At m o s p h e re

Th e
And its effects on our planet Earth
What is the Atmosphere?
• The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
• Earth’s atmosphere consists of 5 major layers
• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere Ionosphere
• Exosphere

The Earth's atmosphere is more than just the air we breathe. It's also a buffer that keeps
us from being peppered by meteorites, a screen against deadly radiation, and the
reason radio waves can be bounced for long distances around the planet.
TROPOSPHERE
• Lowest part of the earth’s atmosphere
• Just below the Tropopause
• Direct contact with the earth’s surface
• Contains approximately 80% of the atmospheric mass
• Contains approximately 99% of water vapor and aerosols*
• Temperature decreases as altitude rises

*aerosols typically are colloids, solid particles or liquid drops in air or

another gas. Examples haze, dust, smoke, air pollutants
STRATOSPHERE
• Located above the Troposphere and below the Mesosphere
• Has a temperature inversion
• Contains the Ozone (O3) Layer, where much of O3 is produced
• Temperature increases as altitude rises
• Separated from Troposphere by the Tropopause
• Major UVA, UVB, and UVC chemical reactions occur here
• Bacterial life survives here and some birds can fly in the lower levels

Bar-headed Goose Rüppell’s Vulture

Anser indicus Gyps Rueppelli
MESOPHERE
• Directly above the Stratopause and under the Mesopause
• Temperature decreases as altitude rises
• Most meteors melt or vaporize due to collisions with gas particles
• Most poorly understood layer of the atmosphere
• Optical phenomenon such as airglow and night glow occur here
THERMOSPHERE
• Above the Mesophere and below the Exosphere
• UV causes Ionization here
• Temperature increases as altitude rises can rise to 2000 ◦C
• Radiation causes particles to become electrically charged causing
radio waves to be reflected
• Auroras and Solar Wind occur here
EXOSPHERE
• Atmosphere here is thin and basically merges with interplanetary
space
• Major gases here are He, H, CO2, and O
• Barometric Conditions no longer apply in the lower boundary
• Above this layer temperature becomes nearly constant
IONOSPHERE
• Made up of parts of the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere
• Ionized by solar radiation and plays a major role in atmospheric
electricity
• Makes up the inner edge of the magnetosphere
• Has different layers that change with night and day
• Geomagnetic Storms occur in the ionosphere
The Wind
• Wind is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure
• Wind moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure
• The differential heating between the equator and the poles and the
rotation of the Earth are two major driving factors.
Coriolis Effect
• Coriolis force deflects these winds to the right in the Northern
Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ocean Currents
• Continuous, directed movements of sea water caused by wind,
Coriolis effect, mean flow, waves breaking, cabbeling, differences in
temperature and salinity, and gravitational pull from the sun and
moon
• Ocean currents are responsible for affecting temperatures throughout
the world
 El Nino
El Nino Lecture

El Nino

El Nino 2

Significance of Prochlorococcus

Prochlorococcus is a marine
cyanobacterium which can
harvest light without the use
of chloroplasts. It is the most
abundant photosynthetic organism on earth.

I can harvest light with no chloroplast

 Temperature Inversion Video

Temperature Inversion
 The Rain Shadow Effect

Rainshadow Effect Video

Weather vs. Climate The Ocean: Driving Force for Weather and C
limate