Sources of Oxygen

Where and how is the element naturally found?

Oxygen is extensively found in a lot of sources of nature. Oxygen can be found in water. As we know, water s also known as H20, which means that water is a combination of 1 part oxygen and 2 parts hydrogen. Thus, water contains Oxygen. That's how Fish and other aquatic creatures breathe. They breathe in Water and their body separates the hydrogen atoms from the oxygen atoms. When we are near any trees or green plants we are definitely in presence of Oxygen. Because as we may all know that trees breathe out Oxygen and take in Carbon-Dioxide (CO2). Thus, the Oxygen breathe out by Oxygen accumulates around its surroundings and slowly moves on to some other place. Therefore, when we are near trees or plants, we are surrounded by Oxygen and only a small amount of other gases. Oxygen is found in the bloodstream of all living animals. Human body contains a considerable amount of Oxygen.

What is the relative abundance of Oxygen in nature?
The Isotopic abundance of Oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is 99.759%.

How is Oxygen isolated or obtained from it's natural form?

*What is the name of the process used to extract Oxygen?

Oxygen is mainly found in the air, which means its almost everywhere. Oxygen is extracted from air by changing it into a liquid state. This process is usually known as fractional distillation of air. German physicist Karl P.G von Linde pioneered the liquefaction of air(Oxygen) for the first time. Georges Claude also devised machines in 1902 by himself, for the liquefaction and distillation of air. During this process air is contained and then put through a variety of purification, heat, temperature and some other steps. At the end of the distillation a few gases including Nitrogen is distilled leaving liquid Oxygen. Oxygen also produced through multiple fractionation is 99.5% pure, which is sufficient for most industrial applications. Oxygen is then distributed through steel cylinders, or pipelines to places that needs Oxygen to perform various tasks. Liquid Oxygen is stored in special tanks, that can hold Oxygen at its normal temperatures and away from its boiling point. Oxygen could also be extracted from water using Electrolysis. It can be extracted also by conducting Thermal Decomposition of Peroxides.

Cryogenic Air Separation Plant

Therefore, the processes used to extract Oxygen is called fractional distillation, multiple fractionation, Electrolysis and Thermal Decomposition of Peroxides. Some other ways in which Oxygen can be produced are Cryogenic Air Separation and Pressure Swing Absorption. (psa)