HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Senior High School
S.Y. 2022-2023
FIRST QUARTER
GRADE 11, EARTH SCIENCE

Name: ___________________________ Section: ____________________

Teacher: _________________________ Date: ______________________

Activity Title: LAS 1: Earth’s Subsystems

Learning Targets:
1) Describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life.
2) Explain that the Earth composed of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy flow.

I. Test of Understanding
Resources about the four Earth’s Subsystems are posted on the next pages. Using what you have learned from
the discussion, go through the treasure map by describing the characteristics of the atmosphere, hydrosphere,
geosphere, and biosphere, discussing how these subsystems work together to support life on Earth, and
identifying environmental issues present in each subsystem. After accomplishing the “treasure map”, you may
proceed to the BIG IDEA. Use the rubrics as your reference in accomplishing the activity. Good luck!

ATMOSPHERE (4 points)

Characteristics: How does this subsystem support What are the environmental
life on Earth? issues present in this
subsystem?

HYDROSPHERE (4 points)

Characteristics: How does this subsystem support What are the environmental
life on Earth? issues present in this
subsystem?

GEOSPHERE (4 points)

Characteristics: How does this subsystem support What are the environmental
life on Earth? issues present in this subsystem?

BIOSPHERE (4 points)

Characteristics: How does this subsystem sustain What are the environmental
life on Earth? issues present in this subsystem?

BIG IDEA: How do the four subsystems interact to support life on Earth? (4 points)
Be guided by the rubric below for the assessment of your work.
Exemplary (4) Accomplished (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Correct explanation Correct explanation Insufficient Wrong explanation;
based on the concepts but with insufficient explanation; incorrect
involved; justification is reference to the justification is not justification or
correct and is based on concepts involved backed by evidence justification is
valid evidence justification is correct missing
but evidence lacks
validity

II. Work-of-Art
After your tedious hunt for information to the characteristics of the subsystems, gather everything you learned
and use it to create an output using art of your choice or appeal (poster, song lyrics, etc.). Make sure that your
output shows a clear connection between the four subsystems of the earth. (20 points)
Note: Please refrain from violating copyright laws. Do the activity according to your own understanding and
effort.
Be guided by the rubric below for the assessment of your work.
RUBRIC
Description and Rating
Criteria
Accomplished Developing Beginning
10
4
Content 7
The Output consist of
The Output is missing 2
Completeness of the all required necessary The Output is missing 1
or more necessary
Output components, including necessary component.
components.
the resources.
5
3 1
Illustrates an accurate
Accuracy of Content and thorough Illustrates an accurate Illustrates a limited
Accuracy of the understanding of understanding of most understanding of
scientific concepts scientific concepts, scientific concepts, and scientific concepts, not
reflected on the Output clearly and excellently justified clearly justified.
justified.

Organization 5 3 1
The cohesiveness of the The presentation of The presentation of The presentation of
ideas presented on the ideas is organized, ideas is organized, ideas shows no
Output coherent, relevant, and structured and logical. evidence of structure or
accurate to each other. organization.
The ideas are logical,
structured, and well-
 developed.
TOTAL: /20

1) Felicerta, Breaking Through Earth Science, Copyright 2017 by C&E Publishing, Inc.
(Pages 8-13)

2) Earth Spheres
Retrieved from:
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/education/info_activities/pdfs/TBI_earth_spheres.pdf

Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living things,
or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere" (land),
"hydrosphere" (water), "biosphere" (living things), and "atmosphere" (air). Each of these four spheres
can be further divided into sub-spheres.

The Lithosphere--contains all of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust (surface), the semi-solid
land underneath the crust, and the liquid land near the center of the planet. The surface of the lithosphere
is very uneven. There are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and Andes, huge plains or flat areas
like those in Texas, Iowa, and Brazil and deep valleys along the ocean floor.

