Guru
Introduction
List of elements/layers in our environment
1. Atmosphere
2. Hydrosphere
3. Lithosphere
4. Biosphere
5. Climate and Weather
6. Biodiversity
7. Ecosystems
Atmosphere
The atmosphere has three major constituents—major,minor and trace. Pure (i.e., pollution-free) dry air at ground level has the following components, expressed in percentage by volume (within brackets):
| Major components: | Nitrogen (78.09) | Oxygen (20.94) | Water vapour (0.1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor components: | Argon (0.9), (0.032) | Carbon dioxide | - - - |
| Trace components: | Neon (0.0018) | Helium (0.0005) | Methane (0.0002) etc. |
The properties of the atmosphere vary much with altitude. The density shows sharp decrease with increasing altitude. Pressure drops from 1 atmosphere at sea level to atmosphere at 100 km above sea level while temperature varies from –92º to 1200°C.The total mass of the atmosphere is about tons which is roughly one millionth of the earth’s total mass (kg).The atmosphere may be broadly divided into four regions as shown in below Table.It extends up to 500 km, with temperature varying from a minimum of –92°C to a maximum of 1200°C.
| Region | Altitude range (km) | Temperature range, °C | Important chemical species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troposphere | 0 – 11 | 15 to –56 Water vapour, Carbon dioxide | Nitrogen, Oxygen |
| Stratosphere | 11 – 50 | –56 to –2 | Ozone |
| Mesosphere | 50 – 85 | –2 to –92 | Oxygen+, Nitric oxide |
| Thermosphere | 85 – 500 | –92 to 1200 | Oxygen+, Nitric oxide+ |
- Oxygen+ = Oxygen atom with positive charge
- Nitrogen oxide+= Nitric oxide molecule with positive charge.
- These atoms/molecules pick up charge in the upper atmosphere.
Key Characteristics and Components of the Atmosphere:
- Composition: The atmosphere of the Earth includes gases as the major component, nitrogen takes up to about 78% volatile as well as oxygen comprises about 21%. The rest of the bit is trace gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
- Layers: Based on composition and temperature, Earth's atmosphere includes five main layers: the troposphere (closest to the Earth's surface), stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each layer behaves differently and plays a unique role in Earth's climate and weather systems.
- Functions:Gas exists in the air and majorly most living organisms including the human and animals breath in the same. It helps in controlling the basic concentration of carbon (CO 2) a major greenhouse gas that causes the climate change on earth. A stable climate depends on the atmosphere capability of harboring heat from the sun through the greenhouse effect that minimizes the planets surface temperature.
- Greenhouse Effect: The capacity of atmosphere to hold heat by greenhouse effect is highly indispensable to achieve a temperature on Earth that is favorable for life. Human activities such as combustion of fossil fuels has increased the concentration of greenhouse gasses like CO2 responsible to the global warming and climate change.
- Weather Systems: The atmosphere generates weather systems. Atmospheric features control the movement of air masses, the formation of clouds, and the occurrence of meteorological events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.
- Air Quality: The air we breathe directly affects the atmosphere's quality. Smog, particulate matter, and airborne chemicals pose significant risks to human health and the environment.
- Ozone Layer: The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere and rich in ozone (O₃) molecules, protects the body from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. When the ozone layer depletes, more UV radiation reaches Earth's surface, increasing health and environmental risks.
- Climate Change: There is a close relationship between climate change and the composition and behavior of the atmosphere. Human activity, particularly the release of greenhouse gases, is altering the Earth's climate, with far-reaching consequences for human societies and ecosystems.
Hydrosphere
The history of human civilization shows a strong link between water supply and societal development. Several cities and civilizations disappeared after facing severe water shortages.
The world holds a total of 1.4 billion km³ of water. If the seabeds rose to match the earth’s surface, this water would cover the entire planet with a 2.5 km-deep layer. About 97% of this water lies in the oceans and remains unsuitable for human use due to its high salt content. Of the remaining 3%, around 2.3% stays locked in polar ice caps, making it inaccessible.
Out of the total 0.7% of fresh water available on Earth, ground water makes up the majority at 0.66%. The remaining 0.03% exists in rivers, lakes, and streams. Breaking this down further: lakes and ponds contain 0.01%, water vapour accounts for 0.001%, rivers hold 0.003%, and plants, animals, and chemicals store the remaining 0.0187% (United Nations Water Conference Report, Argentina, 1977).
Key Characteristics and Components of the Hydrosphere:
- Water in All Forms: The hydrosphere is all water whether as another medium, liquid water that we have in rivers, lakes, and the ocean, or as a solid, as we have in ice and now, or, or as gaseous water vapor in the atmosphere. The whole climate system of the Earth crucially relies on dynamic movement of water between these different manifestations.
- Oceans and Seas: About 71% of the surface of the Earth is covered with oceans, they form a significant part of the hydrosphere. The oceans that occupies the surface of the planet are indispensable for the stability of a broad spectrum of ecosystems and control of the Earth atmosphere sea level temperature.
