NATS 1780 Lecture : Notes for 1st Reading Ahrens txt pages 3-7, 329-332,
Document Summary
Overview of the earth"s atmosphere: composition of the atmosphere. Occupies about 78% of total volume of dry air. Occupies about 21% of total volume of dry air. If all other gases were removed, these percentages would hold constant until an elevation of approximately 80km. At the surface, there is a balance of output and input. Destruction and production of these two gases: nitrogen removed from atmosphere by biological processes involving soil bacteria. Taken out by ocean-dwelling plankton: returned from decaying plant and animal matter, oxygen is removed from the atmosphere when organic matter decays and when it combines with other substances. Producing oxides: oxygen is also taken from the atmosphere during breathing, oxygen is returned to the atmosphere during photosynthesis in plants. Concentration of water vapor varies greatly from place to place. 0. 038% of the total volume of dry air.
