What Regulates The Ratio Of Gases In The Atmosphere?

What Regulates The Ratio Of Gases In The Atmosphere?

The atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and the remaining 1% is carbon dioxide and other gases - but what has caused this composition?


Asked by: Jonathan Lodge, Doncaster

In a word, life. The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, are maintained by natural cycles driven by living organisms. For example, oxygen is created by plants via photosynthesis, as they convert carbon dioxide and water into energy using sunlight. Within the last 10,000 years or so, humans have also begun to affect the mix of atmospheric gases, notably boosting levels of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.

© Getty Images