The Earth System

The Blue Planet: Chapter 1

Outline

Earth System Science

Systems
Earth System Reservoirs
Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs
How Science Works

Earth System Science

Earth system science is a holisitic
approach to studying the Earth as a
whole system of many interacting parts
Oceans
Atmosphere
Continents
Lakes and rivers

-Soils
-Plants
-Animals
-Rocks

Earth System Science

Requires observations of Earth at various
scales (spatial + temporal)
The quintessential tool for making these
observations is remote sensing with satellites
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
provide ways for scientists to store and
analyze vast amounts of data

Earth System Science

Outline

Earth System Science

Systems
Earth System Reservoirs
Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs
How Science Works

Systems
A system = any portion of the universe
that can be isolated for the purpose of
observing and measuring changes
What is an isolated system?
What is a closed system?
What is an open system?

By observing and measuring changes,

systems can be used to study complex
problems

Systems

The mountain-river-lake system can be viewed in whole or divided

into smaller subsytems.

Systems
A model is a representation of
something (an artificial system),
typically a simplification of a complex
original at a more manageable scale
We can build models of objects and
processes, which can represent some
of Earths systems

Systems

Physical model

Graphical model

Systems
A box model is a simple graphical representation of a system
the arrows depict processes (in this case evaporation and
precipitation).

The places where energy or matter is stored = reservoirs

Systems
A box model is a simple graphical
representation of a system
It can show essential features:
The processes + rates by which matter or energy
enters and leaves the system

The processes + rates by which matter or energy

moves within the system
The amount of matter or energy in the system and
its distribution

Systems
A key to understanding the Earth system is to
measure how volumes and exchanges of
materials and energy between Earths
reservoirs change over time
The next challenge is to determine why the
changes happen, and how quickly (the rate of
change)

If this can be accomplished the model

changes from a qualitative model to a
quantitative model

Systems
The amount and of energy or matter that is transferred = flux
The places where energy or matter is stored = reservoirs
If flux into a reservoir is > than the flux out, that reservoir is a
sink
If the flux into a reservoir is < than the flux out, that reservoir is a
source

Length of time energy or matter spends in a reservoir = residence

time
If time is so great that matter is isolated for very long periods, it is
called sequestration (e.g., water in glacial ice; organic matter into
fossil fuels, etc.). Materials that are sequestered are isolated from
contact with the rest of the Earth system.

Systems
Earth comprises four vast reservoirs
with continuous flows of energy and
matter among them
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Geosphere

As a whole, Earth is essentially a closed

system (although subsystems are open
systems).

Systems
Box model - interacting parts

Earth as a closed system

Systems

Two important implications of Earth

being a closed system are
1. Amount of matter in a closed system is
fixed and finite (this applies to both
resources and waste materials)
2. If changes are made in one part of a
closed system, the results eventually will
affect other parts of the system (e.g.,
1815 eruption of Tambora volcano)

Outline

Earth System Science

Systems
Earth System Reservoirs
Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs
How Science Works

Earth System Reservoirs

Geosphere

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

Anthroposphere

Earth System Reservoirs

The place where Earths four reservoirs
interact most intensively is a narrow
zone called the life zone
Conditions favorable for life are formed
by interactions between the lithosphere,
hydrosphere and atmosphere, and
modified by the biosphere

Earth System Reservoirs

Habitable environments on Earth

Earth System Reservoirs

The Geosphere
Is the solid earth

Composed mainly of rock and regolith

Lithosphere (rocks) + pedosphere (soil)
Where energy from outside the Earth system
meets energy from within the planet
Energy sources combine and compete to
build up and wear down the materials of
Earths surface

Earth System Reservoirs

The Hydrosphere
Earths water
Includes oceans, lakes, streams, underground water, and
all snow and ice
The perennially frozen parts of the hydrosphere are called
the cryosphere
The hydrosphere and atmosphere store, purify, and
continually redistribute water

Earth System Reservoirs

The Atmosphere
Mixture of gases that surrounds Earth

Predominantly N, O2, Ar, CO2, and H2O

Very thin layer that protects life from damaging
solar radiation
Reservoir for oxygen and carbon dioxide
Outer boundary of the Earth system

Earth System Reservoirs

The Biosphere
Earths organisms and matter that has not
yet decomposed
The biosphere greatly affects every other
of Earths systems
Photosynthesis
Oxygen as a highly reactive gas

Earth System Reservoirs

The Anthroposphere
The human sphere
People, their interests, and their impacts on the
Earth system
The part of the natural system that has been
modified by humans

Outline

Earth System Science

Systems
Earth System Reservoirs
Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs
How Science Works

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs
Because energy flows freely into and out of
Earth sub-systems, all closed and open
systems respond to inputs and, as a result,
have outputs
A special kind of response, feedback,
occurs when the output of the system also
serves as an input

Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs

-Negative feedback: the systems response is in the opposite
direction of initial input (self-regulating in a state of dynamic
equilibrium)

-Positive feedback: increase in output leads to a further increase

in output (destabilizing)

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs
The constant movement of material
(and energy) from one reservoir to
another is called a cycle
Natural cycles are not simple, and exist
in a state of dynamic equilibrium

There are many important Earth cycles

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs

Hydrologic Cycle
Energy Cycle
Rock Cycle
Tectonic Cycle
Biogeochemical Cycles

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs
The Energy Cycle

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs
Humans influence or affect natural cycles

Significant changes are now taking place in

many Earth reservoirs, as a result, many are
changing in unexpected ways (e.g., C- and Scycles).
Scientists have coined a term to describe
changes produced in the Earth system as a
result of human activities: global change

Dynamic Interactions Among

Reservoirs

Outline

Earth System Science

Systems
Earth System Reservoirs
Dynamic Interactions Among Reservoirs
How Science Works

How Science Works

Earth system science, like all other
forms of science, advances by
application of the scientific method

The scientific method is based on

observations and systematic collection
of evidence (data; a key concept is to
distinguish what is data and what is
interpretation)

How Science Works

How Science Works

Scientists start with an observation and seek to acquire
evidence about it through measurement and experimentation
Scientists try to explain their observations by developing a
hypothesis
Once a hypothesis has been examined and found to make
successful predictions and withstand numerous tests, it may
become a theory
Eventually, a theory or group of theories whose applicability
has been decisively demonstrated, may become a law or a
principle (e.g., laws of thermodynamics)

Mount Sharp, Gale Crater (NASA Curiosity Rover)

How Science Works

The fact that nothing is absolutely
certain in nature is not problematic for
scientists, but can be difficult for nonscientists to comprehend fully
It is important to understand that
uncertainty does not imply a lack of
scientific knowledge or understanding

Theory (unfalsafiable claim) Fact (use only those facts* that do not
contradict the theory) Law (untested, unquestioned conclusion)
*Note that the facts need not support the theory either; they just cant
contradict it. Any evidence or data that contradicts the theory is either ignored
or considered seriously flawed or fabricated.

Pseudo-science is not falsifiable, its results cannot be

reproduced in a laboratory or verified with empirical
data, and it does not change its beliefs in the face of
contradictory (or lack of) evidence.
On the other hand, the success and credibility of
science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to:
1. Expose their ideas to independent testing and replication by
other scientists. This requires complete and open exchange of
data, procedures, and materials.
2. Abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted
with more complete, reliable, precise, or new experimental or
observational data. In this regard, science is a building process:
it EVOLVES! **No scientist believes that theories are absolute
truth: they are always considered tentative ideas that minimize
uncertainty.

The
American
Geophysical
Union
Mission:

The CRS advocates the

concept of special creation
(as opposed to evolution),
both of the universe and of
the earth with its
complexity of living
forms. Membership in the
Society requires
agreement with the CRS
Statement of Belief.

All basic types of living things, including man, were made by direct creative acts of God during the
Creation Week described in Genesis. Whatever biological changes have occurred since Creation Week have
accomplished only changes within the original created kinds. (read: Organic Evolution by any mechanism
is a hoax).
The great flood described in Genesis, commonly referred to as the Noachian Flood, was an historic event
worldwide in its extent and effect. (read: Physical Evolution by observed Earth processes is a hoax).

"There is no theory of evolution. Just a

select group of creatures Chuck Norris has
allowed to live"

*This is pseudo-science because the facts/data do not dictate the conclusions; rather
the conclusions dictate the facts and the conclusions will (can) never change.