Atmosphere
Introduction
The gaseous envelope which surrounds the earth is called atmosphere. The
atmospheric envelope gets thinner or less dense with height and fades away completely
about 800km above the ground, where atmosphere ends. But 99% of the atmosphere is
concentrated in the lower 30 km.
One can survive without food for few weeks, without water for three days, but without
air only for five minutes. It serves as heat regulator; balancing earth temperature from
excessive heat by absorbing and scattering solar radiation. It maintains the temperature,
so that neither excessive heat in the day hours or excessive cold in the night hours
affect us. It works like an umbrella which protects the earth and its biotic elements from
the harmful ultraviolet rays, x-rays, cosmic rays as well as the meteoroids. It helps in
circulation of material and energy within the atmospheric envelope through its own
motion. Aided by the atmosphere, sound can be heard, Sun and Moon can be viewed in
luminosity and the stars can glitter in the sky at night. Due to its impact the sky is seen
as blue, and we see the splendour of sunset.
Gases, water vapor and particulate matters are the main constituents of atmosphere.
Nitrogen and oxygen constitute 99% volume of the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is very
important because of its ability to absorb heat. Ozone is another important gas, which
can also absorb ultraviolet radiation. Nitrogen in air enters in to nitrogen cycle which
maintains nitrogen content of the soil.
There are two approaches to divide the atmosphere. On the basis of chemical
composition it is divided into two classes: homospheres- upto 80 km vertically and
heterosphere – above 80 km. In other case on the basis of thermal profile it is divided
into four: Troposphere- Up to 10 km, Stratosphere- 10-50 km, Mesosphere- 50- 80km,
Thermosphere- above 80 km.
Weather and climate:
Weather is the instantaneous state of the atmosphere, or the sequence of the states of
the atmosphere as time passes. Weather can be defined as the condition of the
atmosphere at any given time and place.
Climate may be defined as the average condition of the weather based upon statistics
collected over a period of minimum thirty years. Climatology is the study of climate.
Climate lies at the heart of physical geography. Climate influences vegetation, soils,
landforms, and water resources, and many human activities as well.
Weather & climatic conditions are determined by six major elements:
Air temperature, air pressure, humidity of the air, amount and kind of cloud cover,
amount and kind of precipitation, and speed and direction of the wind. Weather
condition for any region or for the whole planet can be charted on a weather map
containing information about all six of these factors.
The six elements determining weather conditions result from the interaction of four
basic physical elements the Sun, the earth's atmosphere, the earth itself, and Nature of
landforms on the earth's surface.
In this context to know about the atmosphere and weather & climate particular,
exploring different aspects of weather elements, air pollution and its impact on global
climatic scenario of global warming and climate change are very important .
Carbon and Climate Change
Carbon is an important component cycling in atmosphere, terrestrial and oceanic
systems of the earth. Carbon dioxide released by the respiration of all living organisms
is taken up by plants in the process of photosynthesis, in which the carbon is fixed as
organic matter and the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. When carbon in
losses respiratory and non-respiratory processes are taken into account in terrestrial
biosphere, including fires, harvests/removals, erosion and export of dissolved organic
carbon by rivers to the oceans, the rest of the accumulated carbon goes for long-term
(decadal) storage. Thus carbon moves in complex chemical and physical transfers from
sources, or reservoirs, where carbon is released, to sinks, where carbon is taken up.
Earth's atmosphere, ocean, land, and living things can be both sources and sinks of
carbon. In Earth's atmosphere, CO2 is only about 0.03% by volume, but it is an
important "greenhouse" gas. It traps in the lower atmosphere much of the heat radiated
from the Earth's surface thereby maintaining the earth’s radiation budget. However
concentrations of CO2 have been constantly increasing due to CO2 emissions from
burning of fossil fuel, deforestation and large scale disturbance of land for urbanization.
Due to increasing CO2 concentrations, the global average surface temperature (the average of
near surface air temperature over land, and sea surface temperature) has increased since 19 th
century. Over the 20th century the increase has been 0.6 ± 0.2°C. India also witnessed a
warming trend at a rate 0.6°C per century. In the state of Andhra Pradesh temperatures
even rose to 48.9°C during May 2002, resulting in the highest one-week death toll on
record. A number of environmental catastrophes have been consequently triggered as result of
the climate variability. The initial impacts are tangible across the world including the decrease
of artic ice caps and disappearance of several vulnerable species. Current research across the
world is targeted over potential carbon sequestration mechanism to mitigate this climate change
caused by CO2 rise. Not only that in may cases it is link with local condition also like
temperature inversion.
Project 1.
Monitoring weather though mini weather station:
Monitoring weather is most pivotal in all studies on earth. Children may develop their
own low cost weather station in the school and monitor weather.
Objective: To measure different parameters of weather by the children in connection
with different projects.
Materials required:
One ordinary alcohol thermometer, one funnel, one measuring cylinder, one convex
lens, one ordinary scale (ordinary geometry box scale), two rubber balls,
bamboo/wood/plastic stick
Methods:
1. The alcohol thermometer can be used for measuring the temperature at any
moment. The children can take the reading at different intervals of time and
keep record to have a temperature profile of any place.
2. The same thermometer can be used for measurement of the relative humidity by
making the thermometer as a wet bulb thermometer by putting a small piece of
wick or thin cotton cloth over the thermometer bulb after soaking in water (just
soak the piece of cloth in water and put around the thermometer bulb and take
the reading after 4-5 minutes). From the reading of dry bulb thermometer
(without applying wick or wet cloth) and the wet bulb thermometer, the relative
humidity can be calculated by using standard chart or the formula given in the
text book.
3. A rain gauge can be prepared by putting a funnel over a measuring cylinder.
Rain drops falling on the funnel will be collected in the cylinder. Measure the
area of the funnel and calculate the rain per unit area in that place during a
particular period.
4. With the help of a convex lens try to make a burn spot on a piece of paper, note
the time required for development of the spot and the distance of the lens from
the paper (this is the focal length of the lens) on any sunny day. Take burn spots
on similar paper at different time placing the lens over the paper at the same
distance for same time, the size of the burn spot will give indirect measure of
intensity of sunshine.
5. Make a wind measuring instrument by two balls into halves fixing them at the
end of a cross made of bamboo/wood/plastic stick and make a suitable device
for free rotation of the cross. By noting the rotations per unit time, the wind
speed can be measured.
6. Make a cloud chart as given in Annexure – 1, make one copy on transparent
sheet and a number of copies on white paper. Look at the sky at a particular
angle in a particular direction from a particular place and note the cloud position
in the chart.
Application: The measurements of different parameters of the weather, one can
undertake few projects like I.
Study the correlation among different parameters of weather
(temperature, relative humidity, intensity of sunshine, air flow etc.) from
the data obtained in the mini weather monitoring station and also with
the secondary data collected from weather station, weather report from
newspaper / Radio / TV, compare the predicted and actual weather
conditions.
II.
III.
IV.
Study the general weather parameters in different places (for example
forest area, agricultural field, industrial area, urban residential area etc.)
and try to correlate the weather conditions with the surrounding
conditions.
Study the changes in behaviour / reactions of plants and animals
(including human) with changes in different parameters of the weather
(temperature / relative humidity / sunshine / rain fall etc.).
Study the changes of weather pattern of a particular place over a period
of time (with the help of secondary data obtained from a dependable
source) and the changes in physical environment of the area and also its
impact on agricultural and other practices in the area.
Project 2.
Study of the seasonal variation weather parameters and its
association with local agricultural practices
Introduction
The variation of weather situation in different time frame is basically called as the
seasonality. This seasonality has lots of association with agricultural practices,
because weather situation of an area basically determines the different situation of
land, soil and water parameters required for such practices. These sets of
information can provide us problems and prospects of an area from the agricultural
perspectives in relation to weather.
Objectives:

To study the seasonal variability of weather parameters and farmers responses
to it designing the agricultural practices of the area.
Methodology:
Data base:
Weather elements:

The secondary weather data can be collected from the different sources (as
mentioned in project -1. )

For primary data can collected on the basis of tips mentioned in the project 1.
Agriculture practice related information:

For such purpose one may adopt method of social surveying on the basis of
interviewing techniques,
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For such purpose a pre-designed schedule of question is necessary, where
question must be short and specific,

Such information can be collected from the local people who have the
experience of agricultural practices, like elderly farmers of the village, etc.
Compilation of data:

The collected data can be compiled in two separate table one is for the weather
related information and other is for agricultural practice related information.

Now try to draw seasonality relation (as in table given below) incorporating
both the information.
Conclusion:

Try to correlate the association between weather situation and agricultural
activity,

Identify pattern of change in weather situation and its impact on agricultural
activity.
Project 3.
Study of the pattern of monsoonal rainfall:
Monsoon is always in reference to the seasonally shifting winds in the Indian Ocean
and surrounding regions, including the Arabian Sea. These winds blow from the
southwest during one half of the year and from the northeast during the other. There
are seasonal changes which are particularly noticed as northeast winds prevailing in
the winter in the Southeast Asia and southwest winds in the summer. The Asian
monsoon, which affects the Indian subcontinent and southeast part of the Asia, is
probably the most noted of the monsoons.
Recent changes of weather and particularly phenomenon of
El Nino or La Nina
may have impact on rainfall regime in the monsoon period. Therefore study of the
rainfall pattern of an area during the monsoon season may help us to understand the
rainfall regime and changing scenario in a better way.
Objectives:
To study the rainfall pattern of an area in the monsoon season.
Methodology:

Collect the secondary data of rainfall of the study area at least for last 10 to
15 years (more numbers of years provide better information).

Now try to find out the trend against taking monthly averages, number of
rainy days per months, etc.

Interpret your analysis and find out anomalies if any.
Project 4.
Estimation of carbon stock by herbs and grass in school campus or in
residential locations.
Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is fixed by plants in the process of photosynthesis
and converted to carbohydrates. This is called Gross Primary Productivity (GPP),
which is carbon assimilation by photosynthesis ignoring photorespiration. Terrestrial
GPP has been estimated to be 120 Giga ton Carbon /year (Giga is 109). Annual plant
growth is the difference between photosynthesis and autotrophic respiration (Ra), and is
referred to as net primary production (NPP). NPP is the fraction of GPP resulting in
plant growth, and can be measured through sequential harvesting or by measuring plant
biomass, provided turnover of all components (e.g., fine roots) is included. Global
terrestrial NPP has been estimated to be 60 Giga ton C/yr, that is, about half of GPP is
incorporated in new plant tissue. The other half is returned to the atmospheric as CO2
by autotrophic respiration, that is, respiration by plant tissues. Thus Plant biomasses
sequester carbon produced due to human activities by the process of photosynthesis.
Hence estimation of plant biomass will quantify the amount of carbon sequestered by
the plant in a given area.
Objectives
To estimate the density of herbs (grass, weeds and other small plants) in a given plot of
desired size.
To estimate the plant biomass in the given plot
To find out the available carbon stock in the biomass of the plant
Materials requirement
Data sheets, measuring tape, rope, poles, collection bag, balance for weighing
Methodology
1.
2.
3.
4.
Select the area 1 square kilometer or 500 meter square
Lay quadrats of 5m X 5m or 2m X2m in different types vegetation
Identify and number the plants in the quadrats
Harvest the plants
5. Dry the plants in sunlight
6. Find out weight of the dried plant
7. Uses the appropriate equation to quantify carbon stock in the plant
biomass.
Conclusion:
On the basis of your observation try to find out some plant species ideal as
carbon sink.
Project 5
Study of the impact of Climate Change on spatial and temporal
variation on vegetation
With the increase in the carbon and aerosol concentration in the atmosphere there has
been considerable increase in the global temperature resulting to global climatic
change.
In order to understand the impacts of this warming and global climatic change on
different species and their interrelationship the spatial and temporal variation in and
around the school or the other nearby locality could be taken up.
Methodology






Collect the Survey of India Topographical map [on 1:50,000 scale]of the study
area
Collect meteorological data on temperature and rainfall of the study
Extract contours and few landmark/places. If necessary the map can be zoomed
Collect the literature and undertake questionnaire from the elderly farmers about
the type of vegetation and agricultural crop grown in different
location/altitudinal zones. Prepare maps with respect to the literature or
questionnaire from the farmers.
Undertake field visits, observe the type and species grown and different
altitudes, prepare a map
Compare and note the changes
This approach may be adopted the see any changes or the transgression of
species in non traditional areas to relate with the climate change.
Conclude the findings.
Project 6.
Damage estimation of crops due to frost effects:
In the high altitudinal area there are ample amount of forts development due to low
temperature. This phenomenon to large extent exerts impacts on crop. It is possible to
observe the impact in different situation in relation control with an objective to identify
ways for alternative approaches to reduce the damage.
Methodology






Identify a crop or vegetable species usually grown in the period of your study,
which may also, required comparatively short duration in growth.
Now plan it in two different locations, one is in open air situation and another
is in indoor situation.
Now observe the growth pattern along with other phonological aspects daily
and record it.
In such case one can collect the information like height, Garth, number of leafs,
flowers (if any) etc. along with assessment damage in different parts( like
number of leaf damage, leaf area damage, etc.).
Compare the collected information in both the situation (open air and in door),
try assess the probable reason behind the situation.
On the basis of this observation try to identify some alternative approaches to
over come the situation and make some trial with that.
Significance:
It may helps to understand magnitude of damage due to such weather condition and
help to identify some alternative way to over come the damage.
Project 7.
Economic analysis of climatic change on agriculture
Introduction
Indian economy is highly depends on agriculture and associated sector. There is a direct
relationship existing between the country’s economy and its climate. A drastic change
in climatic pattern is one of the major reasons for the production loss. Since many of
the rural population is still depends on agriculture, an economic evaluation of the
agriculture yield with the climatic condition of an area will give a clear cut idea about
the present status of cultivation. This in turn accounts for the need of change in
cropping pattern and change in varieties.
Objectives
To evaluate the relation ship between climatic condition and agriculture.
To suggest appropriate cropping pattern and variety for a local climatic condition.
Methods
Find your nearest agriculture area
A questionnaire survey has to be conducted with farmers and agriculturists to evaluate
the annual production rate, status of cultivation etc
Data from village offices, Krishibhavans and farmer’s co operative societies has to be
collected and total annual production rate evaluated for more than two years.
Meteorological data has to be collected from the nearest meteorological station for the
same period.
A comparative economic analysis will be done between rate of production and the
variation in climate.
Find out the trend between the climate change and agriculture production rate.
Give alternative cropping pattern and varieties which will cop with the condition.
Project 8.
Study on Traditional calendar system, agricultural cycle and weather
conditions.
Many tribal and other ethnic groups of India have their own calendar system (like
among the Nishis of Arunachal Pradesh and Dimasa of Assam). This calendar is
designed with the seasonal variation of different weather elements as well as time
plan for agricultural activities. Therefore study of such calendar systems in relation
to weather elements can reveals different aspects impact of seasonality on
agricultural activities.
Objectives:
To study the traditional calendar systems of the indigenous ethnic groups and find
out its relevance with pattern of weather elements along with the agricultural
activities.
Methodology:

Collect the information of traditional calendar system through interview
with village elders, priest, and other persons who have knowledge about the
particular groups.

Consultation of literature on that group of people to know about background
of such practices.

Collection of secondary information on weather elements from reliable
sources.

Collection information on general people knowledge about the calendars
and its uses through survey.

Correlate the weather elements distribution pattern on English calendar and
traditional calendar and find out the relevance with agricultural practices.
Conclusion:
Draw conclusion on the aspects of relevance of such calendar systems in
agricultural planning.
Project 8.
Observation of thunderstorm and assessing its impact on human
activity
A thunderstorm is a local storm, invariably produced by cumulonimbus
clouds, that always is accompanied by lightning and thunder. Severe
Thunderstorms, commonly known as Bordoloichila in Assamese, or
Kalbaisakhi in Bengali, are results of outburst of severe local convective clouds
and are a common feature of the weather in the pre-monsoon season (March to
May) in the eastern and north-eastern part of our country.
From this perspectives children can undertakes some project in the area of prerequisite condition for occurrences of the phenomenon, pattern in occurrences by
observing variation of lighting and sound and assessing the damage due to it along
with level of awareness on it.
Objective:
To understand the situation where such phenomenon occurs, what is spread in the
locality and extends of damage due to it.
Methodology:

Collecting information on humidity and temperature of the period of
occurrences, along with observation of clouds.

Observation and recording of the timing of lighting and thunder (sounds),
estimating distances upon it.

Preparing a possible area of influence on the basis above information taking
only aerial distances.

