Skip to main content

How does Earth maintain a constant level of oxygen?



It doesn’t! The oxygen level of the planet has varied quite dramatically in the last 500 million years. It was 35 per cent during the Carboniferous period, around 300 million years ago; as the climate, cooled and land plants died off, oxygen fell to as low as 12 per cent by the beginning of the Triassic. Back then, the air at sea level would have felt thinner than at the top of the Alps today.


Burning fossil fuels has reduced oxygen levels very slightly – about 0.057 per cent over the last 30 years. Deforestation only has a small effect because when rainforest is cut down, other plants are usually grown in its place. But it’s marine phytoplankton (plant plankton), rather than trees, that produces about 75 per cent of atmospheric oxygen. Global warming will have a significant impact on phytoplankton, which is a much more serious threat to oxygen levels. 



Comments

Most visited

Sahitya Akademi Award: India’s Highest Literary Honor

Introduction The Sahitya Akademi Award is one of India’s most prestigious literary awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to Indian literature. Established in 1954 by the Sahitya Akademi (India’s National Academy of Letters) , this award celebrates writers across 24 Indian languages , including English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and more. In this blog post, we explore: ✔ History and significance of the Sahitya Akademi Award ✔ Eligibility and selection process ✔ Notable winners and their works ✔ Controversies and impact on Indian literature 1. What is the Sahitya Akademi Award? 🏆 Award Overview Given for: Poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and literary criticism. Prize: ₹1 lakh (revised periodically), a plaque, and a shawl. Languages Covered: 24 officially recognized Indian languages (including Sanskrit and English). 📜 History & Significance Founded in 1954 to promote Indian literature. First awarded in 1955 to Makkhan Lal Chaturvedi (Hindi) and R. K. Narayan (En...

The Future at Your Fingertips: A Complete Guide to 3D Printing Technology

Introduction Imagine being able to design and manufacture anything from a coffee mug to a car part—right from your desk. Thanks to 3D printing (additive manufacturing) , this is now a reality. From healthcare to aerospace, this revolutionary technology is transforming industries and empowering creators worldwide. In this blog post, we’ll explore: ✔ What 3D printing is and how it works ✔ Different types of 3D printing technologies ✔ Real-world applications changing industries ✔ The future of additive manufacturing 1. What Is 3D Printing? 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process where objects are built layer by layer from digital 3D models. Unlike traditional manufacturing (which cuts or molds material), 3D printing adds material only where needed , reducing waste. How It Works: Design – Create a 3D model using CAD software (e.g., TinkerCAD, Fusion 360). Slice – Software (like Cura) converts the model into thin printable layers. Print – The 3D printer deposits materi...

⚕️ World Radiology Day 🌍

📅 Observed: November 8 🔬 Celebrating the Power of Medical Imaging World Radiology Day is celebrated every year on November 8 to mark the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895—a revolutionary moment that transformed medicine forever. Organized globally by the International Society of Radiology (ISR) and national radiological societies, this day honors radiologists, radiographers, and imaging technologists who play a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment across all branches of medicine. 🧠 Why Radiology Matters Radiology is far more than just X-rays. It includes: CT scans MRI Ultrasound Nuclear medicine Interventional radiology These techniques are non-invasive , accurate, and life-saving , aiding in the early detection of cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions , and countless other ailments. 🎯 2025 Theme: “Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: Enhancing Human Insight” This year’s theme explores the role of AI an...