Components of the Earth System

Chapter

Abstract

The earth and planets in the solar system are characterized by their vertical zonal structure. The structure and composition of the earth are briefly summarized below.

The earth can be divided into two parts: the fluid earth and the solid earth. The fluid earth consists of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. The atmosphere is mostly in a gaseous state, mainly consisting of N2 and O2. The hydrosphere is mainly water (H2O) with many components dissolved in it. Most of the crust, mantle, and core are in a solid state. However, liquid (magma) exists in the crust, mantle, and outer core. It is primarily liquid Fe and Ni mixed with less than 10% light elements (O, H, S, Si, and K) by weight.

This chapter describes the characteristics of the fluid earth (the atmosphere and hydrosphere), the solid earth (the crust, mantle, and core), and earth’s surface environment (the soils and biosphere).

The origins and formation processes of these structures are considered in Chap. 6.

Keywords

Atmosphere Biosphere Cosmic abundant of elements Geosphere Ground water Hydrosphere Meteorites Riverwater Rocks Seawater 
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Copyright information

© Springer 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Applied ChemistryKeio UniversityMinatoJapan

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