The Greenhouse Effect (lesson 4) Flashcards
The Energy of the Sun is important for life on
Earth – how/why is the energy important?
light for photosynthesis and plant growth
visibility and light
thermal energy and heat)
When light/radiation comes into contact with an
object it may be:
transmitted
absorbed
reflected
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
absorb infrared
radiation that is re-emitted by the surface of the
Earth.
The trapped IR radiation is radiated in
all directions.
(Eventually it escapes to outer space)
The Greenhouse Effect works like a
“Blanket” effect
The warming of the surface resulting from the
presence of an atmosphere
Greenhouse Effect –
the energy-trapping process which keeps
global temperatures at a level to sustain
life.
Examples of greenhouse gases
CO2
H20
CH4
N2O
Visible light passes through the atmosphere, 70% of the
Anthropogenic –
resulting from a human influence
Human contributions to the Greenhouse Effect
through premature release of greenhouse gases
Examples of Anthropogenic
-deforestation
-CFC
-Oil and patrol engines
-burning fossil fuels
Gases that are found in the atmosphere in very
low concentrations and cause the greenhouse
effect
Examples:
Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapour
Methane
Ozone
Nitrous Oxide (dinitrogen monoxide)
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
CARBON SINK:
Natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores
carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefinite
period.
Ex- trees, the ocean
CARBON SOURCE:
Releases carbon dioxide into the environment
Ex- Burning fossil fuels (Transportation, Heating, etc.),
Deforestation
Carbon dioxide causes
Just 0.04% of earth’s atmosphere
causes 25% of natural greenhouse effect
Natural Sources of CO2:
volcanic activity
burning organic matter (forest fires)
cellular respiration
Anthropogenic Sources of CO2:
Burning fossil fuels (Transportation, Heating, etc.)
Deforestation
Water vapour causes
4% of Earth’s atmosphere
causes 67% of natural greenhouse effect
Natural Sources of Water Vapour:
Remember the water cycle!
Clouds
Dissolved water (humidity)
Anthropogenic Sources of Water Vapour:
Product of combustion of hydrocarbons.
Irrigation/farming
Methane how many times
0.0002% of Earth’s atmosphere
23 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than
carbon dioxide
Natural Sources of Methane:
plant decomposition in swamps
animal digestion
Anthropogenic Sources of Methane:
Farming
Petroleum industry
Ozone
Located in the upper atmosphere:
High concentrations protect Earth’s surface from
UV radiation from the sun.
At ground level…
Acts as greenhouse gas
A component of smog (TOXIC)
Concentrations are hard to
estimate as they change rapidly
what is the greenhouse effect and what are the sources of the natural and anthropogenic sources of the greenhouse effect?
NEE D TO KNOW THIS.
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared
radiation that is re-emitted by the surface of the
Earth. The trapped IR radiation is radiated in all directions. (Eventually it escapes to outer space) the energy-trapping process which keeps
global temperatures at a level to sustain
life. These heat-trapping gases can be thought of as a blanket wrapped around Earth, keeping the planet toastier than it would be without them. Natural sources of greenhouse gases is cellular respiration, irrigation/farming, and water cycle. Anthropogenic sources are CFCs, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation.
Nitrous oxide times more effective
0.00003 % of Earth’s atmosphere
300 times more effective than carbon dioxide as a
greenhouse gas
Natural Sources of Nitrous Oxide:
Produced by bacteria
Anthropogenic sources of Nitrous Oxide:
Livestock waste (urine, feces, carcasses)
Nitrogen fertilizers
Industrial processes