- Freshwater Sources: Most of the water on Earth is saltwater, but humans rely on freshwater for drinking and farming. Ice caps, rivers, lakes, and groundwater serve as the main sources of freshwater. However, the availability of clean freshwater varies greatly by region, making it a global concern.
- Water Cycle: The hydrosphere is the key agent that ensures mediation of the water cycle that incorporates evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoffs among others. This water cycle in perpetuity mauntains the ecosystems, the current weather patterns, and many instances the availability of freshwater resources.
- Ecosystem Support: Aquatic and many marine species rely on the hydrosphere for the provision of basic habitats. There are diverse and large marine mammals such as codfish, sea lion, walrus, sharks, blue whales, emperors as well as microscopic phytoplankton that swim and become dormant in freshwater and ocean habitats teeming with biodiversity.
- Climate Regulation: Earth’s oceans significantly contribute to climate regulation. They influence world climate and assist to stabilize the world temperature as heat sinks they absorb and cool down the solar radiation.
- Water as a Resource: Industry, agriculture and human activity, energy production as well as human survival need water from the hydrosphere. The graph then shows the percentage of households participating in activities since 2012 for total public sector environmentally sound management, remote areas, and low-income urban areas.
- Environmental Challenges: Many environmental problems, including overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution from human activity, and the effects of climate change, affect the hydrosphere. These issues could lead to the depletion of freshwater supplies, disruption of ecosystems, and decline in water quality.
- Rising Sea Levels: Sea levels are rising as a result of polar ice caps melting and global warming. Low-lying areas, coastal communities, and ecosystems are all seriously threatened by this.
- Conservation and Sustainability: The health of the planet and future generations depends on safeguarding the hydrosphere and its resources. For the hydrosphere to remain healthy and sustainable, conservation initiatives, environmentally friendly water management techniques, and tackling climate change are essential.
Lithosphere
It is made of the mantle of rocks. It includes the soil which covers the rock’s crust in many places. Rocks are subjected to continuous weathering forces—rain, wind, chemical and biological—and suffer disintegration. The resultant rudimentary soil encourages plant development. After death and decay, plant matter returns to the soil, enriching it for future biological activity and benefiting the entire ecosystem.The mineral component of soil comes from the parent rocks by weathering processes while the organic component is due to plant biomass as well as populations of bacteria, fungi and insects (earthworms). A typical soil, suitable for agriculture, contains about 5 per cent organic matter and 95 per cent inorganic matter. Soil plays an important role as it produces food for man and animals. Good soil and good agriculture are valuable assets for a nation.
In general, soil has a loose structure consisting of solid mineral, organic matter and air space (Fig. 3). It shows broadly three zones as its depth increases. The top layer, up to several inches thick, is known as top soil which is an index of soil quality. This is the layer of maximum biological productivity and it contains bulk of organic matter. Hence, it is very important for vegetation cover and agricultural crops. Reckless deforestation causes loss of top soil which means loss of agricultural production. The underlying layer is the sub-soil which receives organic matter, salts and clay particles leached from the top soil. The third layer (zone) consists of weathered parent rocks from which soil was formed.Plants draw water and nutrients from soil—they transport water into the plant body (roots and leaves) and discharge excess water into the atmosphere through leaves through the process of transpiration.
- mountain
- plateau and
- plain
To begin with, mountains provide a natural frontier, as well as shelter for tribals, along with flora and fauna. In addition, they have forests, which, in turn, are vital resources. Moreover, plateaus are rich in minerals. Similarly, plains support more people primarily because of easy farming. Furthermore, they ease transport. Consequently, industries grow faster. On the other hand, mountains are less populated. Nevertheless, they matter ecologically. Likewise, plateaus aid mining. Indeed, landforms have unique roles. Even so, plains dominate agriculture. Hence, development differs. Notably, resources guide settlement. At the same time, elevation affects climate. Thus, geography shapes life. Overall, all terrains support us differently. Ultimately, knowing this helps planning. In summary, all landforms are vital.
Key Characteristics and Components of the Lithosphere:
- Composition: The lithosphere is roughly solid rock such as the Earth’s continental crust and the outer layer of the Earth’s mantle. The lithosphere is composed of different kind of rocks, minerals and sediments.
- Landforms: The Earth is structured in the lithosphere due to which the lithosphere creates such formations as mountains, valleys, valleys, plateaus, and deserts. These topographical structures are hence shaped and formed by tectonic forces and geological processes such as erosion, weathering and sedimentation in a constant way.
- Earth's Crust: The Lithosphere also consists of the two classes of crust, continental crust and the oceanic crust. The continental crust is thicker and less dense, and constitutes the continents while the oceanic crust is thinner and denser; backing up the ocean basins.
