2006-12-19 13:55:35 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
They say it was a ‘reducing’ atmosphere, one that did not contain free oxygen. It was supposed to have hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH4). It was supposed to be not until after plants had appeared that free oxygen was liberated, and most of the methane was crystallized at the bottom of the ocean, and most of the ammonia was fixed in the soil by bacteria. So that today we have mostly nitrogen and oxygen, with a little carbon dioxide.
20 DEC 06, 0309 hrs, GMT
2006-12-19 14:06:50 · answer #1 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth's Early Atmosphere and Oceans
Volcanic eruptions spewed gases from Earth's interior to the atmosphere, a process called outgassing that continues today. Most of the gas was carbon dioxide and water vapor. The water vapor condensed to form part of Earth's oceans as the surface cooled. Comets may also have contributed water and complex organic molecules to Earth's environments.
2006-12-19 22:04:49 · answer #2 · answered by Jeeves 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's easy--Read Genesis.
2006-12-19 22:05:50 · answer #3 · answered by saintcaroltobe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing a lot cleaner!
2006-12-19 22:02:49 · answer #4 · answered by art_tchr_phx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it was probably cleaner and way purer than it is today.
2006-12-19 22:02:44 · answer #5 · answered by mbardis22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only God knows this answer,and he has not seen fit to give the knowledge to me . ken
2006-12-19 22:03:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