1.a. Water and carbon support life on earth and move between the land, oceans and atmosphere
Water
Importance
Biosphere relies on liquid water to be available partly because all living organisms need it but also because the interactions between water and the atmosphere
Helps regulate temperature as oceans(71% of earths surface) absorb, store, transport and release heat energy. Water vapour adsorbs outgoing long-wave radiation thereby helping create average global temperatures almost 15C higher. Life as we know it would not survive at lower temperatures
Uses for flora, fauna and people
Photosynthesis, fundamental process that virtually all life relies on
Water helps hydrolysis(addition of water) and condensation(removal of water) which breaks down or join up molecules in cells. Flora require water to support tissue. They transpire the water which is vital in moving water in the water cycle
Earth is in the perfect position in space for liquid water and life to exist. This is refereed to as the Goldilocks zone
Fauna and people rely on water in maintaining their right internal conditions(eg sweating)
Water pays essential role in economic activities such as power generation, many manufacturing processes, agriculture, sewage disposal and leisure pursuits. Water is important as energy to human society
Carbon
Importance
One of the most abundant chemical elements on Earth
Forms 95% of all known compounds
Carbon is ubiquitous on Earth, being found in carbonate rocks such as limestones, in sea bed sediments, dissolved CO2 in oceans, as CO2 gas in the atmosphere and throughout the biosphere
Building block
Life on Earth as we know is it is based on carbon. Present in nearly every molecule and structure within living organisms in the natural world and in humans
Foundation of all human activities. 80% of world's energy supplied by fossil fuels(eg coal). Fuelwood is an important energy source for millions of people, mainly in low-income developing countries
Significant raw material for manufacturing. Oil is fundamental in production of plastics, paints and synthetic fibres such as polyester. Timber is used in construction and paper-making while agricultural crops only provide food but also materials and oils
Water and carbon systems
Water and carbon are cycled through open and closed systems. Systems consist of inputs, stored, processes and outputs and are linked through flows of energy and materials
Open = energy + materials transferred, Closed = energy transfer
Closed on a glocal scale but open on smaller scale(eg drainage basin or a forest)