The Evolution of the Atmosphere

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  • Created by: Alise015
  • Created on: 04-05-16 22:33
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  • The Evolution of the Atmosphere
    • Phase 1
      • Volcanoes gave out gases.
      • Volcanoes gave out a lot of gas - Carbon dioxide, water vapour and a little bit of other gases.
        • The oceans formed when the water vapour condensed.
      • The  early atmosphere was most likely mostly Carbon Dioxide, with almost no oxygen
        • We can assume that that is what the atmospheres of Mars and Venus are today.
      • At first the earth's surface was molten for millions of years, any atmosphere just 'boiled away'
        • however later everything slightly cooled down, and a  thin crust was formed. Although volcanoes were still erupting.
    • Phase 2
      • A lot of the  early Carbon Dioxide dissolved into the oceans
        • Marine organisms developed, which took some of CO2.
          • When they died the organisms were buried under layers of sediment, and the CO2 was left in the carbonate rocks
      • Green plants evolved over most of the Earth.
        • They took in Carbon dioxide and let out Oxygen, which caused the oxygen levels to increase.
    • Phase 3
      • The oxygen build up, killed off a few organisms, that couldn't tolerate the oxygen
        • This allowed more complex organisms to be made
      • Oxygen also, created the ozone layer, which protects us from the harmful rays of the sun.
        • Allowed even more complex organisms to be created - eventually - us.
      • Very little amount of Carbon Dioxide is left in the atmosphere
        • Todays atmosphere consists of ;      78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Argon, 0.04% Carbon Dioxide, and the rest is other gases.

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