The muddy Mississippi, transporting soils that have eroded from farm fields, represents a mixing of which spheres?

The muddy Mississippi River illustrates the interaction between the lithosphere and the hydrosphere. The lithosphere refers to the Earth's solid outer layer, which includes soil, rocks, and sediments. In this case, the soil that has eroded from farm fields represents material from the lithosphere being transported by the river.

The hydrosphere encompasses all of Earth's freshwater and saltwater environments, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The muddy condition of the Mississippi indicates that the river is carrying sediment, which is a dynamic process involving water flow (hydrosphere) moving and mixing with soil and rock particles (lithosphere).

Thus, the correct answer showcases the connection between land (lithosphere) and water (hydrosphere) in the context of soil erosion and transportation in river systems. This highlights the broader interactions within Earth's systems, as well.