Eaths Atmosphere Flashcards
What was the early earths atmosphere made of?
CO2, h2o and N with traces of CH4 (methane) and NH3 (ammonia)
What was the earths atmosphere formed by
Volcanic activity
How did amount of oxygen grow
Plants photosynthesising
How are fossil fuels formed
Over millions of years skeletons and shells of marine organisms built up and became covered with layers of fine sediment. Eventually the deposits formed sedimentary carbonate rocks.
Some of the remains were crushed by large scale movements and were heated within the earths crust
How much N and O are in atmosphere
80% nitrogen
20% oxygen
What did oxygen remove from the atmosphere
Methane and ammonia
Consequences of rising greenhouse gases
Rising sea levels - can cause flooding and increased coastal erosion
Increasing common extreme weather events
Changes in temp and rainfall - could have impacts on the food producing capacity
Hangs in distribution of wildlife species - out eco systems under stress
What is the carbon footprint of a product etc
The total amount of co2 and other greenhouse gases emitted over its full life cycle
Problems of reducing carbon footprint
Might hinder developing countries
Expensive
Pollution form fossil fuels
All fossil fuels contain sulfer which reacts with oxygen when burned and forms sulfer dioxide. This is an acidic gas, bad for the environment as it can cause acid rain which damages trees and killing animal and plant life in lakes. Also attacks buildings
What do hydrocarbons produce when they are burnt and are completely oxidised
Carbon dioxide and water
Changing the conditions in which hydrocarbons area burns can change the products for example?
Carbon monoxide when there’s insufficient oxygen
Particulates of carbon (soot) and I burnt hydrocarbons can also be produced, they can cause global dimming
At high temps in engines nitrogen from the air reacts with oxygen to form ?
Oxides of nitrogen - these can cause breathing problems and can also cause acid rain
