Biosphere, irregularly shaped envelope of the earth's air, water, and land encompassing the heights and depths at which living things exist. The biosphere is a closed and self-regulating system (see ecology), sustained by grand-scale cycles of energy and of materials—in particular, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, certain minerals, and water. The fundamental recycling processes are photosynthesis, respiration, and the fixing of nitrogen by certain bacteria. Disruption of basic ecological activities in the biosphere can result from pollution.
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Showing posts with label biosphere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biosphere. Show all posts
Earth's Surface: Biosphere
The biosphere includes all the areas of Earth capable of supporting life. The biosphere ranges from about 10 km (about 6 mi) into the atmosphere to the deepest ocean floor. For a long time, scientists believed that all life depended on energy from the Sun and consequently could only exist where sunlight penetrated. In the 1970s, however, scientists discovered various forms of life around hydrothermal vents on the floor of the Pacific Ocean where no sunlight penetrated. They learned that primitive bacteria formed the basis of this living community and that the bacteria derived their energy from a process called chemosynthesis that did not depend on sunlight. Some scientists believe that the biosphere may extend relatively deep into Earth’s crust. They have recovered what they believe are primitive bacteria from deeply drilled holes below the surface.
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Pollution exists in many forms and affects many different aspects of Earth’s environment. Point-source pollution comes from specific, locali...
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Air Pollution, addition of harmful substances to the atmosphere resulting in damage to the environment, human health, and quality of life. O...
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Soil is a mixture of mineral, plant, and animal materials that forms during a long process that may take thousands of years. It is necessary...
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Water Pollution, contamination of streams, lakes, underground water, bays, or oceans by substances harmful to living things. Water is necess...
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Solid wastes are unwanted solid materials such as garbage, paper, plastics and other synthetic materials, metals, and wood. Billions of tons...