Glossary Flashcards
Chemautotroph
An organism that gains its metabolic energy from chemical reactions eg. nitrifying bacteria
Ozone
Triatomic oxygen
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere that absorbs UV and contains the ozone layer.
it is above the troposphere at an altitude of approx. 6 to 30 miles
Dynamic equilibrium
A combination of active processes which cancel out each others effects so there is no overall change
Troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere below the stratosphere from ground level to approx. 6 miles altitude
Infrared (IR) radiation
Long wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted from warm objects
Nuclear fusion
The release of energy during the joining of hydrogen atom nuclei
Electromagnetic radiation
Energy in the form of energy waves with a range of frequencies
Global climate change
The various changes to the climate caused by increased energy being retained in the atmosphere as a result of human activities
Greenhouse effect
The natural processes by which atmospheric gases allow visible light to pass through but absorb infrared energy, causing heating
Enhanced greenhouse effect
An alternative name for global climate change
Tropospheric ozone
Ozone in the troposphere, largely produced by human activities
El Nino
The name given to the reversal of the equatorial pacific ocean current that normally flows westwards
La Nina
The name given to the strengthening of the westward flowing equatorial pacific ocean current
Positive feedback mechanism
A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that increases the original change
Negative feedback mechanism
A situation where n initial change causes a reaction that decreases the original change
Kyoto protocol
The international agreement intended to control emissions of greenhouse gases
HFCs
Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used of replace CFCs
HCFCs
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs
MEDCs
More economically developed countries
Anthropogenic
Something made or caused by human activities
CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons are pollutants that cause ozone depletion and contribute to global climate change
Infiltration
The process by which surface water enters the ground between particles of soil or rock
Ultraviolet (UV) light
High energy electromagnetic radiation including the short wavelength radiation emitted by the sun.
Its energy can cause chemical reactions to take place such as in the ozone layer or sunburn and DNA damage
Montreal protocol
International agreement that has controlled the release of ozone depleting substances
