The Natural Environment Earth’s environment is broken down into different Spheres These spheres work in harmony and are all connected to each other, resulting in a perfectly balanced planet.

Atmosphere The gaseous portion of the earth.

Composition N 2 (78%), O 2 (20%), Ar (<1%) CO 2 (<1%) H 2 O(0.5%), as well as many other trace gases and chemicals.

Composition The atmosphere also contains trace amounts of biotic and abiotic particles Abiotic – Biotic -

Leyers of the atmosphere Troposphere : Range: 10km above surface Temp: 20C -> -60C Contains 80% of gas particles Almost all life exists within this layer Where weather takes place

Stratosphere Range: km Temp: 0C -> -60C Contains most of the ozone gas which protects us from harmful UV radiation

Mesosphere Range: 50-80km Temp: 0C -> -100C Very little gas Air is thin

Thermosphere Range: 80+ km Temp: -100C -> +1000C Very little gas. Takes the brunt of the suns rays, so it is very hot at daytime and very cold at night

Hydrosphere The liquid water portion of the Earth covers 71% of the Earth's surface Is 97% marine and 3% fresh water

Cryosphere The ice portion of the Earth Antarctica contains 90% of the Earth's Cryosphere and holds approximately 80% of the Earth's fresh water. Due to Climate Change the ice caps are melting, an event that is having tremendous effects on the earth such as rising sea levels and an increased rate of planetary warming.

Lithosphere The solid rock and soil portion of the Earth. The Lithosphere contains many of earth's resources within it such as metals, minerals, and fossil fuels. When plates of the lithosphere collide, earthquakes occur. Tar sands

Biosphere Consists of all of the life on Earth. The interactions seen in the biosphere between animals, plants and other organisms are what make earth interesting.

Interraction All of the spheres of the planet are connected together and interact. They are also affected by humans. The biosphere is affected by the actions of humans more than anything else.