Human Impacts (40 marks) Flashcards
What are the main sources of Carbon Dioxide in emissions?
ETI
•Electricity - the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation
- emits more CO2: coal»oil and natural gas
- Transport - burning of fuels for the propulsion of various modes of transport
- Industries - release CO2 when burning fossil fuels and during reactions that don’t involve combustion.
What are the main sources of Methane in emissions?
AWI
•Industries -during the production, processing, storage and distribution of NATURAL GAS and
-the production, refining, transportation and storage of CRUDE OIL.
•Agriculture -CH4 is generated by herbivorous mammals during digestive processes (flatulence and eructation/belching).
- Animal faeces.
- Stored manure.
- Rice plantations.
•Waste from homes and businesses -CH4 is generated by the decomposition of waste in municipal landfills.
-the purification of sewage in sewage treatment plants releases CH4.
Define the term ‘Greenhouse Effect’.
The term ‘greenhouse effect’ refers to the effect created when the radiant energy of the sun moves through the glass panels of a greenhouse and is trapped- trapping the heat inside.
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere act like the glass panels of a greenhouse, preventing loss of heat.
What is the difference between the ENHANCED greenhouse effect and the NATURAL greenhouse effect?
The enhanced greenhouse effect is a result of the excess release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere due to human activities, which intensifies the greenhouse effect - this is negative.
The natural greenhouse effect is when the sun’s radiant energy (infrared radiation) is trapped by the greenhouse gases and reflected back to the earth to cause further heating. Without this the earth’s average temperature would be too cold to support life.
Define the term ‘Global warming’.
Global warming is the increase in the earth’s temperature as a result of the enhanced greenhouse effect which can cause drastic climate changes.
