Earth's Connected Spheres

Earth's Connected Spheres

Key Points

• We are all connected

• Importance of Suns energy

• Nutrient Cycling

Interconnectedness

• The idea of interconnectedness is at the heart of what it is to be First Peoples

• We rely on our environment to sustain us and therefore we must do our part to make sure we take care of it

Ecosystems

• Biotic parts: Living parts of an environment

• Abiotic parts: Non-living parts of an environment

• Both parts are interconnected through the ways they interact

Earth’s Spheres (Systems)

• Atmosphere: Gaseous part of Earth about 10 km of the surface to hundreds of kilometers higher

• Geosphere (lithosphere): Solid, rocky part of Earth

• Hydrosphere: All of the water (liquid, solid, gaseous) on and within the geosphere

• Biosphere: All the areas in the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere that are inhabited by and support life

Scientific Literacy

• Bias: A judgment that is based on a person’s knowledge, understanding, and beliefs

• Example: “tar sands” vs. “oil sands”

Scientific Literacy

• Need to ask yourself...

• Who is this information coming from?

• What are their goals or intentions?

• Are they telling the whole story?

• Is this information accurate?

The Role of the Sun's Energy

Solar Energy and Earth's Spheres

• Solar energy enters Earth's spheres and is distributed

• No sun = No life

Uneven Heating

• amount of sun reaching different parts of Earth varies

• More sun closer to equator, less sun at the poles (due to angle between Earth and Sun)

Global Wind systems

• Hot air is less dense than cold air

• Moist air is less dense than dry air

• This leads to convection currents that redistribute thermal energy from the sun

Global Wind Systems

• Convections currents influenced by earths rotation

• Coriolis effect: a change in the direction of moving air, water, or other objects due to Earth’s rotation

Global Wind Systems

• Trade Winds: move from east to west as warm air at equator rises towards poles until it cools and sinks back to equator

• Westerlies: move from west to east and are responsible for most of our weather in North America

• Polar easterlies: move from east to west moving cold air from poles toward equator

Ocean Current's Role in Energy Distribution

Surface currents

• Surface currents are created by wind

• Cold currents move cold water from poles to equator

• Warm currents move warm water from equator towards poles

Deep Water Currents

• The great ocean conveyer belt is a massive system of deep-water currents that moves deep water, thermal energy, and nutrients around Earth. 

• Cold water is more dense than warm water

• Salt water is more dense than fresh water (more salt = higher density)

Cycle of Nutrients

• Great Ocean Conveyor Belt cycles nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorous

• Surface water (low nutrients) sinks and bacteria break down organic matter to release nutrients

• Deep water returns to surface with nutrients