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Atmospheric Processes involve interactions of the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Atmospheric Processes are the result of complex Earth-Sun interactions and include weather and climate. Atmospheric Processes are the driving force behind global energy patterns. The term atmosphere comes from the Greek words atmos
meaning vapor and sphaira meaning sphere. Earth's atmosphere contains 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, a variable amount (average around 1%) water vapor, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and traces of hydrogen, helium, other "noble" gases, and volatile pollutants. Some of these pollutants are the result of anthropogenic processes. Oxygen is used by most organisms for respiration. Carbon dioxide is used by vascular plants, algae, and cynaobacteria for photosynthesis. Atmospheric Processes include energy transfer between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere in a variety of ways, including radiation, conduction, and convection; boundary layer processes in the lower atmosphere, where the atmosphere 'feels' the influence of Earth's surface; and cloud and radiation studies.
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey