The atmosphere

Composition of the air

1% other gases
oxygen
21 % (O2)

nitrogen
(N2)
78 %
 The layers of the atmosphere

500 km
Ionosphere
• shooting stars +
• aurora borealis
• satellites
+ 1000 ºC -
80 km Mesopause
Mesosphere +
-
- 100 ºC
40 km Stratopause
ozonosphere
Stratosphere 0 ºC

O2 + UVA O3 +
(ozone)
-70 ºC -
10 km Tropopause
+
Troposphere
80 % of atmosphere -
Temperature - 55 ºC
0 km
 The functions of the atmosphere

• It provides:
- Oxygen to breathe
- Carbon dioxide in photosynthesis
- Nitrogen used by some bacteria as a nutrient
- A protective filter against solar radiation
- X-rays and gamma rays are absorbed in the ionosphere.
- Ultraviolet rays are absorbed in the stratosphere.
- Regulation of global temperature  greenhouse effect
- Some visible light that reaches the surface is reflected, some is absorbed by the Earth and warms it. The warm
ground emits infrared radiation (heat) that back into the atmosphere.
-Part of this infrared radiation escapes into space, but part is stopped by
greenhouse gases (as CO2 or methane)  the atmosphere gets warmer.
-Without these gases, the temperature of the troposphere would be
approximately 30ºC.
 Global warming

• Human activities (burning fuels) have increased the amount of carbon

dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere.

• CO2 traps heat energy that is emitted by the ground and prevents it
escaping into the upper atmosphere. (Greenhouse gas)  This trapped
energy contributes to global warming.

• Global warming is damaging the environment.

 Atmospheric pollution

 Smog = smoke + fog

- SO2 , soot (carbon particles),ozone, NOx
 The destruction of the ozone layer

- The Earth has a layer in the stratosphere consisting mostly of ozone (O 3)

that filters out most of the ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
- CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) are used in aerosol propellants and
coolant liquid for refrigerators
 Acid rain
– The gases responsible are nitrogen oxides (combustion of oil) and
sulphur oxides (coal combustion).
 How do human activities affect the atmosphere?

sulphur and acid rain soot

nitrogen oxides
the
greenhouse
smog
effect

pollution
carbon
dioxide

global
warming

a reduction of
hurricane CFC gases the ozone layer
 Environmental actions favorable for the atmosphere

Governments Individuals

Laws to prohibit
the use of CFCs
Campaigns Save energy. Use public
to save fuel transport.

Avoid aerosols
with CFCs.

International protocols to Recycle paper,

prevent pollution plastic and glass.