4.4 Climate change Flashcards
What do greenhouse gases do?
Absorb and emit long wave radiation, thus trap and hold heat in the atmosphere
How much of the atmosphere do greenhouse gases make up?
Less than 1%
What are the two greenhouse gases with the largest warming effect?
Water vapour and carbon dioxide
How is water vapour created?
Via evaporation and transpiration of water bodies
How is water vapour removed?
Via precipitation
How is carbon dioxide made?
By cell respiration and burning fossil fuels
How is carbon dioxide removed?
Via photosynthesis and absorption by oceans
What is two other greenhouse gases?
Methane and nitrogen oxides
Where is methane emitted?
Waterlogged habitats, landfills and gas waste product of ruminants
How are nitrogen oxides released?
Naturally by certain bacteria and in exhaust by certain vehicles
What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere?
Water vapour
What are the two factors which determine how much of an impact a greenhouse gas will have in warming the atmosphere?
Ability to absorb long wave radiation
Concentration within the atmosphere
Why is the ability to absorb long wave radiation a determining factor in the impact of a greenhouse gas?
Gases that have a greater capacity to absorb long-wave radiation will have a greater warming impact
Why is the concentration within the atmosphere a determining factor in the impact of a greenhouse gas?
The greater the concentration of a gas, the greater its warming impact will be within the atmosphere
What determines the concentration of a gas?
It’s rate of release and persistence in the atmosphere
Why is human activity increasing the impact of greenhouse gases?
Because it is increasing the amount of greenhouse gases
What is the atmospheric lifetime of water?
1-5 days
What is the atmospheric concentration of water?
0.01-4%
What is the atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide?
5-200 years
What is the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide?
385 ppm
What is the atmospheric lifetime of methane?
12 years
What is the atmospheric concentration of methane?
1797 ppb
What is the atmospheric lifetime of nitrous oxide?
120 years
What is the atmospheric concentration of nitrous oxide?
322 ppb
What is the greenhouse effect?
A natural process where the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse to trap and retain heat
What does the greenhouse effect ensure?
That earth maintains the moderate temperature needed by organisms to maintain life processes