THE ATMOSPHERE 1

1. THE ATMOSPHERE1 THE ATMOSPHERE IS IN CONSTANT TRANSITION • The proto planetary disc, • from which the earth is made, • was composed of • H Hydrogen • He Helium • N Nitrogen • O Oxygen • and other elements & • simple molecules.

2. THE ATMOSPHERE2 • As the gases collected around • orbiting bodies, they formed new gas compounds, • H2 Diatomic Hydrogen • O2 Diatomic Oxygen • CH4 Methane • NH3 Ammonia • CO Carbon monoxide • CO2 Carbon dioxide • H2O Water Greenhouse Gases From these gases came more complex organic compounds, including, carbon rings, helixes and amino acids.

3. THE ATMOSPHERE3 The planetary disc dissipates under the influence of gravity and heat, condensing into the sun, or around gas giants, exiting the inner planets. Sun INNER PLANETS Closer to the Sun OUTER PLANETS Further from Sun Planet Formation Out Gasing H2 remains from low temp & local gravity. It reacts with out gases, forming an H2 rich atmosphere Out Gasing H2 Escapes due to heat & gravity of sun, leaving an H2 depleted atmospere…

4. OUT GASING Ocean Volcanic Rupture Subduction Zone Mantle THE OUT GASING OF THE ATMOSPHERE Out gasing from the interior of the geosphere blends in with the primordial, planetary disc gases, to form the first atmosphere. As rock-metals are heated and pressurized from the compressing planet, they change in composition, releasing gases. The gases are expelled through volcanic ruptures and geologic rifts. The force of gravity on Earth is such that it can hold the most gases in a gaseous state, w/in the normal range of earth temperatures. Gases released into The atmosphere

5. THE GAS MOSIAC Average Temp = 65 f Solar Energy Each of the gases of the Atmosphere plays a role in converting the sun’s Energy into usable energy A. Oxygen is highly combustible and chemically reactive. B. Nitrogen is much less so. The ratio of about 4:1 prevents Oxygen from being too reactive C. As Hydrogen reduced, free Oxygen and Ozone (O3) could form, screening out ultra violet light. D. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) absorbs infrared light holding heat E. Water Vapor gasifies and condenses holding and moderating weather by fluxing between liquid & gaseous states in the presence of heat F. Clouds (water & particulates) provide solar reflectivity (Albedo) Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Other 1.0% • “Other Gases”includes • Argon, CO(n), SO(n), • NO(n), CH(n), • Water Vapor • Particulates • & Others Gaseous • elements & compounds

6. ATMOSPHERES COMPOSTION • The atmosphere is comprised of • 6.0 quadrillion (6.0E+15) tons, or • about 30 million tons / mi^2 of gases • that surround the geosphere. • The principle gases that make up • The atmosphere include • Nitrogen c78% • Oxygen c21% • Argon c <1% • In addition there are other important • gases of lesser quantities including • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) c 0.0003% • Water Vapor (H2O) < 1% • The atmosphere acts as a fluid medium within which • energy and chemicals can be transferred • that sustain life >> for example, Oxygen • is taken from the atmosphere and • combined with sugars for respiration, • the key energy release process for living things— • the by-product of Carbon Dioxide is used in • Photosynthesis Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Other 1.0% • “Other Gases”includes • Carbon Dioxide • Water Vapor • Nitrogen Compounds • Sulfur Compounds • Particulates • & Others Gases

7. ALBEDO PROCESS • The Atmosphere acts as a shield • around the earth allowing only a • narrow range of energy to reach • the surface. • Ultra Violet light and other • high energy waves are reduced by • reflection and dissipation • This stabilizes energy input from • the sun so that the chemical processes • of life can operate • C. It also screens the earth from space • debris which would also disrupt the • biosphere • In addition, the atmosphere acts to • moderate the fluctuating light waves • of the sun into a stable temperature. • E. The consequences of the dissipation, absorption • and reflection of the sun’s rays is that gases • in the Atmosphere undergo chemical changes, • resulting in Atmospheric Chemical Cycles • (including Ozone, Greenhouse, and Acid… ALBEDO Sunlight Absorbed Reflected Atmosphere & Cloud Cover Heat Dissipated

8. IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE OZONE Oxygen prefers partnering as a diatomic (2) oxygen molecule. As O2 is struck with UVc light from the Sun, the O2 breaks apart into free Oxygen. The fee Oxygen combines with O2 and forms an unstable O3. When Ozone (O3) is struck with UVb, it breaks the O3 into an O2 molecule and free Oxygen atom. Sunlight Energy UV waves Captured by Ozone Absorbed Reflected by clouds Atmosphere & Cloud Cover Heat Energy Radiated back Captured by Greenhouse Effect

9. GREENHOUSE EFFECT Solar Energy Average Temp = 65 f Oxygen 21% • Atmospheric Heat can be • Expressed as an Equation • which reads • Solar Energy + 78% N2 + 21% O2 + 1% Other Gases • = Atmosphere Content + • Temperature • B. The presence of “Other Gases” controls • the absorption rate of heat from the sun • The light coming in is absorbed by the earth • and radiated as heat. • The radiated heat is absorbed by “Other • Gases (Greenhouse Gases)” and retained. • E. This process is called the Greenhouse Effect Other 1.0% Nitrogen 78% • “Other Gases”includes • Argon, CO(n), SO(n), • NO(n), CH(n), • Water Vapor • Particulates • & Others Gaseous • elements & compounds