The solid, semi-solid, and liquid land of the lithosphere form layers that are physically and chemically
different. If someone were to cut through Earth to its center, these layers would be revealed like the
layers of an onion. The outermost layer of the lithosphere consists of loose soil rich in nutrients, oxygen,
and silicon. Beneath that layer lies a very thin, solid crust of oxygen and silicon. Next is a thick, semi-
solid mantle of oxygen, silicon, iron, and magnesium. Below that is a liquid outer core of nickel and
iron. At the center of Earth is a solid inner core of nickel and iron.

The Hydrosphere -- contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of the planet. It ranges from 10 to 20
kilometers in thickness. The hydrosphere extends from Earth's surface downward several kilometers into
the lithosphere and upward about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere. A small portion of the water in the
hydrosphere is fresh (non-salty). This water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's
surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of
Earth's fresh water, however, is frozen.

Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty. The salty water collects in deep valleys along Earth's
surface. These large collections of salty water are referred to as oceans. The image above depicts the
different temperatures one would find on oceans' surfaces. Water near the poles is very cold while water
near the equator is very warm. The differences in temperature cause water to change physical states.
Extremely low temperatures like those found at the poles cause water to freeze into a solid such as a
polar icecap, a glacier, or an iceberg. Extremely high temperatures like those found at the equator cause
water to evaporate into a gas.

The Biosphere --contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the microorganisms,
plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form ecological communities based on
the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands,
and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that exist within the biosphere.

The Atmosphere--contains all the air in Earth's system. It extends from less than 1 m below the planet's
surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's surface. The upper portion of the atmosphere protects
the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also absorbs and emits heat. When
air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes, weather occurs. As air in the lower
atmosphere is heated or cooled, it moves around the planet. The result can be as simple as a breeze or as
complex as a tornado.

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE 4 SPHERES

Although the four systems have their individual identities, there is important interaction between them.
Environmental scientists study the effects of events in one sphere on the other spheres. There are ten
possible types of interactions that could occur within the earth system. Four of these interactions are
between the event and each of the 3 earth's spheres. The double-headed arrows indicate that the cause-
and-effect relationships of these interactions go in both directions. These four types of interactions can
be illustrated in Figure #1. The "event < > hydrosphere" refers to the effects of the event on the
hydrosphere, as well as the effects of the hydrosphere on the event. For example, a volcanic eruption in
the geosphere may cause profound direct and indirect effects on the hydrosphere, atmosphere and
biosphere as follows.

Example: (Volcano) On May 18, 1980, Mount Saint Helens, in

the state of Washington, erupted. This event altered the
surrounding environment, and provided scientists with an
opportunity to study the effects of volcanic eruptions on the
lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Such studies
are important because volcanic eruptions will continue to occur,
and will have increasing impact on humans as people continue to
settle lands closer to dormant volcanoes.

In addition to the above four events sphere interactions, there are

six interactions that occur among the spheres themselves. Figure 2
illustrates a few of the many interactions resulting from a volcanic
eruption. The ten types of interactions that can occur within the earth system often occur as a series of
chain reactions. This means one interaction leads to another interaction, which leads to yet another
interaction--it is a ripple effect through the earth's spheres.

Volcano >> lithosphere >> atmosphere >> hydrosphere >> biosphere Volcanoes (an event in the
lithosphere) release a large amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere. These particles serve as
nuclei for the formation of water droplets (hydrosphere). Rainfall (hydrosphere) often increases
following an eruption, stimulating plant growth (biosphere). Particulate matter in the air (atmosphere)
falls out, initially smothering plants (biosphere), but ultimately
enriching the soil (lithosphere) and 4 thereby stimulating plant
growth (biosphere).

Volcano >> lithosphere >> hydrosphere >> biosphere

Volcanoes (events in the lithosphere) may release a substantial
amount of hot lava (lithosphere), which causes mountain
glaciers (hydrosphere) to melt. Mudflows (lithosphere) and
flooding may occur downstream from volcanoes and may
inundate streamside communities (biosphere).

