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{{redirect|Atmosphere|the unit of measure|Atmosphere (unit)}}
{{redirect|Atmosphere|the unit of measure|Atmosphere (unit)}}
[[File:Top of Atmosphere.jpg|thumb|330x330px|[[Rayleigh scattering|Blue light is scattered]] more than other wavelengths by the gases in the atmosphere, surrounding Earth in a visibly blue layer at the [[stratosphere]], above the clouds of the [[troposphere]], when seen from space on board the [[International Space Station|ISS]] at an altitude of {{cvt|335|km|mi}} (the [[Moon]] is visible as a crescent in the far background).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=ISS013&roll=E&frame=54329 |title=Gateway to Astronaut Photos of Earth |publisher=NASA |access-date=2018-01-29}}</ref>]]
The Earth's '''atmosphere''' is the layer of [[gas]]es around the [[Earth]]. It is held in place by Earth's [[gravity]]. It is today made up mainly of [[nitrogen]] (78.1%). It also has plentiful [[oxygen]] (20.9%) and small amounts of [[argon]] (0.9%), [[carbon dioxide]] (~ 0.035%), [[water vapor]], and other gases. The atmosphere protects [[life]] on Earth by [[Absorption|absorbing]] (taking) [[ultraviolet]] rays from the [[Sun]]. It makes our [[day]]s cooler and our [[night]]s warmer.
The Earth's '''atmosphere''' is the layer of [[gas|gass]]es around the [[Earth]]. It is held in place by Earth's [[gravity]]. It is today made up mainly of [[nitrogen]] (78.1%). It also has plentiful [[oxygen]] (20.9%) and small amounts of [[argon]] (0.9%), [[carbon dioxide]] (~ 0.035%), [[water vapor]], and other gases. The atmosphere protects [[life]] on Earth by [[Absorption|absorbing]] (taking) [[ultraviolet]] rays from the [[Sun]]. It makes our [[day]]s cooler and our [[night]]s warmer.
Solid [[particulate]]s, including [[ash]], [[dust]], [[volcanic ash]], etc. are small parts of atmosphere. They are important in making [[cloud]]s and [[fog]].
Solid [[particulate]]s, including [[ash]], [[dust]], [[volcanic ash]], etc. are small parts of atmosphere. They are important in making [[cloud]]s and [[fog]].
#The atmosphere gradually changed to mostly [[carbon dioxide]] and [[nitrogen]]. The lighter gases, like hydrogen and [[helium]], cannot be held by the Earth's [[gravity]], and would escape. For a long time (say two billion years or more), the atmosphere was dominated by carbon dioxide.
#The atmosphere gradually changed to mostly [[carbon dioxide]] and [[nitrogen]]. The lighter gases, like hydrogen and [[helium]], cannot be held by the Earth's [[gravity]], and would escape. For a long time (say two billion years or more), the atmosphere was dominated by carbon dioxide.
#In the [[Great Oxygenation Event]] the atmosphere changed to the kind we have now, with oxygen replacing the carbon dioxide. Our atmosphere is still mostly nitrogen, but most living organisms interact more with oxygen than with nitrogen. Oxygenation began with [[cyanobacteria]] making free oxygen by [[photosynthesis]]. Most organisms today need oxygen for their [[respiration]]: only a few [[anaerobic organism]]<nowiki/>s can grow without oxygen.<ref>Heinrich D. Holland: ''The oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans.'' In: ''Phil. Trans. R. Soc.'' B, vol. 361, 2006, p. 903–915 http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/361/1470/903.full.pdf</ref><ref>Knoll, Andrew H. 2004. ''Life on a young planet: the first three billion years of evolution on Earth''. Princeton, N.J. {{ISBN|0-691-12029-3}}</ref>
#In the [[Great Oxygenation Event]] the atmosphere changed to the kind we have now, with oxygen replacing the carbon dioxide. Our atmosphere is still mostly nitrogen, but most living organisms interact more with oxygen than with nitrogen. Oxygenation began with [[cyanobacteria]] making free oxygen by [[photosynthesis]]. Most organisms today need oxygen for their [[respiration]]: only a few [[anaerobic organism]]<nowiki/>s can grow without oxygen.<ref>Heinrich D. Holland: ''The oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans.'' In: ''Phil. Trans. R. Soc.'' B, vol. 361, 2006, p. 903–915 http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/361/1470/903.full.pdf</ref><ref>Knoll, Andrew H. 2004. ''Life on a young planet: the first three billion years of evolution on Earth''. Princeton, N.J. {{ISBN|0-691-12029-3}}</ref>
== Composition ==
[[File:Atmosphere gas proportions.svg|thumb|Composition of Earth's atmosphere by molecular count, excluding water vapor. Lower pie represents trace gases that together compose about 0.0434% of the atmosphere.<ref name=Allens-2002>Unless other wise noted, values from {{Cite book |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4612-1186-0 |title=Allen's Astrophysical Quantities |date=2002 |publisher=Springer New York |isbn=978-1-4612-7037-9 |editor-last=Cox |editor-first=Arthur N. |location=New York, NY |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-4612-1186-0}}</ref><ref name=CO2>{{citation |title=Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide |url=https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/ |website=Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network, NOAA |year=2019 |access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref><ref name=methane>{{citation |title=Trends in Atmospheric Methane |website=Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network, NOAA |url=https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends_ch4/ |year=2019 |access-date=2019-05-31}}</ref>]]
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of a [[mixture]] of [[gas]]es that surround the [[planet]] and are held in place by [[gravity]]. The three main gases in Earth's atmosphere are [[nitrogen]], which makes up about 78% of the air, [[oxygen]], which makes up about 21%, and [[argon]], which makes up about 0.93%. [[Water vapor]] is also important and makes up about 0.25% of the atmosphere by mass. The amount of water vapor can change a lot. In very cold places, there is only a tiny amount, about 10 parts per million. In hot, [[Humidity|humid]] areas, it can be as much as 5% of the air. Because water vapor changes so much, scientists often talk about the atmosphere in terms of "dry air" (air without water vapor). The rest of the gases in the atmosphere are called trace gases because they are only found in small amounts. These include important [[greenhouse gas]]es like [[carbon dioxide]], [[methane]], [[nitrous oxide]], and [[ozone]]. Greenhouse gases trap [[heat]] and help keep Earth warm. But, too much greenhouse gases can cause [[global warming]]. Besides argon, other noble [[gas]]es such as [[neon]], [[helium]], [[krypton]], and [[xenon]] are also present in very small amounts. The air can also contain tiny particles, called [[aerosol]]s, which can come from nature or human activity. Natural aerosols include [[dust]], [[pollen]], [[sea spray]], [[spore]]s, and [[volcanic ash]]. Some pollutants from [[Factory|factories]] or [[vehicle]]s can also be found in the air. These may include gases like [[chlorine]], [[Fluorine|fluorine compound]]s, and [[Mercury (element)|mercury vapor]], as well as [[Sulfur|sulfur compound]]s like [[hydrogen sulfide]] and [[sulfur dioxide]]. Some come from [[nature]], while others are caused by human [[pollution]].
== Major gases ==
The Earth's atmosphere is made up of several major [[gas]]es that help support life and shape our planet's [[climate]]. The most common gases are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which make up most of the air we breathe. There are also variable gases like water vapor, which change depending on the [[weather]] and location. Each of these gases plays an important role in the atmosphere and helps keep Earth livable.
* [[Nitrogen]] is the most common gas in Earth’s atmosphere. It makes up about 78% of the air we breathe. That means most of the air around us is nitrogen, not [[oxygen]]. Nitrogen is colorless, odorless, and does not easily react with other things. Nitrogen helps keep the air safe and stable. If there were too much oxygen in the air, things could catch [[fire]] too easily. Nitrogen acts like a buffer, or a cushion, that helps control this. It keeps the air from being too reactive. Nitrogen has been part of Earth’s atmosphere for a very long time. When [[Earth]] first formed over 4.5 billion years ago, the atmosphere was very different and had only some nitrogen. Over time, [[volcano]]es released gases from inside the Earth, and more nitrogen entered the air. Because nitrogen is so stable, it stayed in the atmosphere, while lighter gases like [[hydrogen]] escaped into space. Over millions of years, nitrogen built up and became the main gas in the atmosphere, making up 78% of the air we breathe today.
* [[Oxygen]] is the second most common gas in Earth’s atmosphere. It makes up about 21% of the air we breathe. This means that out of every 100 parts of air, about 21 parts are oxygen. Even though there is more nitrogen in the atmosphere, oxygen is very important. This is because it is the gas that [[human]]s and [[animal]]s need to breathe. Without oxygen, we could not survive. [[Plant]]s also use oxygen in small amounts, especially at [[night]], but they produce much more during the [[day]]. The form of oxygen we breathe is called O₂, which means two oxygen [[atom]]s are bonded together. Oxygen plays many important roles in the atmosphere. The most well-known role is supporting life. All animals, including humans, need oxygen for a process called [[cellular respiration]]. This is how our cells make energy from food. Oxygen is also involved in burning, or [[combustion]]. [[Fire]]s cannot burn without oxygen. Oxygen has not always been common in Earth’s atmosphere. When the Earth first formed about 4.5 billion years ago, there was almost no oxygen in the air. Oxygen began to appear in large amounts about 2.4 billion years ago during a time called the [[Great Oxygenation Event]]. This happened because tiny [[microbe]]s called [[cyanobacteria]] started to use [[sunlight]] to make [[energy]] in a process called [[photosynthesis]]. A [[by-product]] of this process is oxygen, which was released into the air. At first, oxygen built up slowly because it reacted with [[iron]] and other materials on Earth. But eventually, the oxygen levels rose high enough to change the atmosphere and allow new life forms to [[Evolution|evolve]]. The rise of oxygen in the atmosphere was one of the most important events in [[History of the Earth|Earth’s history]]. It allowed complex life forms like plants, animals, and eventually humans to appear. It also changed the [[chemistry]] of the [[ocean]]s and [[rock]]s. Today, oxygen continues to be produced by plants, especially in [[forest]]s and oceans, where tiny plants called [[phytoplankton]] live.
* [[Argon]] is a gas that makes up about 0.93% of the Earth's atmosphere. That means it is the third most common gas in the air, after nitrogen and oxygen. Even though it makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere, it is still more common than other gases like [[carbon dioxide]] and [[methane]]. Argon is a [[noble gas]], which means it is very stable and does not easily react with other [[Chemical element|element]]s. Because it is so unreactive, argon mostly just "sits" in the atmosphere without changing or causing [[chemical reaction]]s. Argon comes from the decay of a [[Radionuclide|radioactive element]] in [[rock]]s called [[potassium-40]]. Over time, this decay releases argon gas, which escapes into the air. Since argon is very stable and does not break down or disappear, it has slowly built up in the atmosphere over millions of years. Unlike oxygen or water vapor, argon does not play a big role in supporting life, but its steady presence helps scientists understand the age and history of the atmosphere. Argon is also used in [[Laboratory|science lab]]s, [[light bulb]]s, and [[welding]] because it does not react with the materials around it.
* [[Water vapor]] is the gas form of [[water]]. It is a variable gas in the Earth's atmosphere. This means its amount can change a lot from place to place and day to day. In hot and wet places, like [[rainforest]]s or tropical oceans, water vapor can make up as much as 4% of the air. In cold and dry places, like [[desert]]s or the [[Polar region of Earth|polar region]]s, it might be close to zero percent. This variability is because water vapor enters the atmosphere through [[evaporation]], i.e when water turns into gas from [[ocean]]s, [[lake]]s, [[river]]s, and even from [[plant]]s. When the air cools down, the water vapor can [[Condensation|condense]] to form [[cloud]]s, [[fog]], or [[dew]], and then return to the ground as [[rain]] or [[snow]]. Water vapor also acts as a powerful greenhouse gas. This means it helps trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough for life. In fact, water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, and it works together with carbon dioxide and others to regulate Earth’s temperature. When the air gets warmer, it can hold more water vapor, and this can lead to even more warming, creating a [[feedback loop]]. Besides affecting [[temperature]], water vapor is also important for weather. It helps form clouds, fog, and [[storm]]s. [[Weather|Weather pattern]]s like rain, snow, and humidity all depend on how much water vapor is in the air.
