greenhouse gases

Question 1

why do some molecules interfere with longwave radiation?

Answer 1

bending vibrations can fall within the same wavelength of infrared radiation
- some infrared radiation causes bending vibrations to move more vigorously

Question 2

what are chemoautotrophs?

Answer 2

life that uses inorganic substances as electron donors or acceptors

Question 3

what are the two metrics to compare the relative impact of gas on the greenhouse effect?

Answer 3

• residence time
• global warming potential

Question 4

what is methane’s behavior in the atmosphere?

Answer 4

does most of its damage quickly then leaves

Question 5

what are the biological sources of methane?

Answer 5

from methanogens!
- found in environments absent of oxygen
- found in animals which ferment their food during digestion

Question 6

what are the anthropogenic sources of methane?

Answer 6

• agriculture (cows and rice)
• energy

Question 7

why does atmospheric methane concentration vary cyclically?

Answer 7

bacteria freezes in the winter -> drastic reduction in methane

Question 8

what happens to permafrost in warm period?

Answer 8

organic matter builds up (no time for it to fully decompose) + permafrost melts and releases methane

Question 9

what is the equation for residence time for excess CO2

Answer 9

RT (years) = excess C (GtC)/ net Csink (GtC/yr)