Volcano >> lithosphere >> atmosphere >> biosphere >>

lithosphere
Volcanoes (events of the lithosphere) release a large amount of
carbon dioxide (atmosphere), the raw material for sugar
production in plants (biosphere). This may increase
photosynthetic production and eventually increase the amount
of biomass, which, after a very long time, forms coal and oil deposits (lithosphere).

Volcano >> complex interactions

● Volcanoes (lithosphere) may emit large quantities of sulfur dioxide (atmosphere).
When atmospheric sulfur dioxide combines with water (hydrosphere), sulfuric and sulfurous acid
form.
● Rain (hydrosphere) may bring these acids to the Earth, acidifying soils (lithosphere), lakes and
rivers (hydrosphere).
 ● Acidic water leaches nutrients from the soil (lithosphere) into the water table (hydrosphere),
making the soil less fertile for plants (biosphere), and the subterranean water supply
(hydrosphere) less potable for humans (biosphere).
● Acid rain falling on lakes and streams reduces the pH of the water (hydrosphere), which may
result in a decrease in phytoplankton and zooplankton growth (biosphere).
● If photosynthesis is reduced, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide can build up and
stimulate global warming (atmosphere) which may contribute to increased melting of glaciers
(hydrosphere).

3) Earth’s Systems
Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/earths-systems/

What is the most important part of our planet, the main reason Earth is different from all the other
planets in the solar system? If 10 different environmental scientists were asked this question, they would
probably give 10 different answers. Each scientist might start with their favorite topic, from plate
tectonics to rainforests and beyond. Eventually, however, their collective description would probably
touch on all the major features and systems of our home planet. It turns out that no single feature is more
significant than the others—each one plays a vital role in the function and sustainability of Earth’s
system.

There are five main systems, or spheres, on Earth. The first system, the geosphere, consists of the
interior and surface of Earth, both of which are made up of rocks. The limited part of the planet that can
support living things comprises the second system; these regions are referred to as the biosphere. In the
third system are the areas of Earth that are covered with enormous amounts of water, called the
hydrosphere. The atmosphere is the fourth system, and it is an envelope of gas that keeps the planet
warm and provides oxygen for breathing and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Finally, there is the
fifth system, which contains huge quantities of ice at the poles and elsewhere, constituting the
cryosphere. All five of these enormous and complex systems interact with one another to maintain the
Earth as we know it.

When observed from space, one of Earth’s most obvious features is its abundant water. Although liquid
water is present around the globe, the vast majority of the water on Earth, a whopping 96.5 percent,
is saline (salty) and is not water humans, and most other animals, can drink without processing. All of
the liquid water on Earth, both fresh and salt, makes up the hydrosphere, but it is also part of other
spheres. For instance, water vapor in the atmosphere is also considered to be part of the hydrosphere.
Ice, being frozen water, is part of the hydrosphere, but it is given its own name, the cryosphere. Rivers
and lakes may appear to be more common than are glaciers and icebergs, but around three-quarters of all
the fresh water on Earth is locked up in the cryosphere.

Not only do the Earth systems overlap, they are also interconnected; what affects one can affect another.
When a parcel of air in the atmosphere becomes saturated with water, precipitation, such as rain or
snow, can fall to Earth’s surface. That precipitation connects the hydrosphere with the geosphere by
promoting erosion and weathering, surface processes that slowly break down large rocks into smaller
ones. Over time, erosion and weathering change large pieces of rocks—or even mountains—into
sediments, like sand or mud. The cryosphere can also be involved in erosion, as large glaciers scour bits
of rock from the bedrock beneath them. The geosphere includes all the rocks that make up Earth, from
the partially melted rock under the crust, to ancient, towering mountains, to grains of sand on a beach.

