Question

How is the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere connected?
A) Hydrological cycle
B) Nitrogen cycle
C) Oxygen cycle
D) Carbon cycle

Answer 1

Hint: The modern theory of this cycle was proposed by Bernard Palissy around 1674. This cycle is also associated with the transport of eroded sediments and phosphorus from land to water bodies.

Complete answer:
The atmosphere, hydrosphere and the lithosphere can be said to be connected together by the hydrological cycle or the hydrologic cycle or the water cycle.

It is a biogeochemical cycle that demonstrates the continuous movement of water from the water bodies to the atmosphere, to the terrestrial region and then back into the water bodies. More than 95% of the total water on earth is located in the oceans and is saline. Freshwater constitutes less than 5% of the total water on earth. Around 1% of the total water on earth is also trapped in the form of ice sheets in the polar regions of the planet.

In the hydrological cycle, water evaporates from the surface of the oceans and other large water bodies. Some water is also evaporated from the freshwater bodies that are located in the terrestrial regions. In addition to this, ice sheets also form water vapour through the process of sublimation. All these vapours combine together and form clouds. This is how water is a part of the atmosphere.

80% of the total rainfall on the earth occurs over the oceans and replenishes them. The remaining 20% of the total rainfall occurs over the land. It replenishes the rain-fed lakes, rivers and other freshwater bodies. It falls over crop plants, forests, etc. and facilitates their growth. This is how water is associated with the terrestrial region.

Eventually, all the water from the land reaches back into the oceans by means of rivers and streams. This completes the water cycle by bringing water back to the place where the cycle began.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) Hydrological Cycle.

Note: It was earlier believed that rainfall alone was not enough for the rivers to exist. So people believed that the landmasses floated on water bodies and that the ocean water under the land pushed upwards from beneath and replenished the rivers. The modern theory came into acceptance only during the early 19th century.