The three main components of the environment are - the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere. The lithosphere is the solid portion of the earth. The gaseous layer that surrounds the earth is the atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases. The hydrosphere refers to the big area of water that covers the earth's surface. This water is in the form of ice, water, and water vapor.