== Trace gases ==
The Earth's atmosphere contains not only major gases like nitrogen and oxygen but also trace gases, which are present in very small amounts. Even though these gases make up less than 1% of the atmosphere, they are very important. Some trace gases, like [[carbon dioxide]], [[methane]], [[ozone]], and [[nitrous oxide]], help regulate Earth’s temperature and support life. Others come from natural sources or human activities and can affect the [[climate]] and [[air quality]].
* [[Carbon dioxide]], or CO₂, is a gas that makes up a small part of Earth’s atmosphere, but it plays a very important role. It makes up about 0.04% of the air. This may seem like a tiny amount, but this small percentage has a big effect on climate and life. Carbon dioxide is made of one [[Carbon|carbon atom]] and two [[Oxygen|oxygen atom]]s. It is released into the atmosphere when [[people]] and [[animal]]s breathe out, when [[plant]]s and [[animal]]s [[Decomposition|decay]], and when things burn, like [[wood]], [[coal]], [[Crude oil|oil]], or [[Natural gas|gas]]. It is also released by [[volcano]]es and by certain natural processes in the [[ocean]] and [[soil]]. Even though CO₂ is a small part of the atmosphere, it is one of the main [[greenhouse gas]]es. This means it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough for life. Without carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, Earth would be far too cold to live on. Carbon dioxide is also part of the [[carbon cycle]], which is the movement of carbon between the [[air]], [[land]], [[water]], and [[living thing]]s. Plants take in carbon dioxide during [[photosynthesis]], using it to make [[food]] and releasing oxygen back into the air. Animals eat the plants and get the carbon, and when they breathe or die, the carbon returns to the atmosphere. This cycle has kept CO₂ levels fairly balanced for millions of years. However, in recent times, human activities, especially burning [[fossil fuel]]s and cutting down [[forest]]s, have added large amounts of carbon dioxide to the air. This extra CO₂ is causing the planet to warm up, leading to [[climate change]], which can result in [[Sea level rise|rising sea level]]s, stronger [[storm]]s, and changing [[Weather|weather pattern]]s. Scientists around the world are studying carbon dioxide closely because managing its levels is important to protecting Earth’s environment.
* Besides argon, there are other [[noble gas]]es in the Earth's atmosphere, but they are found in very tiny amounts. These trace noble gases include [[helium]], [[neon]], [[krypton]], and [[xenon]]. They make up only a very small fraction of the air (less than 0.001% each). They are [[Inert gas|inert]], which means they do not react easily with other [[Chemical element|element]]s. Because they are so unreactive, they mostly just "sit" in the atmosphere without changing or causing [[chemical reaction]]s. Helium, for example, is the second lightest element and often escapes [[Gravity of Earth|Earth's gravity]] into [[Outer space|space]]. It mostly comes from [[radioactive decay]] deep in the Earth. It is released through volcanic activity. Neon is more common than krypton or xenon and is also very stable. It has useful properties, such as glowing when [[electricity]] passes through it, which is why it is used in [[neon sign]]s. Krypton and xenon are even rarer than neon. They exist in tiny amounts but are important for scientific [[research]] and [[technology]]. These gases are used in certain types of [[lighting]], [[laser]]s, and even [[Spacecraft propulsion|spacecraft engine]]s. Because they are so stable, they do not break down or combine with other gases, and they do not take part in processes like [[breathing]] or the [[greenhouse effect]]. These noble gases help scientists understand the history and structure of Earth’s atmosphere. Their stable nature allows researchers to use them to study air movements, age of [[ice core]]s, and the origin of gases in Earth’s atmosphere and beyond.
* [[Hydrogen]] is the lightest and most basic element in the [[universe]]. It can be found in very small amounts in the Earth’s atmosphere. It makes up only about 0.00005% of the air. Even though hydrogen is extremely common in the universe, especially in [[star]]s and [[interstellar cloud]]s, it is rare in our atmosphere. This is because hydrogen is so light that it can easily escape Earth’s gravity and drift off into space. Most of the hydrogen in the atmosphere comes from natural processes, like the breakdown of [[methane]] or other gases, and from some human activities like burning [[fossil fuel]]s or [[Chemical industry|chemical industries]]. It can also be produced when water molecules are split by [[sunlight]] or [[electrical energy]] in a process called [[photolysis]]. Hydrogen is involved in certain [[chemical reaction]]s in the upper atmosphere. For example, it can react with [[oxygen]] to form [[water vapor]], and it can help control the amount of [[ozone]] in the air.
