The Blue Planet An Introduction to Earth System Science [Hardcover]

The Third Edition of Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science treats earth science from a systems perspective, showing how the four spheres (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere) are interrelated. In this edition, significant emphasis is placed on cycling of materials and energy, and interactions among the spheres. The text also places much clearer emphasis on basic science, which can be seen in the reorganization of topics into Energy and Matter chapters, as well as a new The Basics feature in each chapter. This edition is also more systematic about documenting human impacts on the various spheres of the Earth system.

Part 1. The Earth System: Our Place in Space

1. The Earth System 5

What is Earth Syste, Science? 6

Earth System Reservoirs 14

Dynamic Intercations Among Reservoirs 16

How Science Works: Hypothesis and Theory 22

2. Energy 31

What is Energy? 32

External Energy Sources 35

Internal Energy Sources 42

Earth's Energy Cycle 43

Energy and Society 46

3. Matter 53

Earth's Materials 54

Organic Matter 59

Composition and Internal Structure of Earth 61

Minerals 64

Rocks 71

Regolith 74

How Matter Moves Through the Earth System 76

4. Space and Time 81

The Sun: An Ordinary Star 82

The Solar System 85

Other Suns and Planetary Systems 96

Time and Change 101

Part 2. The Geosphere: Earth Beneath Our Feet 109

5. The Tl£*