The Four Spheres
The Atmosphere
Layers of air surrounding the Earth- Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Thermosphere, in ascending order. About 78% of the atmosphere is Nitrogen, 21% is Oxygen, and the rest is in miniscule amounts.
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The Biosphere
Life zone of Earth, including all living organisms and organic matter that has not yet decomposed. Deals with the food chain and how energy is transferred from one level to the next.
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The Hydrosphere
Contains all of the water on Earth
- Surface Water (oceans, lakes, rivers,etc.) - Ground Water (water stuck in the ground) - Atmosphere (water vapor) - Frozen Water (glaciers, also known as Cryosphere) |
The Geosphere
Solid part of the Earth, from core to surface. It includes volcanoes, rocks, minerals, coal, oil,etc. Mineral resources are resources are mined from the geosphere.