C6.3 - Earth Systems Flashcards
Done
describe the theory of how the atmosphere was originally formed
- intense volcanic activity released gases (like CO2 and water vapour) = formed early atmosphere
- as Earth cooled, water vapour condensed - it fell as rain to form oceans
- leaving an atmosphere of mostly carbon dioxide
-probably with small amounts of
ammonia, methane - BUTlittle/no oxygen
what kind of gases did the volcanoes release in the early atmosphere?
- huge volumes of water vapour
- carbon dioxide
[[- small amounts of nitrogen ]???ignore]
how has an oxygen-rich atmosphere developed over time?
- plants and algae made their own food through photosynthesis
- took in carbon dioxide + water and released oxygen
Carbon dioxide + water —> glucose + oxygen
describe the four steps of the greenhouse effect
1) energy transferred by radiation from Sun reaches Earth’s surface
2) radiation warms up the earth’s surface
3) Infrared radiation is emitted by the earth’s surface
- some goes directly into space
- some is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules in the atmosphere
4) greenhouse gas molecules emit infrared radiation in all directions, warming the Earth’s surface and atmosphere
ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT
what human activity increases levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
- for CO2 (1) + methane (4)
- combustion of fossil fuels (release CO2)
- rice paddy fields, cattle farming, landfill waste sites, use of natural gas (methane)
what evidence causes uncertainty that human activity is contributing to climate change?
- will lead to global climate change (not a specific area)
- so is difficult to model (very complex system)
- causes simplified models (and media, opinions based on only some parts of evidence)
FIRST effect of increased levels of carbon dioxide + methane on earth’s climate
- causes an enhanced greenhouse effect
- increasing the temp. Of the Earth’s atmosphere — increase in average global temperatures
how can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced? (3)
- reduce consumption of fossil fuels, for example by using BIOFUELS
- renewable energy resources, i.e. wind/solar energy to generate electricity
- stopping carbon dioxide escaping when fuels are used by using CARBON CAPTURE
Carbon monoxide? - produced how
+ 2 examples
- produced during incomplete combustion of fuels that contain carbon
- can happen when coal, wood, natural gas are burned in a poor supply of air
- also in vehicle engines
Describe carbon monoxide?
…. gas
features
- is a toxic gas
- has no colour, taste smell
3 examples of fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas
problems of increased amount of sulfur dioxide? 2
- causes acid rain
- breathing difficulties
oxides of nitrogen?
- formed where
- then?
- called what?
-nitrogen and oxygen, the main gases in air, do not normally react together
- nitrogen major gas in air reacts with oxygen at high temperatures in vehicle engines, forming nitrogen monoxide NO
- this is then oxidised in air to form nitrogen dioxide, NO2
- these oxides of nitrogen are jointly called NOx
What happens with nitrogen dioxide
- nitrogen dioxide dissolves in the moisture in clouds, forming an acidic solution, which eventually falls as acid rain
what is the problem with acid rain?
- erodes stonework + corrodes metal
- can kill trees
- can kill living things in rivers/lakes
main source of particulates in atmosphere?
- produced in industrial processes like metal extraction
- incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
- in vehicle engines
what are particulates?
How they produced? (2)
- small particles
- produced in industrial processes such as metal extraction
- like CO, they are also produced during incomplete combustion and in vehicle engines
problem caused by increased amount of particulates in the atmosphere
[- global dimming?ignore?]
- small particles settle deep in lungs, when they are breathed in
= diseases e.g. bronchitis + other breathing problems; also increases chance of heart disease
where does tap water come from originally?
- water stored in lakes, reservoirs
- or in aquifiers
- from rivers/waste water
7 main steps in water treatment, from reservoir to potable water
1) as water enters the water treatment works, it passes through screen (metal bars placed close together which trap large objects like leaves + twigs)
2) passes through settlement tank (where soil + sand settle out)
3) aluminium sulfate + lime added to the water (causes small particles of dirt to clump together + sink to bottom)
- the sludge that collects like this is dumped in a landfill site where it forms mud
4) water passed through a filter made of fine sand (removes remaining particles of mud/grit, so water is clear)
5) chlorine added to kill bactera
6) pH checked + corrected so that it is neural
- the water is then stored in large tanks and service reservoirs, ready to be pumped to homes/schools/offices/factories
what is groundwater?
water found underground in cracks/spaces in soil/sand/rock
where is groundwater stored (and where and how does it move)?
- stored in geological formations of soil, sand, rock
- moves slowly through aqufiers
? WHO CARES ?
where is salt water found?
sea water