atmophile element
Geochemistry term for elements that tend to concentrate in the atmosphere. Used in scientific contexts.
Nitrogen and noble gases are classified as atmophile elements.
Lithophile element: tends to concentrate in the Earth's crust and mantle, unlike atmophile elements which favor the atmosphere.
Siderophile element: tends to concentrate in the Earth's core, contrasting with the atmospheric affinity of atmophile elements.
Compound of 親 (しん, 'affinity') + 気 (き, 'gas, atmosphere') + 元素 (げんそ, 'element'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the term follows the pattern of other geochemical classification terms such as 親石元素 and 親鉄元素.