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The Earth’s Atmosphere

Explore the significance of Earth's atmosphere containing water vapor, dust, pollutants like sulfur dioxide, and the crucial role of trace amounts of carbon dioxide. Learn about the greenhouse effect, ozone layer protection, and atmospheric circulation. Discover the layers of the atmosphere and their unique characteristics.

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The Earth’s Atmosphere

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  1. The Earth’s Atmosphere

  2. Also water vapor (most near the surface of the earth), dust and pollutants (e.g. sulfur dioxide)

  3. A Special Note on Carbon Dioxide • present in trace amounts, but important in its effects: • a greenhouse gas (GHG) – a gas that is very effective at absorbing (trapping) and emitting radiation as heat (infrared radiation) 0.039% means 390 ppm (“ppm” = parts per million)Pre-industrial CO2 level: 275 ppmPresent CO2 level: 390 ppmSafe (?) CO2 level: 350 ppm

  4. Why is the atmosphere important? • Natural Greenhouse Effect, temperature extremes: warms Earth’s surface, reduces day/night extremes; • Ozone layer: protects against damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun; • Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Cycle: oxygen for humans and animals, carbon dioxide for plants, water for all (evaporation, transpiration from plants, precipitation);

  5. Atmospheric Circulation Convection cells: Warm moist air rises at equator; Cold dry air sinks at the poles; Gives rise to winds; Heat Energy and moisture: Transfers heat and moisture around the globe, to the poles;

  6. Atmospheric Layers >500 km, space station here 80-500 km, 30 °C, auroras located here 50-80 km, -75 °C, “meso” = “middle” 12-50 km, 10 °C, highest concentration of ozone 0-16 km (8 km at poles), -50 – 20 °C, most of the atmosphere’s moisture

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