Our Atmosphere

We do it the moment we are born until the moment we die.
Breathing. We do it over 17,000 times a day and think nothing of it.
We live at the bottom of this ocean of air.
But what is it?

Our atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround our planet and held in place by gravity.

Here are the different layers of our atmosphere

Composition of the Atmosphere

Air is made up of several gases. Nitrogen accounts for about 78% of what we breath. Oxygen accounts for about 21%. Argon accounts for about 0.93% and carbon dioxide for about 0.04%. There are tiny amounts of other gases in the atmosphere along with water vapor, about 0.04% over the entire Earth.

What Else Are We Breathing?

Besides the normal gases that we are breathing, air contains many microscopic particles. These include germs, bacteria, viruses, dust, pollutants, microscopic parts of insects, skin, scales, aerosols, molds, pollens and many other microscopic organisms and chemicals.

I know! Makes you want to hold your breath!

Stay calm and keep on breathing, my friends!

All pictures are free to use and share.