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Atmosphere

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Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the body of air which surrounds our planet. Most of our atmosphere is located close to the earth's surface where it is most dense. The air of our planet is 78% nitrogen and just under 21% oxygen; the small amount remaining is composed of carbon dioxide and other gasses.It is a mixture of gases encircling the Earth and held by the Earth’s gravity. This invisible mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor protects the planet from harmful radiation and makes life on it. (Atienza et al., 2012)

Atmosphere and Ecology
The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth:
(a) It sustains life on the earth.
(b) It saves it from the hostile environment of outer …show more content…

• Troposphere.The lowest layer of the atmosphere which begins at the surface is the troposphere. It extends to 18 km above Earth’s surface. Almost all of the weather occurs in this layer. The troposphere is Earth’s densest atmospheric layer. Temperature decreases as altitude increases due to expansive cooling. • Stratosphere.Above the troposphere is the stratosphere. The extends from 18 km to an altitude of about 50 km. Temperatures rise as altitude increases in the stratosphere. This change happens because the ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) energy and warms the air. Almost all the ozone in the atmosphere is concentrated in the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Because ozone absorbs UV radiation, it reduces the amount of UV radiation that reaches the Earth. UV radiation that reaches Earth can damage living cells. • Mesosphere The layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. This layer extends to an altitude of about 80 km. The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere, and its temperatures have been measured as low as –93°C. • Thermosphere The atmospheric layer located farthest from Earth’s surface is the thermosphere. In the thermosphere, nitrogen and oxygen absorb solar radiation, which results in temperatures that have been

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