Download Biosphere Geosphere Hydrosphere Atmosphere Cryosphere

Interactions Among Earth’s Spheres—Cycles
The Earth is more than just the oceans and the continents. The Earth can be divided into five spheres. Each of these spheres
stores matter and energy that gets cycled through the Earth system as part of a biogeochemical cycle. The atmosphere, the
biosphere, the cryosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere are Earth’s major reservoirs for all matter and energy. These
reservoirs store carbon, nitrogen, and water in many different forms. Within the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas,
water vapor and clouds. The biosphere stores carbon, water and nitrogen in all living plants, animals, and bacteria. The
cryosphere stores water that has been frozen and includes glaciers/ice caps/ice bergs. The hydrosphere stores carbon,
nitrogen, and water in its oceans & lakes. Lastly, the geosphere is made up of rocks and soil that store fossil fuels (carbon),
ground water, and nitrogen. The processes that move water through Earth’s reservoirs include solidification, absorption,
precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, infiltration and runoff. The carbon cycle includes photosynthesis,
respiration, consumption, decomposition, compaction, combustion, diffusion, circulation, erosion, and sedimentation. The nitrogen
cycle includes nitrogen fixation, absorption, denitrification, and runoff.
Directions: Label each sphere with the names of any carbon, water, and nitrogen reservoirs. Draw and label arrows to show how
matter moves from one reservoir (sphere) to another. Use blue for water, green for nitrogen, and black for carbon.
Biosphere
Geosphere
Cryosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
Interactions Among Earth’s Spheres—Phenomena

Complete the following table by listing at least one example (phenomena) for each type of interaction.
Atmosphere:
Atmosphere:
Biosphere:
Geosphere:
Hydrosphere:
Cryosphere:
Biosphere:
Geosphere:
Hydrosphere:
Cryosphere: