Component |
Formula or abbreviation |
Source |
Effect in atmosphere |
Leaves Atmosphere by: |
People affect cycling by: |
We can manage it better by: |
Nitrogen |
N2
|
"volcanos, some bacteria |
"inert, but it does melt meteorites |
"N-fixing bacteria, lightning, fertilizer manufacturing, high temperature combustion "
|
"over enrichment of nitrogen compounds into living systems, soil and water through fertilizer over-use and NOx pollution - eutrophication "
|
"careful fertilizer use, lower NOx emissions through energy conservation and air pollution control systems "
|
Oxygen gas
|
O2 |
photosynthesis"
|
"21% of air, supplies O for ozone production, critical for most life
|
"combustion, respiration, ozone production, oxidation |
"changing photosynthesis patterns through a variety of ways such as burning, power generation, deforestation, ozone depletion, climate change "
|
better mgt of climate "
|
carbon Dioxide "
|
CO2
|
Respiration, combustion, breakdown of CaCO3,
volcanoes |
"greenhouse gas: absorbs IR radiation |
"photosynthesis, tropical coral reef growth |
"burning fossil fuels, deforestation, |
"conserve energy, preserve natural ecosystems, protect coral reefs, use alternative energy sources "
|
ozone
|
O3
|
"split and recombining of O2 high in the atmosphere. Also, ozone is a harmful product of smog "
|
Absorbs harmful UV, also causes lung diseases, damage
to surfaces, plants |
"destruction by chlorine molecule released from CFCs |
"release of CFCs from refridgeration equipment, some industrial processes "
|
"maintain and dispose of air conditioners and refridgerators properly, phase out use of CFCs in industry "
|
water vapor
|
H2O
|
"evaporation, transpiration, some from combustion |
"greenhouse gas, important in atmosphere energy systems, supplies water cycle "
|
Condensation, Precipitation |
changing climate "
|
manage climate better "
|
"particulates and aerosols |
P/A
|
"natural sources: wind erosion, sea salt, meteorites, pollen, dander, fires, volcanos. human sources: burning, increased soil erosion, industry, mining, war.
"
|
"reflect light, shading surface, temp cooling, toxic diseases, can lead to acid rain, nitrogen over-enrichment, smog. May temporarily counteract some global warming effects in developed nations "
|
"condensation nuclei, precipitation, settle out
|
Causing exposed soil, barren areas, burning, industry, |
"control particulates from human sources - burning: dont burn leaves, trash, avoid tropical beef, conserve energy. soil erosion: protect soil. industry: avoid the consumer disease of buying things you dont need. mining: recycle war: work for peace. trash burning: reuse, recycle, compost. internal combustion engines: car pool, conserve electricity,
"
|
Nitrogen oxides
|
NOx
|
nitrogen mixes with oxygen; high temperature combustions; industry
|
makes smog and acid rain
|
smog, rain
|
high temperature combustion
|
Conserve energy, recycle |
Chloro- fluoro- carbons |
CFCs
|
" leaking refrigeration equipment, some industrial sources |
" breaks down in stratosphere releasing chlorine molecule which destroys UV absorbing ozone"
|
" breaks down under UV light |
" manufacture and release of CFCs |
" maintain and dispose of air conditioners and refridgerators properly, phase out use of CFCs in industry "
|
Sulfur Dioxide"
|
SO2 |
" volcanoes, burning of high sulfur fuels coal, oil etc |
" haze of SO2 aerosols reflect light - may counteract global warming in industrialized countries. CO2 from same areas continues to warm planet. Result: uneven global warming, possibly more condensation in cooler industrial areas."
|
" combines with water to make acid rain - 2(SO2)+O2+2(H2O)->2(H2SO4) Acid rain effects: damages plants, surfaces, aquatic reproduction."
|
height="15"
"use of high sulfur coal, oil, some industries"> |
" continue to insist on using low s fuels and/or scrubbers to remove SO2, buy pollution credits, conserve energy"
|
Methane
|
CH4
|
Natural and artificial sources of decomposing organic
matter, ruminants like cows, rice paddies, thawing permafrost, |
Greenhouse gas
|
rain?
|
landfills, rice pattys, cows, industrial process
|
Lower industrial gas products
|
|
|
|
Photochemical reaction produces smog |
|
|
|