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Summary Chemistry of the Atmosphere
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Photosynthesis Equation: 6CO2+6H2O --> C6H12O6+6O2 = carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygenThe Earth is 4.5 million years old. In the first billion years, the earth consisted mainly of CO 2, because
of all the volcanic activity, and virtually no oxygen like Mars or Venus. Volcanic activity also released
nitrogen, water vapour, methane and ammonia. First life appeared over 3.5 billion years ago, but it
could live anaerobically. Algae produced oxygen, 2.7 billion years ago. Soon after, appearance of life
form that used photosynthesis appeared. There is a theory that the first organism carrying out
photosynthesis, cyanobacteria, produced oxygen as a waste product but it was removed by the
oxidation of iron oxide. Over the next billion years, plants evolved and the percentage of oxygen
increased to a level that enabled plants to evolve.
When water vapour condensed, it formed oceans. Carbon dioxide was removed when it dissolved
into the ocean, and went through a series of reaction to form carbonate precipitates that formed
sediments on the seabed. Green plant and algae absorbed carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The
shells and skeletons of marine animals contained carbonates from the ocean. Some carbon became
locked in rocks and fossil fuels once the organism died. When planktons, plants and animals die, they
fall to the seabed and get buried by layers of sediments. Over millions of years, they become
compressed and form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas. Coal is mostly carbon dioxide which has been
locked in the ground.
The average temperature of the Earth is 14 degrees, this is because we have a blanket of gases as an
atmosphere that protects us by keeping the temperature relatively stable. Water vapour, carbon
dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases allow radiation from the Sun to
pass through and warm the Earth but the warm Earth radiates energy back out into the atmosphere
and space, otherwise the Earth would get warmer and warmer. The greenhouse gases trap some of
the radiation, which helps us to keep relatively warm Radiation from the sun is of short wavelength
such as UV, light and near infrared. It can pass through the atmosphere without being absorbed by
other gases. The radiation that comes back from the atmosphere is longer wavelengths, which is
absorbed by the molecules of water vapour, methane and carbon dioxide, causing temperature
increase, which is beneficial to the Earth to be kept stable.
Human activities that increase carbon dioxide are: combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation
Human activities that increase methane are: animal farming and decomposition of rubbish in landfill
sites.
Environmental effects:
Temperature stress for humans and wildlife
Water stress for humans and wildlife
Changes in food producing capacity
Changes to distribution of wildlife
The Earth’s temperature has been increasing and most scientists agree that this is because of carbon
dioxide which will lead to climate change. The evidence has been peer-reviewed. But is hard to
understand the Earth’s climate because is really complex and there are too many variables.
Carbon footprints are very tricky to measure, if not impossible, but you can get a rough measure.
Reducing personal carbon footprint
Increased using of alternative energy sources and hydrogen fuel cells
Energy conservation and efficiency in homes and world
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