Introduction to Earth’s Atmosphere

Abstract

The Earth’s atmosphere is a thin envelope of gases surrounding the solid planet, the hydrosphere, and biosphere. The composition of the atmosphere consists largely of two elements, oxygen and nitrogen. The atmosphere also contains chemicals which absorb heat from the Earth’s surface and radiate it in all directions including back to the surface. This results in the greenhouse effect that keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life. The greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas of concern today as it is increasing rapidly in the atmosphere largely as the result of the burning of fossil fuels. The Keeling curve shows the steady increase in carbon dioxide since 1958. Different zones of the atmosphere are defined. The effects of Arctic warming are causing changes in the Jet Stream. These changes are affecting weather patterns and weather uncertainty is increasing. The isotopes of carbon are listed and the significance of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) is explained with reference to carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.