Troposphere
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Description
The troposphere is that part of the atmosphere closest to the earth's surface. It is limited on the upper side by the tropopause, at altitudes from about 8 to 20 km, depending on the latitude and other factors.
Detailed description
The troposphere contains about 75 percent of the total gaseous mass of the atmosphere and almost all the aerosols and water vapour, except those emitted by stratospheric aircraft. It also contains most of the weather mechanisms, the most energetic of which are the convection cells. The lowest part of the troposphere is the planetary boundary layer, usually about 1 km ± 0.5 km deep, where the air movements are slowed and modified by the topography of the earth's surface. Most aerosols travel within the planetary boundary layer.
