3. Biophysical Processes 2025

Biophysical Processes

• Biophysical processes are essential mechanisms that shape and alter environments.

Learning Intentions

• Objective:

  • To define biophysical processes that sustain environment functionality.

  • To explain the formation and transformation of environments through these processes.

Lesson 1: The Hydrosphere

• Focus on the Hydrosphere as one of the key components of biophysical processes.

The Four Spheres

• Four Spheres include:

  • Biosphere: Supports life and biological processes such as the oxygen cycle and food chains.

  • Lithosphere: The Earth’s crust; processes include erosion and weathering, tectonic shifts.

  • Hydrosphere: Involves water-related processes such as evaporation, precipitation, and the water cycle.

  • Atmosphere: Comprises gases surrounding Earth, impacting weather and climate patterns.

• Activity: Create a mind map linking processes within and across these spheres.

Geographical Processes Table

• Biospheric Processes:

  • Oxygen cycle, Food chains, Photosynthesis, Evolution, Extinction, Migration.

• Lithospheric Processes:

  • Erosion, Weathering, Tectonic processes.

• Hydrospheric Processes:

  • Carbon cycle, Precipitation, Infiltration, Evapotranspiration, Runoff.

• Atmospheric Processes:

  • Absorption, Reflection, Scattering, Condensation, Deposition.

Water Cycle Processes

• Key processes to know (Year 10):

  1. Evaporation: Liquid to vapor transition.

  2. Transpiration: Water release from plants.

  3. Condensation: Vapor to liquid formation.

  4. Precipitation: Water falling as rain/snow.

  5. Infiltration: Water absorption into the ground.

  6. Runoff: Water flowing over land.

  7. Surface Water: Water in rivers, lakes, and streams.

  8. Ground Water: Water stored beneath Earth's surface.

• Activity: Draw and label the water cycle diagram.

Lesson 2: Differential Heating (Atmosphere)

• Concept: Atmospheric differential heating affects climate and weather patterns.

Lesson 3: Ocean Currents (Hydrosphere)

• Definition: Streams of water moving directionally within oceans, influenced by winds and Earth's rotation.

  • Vital for regulating global climates and supporting marine ecosystems.

Major Ocean Currents

• Gyres: Five primary gyres including North/South Atlantic, North/South Pacific, Indian Ocean.

  • Comprised of smaller currents, e.g., California current, Kuroshio current.

• Importance:

  • Distributes heat and nutrients globally, moderating temperatures in various regions.

Impact on Marine Life

• Ocean currents enhance nutrient and oxygen transport, supporting diverse marine habitats.

• Upwellings from currents improve plankton survival, serving as a food source.

Lesson 4: Other Biophysical Processes

• Overview of various biophysical processes in addition to those discussed in previous lessons.

• Task: Group presentations on different environmental processes (describe, explain transformations, and human impacts).

Understanding Assessment Tasks

• Participate in selected activities from classmates’ presentations while adhering to point limitations.

• Prepare for assessments involving processes covered in the past lessons.

Understanding Consolidation

• Extension Activity: Engage with the Hydrosphere- Water Cycle Quizlet to reinforce concepts.