Atmosphere as Mixture of Gases or a Gaseous Envelope - Essay Example

? Atmosphere Table of Contents Introduction 3 Discussion 4 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction Atmosphere can be defined as mixture of gases or gaseous envelope that surrounds earth or any other planet or celestial body. Atmosphere is held by the gravity of the body. Earth’s atmosphere consists of oxygen which helps organisms for respiration. Earth’s atmosphere also consists of carbon dioxide which helps plants and cyan bacteria for photosynthesis. Due to the changes in temperature, atmosphere is separated in to different layers. Earth’s atmosphere consists of troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. Thermosphere contains ionosphere and exosphere. Troposphere- The atmospheric layer is closer to the Earth and comprise of around 75% of mass of gasses in the atmosphere. Troposphere is 0 to 12 km above the earth’s surface (Barry and Chorley, 2010, p.17). The height of troposphere depends upon the seasons which are lowest in the winter and highest in the summer season. 99% of the water vapours in the earth’s atmosphere contained in the troposphere layer. Stratosphere- stratosphere ranges from 12 to 45 km above the earth’s surface. Stratosphere is the second major atmosphere layer in the atmosphere. Stratosphere contains ozone layer which acts as a shield to absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun protecting earth’s surface. Ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation which leads to increase in temperature with height. Mesosphere- mesosphere ranges for 50 to 85 km above the earth’s surface. Mesosphere and stratosphere both referred as middle part of the atmosphere. Temperature of mesosphere can drop about -100 degree Celsius. This atmospheric layer of the atmosphere helps to protect earth from meteoroids. Thermosphere- Thermosphere layer ranges above 85 km. Harmful ultraviolet radiation turns in to heat which causes temperature of thermosphere to be high (Park, 2001, p.81). Temperature of stratosphere can go above 200 degree Celsius. Thermosphere contains ionosphere and exosphere. Ionosphere ranges from 80 to 550 km. Exosphere ranges more than 550 km. This is the area of atmosphere where satellite orbits round the earth. Discussion Earth’s atmosphere is primarily composed of oxygen and nitrogen and argon. Nitrogen, oxygen and argon comprises of about 99.97% of gas in the atmosphere. Earth’s atmosphere also composed of trace amounts of xenon, ozone, neon, helium, methane, krypton, ammonia, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Lower part of earth’s altitude also contains water vapour. Earth’s atmosphere also consists of particulate matters which are rain, snow, dust and volcanic ash. Particulate matters are less persistent and highly variable than that of gases (Bradbury, Boyle and Morse, 2002, p.94). Particulate can often remain in the atmosphere for longer period. Importance of Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process of producing large amount of organic matter which helps life to sustain on earth. Without photosynthesis there would be no life on earth. Photosynthesis process is formed when plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide cannot be inhaled by human beings. Plants break down carbon dioxide to oxygen (O2). The main product of photosynthesis is oxygen. Oxygen gas is inhaled by human beings and it is very much essential to life. The large content of carbon dioxide is harmful and toxic. The lower concentration of oxygen is harmful to sustain life. Plants produce around 30% of oxygen. Remaining 70 % of oxygen is produced by marine plants and single-celled algae. Marine plants and single-celled algae can also form photosynthesis. Photosynthesis process is vital in regulating life cycle process on earth. The production of food and deriving energy is only done by plants. Plants with the help of energy can produce and supple necessary energy and nutrient to other living creature. Photosynthesis is the only way to produce energy. Therefore, photosynthesis is vital to life and life without photosynthesis is impossible. Importance of Respiration Respiration plays a vital role to sustain life to earth. It is process of converting chemical energy of molecules which are ingested by organism into power usable processes that are readily usable. Respiration helps every living organism to provide oxygen for growth and then helps to remove carbon dioxide gas. This is important process for the survival of most forms of life on earth. Respiration works by different types of biochemical processes. Anaerobic respiration is the process that works when there is absence of oxygen. Aerobic respiration is the respiratory process which requires oxygen to complete the process. Importance of Nitrogen Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients which are necessary for all living organism to survive. Nitrogen is important components for DNA, proteins, chlorophyll and bio-molecules (Holden, 2005, p.57). Nitrogen produces nucleic acid and amino acids which are essential part to life on earth. Nitrogen helps to form vital part of DNA which is nucleic acid. Human bodies need DNA to survive as it creates blueprint of the different kinds of cells that are required to survive. Therefore without nitrogen no life can exist on earth. Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen cycle is the process in which nitrogen can be produced in to different types of chemical forms. The transformation nitrogen to chemical forms is done through physical and biological process. Nitrogen cycle includes important processes which are ammonification, fixation, nitrification and denitrification. The atmosphere contains 78% of nitrogen. Nitrogen in the atmosphere must be fixed so that it can be used by plants. Most of the nitrogen fixation is done by symbiotic bacteria and some by lightning strikes. Nitrogen must be fixed by the help of hydrogen to form ammonium (NH4) ions. And also with the help of oxygen (NO3) to form nitrate ions. Microorganism in the earth’s soil helps to convert nitrogen to ammonia (Goudie, 2001, p.402). Biological fixation, atmospheric fixation and industrial fixation are the major reasons behind nitrogen fixation. Ammonification is also known as mineralization. The initial form of nitrogen is produced by animal waste or when animal dies. Then organic nitrogen is converted into ammonium (NH4+). Decays produces ammonia and which is converted in to nitrates. It is very important for ammonia to convert from nitrites to nitrate to plant life. This process is done by two steps, such as Nitrifying bacteria Nitrosomonas oxidizes NH3 in to nitrites (NO2-) and Nitrifying bacteria Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrites in to nitrates (NO3-). On the other hand, denitrification is the process of denitrification is done by bacteria Clostridium and Pseudomonas. Denitrification process helps to reduce nitrites and nitrates into nitrogen gas. This completes the nitrogen cycle. Importance of H2O Water helps to regulate the temperature of earth and helps life to sustain. Transpiration is the process of drawing water from entire plant body to release individual hydrogen, water molecules and oxygen as water vapours. Water vapours are released on the surface of plant leaves. Consequently these water vapours help plants to release oxygen for living beings to survive. Transpiration helps plants to provide oxygen to every living being that helps carry on life cycle. Without transpiration no life could have existed on earth. Water is simple molecule which is very much significant to life. Every cell of human beings requires water which helps to lubricate. Without water in organism life would have been impossible as organism won’t be able to produce energy (Cox and Moore, 2010, p.345). About 2/3 of all cells of human beings contains water. Large amount of water surrounding in area provide protective shield as it helps to prevent drying out of cells. Water helps life in different ways and different manner. Life is sustainable on earth due to water. Water not only helps in photosynthesis, transpiration and also cells that provide better place for life to sustain. Conclusion Atmosphere is vital important for life that makes earth liveable. Atmosphere protects earth by softening the intensity of heat and light of the sun. Atmosphere contains water vapour that helps to produce water on water. Without water there wouldn’t have been any life existing on earth. Importance of water is beyond imagination it not only helps to produce oxygen but also provides human beings to better place to live. Photosynthesis produces huge amount of organic matter that is very much important for life on earth. Photosynthesis, respiration and water are all vital for life cycle process and survival of every life on earth. In addition to this, water has several importances in life. Life would have been impossible without the availability of water as water in organism helps to produce energy. Therefore, water is known as source of life. References Barry, G. R., and Chorley, R., 2010. Atmosphere, Weather and Climate. 9th ed. London: Taylor & Francis. Bradbury, K. I., Boyle, J., and Morse, A., 2002. Scientific Principles for Physical Geographers. London: Prentice Hall. Cox, B. C., and Moore, D. P., 2010. Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Goudie, A., 2001. The Nature of the Environment. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Holden, J., 2005. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. Park, C. C., 2001. The Environment: Principles and Applications. 2nd ed. New York: Psychology Press. Read More