Oxygen: The Breath of Life — Sources, Consumers, and India's Role

By Shivanta Foundation

Oxygen — an invisible element, yet the most vital for life on Earth. Every breath we take is a reminder of nature's priceless gift. But how often do we pause to think about where this oxygen comes from, who or what consumes it, and what we’re doing in India to protect it?

How Much Oxygen Do Humans Need?

A healthy adult requires nearly 550–600 liters of oxygen per day. That means in one year, one person needs over 200,000 liters of oxygen! Multiply that by India’s population of over 1.4 billion — and the need for sustainable oxygen sources becomes critical.

Who Produces the Oxygen We Breathe?

Oxygen is not just produced by trees, but through various natural systems, especially:

1. Oceanic Phytoplankton (50–70%)

These microscopic marine plants are the lungs of our planet, responsible for more than half of Earth's oxygen. Though invisible, they are constantly at work in our oceans.

2. Forests and Trees (30–40%)

A single mature tree can produce enough oxygen annually to support two adult humans. This makes afforestation and forest preservation crucial.

3. Other Sources

·        Grasses and Plants: Including crops and wild vegetation.

·        Cyanobacteria & Algae: Especially in lakes and water bodies.

·        Snow & Ice Algae: Even in Himalayan regions, oxygen is produced in small amounts.

Who Consumes Oxygen? (Living & Non-Living Consumers)

It’s not just humans who rely on oxygen.

Living Organisms:

·        Humans and Animals: For cellular respiration.

·        Microorganisms: In soil and water, especially during decay.

·        Plants: At night, plants also respire and consume some oxygen.

Non-Living Systems:

·        Combustion Engines: Vehicles, factories, generators — all consume oxygen and emit CO₂.

·        Fires: Wildfires and even small-scale burning (crop stubble, wood, garbage).

·        Industrial Processes: Like metal smelting, chemical reactions, etc.

Oxygen Production Sources in India

India has rich natural ecosystems that contribute to atmospheric oxygen:

1. Forests & Green Cover

·        Sundarbans (West Bengal): World’s largest mangrove forest.

·        Western Ghats & Himalayas: Biodiverse green lungs of India.

·        Urban Forest Projects: Cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune promoting mini-forests.

2. Agriculture & Grasslands

·        Wheat, rice, and sugarcane fields across India also play a role in oxygen generation during the day.

3. Water Bodies

·        India’s coastline and river systems support algae and phytoplankton that silently generate oxygen.

Threats to Oxygen Sources in India

·        Deforestation for urbanization and mining.

·        Pollution in oceans and rivers affecting phytoplankton.

·        Air pollution and CO₂ emissions from vehicles and industry.

·        Open burning of waste and crop residues.

Earth's Surface Composition & Oxygen Production

• Total Surface Area of Earth:

  • 🌊 70% Ocean (approx. 361 million sq. km)

  • 🌍 30% Land (approx. 149 million sq. km)

Oxygen Production Ratio (Area-wise)

Despite covering 70% of Earth's surface, oceans produce 50–70% of the world’s oxygen, mainly through phytoplankton and marine algae.

• Ocean Contribution:

🧫 Phytoplankton and marine cyanobacteria use sunlight to perform photosynthesis, just like trees, releasing massive amounts of oxygen.

• Land Contribution:

🌳 Forests, grasslands, crops, and other green plants produce 30–40% of oxygen through photosynthesis.

Why Oceans Are More Efficient (Area vs. Output)

• Oceanic phytoplankton are microscopic, fast-growing, and spread over vast areas, covering huge volumes of water.

• Forests and plants on land occupy only 30% of the surface, and not all of that is green or photosynthetically active (e.g., deserts, urban areas).

  
  

  Conclusion

  Even though oceans cover 70% of Earth, their oxygen production is proportionate to their area — often producing more oxygen per sq. km than land due to the sheer abundance of microscopic marine life.

  Protecting oceans is just as critical as planting trees — both are lungs of the Earth.

  Shivanta Foundation's Role

  At Shivanta Foundation, we believe protecting our oxygen sources is non-negotiable. Our initiatives like:

  ·        "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" 🌳: Encouraging people to plant and nurture trees in their mother’s name.

  ·        Urban Mini-Forest Projects

  ·        Awareness Campaigns in Schools & Villages

  ·        Sparrow Houses & Eco-Habitats

  are all aimed at rebalancing the oxygen cycle and creating a greener, healthier India.

What You Can Do

·        Plant native trees and avoid unnecessary cutting.

·        Support wetland and river cleanups.

·        Reduce vehicle use, avoid burning plastic or crop waste.

·        Participate in local plantation drives.

Let’s not take our next breath for granted. Join us at Shivanta Foundation in protecting the invisible lifeline of our planet — Oxygen.

To participate or support our campaigns, visit www.shivantafoundation.org or

call - 9956888885