Both the geosphere and hydrosphere provide the habitat for the biosphere, a global ecosystem that
encompasses all the living things on Earth. The biosphere refers to the relatively small part of Earth’s
environment in which living things can survive. It contains a wide range of organisms, including fungi,
plants, and animals, that live together as a community. Biologists and ecologists refer to this variety of
life as biodiversity. All the living things in an environment are called its biotic factors. The biosphere
also includes abiotic factors, the nonliving things that organisms require to survive, such as water, air,
and light.

The atmosphere—a mix of gases, mostly nitrogen and oxygen along with less abundant gases like water
 vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, and argon—is also essential to life in the biosphere. Atmospheric gases
work together to keep the global temperatures within livable limits, shield the surface of Earth from
harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and allow living things to thrive.

It is clear that all of Earth’s systems are deeply intertwined, but sometimes this connection can lead to
harmful, yet unintended, consequences. One specific example of interaction between all the spheres is
human fossil fuel consumption. Deposits of these fuels formed millions of years ago, when plants and
animals—all part of the biosphere—died and decayed. At that point, their remains were compressed
within Earth to form coal, oil, and natural gas, thus becoming part of the geosphere. Now, humans—
members of the biosphere—burn these materials as fuel to release the energy they contain. The
combustion byproducts, such as carbon dioxide, end up in the atmosphere. There, they contribute to
global warming, changing and stressing the cryosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

The many interactions between Earth’s systems are complex, and they are happening constantly, though
their effects are not always obvious. There are some extremely dramatic examples of Earth’s systems
interacting, like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, but there are also slow, nearly undetectable changes
that alter ocean chemistry, the content of our atmosphere, and the microbial biodiversity in soil. Each
part this planet, from Earth’s inner core to the top of the atmosphere, has a role in making Earth home to
billions of lifeforms.

4) How Do the Earth's Four Subsystems Work Together?

by Kevin Lee
Retrieved from: https://education.seattlepi.com/earths-four-subsystems-work-together-4634.html

Scientists divide the planet into two main components: the biosphere, which consists of all life, and
the geosphere. The geosphere has four subsystems called the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and
atmosphere. Because these subsystems interact with each other and the biosphere, they work together to
influence the climate, trigger geological processes, and affect life all over the Earth.
Dry Land: Many Call it Home
Unless you live in the air like a bird, you make your home in the lithosphere along with all other life
forms that live on land. The lithosphere, which consists of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, also
contains rocks, forests, mountains and all the earth's other landforms. It depth is about 100 kilometers
(22 miles). The lithosphere always changes because of geological processing happening above and
below ground.
The Air You Breathe
Perched above the other subsystems you'll find the atmosphere. Essential to life on the planet, it only
makes up about 0.07 percent of the Earth's mass. The atmosphere contains several layers including the
troposphere, a layer that interacts with the other subsystems. Although oxygen is a critical gas that
sustains life, the lower atmosphere only contains 20.95 percent oxygen and 78.08 percent nitrogen. The
atmosphere is always in motion responding to temperature changes that occur in other parts of the Earth
system.
Let There be Water
The hydrosphere contains the planet's water whether it's in the oceans, lakes or rivers. It also consists
of water vapor that condenses to form clouds. The atmosphere can also affect the hydrosphere. For
instance, the ocean's temperature changes when the air temperature fluctuates. These temperature
changes, in turn, can help spawn hurricanes that affect the other subsystems. The ocean is the
hydrosphere's largest component.
Cold as Ice
Similar to the hydrosphere, the cryosphere also contains the planet's water. However, this subsystem
consists of solid water. That water may be in the form of glaciers, snow, ice in the ocean, permafrost and
even frozen ground. Changes in temperature and sea levels can have a major effect on the cryosphere,
especially when warmer temperatures cause ice to melt. Melting ice can affect polar bears and other life
in this subsystem. Because ice reflects sunlight and oceans absorb it, less ice due to melting can translate
into higher temperatures.