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Overview
In this activity, you will learn about the four spheres of the Earth, the lithosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere, and how closely they interact with each other.
Content
To appreciate the Earth, we must look at all of its components together as a whole. The Earth is made up of four spheres: the atmosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. Understanding how these four spheres interact is essential to our efforts to minimize the negative impacts of our actions on the environment.
The Atmosphere
As you have already discovered, the atmosphere is the ‘air' that surrounds the Earth. It contains the nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide needed for living things to survive, and protects us from harmful radiation from the sun.
The Lithosphere
The outside crust of the Earth is the lithosphere. This includes the oceanic crust and continental crust. The continents are the basis for terrestrial (earth) ecosystems.
The Hydrosphere
The Earth's water, in its various forms, is the hydrosphere. Most of the Earth's water is found in the oceans, with smaller amounts contained in glaciers, lakes, rivers and underground.
The Biosphere
Earth is the only planet known to have living things on it. The biosphere contains all of the Earth's living things. Living things need various elements to survive: oxygen or carbon dioxide, water, food, and shelter. The Earth provides all of these things.
Interaction of the Four Spheres
The four spheres of the Earth are closely connected. For example, water (hydrosphere) flows through the soil (lithosphere) which also contains air (atmosphere) and is inundated with millions of microscopic and larger living organisms (biosphere). The spheres are so closely connected that a change in one sphere often results in a change in one or more of the other spheres.
Such changes that take place in an ecosystem are called events. Events can occur naturally, such as an earthquake or a hurricane, or they can be caused by humans, such as an oil spill or air pollution.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
The ____________ consists of all the Earth's living things.
Most of the Earth's water is found in the ______________.
The ________________consists of all the Earth's water.
Classwork:
Classwork:
You will summarize what you have just learned about Earth's four spheres by completing the Earth's Sphere's worksheet in google classroom. When you are finished turn your work in.
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