exam

ess.geology.ufl.edu/ess/Introduction/atmosphere.html
ess.geology.ufl.edu/ess/Introduction/Hydrosphere.html
Biosphere: It is the life zone of Earth including all living organisms, man, and all matter that hasnt decomposed. Life evolved on earth during its early history about 4.5 to 3.8 billion years ago and the biosphere distinguished our planet from all others in our solar system. The chemical reactions of life such as photosynthesis have also had and effect on the chemical composition of the atmosphere, making the atmosphere from reducing conditions to oxygen enrich environment. Energy and mass is transferred from one level of the food chain to the next with an efficiency of about 10%. All organisms are linked to their environment. The relationship between an organism and its environment is the study of ecology.

Atmosphere: A gaseous bubble that surrounds Earth and acts as the barrier of going between its surface and the vacuum of space. The atmosphere is a made of gases composed of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.#1,2 Its about 500 km above the surface of the Earth and maintains the conditions suitable for life on the planet's surface. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer that protects life on the planet from ultraviolet rays from the Sun. Since the Industrial Revolution we have been changing the composition of the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.#1 with the production of these greenhouse gases we are trapping heat energy from the earth surface and increase global temperatures. Also chlorofluorocarbons are effective at decreasing the Earth's ozone shield that protects the us from the effects of UV rays.

Hydrosphere: Is all water on Earth. Earth is a misnomer Meaning that 71% of the earth is covered by water and only 29% is land. The abundance of water on Earth is a unique feature that clearly distinguishes our planet from any other planet in the solar system. no where else can a single drop of liquid water is known anywhere else in the solar system. this is because we have the right mass, the right chemicals the right atmosphere, and we arent to close or to far away from the Sun. However, the range of surface temperatures and pressures of our planet permit water to exist in all three states solid, liquid, and gas.#1,2 The water is contained in the oceans and the high heat capacity of this large volume of water makes it so the Earth doesnt have large temperature changes such as those observed on the moon. Water is the universal solvent and the basis of all life on our Planet.

Humans have been hurting our planet every day with the burning of fossils fuels and other alternative resources. This is hurting our planet and in a greater aspect this is hurting ourselves humans need to find a new form of energy to change what we are doing to the planet and extend our stay here otherwise we will burn our planet up and use all its resources.




#1http://ess.geology.ufl.edu/ess/Introduction/Hydrosphere.html Organisation: Dr. David Hodell & Ray Thomas Date:1996-2000 Title: Hydrosphere
#2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere Organisation: Wikipedia Date: 2006 Title: Atmosphere