in atmospheric chemistry
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00664
That part of the globe that encompasses all forms of life on the earth. It extends from the ocean depths to a few thousand metres of altitude in the atmosphere, and includes life forms at the earth's surface, in soils and constituents which exchange materials with atmospheres, oceans or surfaces.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. (Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)) on page 2176 [Terms] [Paper]