Environmental Science and its Interdisciplinary Nature

Vocabulary and concepts related to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science, the layers of the atmosphere, and the components of the environment.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Environmental Science

The integration of knowledge and methods from various scientific disciplines like biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to address and solve complex environmental systems.

Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

An approach where various disciplines like economics, sociology, and law contribute their own perspectives and theories to environmental issues independently without necessarily blending them.

Environment

Surroundings derived from the French word "Environ" consisting of living and non-living components such as air, water, and land where organisms operate.

Atmosphere

The thin layer of air that envelopes the earth, containing gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide while protecting the planet from harmful radiations.

Hydrosphere

One of the four interlinking systems of the natural environment that includes all water bodies and functions in a cyclic nature termed the hydrological cycle.

Lithosphere

The mantle of rocks constituting the earth's crust or geosphere, divided into three layers: the crust, mantle, and core.

Biosphere

Also known as the life layer, it refers to all organisms on the earth's surface and their interaction with water and air.

Troposphere

The atmospheric layer extending from the surface to about $12\,km$ ($7.5\,miles$) height, containing $99\%$ of all water vapor and where most weather happens.

Stratosphere

The layer between approximately $12\,km$ and $50\,km$ ($7.5$ to $31\,miles$) that houses the ozone layer and temperature increases with height.

Mesosphere

Known as the Coldest Layer ($50$ to $80\,km$), where temperatures average about $-85\,^\circ\text{C}$ ($-120\,^\circ\text{F}$) and most meteors burn up.

Noctilucent clouds

The highest clouds in Earth's atmosphere, formed by scarce water vapor at the top of the mesosphere.

Thermosphere

The Hottest Layer, located between $80$ and $700\,km$ ($50$ to $440\,miles$), where the International Space Station orbits and the ionosphere is located.

Ionosphere

The lowest part of the thermosphere layer.

Exosphere

The highest layer of the atmosphere ($700$ to $10,000\,km$) which merges with the solar wind and is the orbit location for most Earth satellites.

Environmental Engineering

A related area of study that focuses on design and technology for improving environmental quality.

Urbanization

A change in the world characterized by the increase in the number and extent of cities.

Biodiversity Loss

A recent global change that alters the functioning of ecosystems.

Ozone depletion

An environmental issue of international importance, alongside global warming, acid rain, and marine pollution.

Environ

The French word from which "Environment" is derived, meaning "surrounding".

Sustainability

One of the goals of environmental science, focusing on how humans can live in a way that protects and conserves the environment.