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Learning Objectives

After carefully reading this chapter, and completing the exercises within it and the questions at the end, you should be able to:

• Explain why the Earth is a closed system with respect to matter, and an open system with respect to energy,

• Describe some of the important biochemical and geochemical interactions that take place amongst the components of the Earth system: The geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere,

• Explain the importance of the sun to the Earth system,

• Summarize the various processes related to plate tectonics, and explain their relationships to other Earth systems,

• Describe how human activities have become an important part of the Earth system, and

• Summarize the important aspects of Environmental Geology.

• 1.1: The Earth in Space
  This page describes Earth as a unique and isolated oasis in space, characterized by a closed system for matter with minimal exchanges with the Moon and Mars, yet receiving energy from the sun. It emphasizes Earth's fragility and its vibrant complexity, notably highlighted by the 1972 Apollo 17 photograph that inspired environmentalism.

• 1.2: Earth System Science
  This page explores Earth System Science, which examines the interconnections among Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere, emphasizing the impact of human activities on these systems. Key processes influenced by solar and internal heat, such as weathering and plate tectonics, shape the planet but are increasingly altered by pollution and deforestation.

• 1.3: Environmental Geology
  This page discusses Environmental Geology, focusing on the interaction between geological processes and Earth systems like the biosphere and hydrosphere. It covers key topics such as climate control, glaciation, slope failure, earthquakes, volcanic hazards, resource extraction, and energy sources.

• 1.4: Chapter 1 Summary and Questions for Review
  This page summarizes Chapter 1, which includes: 1) Earth's position in space and its energy dynamics; 2) Earth System Science, focusing on the interactions of biological, chemical, and physical components, and the impact of human activities on climate; 3) Environmental Geology, which addresses geological issues like climate change, earthquakes, and resource management. The chapter concludes with review questions to reinforce understanding.

Earth Systems

Earth systems are the processes that take place when energy and matter are interchanged between different components of the Earth. Some examples of Earth-system interactions can be seen on Figure 1.0.1, which shows a rugged terrain in the south-coastal area of British Columbia, Canada.

Figure 

1.

1.: An Alpine Region Near to Vancouver, British Columbia, Showing a Range of Different Earth-System Processes Taking Place. (Photo by Isaac Earle, used with permission, CC BY 4.0)

A few of the Earth system interactions evident in this image include the following:

• Light from the sun is promoting plant growth, heating the rocks and evaporating water from surfaces.

• Chemicals produced by lichen are contributing to chemical weathering of the rock.

• Trees and other plants are contributing to mechanical weathering of the rock but are also helping to hold the soil in place.

• Freeze-thaw processes have contributed to mechanical weathering and the effects of that can be seen on the talus slope in the lower left.

• Moisture in the air is condensing to form water droplets (cloud) that are providing water to the trees and lichen and other vegetation.

• Some of that moisture will eventually flow down the slope and transport both dissolved ions and suspended sediments from this area into the ocean, which can be seen in the upper right.

Earth systems are described in greater depth in the rest of this chapter, and there is also a discussion of the impacts of various human activities on Earth systems. Earth systems are also reviewed in later chapters in the context of most of the other Environmental Geology topics covered in this book.