Human impacts on the atmosphere Flashcards
Greenhouse gas effect
Longwave Infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases
Natural effect
Enhanced greenhouse gas effect
Human activities releasing lots of extra greenhouse gases making the earth too warm.
Some greenhouse gases are only released via human activities
Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxides Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Tropospheric ozone
Carbon dioxide
Deforestation
Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in car engines
Methane
Anaerobic respiration by in paddy fields, landfill sites, livestock intestines
Leaks in natural gas pockets, gas pipes
Coal mine ventilation
Nitrous oxides
chemical reactions occur at high temperatures in engines and power stations and are released into the air
CFCs
Aerosol propellants Fire extinguishers Refrigerants Solvents Expanded foam plastics
photochemical breakdown of O2 and resulting reaction with monoatomic oxygen
Tropospheric ozone
Consequences of global climate change
Sea level rise Changed wind patterns Changed precipitation patterns Ocean current changes Ecological changes
Sea level rise
Thermal expansion-slower process
Melting land ice- faster process, will dilute salinity and remove habitats
Melting sea ice- no effect as its already in the sea
Wind patterns
Stronger
More volatile
Precipitation patterns
Increased precipitation rates
Presently cooler areas get less rain
Presently dry areas get more rain
Ocean current changes
El Nino
La Nina
North Atlantic conveyor
El nino
Stronger
More frequent
Normal currents exaggerated, exaggerating the natural climate.
Australia gets flooded while North America gets drought
La nina
