Spheres of The Earth2
Spheres of The Earth2
Spheres of The Earth2
Atmosphere
• Thermosphere—highest
• Mesosphere
• Troposphere---layer we live in
Biosphere
• The term "Biosphere" was coined by Russian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky
in the 1929. The biosphere is the life zone of the Earth and includes all
living organisms, including man, and all organic matter that has not yet
decomposed. Life evolved on earth during its early history between 4.5
and 3.8 billion years ago and the biosphere readily distinguishes our
planet from all others in the solar system. The chemical reactions of life
(e.g., photosynthesis-respiration, carbonate precipitation, etc.) have also
imparted a strong signal on the chemical composition of the atmosphere,
transforming the atmosphere from reducing conditions to and oxidizing
environment with free oxygen. The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy
known as the food chain whereby all life is dependent upon the first tier
(i.e. mainly the primary producers that are capable of photosynthesis).
Energy and mass is transferred from one level of the food chain to the
next with an efficiency of about 10%. All organisms are intrinsically linked
to their physical environment and the relationship between an organism
and its environment is the study of ecology. The biosphere can be divided
into distinct ecosystems that represent the interactions between a group
of organisms forming a trophic pyramid and the environment or habitat in
which they live.
Biotic vs. Abiotic
• Bio = means life
• Biotic—living parts or components
• Abiotic—nonliving parts of components (air, water,
temperature)
Biosphere
• Approximately
70% of the
Earth’s Surface
is water
• 30% of the
Earth’s surface is
land
Earth as a System
• Divergent Boundaries
– Two plates moving apart (seafloor spreading)
• Convergent Boundaries
– Two plates move together
• Transform Fault Boundaries
– Two plates grind past each other without the production
or destruction of lithosphere