One of the most important components in the atmosphere of our planet is water. Water can be found in any of its three states (gas, liquid and solid). Normally, we call water in water vapor in the water and it is precisely one of the ways in which we find it in the air. This water vapor is what we call moisture and, although we are used to feeling it during the coldest days of winter, the truth is that it is part of the air at any temperature.
In this green ecology article, we talk about What is the importance of atmospheric moisture.
What is atmospheric humidity
As we said, it is called moisture to the amount of water that is part of the air. This amount of water vapor varies according to various factors as if there have been recent rainfall, proximity to the sea, presence of plants or air temperature.
The air temperature varies with its altitude inside the atmosphere, the lower this, its temperature will be lower and can house a lower amount of water vapor, since it saturates faster and is again liquid. That is why the vaho appears when we breathe or the dew at night. The warmest air of the desert are capable of hosting more water vapor than the polar, because it is slowerly saturated, preventing this water from passing to its liquid state.
How atmospheric moisture is measured and with what instrument
The Atmospheric humidity It can be measured in:
- Absolute humidity: It is the total mass of water steam in grams and contained in a cubic meter of air
- Specific humidity: water vapor mass measured in grams and contained in a kilogram of air.
- Reason for mixing: water vapor mass measured in grams and contained in a kilogram of dry air.
Despite this, the most used measure to assess moisture is relative humiditywhich is obtained by dividing the water vapor content of an air mass between its maximum storage capacity multiplied by 100. Therefore, relative humidity is a percentage. In this way, the higher the air temperature, the greater its relative humidity, since it can house more water vapor.
The instrument used to measure moisture is called Psychrometer or hygrometerand consists of two equal thermometers, one dry that measures the ambient temperature and another wet, which puts a moisturized telilla with a water tel.
Where does atmospheric water vapor come from
He Atmospheric water vapor It occurs mainly by two processes, evaporation and perspiration:
- The evaporation It is a process through which water passes from a liquid state to a gaseous state and returns to the atmosphere as water vapor. This process depends fundamentally on the ambient temperature and other climatic factors.
- The perspiration It is the process by which water passes from liquid to gaseous but through plants stomata. The degree of perspiration depends, therefore, on the characteristics of the plant species, its water conditions and the ambient temperature.
Therefore, the Atmospheric steam It comes from:
- Evaporation of the water of the oceans, seas, river and lakes.
- Evaporation of superficial water in the form of dew or frost.
- Perspiration of the outlets the stomata of their leaves.
Importance of moisture for plants
Atmospheric humidity is very important for all living beings that inhabit the planet. On the one hand, it allows its survival and on the other hand is responsible for as important processes as the formation of rainfall and therefore the benefits of the rains for our planet.
But, perhaps the process in which moisture is more important is In plant growth. An adequate level of environmental humidity allows photosynthesis in plants to be carried out. Also Allows plants not to evaporate and perspire so much water Through its stomata, which in turn causes the plant to lose less water, and are not so dependent on irrigation. In addition, by allowing photosynthesis, it also indirectly influences the other animals that feed thanks to this process.
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