospheric circulation.
 Geosphere

The Solid Earth

extends from the

surface to the center
LITHOSPHERE

The lithosphere
includes the crust and
the upper part of the
mantle.
 Connect to Earth

Create a concept map which explains how

the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and biosphere are interconnected.

Use arrows and simple illustrations.

Historical Development of
the concept of EARTH
SYSTEM
Sources:
1. Ms. Laguda ppt. (Regional SHS
Mass Training of Grade 11
Teachers)
2.TG Earth & Life Science