1. The Biosphere
Ch 8, pg

2. What is the Biosphere? Earth is made up of 4 “layers”:
The Lithosphere
The Hydrosphere
The Atmosphere
The Biosphere
The Biosphere is the entire system of living organisms and their habitats

3. Where can organisms live?
The Lithosphere
Rigid part of the earth
The Hydrosphere
All the water on the Earth’s surface such as
lakes, rivers, oceans, and even the water
above the Earth (in the clouds)
The Atmosphere
The layer of gasses surrounding the Earth

4. Review: Elements Necessary for Life
In order for a planet to support life the following conditions need to be met:
Presence of liquid water
Presence of an energy source
Presence of essential elements
A very long time
These elements are:
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen
They move in infinite loops of recycling called Biogeochemical Cycle

5. Biogeochemical Cycles
Def: A set of processes by which an element passes from one environment to the next and eventually returns to its original environment. This happens in an infinite loop.
Examples:
The Carbon Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
Bio geo chemical
-respiration -rock erosion -combustion
-digestion -sedimentation -synthesis

6. The Carbon Cycle
Def: The biogeochemical cycle involving all the exchanges of carbon on Earth
There are 3 forms of carbon:
CO2
CH4
CaCO3
Name
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Calcium Carbonate
Sources
-Decomposition
-Respiration
-Fires
-Burning fossil fuels
-Cars
-Volcanoes
-Landfills
-Cow & Sheep “emissions”
-Skeletal bones of certain aquatic animals

7. Processes which TAKE IN CO2
Processes which release CO2 & Methane
Photosynthesis
Production of Fossil Fuels
Marine Shells
Cellular Respiration
Decomposition
Volcanos
Cars (Fossil Fuels)
Fires

8. Global Warming: The Greenhouse Effect
Def: A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere; generally attributed (linked) to the increased levels of certain pollutants
These pollutants
include:
1- CO2
2- CH4
3- N2O (fertilizer)

9. Consequences of Global Warming
Melting of the Polar Ice Caps
Decline of Certain Animal Populations
Increased Drought
Increased Forest Fires
Higher sea levels
Increased severe precipitation (hurricanes)
Decrease of the Permafrost

10. The Permafrost
Def: A thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year, occurring mainly in polar regions
In some areas, the top layer of the permafrost, called the active layer, thaws only in the summer. The lower layer remains frozen and plants can grow during this short period of time
The rise in global temperature has caused the permafrost to begin to thaw

11. Consequences of Thawing Permafrost
Infrastructure damage (roads, buildings, pipes)
Increased organic decomposition releases more CO2 and CH4, further increasing the greenhouse effect
Langer and warmer growing season may change the primary flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life)
Increased occurrence of landslides
Soil erosion impacting plant and animal life