Answer:
Explanation:
The four major components of the environment include the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, corresponding to rocks, water, air and life respectively.
(1) Lithosphere is the outermost layer of earth called the crust, which is made of different minerals. Its depth can reach up to 100 kilometres and is found on both land and oceans. The main component of the lithosphere is the earth’s tectonic plates.
(2) Hydrosphere comprises of all forms of water bodies on earth including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams etc. It covers 70% of the earth’s surface. 97.5% of water found on Earth is in the oceans in the form of salt water. Only 2.5 % of the water on Earth is freshwater. Out of this, 30.8% is available as groundwater and 68.9% is in frozen forms as in glaciers.
(3) Atmosphere is a gaseous layer enveloping the Earth. The atmosphere with oxygen in abundance is unique to Earth and sustains life. It mainly comprises 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and traces of hydrogen, helium, and noble gases. The amount of water vapour present is variable.
(4) Biosphere refers to all the regions on Earth where life exists. The ecosystems that support life could be in soil, air, water or land. Biosphere refers to the sum total of all living matter, the biomass or biota.
