99% of atmospheric gases, including water vapor, extend only 30 km above earth's surface. These atmospheric gases include: nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dinoxide, and other various gases. Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor, and carbon dioxide are invisible. Ground bases smog is visible and contains reactants of nitrogen, VOC's, and ozone. Ozone is the primary ingrediant of smog. Nitrogen and oxygen concentrations experience little change, but carbon dioxide, methane, and oxides of nitrogen are greenhouse gases experiencing icreases in concentration. CO2 has risen more than 18% since 1958. This is mostly caused by fossil fuels. The atmosphere has 5 layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesophere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Another huge problem in the atmosphere is The Urban Heat Island Effect. This occurs when a metropolitan area is warmer than surronding areas, and it is primarily caused by modification of land surfaces in developments that use materials that retain heat. Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor stuck between air molecules. The air's ability to hold these molecules depends on the air temperature. The amount of water vapor compared to the amount the air can hold: 100%= air is saturated. Uneven heating of the earth;s surface causes some areas to be warmer than others.