- Tectonic Plates: The lithosphere divides up in several large and small tectonic plates that rest on anastenosphere which is semi-fluid below them. These plates create not only earthquakes and volcanic activity but also mountain formation.
- Geological Processes: Molding under the surface of the earth includes both the phenomena such as plate tectonics-volcanic eruptions and formation of rocks known here as lithosphere. All these processes have been the main contributors to the formation of the Earth’s surface and the mineral and resource genesis.
- Habitats: Various microorganisms as well as plants and animals live in the lithosphere, where green algae, fungi, and haematodes grow in the soil; terrestrial plants and animalsincluding organisms and herbivores occupy their habitats there. Wherever live organisms whether in desert mountains caves they have perfectly adapted themselves to the specific environmental conditions.
- Human Interaction: The lithosphere is heavily affected by human activities. These comprise of mineral and resource mining, land use changes by urbanizing and agriculture and the establishment of infrastructure. These practices meen destruction of the habitats and geological desaturationv.
- Geological Resources: The lithosphere is a valuable source of geological resources, including minerals (e.g., coal, iron, gold),building materials (e.g., limestone, sandstone), and fossil fuels (e.g.,oil, natural gas). These resources are essential for human industry and infrastructure.
- Environmental Concerns: The lithosphere faces environmental challenges,such as soil erosion, land degradation, and deforestation, which can lead to loss of fertile land and habitat destruction. Sustainable land use practices are crucial for preserving the health of the lithosphere.
- Conservation and Sustainable Land Management: Conserving the lithosphere and managing land sustainably are essential for maintaining biodiversity, supporting ecosystems, and ensuring a stable environment for future generations.This involves practices like reforestation, soil conservation, and responsible mining and land development.
Biosphere
The biosphere is one of the fundamental components of the Earth's environment and encompasses all of Earth's ecosystems and living organisms. It's the layer of the Earth where life exists and thrives.The term "biosphere" is derived from the combination of "bio," meaning life, and "sphere," which refers to a surrounding region or layer. This concept was popularized by geologist Eduard Suess in the late 19th century and further developed by Russian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky.Broadly speaking, the biosphere consists of the earth’s crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere and various living species (micro-organisms to man) which exist in the zone 600 metres above earth’s surface and 10,000 metres below sea level.
Both biosphere and environment have close interactions with each other. Thus oxygen and carbon dioxide level of atmosphere depend on the plant world. Green plants are responsible for accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere through photosynthesis and decay. In the early stages of Earth's history, the atmosphere lacked oxygen, and no forms of life, including humans, were present. In general, the biosphere is closely related to energy flows in the environment and water chemistry.
Key Characteristics and Components of the Biosphere:
- Diversity of Life: There is also little to no traits that make the biosphere the same, but it is known to have ample species that include the microscopic single-celled organisms, plants, animals, and even human all under one entity—humans can be understood well to have some biological relation to the mighty tree or that same water we take yet they are different species. This biodiversity is fundamental to the workings of the ecosystems and the homeostasis of the biosphere.
- Ecosystems: Ecosystems are the functional units of the biosphere that involve living organisms and their physical environment indoing so, the paragraph tells us about the functions of the ecosystems. Such systems can range from a pond to a rainforest and they are evident with the cycling of energy and nutrient.
- Food Webs: Organisms in ecosystems have dependence or relationship read more These interrelationships depict that there is a flow of energy and nutrients from one species to another and since there is always an exchange, the entity that provides the energy is dependent on the entity that offers it food while the recipient is was it means.
- Adaptation: Living forms in biosphere can adapt to any environment creating various specialized species and behaviors. The life on Earth is strong and the tireless so it can be asserted that the ability of adaptation of the biosphere is a good piece of evidence.
- Global Impact: The biosphere has a great role as regards the climate of the earth, its chemistry and the physical form. For instance, photosynthetic organisms in the biosphere, that is, plants and phytoplankton, are critical in maintaining the appropriate oxygen levels in the atmosphere and removing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
- Human Influence: Some of the effects of human activities which changed the face of the biosphere include habitat destruction, pollution, human alteration aside climate change. These activities cause imbalance within the biosphere and create a nightmare scenario for a plethora of species.
- Conservation Efforts: Worldwide, recognizing the importance of the biosphere, an attempt is being made to conserve it. Biodiversity in fact has been a focus of development of a wide range of national parks, wildlife reserves, and international consensus agreements aimed at the long-term health of the biosphere.
- Sustainable Living: The biosphere health and stability, also, sustainability, the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their needs is vital and in order to fulfil this goal, direct action to minimise the unfavourable impacts that man has on earth’s environment is required. Practices that can be termed as sustainable are responsible use of resources, reduction of pollution, and conservation of biodiversity.
All in all, the biosphere is the living part of Earth, which is really diverse, has intertwined biological relationships and influences Earth systems. The fact life and health of the biosphere should be understood and protected because wellbeing of all species of the planet is urgently required and promoted with the safety of many generations.