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Earth’s Atmosphere: Composition Composition of The Earth’s Atmosphere Nitrogen (N2) (78.1%) Oxygen (O2) (20.9%) Argon (Ar) (.9%) Carbon dioxide (CO2) (0.03%) Water vapor (H2O) (0-4%). o These five gases make up 99.99% of the total volume of the atmosphere. Other (.17%) Pollutants Nitrogen Most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Essential nutrient needed by plants and animals. o Used as building blocks of protein. Not used by humans and plants directly from the air. o Nitrogen fixing bacteria change nitrogen into a form used by plants roots. o Lightning also forms nitrogen that’s usable by plants roots. Animals get nitrogen from eating plants. o Animal waste and dead plants return nitrogen to the air, other bacteria cause it to be returned to the air. Nitrogen Cycle Oxygen Second most abundant gas in atmosphere. O2 used by animals o Oxygen is “removed” by animals as they breath (respiration), “returned” to the atmosphere by plants (photosynthesis). O3 known as ozone o Ozone protects us from harmful UV rays. Carbon Dioxide Used by plants in photosynthesis. o Green plants take in carbon dioxide in leaves, used to make their own food. o Oxygen is released as a byproduct. o Animals give off CO2 as they obtain energy from their food. Balance of CO2 in atmosphere is constant by plants and animals, but is upset by burning of fossil fuels – green house effect. Global Climate Change? Carbon Dioxide-Oxygen Cycle Argon and Other Gases Argon does not combine with any other elements. o Atmosphere contains tiny amounts of neon, helium, and other rare gases that are similar to argon. Water Vapor Amount in atmosphere varies greatly. o Deserts or extremely cold air have almost no water vapor, warm air over oceans has large amounts of water vapor. Air Pollutants Solids. o o Natural sources. Volcanoes. Dust from glaciers and erosion. Human sources. Smoke from power plants, fireplaces, automobiles. Gasses. o Cars o o Carbon monoxide = poisonous. Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons = cause smog. Power plants/factories. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides = combines with water to form acid = acid rain. CO2 = Greenhouse gas