Earth's atmosphere is a layer of air consisting of various mixtures of gases that envelops the earth from direct rays of the sun. The layer of the atmosphere is an integral part of the planet Earth, so that the layer also rotates and evolves with respect to the sun.
Functions of Gases Contained in Earth's Atmosphere
For ordinary people, who think about the location of the Earth's atmosphere, it may be in a very high place. However, the actual height of the atmosphere is measured from a distance of zero kilometers above ground level to 560 km above the earth's surface.
In other words, humans are actually always in touch with and are in the earth's atmosphere. Earth's atmosphere is composed of gases with the following composition:
- Nitrogen with a composition of 78.08%
- Oxygen with a composition of 20.95%
- Argon with a composition of 0.93%
- Carbon dioxide with a composition of 0.035%
- Neon with a composition of 0, 0018%
- Helium with a composition of 0.0005%
- Ozone with a composition of 0.00006% Methane
- with a composition of 0.00017%
- Hydrogen with a composition of 0.000009%
- Xenon with a composition of 0.000004%
These gases have various functions. Humans can also use it. Here are the benefits of these gases:
Nitrogen
As the largest gas constituent in the atmosphere, nitrogen is useful for plant growth. Nitrogen is one of the constituent elements of chlorophyll (green leaf substance) which has an important role in the photosynthesis process.
Nitrogen can be used as raw material for making artificial fertilizers such as NPK (Nitrogen Fosfor Potassium) which is useful for accelerating plant growth, increasing seed and fruit production, and improving the quality of leaves and roots.
Oxygen
Oxygen is a very important gas element needed by living things on earth for the respiratory process. In addition, oxygen can also be used by humans to start fires.
Argon
Argon gas is a gas element that does not react easily with other elements. In the electrical industry, blue argon can be used with neon to fill fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps filled with argon can produce electricity that is more efficient than ordinary electric lamps.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas that is light, colorless, odorless, and non-flammable and can localize heat. Because of its non-flammable nature and can localize heat, humans use carbon dioxide to fill fire extinguishers. Carbon dioxide is also useful for plants as one of the raw materials for the photosynthesis process.
Neon
Neon is a noble gas element that is colorless, odorless and does not easily react with other elements. In the electricity industry, neon together with argon can be used to manufacture energy-efficient fluorescent lamps, and can also be used as an indicator for measuring high voltages. Neon can also be used in medicine to see X-ray results.
Helium
Helium is a noble gas that is very light, even lighter than air. Helium can be used to fill gas balloons and hot air balloons. In addition, helium can also be used as fuel in rocket engines.
Ozone
Gas element ozone is the most effective gas used to kill germs (disinfectant) in water. Giving ozone to the water can increase the oxygen levels in the water so that the water becomes healthier and fresher.
Ozone can also be used to kill germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, cysts, moss, and various other harmful organic substances that can harm health.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen has many functions for human life, one of which can be used as a clean energy source because it does not leave harmful gas emissions (pollutants). Hydrogen can also be used as rocket fuel energy. Hydrogen can also be used as a raw material for making plastics, polyester, and nylon.
Krypton
The element krypton is used by humans for the purposes of making light bulbs and photography. The element krypton can be combined with other elements such as argon to produce a sheen and bright white light. Krypton can also be used to charge energy-efficient incandescent lamps.
Xenon
Xenon gas has properties such as argon, neon, and krypton, which is a noble gas group that is colorless, odorless, and does not react with other elements. Therefore, xenon can also be used in the electrical and chemical industries.
Methane
Methane is a gas that is very dangerous but also have the benefit of a very besar.Karakteristik methane is explosive and is toxic when inhaled directly. Based on research, methane gas can be used as a renewable alternative energy source that can replace fossil fuel energy.
Layers of the earth's atmosphere have a very important function for planet earth.
Here is the function:
- Keeping the earth's temperature so that it always stays warm even at night.
- The ozone layer in the atmosphere can prevent radiation from the sun, especially excessive ultraviolet rays that harm the life of living things on earth.
- Protects the earth from falling celestial bodies due to the influence of the earth's gravity.
- Supplying various types of gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and others needed by humans, animals, and plants for their survival on earth.
- Where the formation of weather changes, such as changes in clouds, wind, rainfall, storms, typhoons, snow, and others.
- A place for reflecting radio waves to facilitate human communication on earth.
Various Things That Damage the Earth's Atmosphere and Its Solutions
Given the very importance of the existence of the earth's atmosphere for life on earth, then we as human beings who are virtuous and intelligent have an obligation to protect our earth's atmosphere from damage.
Because a lot of human behavior, both intentional and unintentional, has caused damage to the earth's atmosphere. Here are some human actions that can damage the earth's atmosphere.
Forest fires
Forest fires can increase the temperature rise on the earth's surface, due to the increase in carbon dioxide gas.
Exhaust gas emissions from factories and vehicles
High levels of smoke generated by factories and motorized vehicles can increase carbon dioxide levels in the air
Illegal logging and shifting cultivation
Illegal logging and shifting cultivation can cause deforestation. Deforestation in addition to causing floods, landslides, and forest fires, can also cause reduced levels of oxygen in the air. Reduced oxygen in the air will increase the level of carbon dioxide in the air.
Smoke from burning garbage
Actions that we do not realize have damaged the earth's atmosphere is burning garbage. The smoke generated by the garbage has increased the level of carbon dioxide in the air.
Smoking
Smoking is an act that for some people, especially men, is a fun activity and can relieve stress. But do we know the danger? Yes, in addition to endangering health in the form of damage to the respiratory tract, smoking can also damage the environment. The smoke that comes from burning cigarettes can actually increase the level of carbon dioxide in the air.
If some of the above behaviors continue to be allowed, it will damage the ozone layer, thereby thinning the earth's atmosphere, as a result, solar radiation and ultraviolet rays are difficult to avoid. The composition of the various gases mentioned above may change. As a result, these gases do not provide benefits to life on earth, but can be a threat and catastrophe for living things on earth.
Then, what actions should be taken by us to save our earth's atmosphere? Here are steps we can take to save our earth's atmosphere:
- Save the forest by not burning forests, shifting fields or illegal logging.
- Each factory must have a filter to filter smoke or exhaust gases so as to reduce air pollution in the form of carbon dioxide.
- Every vehicle must pass an emission test to prevent pollution due to carbon dioxide.
- Everyone must have awareness to live healthy and care about the environment by stopping smoking.
- Reduce the amount of use of fossil fuels to reduce carbon dioxide.
- Implement a million tree planting program and reforestation movement.
- Reduce consumption of meat to reduce the increase in methane gas in the air.
If everyone already has the awareness to love health, then he will also have the awareness to love the environment. Positive human behavior on earth, will provide sustainability in the earth's atmosphere, but also on planet earth.