10. CLIMATE Arctic • The energy from the sun over time • establishes a pattern of weather referred • to as climate. There are several factors • that govern climate including • A. The more curved the earth based on • latitude, the more light is deflected, • the less heat is available • The tilt of the earth on its axis moves • the intensity of light at any location • over the year causing seasons • C. Surface color and texture vary in • how much heat is retained • D. Ocean currents move warm & cold • water to varying locations • E. Topography influences wind and • water condensation patterns Sub-Arctic Mid-Latitude Sub-Tropical Tropical Sub-Tropical Mid-Latitude Sub-Arctic Arctic 23 degree tilt on axis from orbital perpendicular

11. WHEATHER • Light from the sun • heats air causing it • to expand • Water from warm • Air mass condenses • In the cool air mass • around dust particles, • forming clouds • & causing • precipitation Low Pressure • When light is less, • the air cools & condenses resulting • in large air masses • of cooler hi pressure, dense air, and warm low pressure air. High Pressure wind High Pressure • The more dramatic • the pressure/temp • differentials, • the greater the air • instability, and the • more the weather • volatility. 3. When warmer low pressure air meets with cool, hi pressure air, the differential pressures generate localized winds wind Low Pressure

12. O2 + UVc = O + O OZONE PROCESS UVc Oxygen prefers partnering as a diatomic (2) oxygen molecule. As O2 is struck with UVc light from the Sun, the O2 breaks apart into free Oxygen. The fee Oxygen combines with O2 and forms an unstable O3. When Ozone (O3) is struck with UVb, it breaks the O3 into an O2 molecule and free Oxygen atom. + + 2 O + 2 O2 = 2 O3 UVb 2 O3 + UVb = 2 O2 + 2 O

13. CFC INTERFERENCE with Ozone Process Oxygen prefers partnering as a diatomic (2) oxygen molecule. As O2 is struck with UVc light from the Sun, the O2 breaks apart into free Oxygen. The fee Oxygen combines with a CFC and forms an unstable CFC Oxide. When UVb strikes the CFC Oxide, it does nothing. The UVb simply passes on to the earth’s surface. O2 + UVc = O + O UVc + + 2 O + CFC = CFC O2 (CFC Oxide) UVb CFCO2 + UVb = null (CFC Oxide)

14. Blocked by Ozone GREENHOUSE WARMING Sunlight Radiated Heat is absorbed by Greenhouse Gases Normal Blend of Atmosphere c 78% N2 c 21% O2 c 1% Greenhouse = c 65 degrees F ALBEDO CO2 NO(n) CH3 H2O Reflected Heat radiated Elevated Greenhouse Blend in Atmosphere c 75% N2 c 20% O2 c 5% Greenhouse = c 69 degrees F Sunlight reaching the atmosphere is either reflected or absorbed. Reflected light returns to space. Absorbed light is converted to heat. Heat radiating from the Earth is absorbed by the Greenhouse Gases in the Greenhouse effect. The greater the Greenhouse Gas concentration, The more heat that is absorbed and retained.

15. GREENHOUSE GAS SOURCES • Sources of Greenhouse Gas include: • Biotic Respiration • CO2 given off while breathing • NO(n) expiration from the soil • CH3 from large animals • Volcanoes • Mt St Helen’s erupts with the force of • a 20 kiloton hydrogen bomb, spewing • clouds of “Other Gases” into the atmosphere • Burning • Forest & grass fires • Anthropogenic Sources • Industrial Pollution • Energy Generation • Automobile Emissions • Agricultural Fertilizers & Livestock P O L L U T I O N O V E R C H I N A

16. ACID RAIN • As the Atmosphere is heated it will now • become more chemically reactive • A. Water will combine with Nitrogen to • form Nitrous Oxides • B. Water will combine with Sulfur to form • Sulfur Oxides • When combined with water these become • acidic • D. Carbon Dioxide will combine with water • form Carbolic Acid H2O + NO2 = H2NO3 H2O + SO2 + O = H2SO4 H2O + CO = H2CO3 Precipitation formed in the polluted atmosphere contains Water H2O Nitric Acid H2NO3 Sulfuric Acid H2SO4 Carbonic Acid H2CO3 Many of these are corrosive acids

17. IMPACT OFACID RAIN Acids (OH) are highly corrosive, even when diluted. H2NO3, H2SO4, H2CO3 • Acid Rain will fall on the earth’s surface changing the acid ph of all ocean and fresh water below it. • Rocks exposed to Acid Rain will erode and dissolve faster. • Acid rain in soil increases soil acidity which impacts plant species. • A perpetual change in the Ph of water alters the DNA of affected species. • Altered DNA increases mutation rates, stressing reproductive balance. Deciduous with grasses DNAn + X(OH) = DNAm Coniferous with no grases

18. SOURCES OF ACID POLLUTION • Sources of Acidic Additives • to the Atmosphere include: • Biotic Respiration • CO2 given off while breathing • NO(n) expiration from the soil • Volcanoes • Mt St Helen’s erupts with the force of • a 20 kiloton hydrogen bomb, spewing • clouds of “Other Gases” into the atmosphere • Anthropogenic Sources (burning fossil fuels) • Industrial Pollution • Energy Generation • Automobile Emissions • Agricultural Fertilizers Pollution over India Bangladesh

19. SUMMARY • The atmosphere shapes the biosphere by • Acting as a reservoir for gases that are needed • to continue life activities • Maintain weather and climatic conditions within • which the biosphere can continue • Screening out harmful rays and stabilizing the • energy fluctuations of the sun’s energy output • The atmosphere shapes the hydrosphere by • Regulating ocean temperatures • Releasing and absorbing different gases • Acting as medium for water vapor in the • the hydrologic cycle • The atmosphere shapes the geosphere through • Acting as a reservoir for different gases • Facilitating the Rock & Soil Cycles through • temperature variation • Contributing to erosion of the topography • through weathering Lithosphere Atmosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere