Atmosphere Contents

1. Structure And Composition

Broadly, there should be a global balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Industrial burning

Respiration involves the recombination of oxygen and sugar (comprising carbon), producing carbon dioxide once again and releasing the energy stored in the sugar. Burning of coal, wood, gas and oil (mainly carbon) can only occur in the presence of oxygen. Both respiration and photosynthesis require a complex series of intermediate reactions but in global terms they can be considered components of the same cycle maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This balance can be altered through excessive burning of fossil fuels.

What processes change the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?