* Besides the more well-known gases, the Earth’s atmosphere also contains other trace gases that are present in tiny amounts but are still important. Some of these include [[methane]] (CH₄), [[ozone]] (O₃), and [[nitrous oxide]] (N₂O). Even though these gases make up less than 1% of the air, they have very powerful effects on the [[climate]] and [[air quality]]. Methane is a gas that comes from natural sources like [[wetland]]s, as well as human activities such as [[farming]], [[landfill]]s, and [[Crude oil|oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]] production. It is a very strong greenhouse gas, even stronger than carbon dioxide, though it does not last as long in the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is another greenhouse gas. It comes from [[Soil microbiology|soil bacteria]], [[fertilizer]]s, and burning fossil fuels. Though present in small amounts, it also traps heat and contributes to [[global warming]]. Another important trace gas is ozone, which is found in two main layers of the atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere, or [[stratosphere]], ozone forms the [[ozone layer]], which protects life on Earth by blocking harmful [[Ultraviolet|ultraviolet (UV) rays]] from the [[sun]]. This layer is essential for keeping [[plant]]s, [[animal]]s, and [[Human|people]] safe from too much UV radiation. However, ozone near the ground level, in the lower atmosphere, can be harmful. It forms when [[sunlight]] reacts with [[pollution]] from [[car]]s and [[Factory|factories]], creating [[smog]] that can cause breathing problems and other health issues. Scientists closely monitor them to understand [[climate change]], [[air pollution]], and how human actions are affecting the planet.
== Vertical composition ==
As you move upward through the Earth's atmosphere, the types and amounts of [[gas]]es begin to change. Near the ground, in the lowest layer called the [[troposphere]], the air is thick and full of [[oxygen]], [[nitrogen]], [[carbon dioxide]], [[water vapor]], and other gases. This is where we live and breathe. It contains about 75% of all the air’s mass. Here, the gases are well-mixed because of [[wind]]s and [[weather]], so no matter where you go in this layer, the main gases stay in the same balance. Above the troposphere is the [[stratosphere]], where the air is thinner, but the mix of gases like nitrogen and oxygen is still mostly the same. One important difference, though, is the [[ozone layer]] found in the stratosphere, which has a much higher concentration of [[ozone]] (O₃) than other layers. This ozone is important because it absorbs harmful [[Ultraviolet|ultraviolet (UV) rays]] from the [[sun]], protecting life on Earth. This whole part of the atmosphere is called the [[homosphere]]. In the homosphere, the main gases, like nitrogen and oxygen, are mixed evenly. This means that, no matter where you go in this region, the air has about the same mix of gases. The homosphere stretches from the ground all the way up to about 80 kilometers (around 50 miles) above [[Earth]]. It includes the troposphere, stratosphere, and part of the [[mesosphere]]. The reason the gases stay so well mixed is because of [[wind]]s, [[air current]]s, and [[turbulence]] that constantly stir the atmosphere. Even though water vapor and some tiny gases can change depending on the [[weather]], the overall mix of air in the homosphere stays about the same.
As we keep going higher into the [[mesosphere]] and then the [[thermosphere]], the air becomes very thin, and the gases begin to separate by their weight. This is the start of the [[heterosphere]], where the gases are no longer mixed evenly. In this region, heavier gases like oxygen and nitrogen stay closer to the bottom, while lighter gases such as [[helium]] and [[hydrogen]] rise higher up. In the very top layer, called the [[exosphere]], only the lightest gases remain, especially hydrogen and helium, and they are very spread out. Some of them even escape into [[outer space]]. Because the air is so thin up high, there is not enough mixing to keep the gases evenly spread out.
== Temperature and the atmospheric layers ==
== Temperature and the atmospheric layers ==
[[File:Profil temperature atmosphere.png|thumb|Temperature at various altitudes]]
[[File:Profil temperature atmosphere.png|thumb|Temperature at various altitudes]]
== Atmosphere Of Earth Media ==
== Atmosphere Of Earth Media ==
<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>
<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>
File:Top of Atmosphere.jpg|[[Rayleigh scattering|Blue light is scattered]] more than other wavelengths by the gases in the atmosphere, surrounding Earth in a visibly blue layer at the [[stratosphere]], above the clouds of the [[troposphere]], when seen from space on board the [[International Space Station|ISS]] at an altitude of {{cvt|335|km|mi}} (the [[Moon]] is visible as a crescent in the far background).
File:Earth's atmosphere.svg|A prism cross-section of the Earth's atmosphere. The strata are drawn to scale, but individual features are not.{{rp|322}}
File:ISS-46 Soyuz TMA-17M reentry.jpg|[[Afterglow]] of the [[troposphere]] (orange), the [[stratosphere]] (blue) and the mesosphere (dark) at which [[atmospheric entry]] begins, leaving smoke trails, such as in this case of a [[spacecraft]] reentry
File:ISS-46 Soyuz TMA-17M reentry.jpg|[[Afterglow]] of the [[troposphere]] (orange), the [[stratosphere]] (blue) and the mesosphere (dark) at which [[atmospheric entry]] begins, leaving smoke trails, such as in this case of a [[spacecraft]] reentry
File:ISS-47_Islands_In_The_Sky,_Indonesia.jpg|A picture of Earth's troposphere, with different [[cloud types]] at low and [[high altitude]]s casting shadows. Sunlight, filtered into a reddish hue by passing through much of the troposphere at sunset, is reflected off the ocean. The above-lying [[stratosphere]] can be seen at the [[horizon]] as a band of its characteristic glow of [[Rayleigh scattering|blue scattered]] sunlight.
File:Kittinger-jump.jpg|In 1960, [[Joseph Kittinger]] set a record by parachuting from a gondola at {{cvt|31.3|km|mi}}
File:Atmospheric Temperature Trend.jpg|Temperature trends in two thick layers of the atmosphere as measured between January 1979 and December 2005 by [[microwave sounding unit]]s and [[advanced microwave sounding unit]]s on [[NOAA]] weather satellites. The instruments record microwaves emitted from oxygen molecules in the atmosphere. Source:
File:ISS-47_Islands_In_The_Sky,_Indonesia.jpg|Earth from orbit, showing sunlight filtered into a reddish hue by the troposphere, while casting shadows from different [[cloud types]]. The [[stratosphere]] forms a thin band of [[Rayleigh scattering|blue scattered]] sunlight along the horizon.
File:Atmosphere model.png|Temperature and mass density against altitude from the [[NRLMSISE-00]] [[International Standard Atmosphere|standard atmosphere]] model (the eight dotted lines in each "decade" are at the eight cubes 8, 27, 64, ..., 729)
File:Atmosphere model.png|Temperature and mass density against altitude from the [[NRLMSISE-00]] [[International Standard Atmosphere|standard atmosphere]] model (the eight dotted lines in each "decade" are at the eight cubes 8, 27, 64, ..., 729)
File:Openstax Astronomy EM spectrum and atmosphere.jpg|Rough plot of Earth's atmospheric [[transmittance]] (or opacity) to various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including [[visible light]]
File:Earth energy budget.svg|The relative absorption, emission and reflection of solar radiation by the atmosphere, clouds and surface
File:Watching the Earth Breathe.ogv|Animation shows the buildup of tropospheric {{CO2}} in the Northern Hemisphere with a maximum around May. The maximum in the vegetation cycle follows in the late summer. Following the peak in vegetation, the drawdown of atmospheric {{CO2}} due to photosynthesis is apparent, particularly over the [[boreal forests]].
File:Watching the Earth Breathe.ogv|Animation shows the buildup of tropospheric {{CO2}} in the Northern Hemisphere with a maximum around May. The maximum in the vegetation cycle follows in the late summer. Following the peak in vegetation, the drawdown of atmospheric {{CO2}} due to photosynthesis is apparent, particularly over the [[boreal forests]].
[[Category:Meteorology]]
[[Category:Meteorology]]
[[Category:Earth]]
[[Category:Earth]]
[[Category:Atmosphere of Earth| ]]
[[Category:Breathing gases]]