Hi Experts.
As we know, we've CO? less than 1% in nature.
If all humans, even plants (exception - photosynthesis) they release CO?, so how can it be possible to have less than 1%?
I know it's consumed by plants during Photosynthesis, still it's impossible. Because we don't have so many plants/trees. If we've also but it's really not possible because we've 8.7 Billion population at present.
So how we've CO? less than 1%?
And then why we've Oxygen 21% if all humans consume it?
And why 78% Nitrogen is there? It's not useful to human. It's just a waste to nature.
Please answer all three doubts.
Just not understanding and it's creating a curiousity in my mind.
Dear student,
Please find below the answer:
The percentage of different gases in the atmosphere of earth is such that it maintains an ecosystem in which all living beings can survive. They are not less or more as you're saying. Any undesirable change in the composition of air will lead to environmental issues like pollution, global warming etc. Any other planet does not support life because the atmosphere there does not have a balanced amount of different gases needed for survival.
If carbon dioxide (which is CO2 and not CO) increases in air, it will become difficult for humans to survive. It is required by plants for photosynthesis and is a greenhouse gas whose amount should not exceed the permissible levels.
Let's take an example of alteration in the amount of carbon dioxide. Pollution, these days, is a result of an increase in the amount of gases like carbon dioxide by human activities. It is hazardous for humans as well as plants. All the percentages of gases in the atmosphere are appropriate and fixed and any change in these could be fatal for living organisms.
In the atmosphere, the concentration of nitrogen is about 78%. It is essential for plants. Nitrogen forms a structural component of many important molecules such as DNA, RNA, and other vitamins. But plants can't take up nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, hence, the cycling of usable nitrogen is important. If its concentration exceeds normal levels, the nitrogen cycle will be disrupted.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Regards.