enovirnmental science

whats the components of the hydrosphere

It includes:

• Oceans and seas

• Rivers and lakes

• Groundwater

• Glaciers and ice caps

• Water vapour in the atmosphere

• Snow and ice

Simple definition:

The hydrosphere is the part of Earth that contains all of its water. 💧🌍

whats the components of the biosphere

Back: The biosphere includes all living organisms:

• 🌱 Plants

• 🐾 Animals

• 🍄 Fungi

• 🦠 Microorganisms (bacteria, etc.)

• 🌍 Their ecosystems and habitats

whats the components of the atmosphere

Back: The atmosphere is made up of different gases, mainly:

• 🟦 Nitrogen — ~78%

• 🟩 Oxygen — ~21%

• 💨 Argon — ~0.9%

• 💧 Water vapour

• 🌫 Carbon dioxide and other trace gases

whats the components of the lithosphere

Back: The lithosphere is made up of Earth’s solid outer layer:

• 🪨 Crust

• 🪨 Uppermost mantle

• ⛰ Rocks and minerals

• 🌍 Tectonic plates

name 3 interaction

one including all 4

Back: 🌧 Rain → plants → soil

• Atmosphere: Rain falls

• Hydrosphere: Water enters the soil

• Biosphere: Plants use the water to grow

• Lithosphere: Soil absorbs and stores the water

• 🌍 Lithosphere ↔ Biosphere: Plants grow in soil.

• 💧 Hydrosphere ↔ Biosphere: Living things need water.

• ☁ Atmosphere ↔ Hydrosphere: Water evaporates and falls as rain.

• ☁ Atmosphere ↔ Biosphere: Animals breathe oxygen; plants use CO₂.

• 🪨 Lithosphere ↔ Hydrosphere: Water erodes rocks and soil.

explaination of carbon cycles

• 🌱 Photosynthesis — Plants take in CO₂ from the atmosphere.

• 🐾 Feeding — Animals get carbon by eating plants or other animals.

• 💨 Respiration — Plants and animals release CO₂ back into the atmosphere.

• 🍂 Decomposition — Decomposers break down dead organisms and release carbon.

• 🔥 Combustion — Burning fossil fuels and plants releases CO₂.

• 🌊 Oceans — Oceans absorb and release CO₂.

Key idea: Carbon is continuously recycled between Earth's spheres.

where is carbon stored and released

Carbon is stored in:

• 🌊 Oceans — dissolved CO₂

• 🌱 Plants & animals — living organisms

• 🪨 Rocks & soil — carbon compounds

• ⛽ Fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas

• ☁ Atmosphere — CO₂

Carbon is released by:

• 💨 Respiration → CO₂ into atmosphere

• 🍂 Decomposition → carbon returned to soil/atmosphere

• 🔥 Combustion → CO₂ into atmosphere

• 🌊 Ocean release → CO₂ into atmosphere

🧠 Easy memory:
Stored = Ocean, Life, Soil/Rocks, Fossil Fuels
Released = Respiration, Decomposition, Burning

🌱 Photosynthesis & Respiration — Flashcard

They are opposite but connected processes:

• 🌱 Photosynthesis: plants take in CO₂ and make glucose + oxygen.

• 🫁 Respiration: cells use glucose + oxygen to release energy and produce CO₂ + water.

🧠 Easy way to remember:

Photosynthesis MAKES → glucose + oxygen
Respiration USES → glucose + oxygen

So, the products of one are the reactants of the other.

greenhouse effect nautral

The greenhouse effect is the process where gases in the atmosphere trap some of the Sun's heat, keeping Earth warm enough for life.

unnautral greenhouse effect

The unnatural greenhouse effect happens when humans add extra greenhouse gases (such as CO₂) to the atmosphere, causing more heat to be trapped and Earth to become warmer.

🧠 Easy way to remember:

Natural greenhouse effect = keeps Earth warm enough for life. ✅

Unnatural greenhouse effect = too many greenhouse gases trap too much heat. 🌡

Main causes:

• 🔥 Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)

• 🌳 Deforestation

• 🏭 Industrial activities

Simple definition:

The unnatural greenhouse effect is the increase in Earth's temperature caused by human activities adding extra greenhouse gases to the atmosphere

Activities that produce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,

• 🔥 Bushfires → release CO₂

• 🌋 Volcanic eruptions → release CO₂

• 🌊 Ocean activity → oceans naturally release some CO₂

• 🦠 Decomposition → releases CO₂ and methane

• 🌿 Wetlands → naturally produce methane

unnatural gasses

• ⛏ Burning coal

• 🔥 Burning oil and natural gas

• 🚗 Cars and transport

• 🏭 Factories

• 🌳 Deforestation

• 🌾 Agriculture/livestock

Impacts of reducing carbon emissions

• 🌡 Slows global warming

• 🌍 Reduces climate change

• 🌬 Improves air quality

• 🌱 Protects ecosystems and biodiversity

• 🌊 Reduces risks from sea-level rise and extreme weather

🧠 Remember: Less emissions → less warming → healthier planet.

. Strategies to reduce carbon emissions

• ☀ Use renewable energy (solar, wind)

• 🚆 Use public transport

• 🚲 Walk or cycle

• 🌳 Plant and protect trees

• ⚡ Improve energy efficiency

• ⛏ Reduce use of fossil fuels

🧠 Remember: Renewables + less fuel + more trees.

What can individuals do to reduce carbon emissions?

Individuals 👤

• Walk, cycle or use public transport

• Save electricity

• Reduce waste

• Use energy-efficient appliances

What can factories do to reduce carbon emissions?

industries 🏭

• Switch to renewable energy

• Use cleaner technology

• Improve energy efficiency

• Reduce emissions from factories

• Capture/store CO₂

🧠 Easy:
Individuals = lifestyle choices
Industry = technology + production changes

Effects of NOT reducing emissions

More greenhouse gases → more heat trapped → more global warming → stronger climate change.

This can lead to:

• 🌡 Rising temperatures

• 🔥 More heatwaves and bushfires

• 🌊 Rising sea levels

• 🌧 More extreme weather

• 🧊 Melting glaciers and ice

• 🐾 Damage to ecosystems and wildlife

🧠 Remember:
More emissions = more warming = bigger climate impacts.