The Dynamic EarthSection 3: The Hydrosphere & Biosphere

Standards: SEV1d, SEV2b

What is the hydrosphere?All the water on or near

the Earth’s surface. Includes

OceansLakesRiversWetlandsIcecapsClouds SoilRock layers beneath

surface

What are the parts of the hydrologic (water) cycle?

Evaporation Heated by sun & turns into water

vapor Comes from bodies of water, plants

(transpiration), and animalsCondensation

Water vapor forms droplets on dust particles, form clouds when they collide & stick

Precipitation Large droplets fall from clouds Can be rain, snow, sleet, hail

Runoff/Percolation Water can run off land into nearest

body of water Water can percolate through layers

of soil and get stored underground in aquifers.

How is water distributed on Earth?

97% salty ocean water

3% freshwaterOf the 3%...

2% is unusable icecaps & glaciers

1% is usable surface or groundwater.

What is the difference between ocean water & freshwater?Ocean water is 3.5% salt.Salt comes from erosion

from rocks on land over millions of years and underwater volcanic eruptions.

Salinity can vary depending on depth of ocean & areas of evaporationEX: estuary- where

freshwater river meets ocean.

What are the major oceans of the world?Pacific

Largest ocean165,640,000 km2 & avg.

depth is 4,280 metersDeepest point (11,033

m) is Challenger Deep near Philippines.

Divided into North Pacific- above

equator and flows clockwise

South Pacific- below equator and flows counterclockwise

What are the major oceans of the world?Atlantic

Second largest ocean

81,630,000 km2 Like Pacific, divided

into north & south with clockwise & counterclockwise movement.

What are the major oceans of the world?

IndianThird largest ocean73,420,000 km2Average depth is

3,890 meters

What are the major oceans of the world?Arctic

Smallest ocean14,350,000 km2Covered by floating

ice called pack ice

What are the temperature zones of the ocean?Surface zone

Warmed by sunCan be mixed with

cooler layers below Thermocline

Middle layer where temperatures drop fast with increased depth

Deep zoneColdest layer b/c sun

does not reach

What is the relationship between the ocean and atmosphere?Ocean has the ability to

store and radiate heat to help control Earth’s temperature.

Absorbs over half the solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface

Direction of ocean current creates climates in inland areas.EX: warm Gulf currents

bring warm moist air over north to British Isles

Where is usable freshwater found?Surface water

Moving water Fast, cold, more oxygen Rivers, streams

Watershed- area of land that dumps into a tributary.

Tributaries- small streams that empty into larger river systems.

EX: MHS campus is watershed for Noses creek which is a tributary to the Chattahoochee River

Standing water Slow, warm, less oxygen Lakes, ponds, reservoirs

McEachern High School

Where is usable freshwater found?Groundwater

Water the seeps through soil and gets stored in underground rock formations called aquifers

Surface of land where water seeps is called recharge zone.

MAJOR AQUIFERS OF THE UNITED STATES

What is the biosphere?Narrow layer around Earth’s

surface in which life can exist.

Layer that gets sunlight for plants, which provide for animals

Also layer that has water, energy and moderate temperatures

Consists of Uppermost part of geosphereMost of the hydrosphereLower part of the

atmosphere.

What is the difference between an open & closed system?Closed system- energy

enters and leaves but matter does not.EX: Earth- energy from sun

enters & reradiates but energy trapped by plants (and eventually animals) does not leave Earth.

Open system- both matter & energy are exchanged by a system. EX: When Earth was first

forming it was open because constantly hit by comets & meteors