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.
