Summary: The atmosphere consists of different layers with vary¬ing density and

temperature. Density is highest near the surface of the earth and decreases with
increasing altitude. The column of atmosphere is divided into five different layers
depending upon the temperature condi¬tion. They are- troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, ionosphere and exosphere which all differ in chemical composition and
function. In terms of Plume, The dispersion of emitted gases from the source of their
production is known as plume and the source is known as stack. The diffusion or
dispersion of pollutants into the atmosphere is governed by the Environmental Lapse
Rate (ELR) as well as Adiabatic Lapse rate (ALR), i.e., atmospheric temperature
profile or atmospheric stability. Six types of air pollution plumes illustrate the
relationship between atmospheric stability and pollutant emissions: looping plumes,
fanning plumes, coning plumes, lofting plumes, fumigating plumes, and trapping
plumes

Objectives:
1. To describe the regions and chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere;
2. To illustrate the layers of the atmosphere;
3. To explain the different plume types and the corresponding temperature
profiles

I. EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

What is Earth’s atmosphere?

Earth’s atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. It surrounds our planet,
keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens.
Earth’s atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the
mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere.

1.Troposphere

What is Troposphere?
The troposphere is the innermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Closest to the surface
of Earth, we have the troposphere. “Tropos” means change. This layer gets its name
from the weather that is constantly changing and mixing up the gases in this part of
our atmosphere. The troposphere is between 5 and 9 miles (8 and 14 kilometers)
thick depending on where you are on Earth. It’s thinnest at the North and South Pole.
Chemical Composition of Troposphere
This layer has the air we breathe and the clouds in the sky. The air is densest in this
lowest layer. In fact, the troposphere contains three-quarters of the mass of the
entire atmosphere. The air here is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The last 1% is
made of argon, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.
Function of Troposphere
This important atmosphere layer acts as a thermal regulator for the planet; without
this layer and without temperature regulation the thermal differences between day
and night would be so great that we would not be able to survive. It is of vital
importance for living beings

2. Stratosphere
What is Stratosphere?
The stratosphere is one of the layers that form the Earth's atmosphere and according
to the order, it is the second layer. It is located above the layer called troposphere
and below the mesosphere. According to the temperature it possesses, it is stratified
in warm and cooler layers as they are closer to the earth. It is a region where many
important interactions take place between the different radioactive, dynamic and
chemical processes that take place in the atmosphere.
Chemical Composition of Thermosphere
The main compound we can find in the stratosphere is ozone. Approximately 85-90%
of the total ozone in our atmosphere is found in this layer. This gas is formed by
photolysis of the oxygen that already exists in the stratosphere. The majority of
gases other than ozone that manage to reach and enter this layer come from the
troposphere because of their long life or, because these gases have been released
through volcanic eruptions, which release large amounts of gases and some
particles that go directly into the stratosphere. Therefore, we can say that the main
compounds we find in the stratosphere are: nitrogen oxides, nitric acid, sulphuric
acid, silicates, ozone and halogens.
Function of Stratosphere
The main function of the stratosphere lies in the different molecules of ozone and
oxygen found in it. These absorb the ultraviolet light from the sun, providing the earth
with a shield that prevents this radiation from reaching the surface, causing serious
damage. The protective role played by the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is so
vital that scientists believe that life on earth probably would not have evolved since
ancient times, and that, without it, it could not exist today.

3.Mesosphere
What is Mesosphere
The mesosphere is the earth's atmosphere located above the stratosphere and
below the thermosphere. This layer of the atmosphere decreases in temperature as
the altitude increases. It can even reach temperatures of -80° C, at short distances. It
extends from the stratopause, which is the contact zone between the stratosphere
and the mesosphere. This is the third layer of the atmosphere and is the coldest. It
has only 0.1% air. It is very important because this is where the ionization process
takes place and the chemical reactions of the layer are formed.
Chemical composition of Mesosphere
The mesosphere is chemically composed of the same components as the
troposphere, among them we can mention nitrogen and oxygen, which are very
important for life. It also has the presence of important gases such as ozone. Here,
ozone and water vapor concentrations are practically zero. However, the
temperature is lower at this level compared to the previous two. This is because, as
we separate from the earth: The chemical composition of air has a strong
dependence on altitude, the atmosphere is filled with gases that are lighter and when
altitudes are very high, the waste gases are stratified depending on their molecular
mass.
Main function of Mesosphere
The main function of the mesosphere is forming turbulences and atmospheric waves
that act at spatial and temporal scales of enormous size. This is the region in which
spacecraft returning to Earth after a voyage, begin to observe the structures of the
winds in the background. It is important to consider that its function is also, the
warming of the ozone that usually decreases with altitude, thus producing the
decrease in temperature in that layer. It is responsible for burning and disintegrating
the meteorites when they approach the layer, and this is where we get, and we get to
see what we usually know as shooting stars. We must always remember that, as a
main objective, the mesosphere has the function of maintaining conditions favorable
to life.

4. Thermosphere
What is thermosphere
the region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere and below the height at which
the atmosphere ceases to have the properties of a continuous medium. The
thermosphere is characterized throughout by an increase in temperature with height.
Chemical Composition of Thermosphere
The air in the lower atmosphere consists mainly of a mixture of approximately 80%
nitrogen molecules (N2) and approximately 20% oxygen molecules (O2). In and
above the thermosphere, the gas particles collide so that the gases are somehow
separated according to the types of chemical elements they contain. Ultraviolet
energy photons and X-rays from the sun also break molecules in the thermosphere.
In the upper thermosphere, atomic oxygen (O), atomic nitrogen (N) and helium (He)
are the main components of air.
Main function of Thermosphere
The thermosphere is very important for human life as it contributes enormously to
protecting the earth, as well as enabling space exploration and modern forms of
communication. It recycles water, absorbs the sun’s energy and creates a moderate
temperature. This helps protect the earth from the extremely cold temperatures that
come from space. It also absorbs much of the sun’s ultraviolet and X-ray radiation.

5.Ionosphere
What is Ionosphere
the layer of the earth's atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and
free electrons and is able to reflect radio waves. It lies above the mesosphere and
extends from about 50 to 600 miles (80 to 1,000 km) above the earth's surface.
Chemical Composition of Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a shell of electrons and electrically charged atoms and molecules
that surrounds the Earth, stretching from a height of about 50 km (30 mi) to more
than 1,000 km (600 mi). It exists primarily due to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.