Interconnectedness of the hydrosphere with other spheres

#### **The Hydrosphere and Geosphere**

"The **geosphere** also known as the **lithosphere** which is the solid surface of the earth made up of rock and minerals. The geosphere is also made up of three main layers which are **the crust**, **the mantle** and the **core".** (Dempsey, 2023). Below are various ways how the hydrosphere is connected with the lithosphere.

#### **Weathering and Erosion**

* The hydrosphere and the geosphere is connected through the process of weathering and erosion. Weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces. This process occurs through physical, chemical and biological weathering. Physical weathering also called mechanical weathering is the breaking down of rocks without changing it chemical composition. Physical wreathing take place through a process called **frost thawing**; this is when water in the form of liquid seeps through cracks and due to temperature changes the water become solid (in the form of ice). When the water freezes it cause the rock to expand and the continue process of freezing and thawing cause the rock to break apart into smaller fragments. Chemical weathering is the breaking down of rock/minerals and alteration of it chemical compound. One process of chemical weathering includes carbonation. This is the combination of water and carbon dioxide; this produces a weak acid, called carbonic acid that dissolves rock. This is effective with the dissolving of limestone.  Biological weathering involves living organisms such as plants and animals/burrowing animals, plants contribute to rock weathering when plants/tree rots grow into cracks in rocks, resulting in rocks to split apart, while burrowing animal digs holes in the ground/rocks and moves rock particles to the surface allowing weathering to take place and by digging in rock cause bits of rocks to break apart. Erosion is the process which weathered materials are transported through various agents such as water. These spheres are connecting as water molecules is also involves in the weathering of rock and other minerals. Also, water which is the primary agent of erosion, water from streams or in the form of precipitation and other sources picks up weathered materials and transport downstream.

* Landform creation – Landforms creation is a geological process that involves the interaction of the **hydrosphere (**water) and the geosphere (solid Earth). Water which is an agent of weathering and erosion
* Reservoirs – The geosphere which is the Earth’s solid and rocky components acts as a reservoir for water. It plays an essential role in the water cycle as it stores and filters the water for human, plants and animal use. Ways in which the geosphere acts as a water reservoir: **-** Ground water storage – Groundwater is water that **infiltrates** the soil and stored in soil pores and fractures of rocks. This layer is referred to as an **aquifer**, an aquifer is the area in which water is stored and can be transported. **-**  Rock Pores and Fractures - Many types of rocks, such as sandstone and limestone, contain pores and fractures that can store water. These geologic formations can act as reservoirs, holding water that can be tapped through wells or springs. The ability of rock to store water depends on its porosity and permeability. Example of limestone water reservoir is the cockpit country in Jamaica. These are crucial for the survival of humans, plants and animal as freshwater is an essential for our survival.

#### **The hydrosphere and the biosphere**

"The biosphere also known as the ecosphere is the area on Earth which is able to sustain life, the biosphere is made up of **biotic** and **abiotic** components; the hydrosphere consists of all water above, on, and below earth, while biosphere consists of all living organisms."(Turito, 2022). Therefore both these sphere correlate as the hydrosphere provide habitat for various life form in the biosphere and nutrients cycling.

- The hydrosphere which includes all water bodies, from the ocean to lake to rivers and so on, provide home for aquatic animal and plants, such as fish, planktons and so much more. The homes of these living organisms are referred to as **aquatic ecosystem**. The ocean and sea which covers approximately 70% percent of the earth’s surface, supports a diverse range of marine life. Aquifer also support life for living organisms, regardless of no lights and poor nutrients, microorganisms such as bacteria lives in such area.

- Water accessibility and Nutrients cycling – the hydrosphere provides water for living organisms to consume, while other organisms such as plants uses it for **photosynthesis**. Decay plants and animal provides nutrients, which is transported by water to **terrestrial** and aquatic ecosystems. These nutrients help in animal growth.

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