Earth Spheres

PROBLEM SOLVING ACTIVITY: HOW DO EARTH’S SPHERES INTERACT?
A system is a collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined boundary. Within the
boundary of the Earth is a collection of four interdependent parts called “spheres“: the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. 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 within an ecosystem are referred to as 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. An event can cause changes to occur in one or more of the spheres, and/or an event can be the effect of changes in one or more of Earth’s four spheres. This two-way cause and effect relationship between an event and a sphere is called an interaction. Interactions also occur among the spheres.

For example, a change in the atmosphere can cause a change in the hydrosphere, and vice versa. Below are a few examples:
•Humans (biosphere) built a dam out of rock materials (lithosphere).
•Water in the lake (hydrosphere) seeps into the cliff walls behind the dam, becoming groundwater (lithosphere), or evaporating into the air (atmosphere).
•Humans (biosphere) harness energy from the water (hydrosphere) by having it spin turbines (lithosphere) to produce electricity.


Understanding the interactions that occur in the Earth System also helps people to prepare for the effects of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and severe storms. This understanding allows people to predict things like how far and in what direction the lava will flow or the storm surge will rise and help them to evaluate their options throughout the time period of the event.

OBJECTIVE: Students will:
 Understand the concept of a “system” as it applies to Earth;
 Identify the 4 spheres of the Earth system;
 Identify and analyse how matter and energy change and cycle
through the system as the spheres interact and
 Analyse an event and present their findings to the class.

QUESTIONS FOR CAUSE AND EFFECT

  1. How may each of the Earth’s four spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere) have caused the event to occur?
  2. What are the effects of the event on each of the Earth’s four spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere)?
  3. What are the effects of changes in one of Earth’s four spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, or biosphere) on each of the other spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, or biosphere)?

EVENTS FOR ANALYSIS

  1. European green crab invasion
  2. BP oil spill
  3. Iceland volcano
  4. Mars biosphere
  5. Photosynthesis/respiration
  6. Pine beetle infestation
  7. Acid rain
  8. Amazon deforestation
  9. Wildfires
  10. Coal mining
  11. Drought
  12. Flooding
  13. Ozone depletion
  14. Phytoplankton bloom
  15. Salt water intrusion
  16. Sulfur dioxide
  17. Sunspots
  18. Thermal islands
  19. Tsunami
  20. Hurricanes
  21. Wind farm development
  22. Yellowstone fires
  23. Yucatan meteor impact
  24. El Nino/La Nina
  25. Mt. St Helens eruption
  26. CFCs
  27. Yellowstone super-volcano eruption