Spheres
reservoir which describes the role of humans within all of the natural reservoirs and the impact we have on them
anthroposphere
recorded patterns of recurring transfer of both matter and energy between all of the earth’s open systems
cycles
of the hydrosphere which includes all of the frozen water resources on the earth
cryosphere subsystem
a solid mixture of one or more types of minerals
rock
a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases that surrounds the surface of the earth
atmosphere
cyclical pattern in which the loss of heat by the earth through entropy is replenished by the Sun and the geosphere
energy cycle (balance)
the uppermost layer of the geosphere
lithosphere
cyclical transformation of rocks from one form to another over the course of millions of years
rock cycle
reservoir containing all organic matter of the earth
biosphere
the cyclical movement of water throughout earth’s reservoirs
hydrologic cycle
non-living/environmental factors within the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere
abiotic
cyclical transfer of energy within the earth; used to drive the formation of mountains and deep water trenches and volcanic eruptions
tectonic cycle
the solid parts of the earth that are mostly made up of rock and regolith within the life zone
geosphere
cyclical transfer of energy within the earth; used to drive the formation of mountains and deep water trenches and volcanic eruptions
tectonic cycle
resources living or deceased organisms
biotic
a loose and relatively thin covering of soil, broken rocks, and dirt over the solid rock layer of the geosphere
regolith
contains all of earth’s water resources, both liquid and frozen
hydrosphere
cycles the movement of elements or molecules throughout each of earth’s reservoirs
biogeochemical
overall balance of flux between reservoirs; driven by feedback loops
dynamic equilibrium
combinations of more than one element such as water H20 and carbon dioxide CO2
molecules