Transcript Document

Earth Surface Systems
• A system is a structured set of objects that are
linked together so as to perform some function.
• System components are linked by flows of energy,
matter or information.
• All systems show some degree of integration.
• Systems have boundaries in space and time.
• Systems are a simplification of the totality that is
the Earth, that allow us to study the relationships
within a smaller portion of it.
The Ecosphere
after Huggett et al. 2004
• The biosphere:
– all living things that interact with each other to form
communities and with their surroundings to form
ecosystems
• The atmosphere:
– a shell of dusty gas that surrounds the earth and moves
according to the general circulation.
• The hydrosphere:
– the waters of the earth that are linked through the
hydrological cycle
• The pedosphere:
– The soil layer that sits at the interface of the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere
(outermost layers of the Earth’s rocks)
Earth Surface Systems: Cycles
Solar
radiation
atmosphere
Water
cycling
Gas
cycling
hydrosphere
Water
cycling
Weathering &
dust cycling
pedosphere
Water &
mineral cycling
Water, mineral &
nutrient cycling
biosphere
Major earth cycles
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Energy cycles
Water cycle
Sediment cycle
Geochemical cycles
– (e.g. C, O, N)
Vertical Cycles
atmosphere
solar radiation
Short wave
O2
Co2
vegetation
atmosphere
precipitation
Long wave
land surface
evaporation
oceans
The annual pattern of solar radiation absorption at
the Earth's surface for the year 1987
Source: Pidwirney online
Horizontal Transfers
Warm oceans
Cold oceans
Highland areas
Lowland areas
Water
Sediment
Dissolved minerals
Ocean currents
Earth Surface Systems: Cycles