Earths Spheres and Biogeochemical Cycles Revision

Question 1

What are the 4 spheres?

Answer 1

Atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere/lithosphere, hydrosphere

Question 2

What does the atmosphere sphere include?

Answer 2

The atmospheric sphere includes the Earth’s layers of gases held by gravity, composed of different layers which is crucial for supporting life and weather processes.

Question 3

What does the biosphere sphere include?

Answer 3

The biosphere sphere includes all living organisms on Earth and their interactions with the physical environment, encompassing ecosystems and theinterconnected web of life.

Question 4

What does the geosphere/lithosphere sphere include?

Answer 4

The geosphere, or lithosphere, encompasses the solid Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core. It comprises rocks, minerals, landforms, and tectonic processes.

Question 5

What does the hydrosphere sphere include?

Answer 5

The hydrosphere sphere includes all of Earth’s water in various forms—oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, groundwater—playing a vital role in global processes and supporting life.

Question 6

Describe how atmosphere is interconnected to each of the other 3 spheres. Give examples for each sphere.

Answer 6

1. Biosphere: The atmosphere provides oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
2. Geosphere/Lithosphere: Atmospheric weathering breaks down rocks, while volcanic emissions release gases that influence the atmosphere’s composition.
3. Hydrosphere: Evaporation from water bodies forms clouds, and atmospheric circulation drives precipitation.

Question 7

Describe how biosphere is interconnected to each of the other 3 spheres. Give examples for each sphere.

Answer 7

Lithosphere: Soil supports plant growth; plants stabilize soil. Erosion affects both.

Hydrosphere: Oceans regulate climate; precipitation nourishes plants. Pollution harms marine life and disrupts hydrological cycles.

Atmosphere: Plants produce oxygen; carbon cycle impacts climate. Air pollution harms plants and animals.

Question 8

Describe how geosphere/lithosphere is interconnected to each of the other 3 spheres. Give examples for each sphere.

Answer 8

Hydrosphere: Rocks shape riverbeds; water weathers rocks. Sediments in water bodies become new rock layers over time.

Atmosphere: Volcanic eruptions release gases; weathering forms minerals. Dust from Earth’s surface can influence weather patterns and air quality.

Biosphere: Soil supports plant growth; organisms break down rocks. Animals create burrows that alter soil structure and contribute to nutrient cycling.

Question 9

Describe how hydrosphere is interconnected to each of the other 3 spheres. Give examples for each sphere.

Answer 9

Geosphere: Water erodes rocks; sediments settle to form new layers. Rivers carve canyons, shaping the landscape.

Atmosphere: Evaporation forms clouds; precipitation replenishes water bodies. Water vapor affects weather patterns and precipitation.

Biosphere: Aquatic ecosystems provide habitat; organisms depend on water for survival. Wetlands filter water, supporting diverse species and mitigating floods.

Question 10

What are the 4 biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 10

Water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus

Question 11

What is the process involved in allowing the water cycle to cycle through the environment?

Answer 11

The water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Water evaporates from water bodies, forms clouds through condensation, and falls as precipitation, replenishing the cycle.

Question 12

What is the process involved in allowing the carbon cycle to cycle through the environment?

Answer 12

The carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. It includes processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, fossilization, and combustion, maintaining a balance of carbon dioxide in the environment.

Question 13

What is the process involved in allowing the nitrogen cycle to cycle through the environment?

Answer 13

The nitrogen cycle involves nitrogen fixation by bacteria, plant uptake, and consumption by animals. Decomposition returns nitrogen to the soil, while denitrification releases nitrogen back into the atmosphere, completing the cycle.

Question 14

What is the process involved in allowing the phosphorus cycle to cycle through the environment?

Answer 14

The phosphorus cycle involves weathering of rocks, releasing phosphates into the soil. Plants uptake phosphates, which are then consumed by animals. Decomposition and geological processes return phosphates to the soil.

Question 15

How does the carbon cycle interconnect with the 4 spheres?

Answer 15

Atmosphere: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is exchanged between the atmosphere and biosphere through photosynthesis and respiration.

Biosphere: Plants absorb CO2 for photosynthesis; animals release CO2 through respiration.

Hydrosphere: Oceans absorb and release CO2; marine life and phytoplankton influence CO2 levels.

Geosphere: Fossil fuels store carbon; volcanic activity releases CO2.

Question 16

How does the nitrogen cycle interconnect with the 4 spheres?

Answer 16

Atmosphere: Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up the majority of the atmosphere and is converted by nitrogen fixation into forms usable by plants.

Biosphere: Nitrogen is taken up by plants for growth; animals acquire nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals.

Hydrosphere: Nitrogen compounds can leach into water bodies; aquatic plants and organisms use them.

Geosphere: Nitrogen compounds are released from rocks via weathering.

Question 17

How does the water cycle interconnect with the 4 spheres?

Answer 17

Atmosphere: Evaporation and transpiration lift water vapor into the atmosphere.

Biosphere: Plants transpire water; animals consume and excrete water.

Hydrosphere: Bodies of water store and transport water; precipitation replenishes water bodies.

Geosphere: Groundwater is stored in rock formations; landforms affect water flow.

Question 18

How does the phosphorus cycle interconnect with the 4 spheres?

Answer 18

Atmosphere: Phosphorus does not have a significant gaseous phase in this cycle.

Biosphere: Plants take up phosphate for growth; animals acquire phosphorus by consuming plants or other animals.

Hydrosphere: Phosphates can be washed into water bodies; aquatic plants and organisms use them.

Geosphere: Phosphate compounds are released from rocks through erosion and weathering.

Question 19

How does the carbon cycle interconnect with the 4 spheres?

Answer 19

Lithosphere: Carbon in the form of fossil fuels is stored and released through combustion, impacting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Hydrosphere: Oceans absorb and release carbon dioxide, regulating atmospheric carbon levels and influencing ocean acidity.

Atmosphere: Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, regulates Earth’s temperature, impacting climate and weather patterns.

Biosphere: Plants photosynthesize, absorbing carbon dioxide, while animals release carbon through respiration, affecting ecosystem dynamics and carbon storage.

Question 20

How are the 4 cycles similar to each other?

Answer 20

They involve the cycling of matter, are passed through food chains, are first taken up by plants, decomposers play a vital role.
Nitrogen is taken up through plants roots and invites fertilizer use.

Question 21

How are the 4 cycles different to each other?

Answer 21

Carbon: Involves atmospheric exchange; fossil fuels store carbon. Gaseous form (CO2).

Nitrogen: Relies on nitrogen fixation; has a significant gaseous phase (N2).

Phosphorus: Limited atmospheric involvement; primarily in rock and soil, no significant gaseous phase.

Question 22

How do human activities impact on combustion and the carbon cycle?

Answer 22

Human activities contribute to increased combustion of fossil fuels, releasing excessive carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This disrupts the carbon cycle, leading to global warming, climate change, and environmental imbalances.

Question 23

How do human activities impact on deforestation and the carbon cycle?

Answer 23

Human activities like deforestation release carbon stored in trees into the atmosphere as CO2. This disrupts the carbon cycle, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecological imbalance.

Question 24

How do human activities impact on eutrophication and the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles?

Answer 24

Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from agriculture and sewage cause eutrophication in water bodies, disrupting nutrient cycles, harming aquatic ecosystems, and causing oxygen depletion.