Identification of area of damage and assessing the magnitude of damage on
the basis of impact survey using schedule of question for interview and
observation sheets.
Interpretation:

Correlate all the collected information with the phenomenon and try to
find out some clue make strategy for mitigation.
Project 9.
Hazard damage mapping
Introduction
Hazards are extreme situation, makes threats to life and property. Threats to
livelihood. Disaster is a potential risk to these events. Impact of disaster
phenomenon is the product of Hazards and Vulnerability.
It can be expressed as,
Risk = Hazards (Vulnerability – Capital/Capacity)
Where, Hazards = ∑ TH, MH
Vulnerability =∑ SNC, SPC, SFC, SSC, SHC
( TH – Type of hazards, MH- Magnitude of Hazards, SNC – Status Natural Capital,
SPC – Status Physical Capital, SFC – Status of Financial Capital, SSC- Status
Social Capital , SHC – Status of Human Capital)
Natural Hazard: When it is occurs due to natural phenomenon/forces is called as
Natural Hazard.
Therefore from these perspectives it is very much essential to make an assessment of
damage of such phenomenon.
Objectives:

To identify the area of damage and plot it in the local map.

In case of map one can use cadastral map or municipal area ward map or topographical map with adequate enlargements.

Conduct damage assessment survey in the area covering different aspects of
damage, like damage of housing, cropping area and crops, household
infrastructure/ gadgets, lost of animal, lost human life, damage to human body,
displacement of human being, lost of occupation, lost public property like
schools, well, road, electricity transmission line etc.

Try to quantify the damage on the basis of quantum and magnitude of damage.

Try to make grading scale and put some score for it and sum up with total score
and transferred the information to map.
Interpretation:

Interpret the spatial pattern and make some strategy of mitigation on the basis
of information already collected.
Project 10.
Assessment of air quality
Introduction
Assessing air quality is a basic requirement for assessing the extent of air pollution in a
particular area. There are standard methods for determination of air qualities or extent
of air pollution and there are many recognized laboratories where such analysis is being
done. But all children cannot have access to those laboratories. Instead of going to
standard laboratories where measurements are done by costly equipments, children can
develop some innovative method for assessing the air quality where by they can
understand many more things.
1. Content of sulphur di oxide in the air can be assessed by observing lichen in
trees (lichens are considered as bio indicator of sulphur di oxide). Comparative
picture of sulphur di oxide content in air in different places can be developed by
studying lichens in similar trees in those places.
2. Content of Sulphur di oxide also affects the physical property of rubber. So by
observing the physical quality of a stretched rubber band (not polymer bands) in
different places a comparative picture of sulphur di oxide content can be drawn.
3. Content of carbon di oxide in air can be estimated (qualitatively) by using lime
water and a pneumatic pump (aquarium air pump will do). One can take some
quantity of clear lime water in a test tube and pass air in that by using a
pneumatic pump for some time, the lime water will become milky. By
comparing the milkyness developed in different places (an industrial area, bus
stand, forest, residential area etc.) by passing air for same time a comparative
picture of carbon di oxide content can be drawn.
4. A simple instrument for measuring suspended particles in air can be made by
using a pneumatic pump. Put a pneumatic pump in a plastic box as shown in the
figure given below. Arrangement should be made for fixing a nylon cloth under
cap so that when the pump is operated, air is sucked through the nylon cloth and
pass out through the air outlet. The increase in weight of the nylon cloth before
and after running the pump (for few hours) will give a measure of suspended
particles in the air.
Project 11
Study of impact of the weather condition on animal:
Introduction
‘Summer-sterility’ is a very common finding in buffaloes. The heat affects the
hormonal profile causing increase in the stress level. These levels in turn suppress
the fertility in buffaloes, and they go sterile during hot summer months.
Similarly, high levels of humidity present in the poultry farms affect respiratory
system and this in turn causes drop in egg production.
Objective
To study the effect of weather parameters on the production profile of domestic
animals:
A. To study the effect of weather changes on milk production:
B. To study the effect of changes in weather and / or farm conditions on egg
production / live weight gain:
Methodology:
1. Visit to the farms (dairy / poultry, as the case may be) at least 10 in number.
2. Collect information on breeds (pure exotic / crossbreed / indigenous in case of
cattle) and buffaloes, and poultry.
3. Find out the number of animals and their age groups.
4. Identify the test group by way of knowing number of animals in production and
from the same age group. (Each group should have the animals from more or
less same age group so as to avoid any error on that ground).
5. Collect information on feed and water consumption per day.
6. Record production of milk (in liters), eggs (in number), and live weight gain (in
grams) per day.
7. At the same time observe and record daily temperatures and relative humidity.
8. In general, the recordings of these observations are to be made for nothing less
than a period of one month.
9. Tabulate the results under weather and production parameters. The same can
also be shown in graphical representation.
10. Conclusion and inference would be based on the correlation established from
the data analyzed.