Question

What are the three abiotic (nonliving) spheres that make up Earth's environment? Relate these to the biotic (living) sphere: the biosphere.

Short answer

The three abiotic spheres that make up Earth's environment are the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere. They relate to the biosphere in that they provide the necessary conditions and resources for life to thrive -- the Atmosphere provides air, the Hydrosphere provides water and habitat for aquatic life, and the Lithosphere provides the physical space for organisms to live.

Step-by-step solution

Identification of the Three Abiotic Spheres

The three abiotic spheres that make up the Earth's environment are: the Lithosphere (land), the Hydrosphere (water), and the Atmosphere (air). Each of these refers to a major component of the Earth's environment that is nonliving.

Description of the Biotic Sphere- The Biosphere

The Biosphere includes all living beings and their relationships. It involves the interactions of organisms with their physical environment (which is comprised of the abiotic spheres). It extends from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountains.

Relation of the Abiotic Spheres to the Biosphere

Each of the abiotic spheres influences the biosphere in various ways. The Atmosphere provides the air that all organisms need for survival. The Hydrosphere provides the essential water for life, and is home to aquatic organisms. The Lithosphere provides habitat for the majority of organisms. These three spheres create the conditions necessary for life on Earth.

Key concepts

Lithosphere

The Lithosphere refers to the outermost solid layer of the Earth. It is made up of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. This layer is where you find landforms like mountains, plains, and valleys.

• Composition: The lithosphere consists of rocks and minerals. It contains soil which supports plant life.
• Importance: It's crucial for life as it provides minerals and elements like calcium and iron necessary for living organisms.
• Interaction: The lithosphere interacts with the biosphere providing a foundation for plants, which in turn provide food and habitat for animals.

The lithosphere also plays a role in the carbon cycle. When plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and when they die, this carbon can be stored in the lithosphere as coal or oil. This process makes the lithosphere not just a provider of nutrients but also a critical player in regulating Earth's climate.

Hydrosphere

The Hydrosphere includes all water present on Earth whether it's in the form of oceans, rivers, lakes, or glaciers. This sphere covers about 71% of Earth’s surface. Water in the atmosphere, even as vapor, is also part of the hydrosphere.

• Composition: Made up of water in all its forms: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor).
• Importance: Water is essential for all living organisms. It is a medium for chemical reactions required for life.
• Interaction: The hydrosphere interacts with the biosphere by providing habitats for a vast variety of life forms, especially aquatic life.

Water cycle movements also help to transport nutrients and affect weather patterns, thus influencing the conditions for life in the biosphere. The hydrosphere and atmosphere constantly exchange moisture to maintain the Earth’s climate system.

Atmosphere

The Atmosphere is the envelope of gases surrounding the Earth. It extends over 10,000 km above the surface but most of the atmosphere’s mass is within 30 km.

• Composition: Primarily composed of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with trace amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide and argon.
• Importance: It provides the oxygen necessary for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
• Interaction: It interacts with the biosphere by providing necessary gases, helping to regulate climate and weather.

The atmosphere also protects life on Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet solar radiation, reducing temperature extremes between day and night, and maintaining the water cycle through evaporation and precipitation.

Biosphere

The Biosphere encompasses all living organisms on Earth and the areas they inhabit. It can be found from the deepest oceans to high in the atmosphere, wherever life can exist.

• Components: Includes all ecosystems and living creatures—plants, animals, humans, bacteria, and fungi.
• Importance: It's the zone of life on Earth, supporting the network of life and enabling biological activity.
• Interaction: The biosphere's health depends on its relationship with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

The biosphere relies on cycles such as the carbon cycle, water cycle, and nitrogen cycle to sustain life. Interactions within the biosphere and between other spheres, like plants taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, are essential for maintaining life and ecological balance on Earth.