Question

How can humans impact the lithosphere?

Answer 1

Hint: Our Earth’s system can be divided into four spheres- atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Lithosphere is the outermost solid rocky layer of Earth. It consists of earth’s crust and upper mantle.

Complete answer: Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of earth and is further divided into oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere.
Our lithosphere is a resourceful sphere and is used and impacted by human activities in many ways. The following are the ways in which humans impact the lithosphere
1)Agriculture is an activity that impacts the lithosphere. Land is used to cultivate crops. However improper agricultural practices, excessive use of fertilizers and irrigation can lead to soil erosion, soil pollution as well as strip the soil off its nutrients. Agriculture also involves grazing of livestock which impacts the lithosphere as excessive and unplanned grazing can lead to desertification and erosion too.
2)Forestry is a way of planting trees and maintaining forest for needs like paper and wood. On the other hand, deforestation or cutting down of forest impacts the lithosphere as deforestation makes the soil loose and expedites erosion.
3)Mining impacts the lithosphere as large areas are dug out for minerals and their ores. Mining impacts the lithosphere as it leads to sinkholes, erosion, pollution of underground water and soil.
Other processes like oil drilling and fracking(it involves injecting liquid into subterranean rock at high pressure which forces the gas out ) also impact the lithosphere in a negative way.
4)Humans also use the lithosphere for urbanization and residential purposes as they clear land and make buildings, bridges and transport systems on it.

Note: One should note that the earth’s lithosphere is further subdivided into tectonic plates. Under the lithosphere, the asthenosphere lies which is the highly viscous and hotter part of the upper mantle. Another point to note is that the oceanic lithosphere is denser than the continental lithosphere.