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Atmospheric Composition

Constant Gases

Present in constant proportion

proportion has changed over very long time periods

Mostly low reactivity

Exceptions: Oxygen, Hydrogen

Constant Gases proportion bar

 

Variable Gases

Change proportional concentration over short time spans

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

  • traps thermal energy ("Greenhouse Effect")

  • consumed by plants in photosynthesis

  • accumulates with a) fossil fuel combustion, b) devegetation, and c) ocean pollution

Water Vapor (H2O)

  • traps thermal energy ("Greenhouse Effect")

  • increases near liquid water supplies

  • increases at higher temperatures

Ozone (O3)

  • traps thermal energy ("Greenhouse Effect")

  • concentrated in lower stratosphere

  • blocks most UV and shorter wavelength radiation

  • apparently decreasing due to CFC catalysts

Particulates

suspended solids, including

  • carbon (smoke, soot) - dark in color

  • water (ice crystals) - light in color

  • silica dioxide (dust) - light in color

  • various salts & oxides (ocean spray, pollution) - various coloring

  • organic materials (spores, pollen) - various coloring

Significance:

  • block incoming sunlight

  • condensation nuclei

  • originate mostly at ground surface

 

 Yours is visit # to this Web page since 10MAY97.

N. C. Heywood maintains this page, last updated 20JUL99.