The Earth's Early Atmosphere The Earth's atmosphere has undergone significant changes over billions of years. The early atmosphere was formed from gases release...
The Earth's atmosphere has undergone significant changes over billions of years. The early atmosphere was formed from gases released by volcanic activity, containing little or no oxygen. Instead, it consisted primarily of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor.
As life began to emerge on Earth, photosynthetic organisms like cyanobacteria started producing oxygen through photosynthesis. Over time, this process led to an increase in atmospheric oxygen levels and a decrease in carbon dioxide.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that traps some of the Sun's heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Certain gases, known as greenhouse gases, are transparent to incoming solar radiation but absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, effectively trapping heat in the atmosphere.
The primary greenhouse gases are:
Human activities have significantly increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. This temperature rise is causing climate change, with far-reaching consequences such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruptions.
Besides greenhouse gases, other pollutants are released into the atmosphere, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels. These include:
These pollutants can cause respiratory issues, damage ecosystems, and contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain.
To mitigate air pollution and climate change, governments and industries are implementing measures such as: