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ESS > Unit 6: Atmospheric Systems > Flashcards

Unit 6: Atmospheric Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Atmosphere?

A

The atmosphere is a dynamic system (with inputs, outputs, flows and storages) that has undergone changes throughout geological time.

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2
Q

How has the Atmosphere changed through Time?

A

The biotic components of the Earth (living organisms) have transformed the composition of the atmosphere and vice versa throughout geological time.
• E.g. some energy from the sun is absorbed or reflected

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3
Q

What are the Inputs of the Atmospheric System?

A
  • Water from evaporation + transpiration
  • CO2, SO4 and NO2 from combustion
  • Ammonium from livestock + bacteria
  • Volcanic ash
  • Solar radiation
  • Oxygen from photosynthesis
  • CO2 from respiration
  • Aerosols
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4
Q

What are the Output of the Atmospheric System?

A
  • Precipitation
  • Solar radiation
  • Oxygen from respiration
  • CO2 from photosynthesis
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5
Q

Give two examples of a transformation inside the Atmospheric System

A

1) Radiation

2) Evaporation

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6
Q

Give two examples of a transfer inside the Atmospheric System

A

1) Reflection/scattering

2) Convection

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7
Q

What are the Chemical Components of the Atmosphere?

A
  • Nitrogen (78%)
  • Oxygen (21%)
  • Argon (0.9%)
  • Carbon dioxide (0.03%)
  • Water vapor (0.0-4%)
  • Other gasses: helium, neon, hydrogen, ozone, hydrogen, krypton, xenon and methane.
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8
Q

What are the Layers of the Atmosphere?

A

1) Troposphere
2) Stratosphere
3) Mesosphere
4) Thermosphere
5) Exosphere

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9
Q

What is Thermal Stratification?

A

The division of the atmosphere into a number of layers in terms of temperature variations.

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10
Q

Distinguish between Temperature Lapse and Temperature Inversion

A

Temperature lapse occurs when there is a decline in temperature with altitude. Temperature inversion occurs when there is an increase in temperature with altitude.

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11
Q

How do Humans impact the Atmospheric System?

A

Human activities impact atmospheric composition through altering inputs and outputs of the system. Changes in the concentrations of atmospheric gases have significant effects on ecosystems.

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12
Q

What are the two Layers of the Atmosphere mostly affected by Pollutants?

A

Troposphere and stratosphere

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13
Q

How do Clouds play an important role in Earth’s Albedo Effect?

A

More water vapour in the atmosphere means more cloud formation = more clouds lead to increased albedo of the earth.
• Clouds block radiation from reaching the ground
• Albedo level: 0.6-0.9 (thick)

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14
Q

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

A

The greenhouse effect of the atmosphere is a natural and necessary phenomenon maintaining suitable temperatures for living systems. It functions through greenhouse gasses which trap heat energy to maintain earth’s temperature.

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15
Q

What is the Role of Greenhouse Gasses?

A

Maintaining mean global temperature by allowing radiation (e.g. UV) to pass through to the Earth’s surface, and trapping the longer wavelengths (e.g. infrared).

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16
Q

What are examples of Human Activities that alter Atmospheric Composition?

A
  • Vehicle emissions – fuel combustion
  • Dust
  • Industrial processes (fossil fuels energy)
  • Solvent use
  • Fires
  • Agriculture
  • Waste disposal (+ radioactive waste)
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17
Q

What are some examples of Greenhouse Gasses?

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
  • Water vapor
  • Nitrous oxide
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18
Q

What is the Albedo Effect?

A

Albedo is the ratio of reflected light relative to the amount of incident light hitting the surface. The albedo effect is the scenario in which lighter surfaces reflect more light than darker surfaces.

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19
Q

What are the Values of Albedo? (+ Examples)

A

Albedo values range from 0 (no reflection) to 1 (100% reflection). Fresh snow has the highest rate of reflectivity whereas fresh water has the least rate.

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20
Q

What is Stratospheric Ozone?

A

​Stratospheric ozone is a gas with the capacity to absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat energy – hence it is essential to protect organisms from harmful radiation.

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21
Q

What are the two Types of Atmospheric Ozone?

A

Stratospheric ozone (good) and tropospheric ozone (bad).

22
Q

Distinguish between Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone

A

Tropospheric ozone is a local air pollutant and has negative implications on human health. Stratospheric ozone is essential in reflecting UV rays, protecting humans.

23
Q

How is Stratospheric Ozone Created?

A

Oxygen atoms (O) combine with oxygen molecules (O2) through UV radiation to form ozone (O3).

24
Q

What is the Ozone Layer?

A

The Ozone layer is a dynamic equilibrium of concentration of ozone in the stratosphere which protects organisms by absorbing UV rays.

25
Q

What are Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)?

A

Chemicals that cause stratospheric ozone depletion.

26
Q

What are examples of ODS?

A
  • CFCs (halogenated gas)
  • HCFCs
  • Halon (fire extinguishers)
  • Nitrogen oxides
  • Methyl bromide (pesticides)
27
Q

How do Halogenated Gasses cause Ozone Depletion?

A

Liberate halogen atoms when exposed to ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere. These atoms react with oxygen atoms and slow the rate of ozone formation.

28
Q

How is Ozone Depleted by CFCs?

A

1) UV rady breaks a chlorine atom from CFC
2) Chlorine atom breaks apart an ozone molecule (O3)
3) Results in oxygen (O2) + chlorine monoxide (ClO)
4) ClO is attacked by an oxygen atom releasing the chlorine atom (Cl) and forming O2.

29
Q

What are the Effects of UV Rays on Living Organisms?

A
  • Mutation in DNA causing cancer
  • Eye cataracts (patches on eye)
  • Damage ability of photosynthesis
  • Reduces primary production (hence productivity)
  • Damage to immune system
30
Q

What Strategies can be Implemented to Reduce ODS?

A
  • Green-freeze technology that uses propane
  • Pump-action sprays instead of aerosols
  • Organic pest controls
  • Recycling of old CFC refrigerators
31
Q

How has the UNEP helped Protect Stratospheric Ozone?

A

In 1897 the UNEP brought together 24 countries to agree to the Montreal Protocol which banned the use of ODS: Production has fallen from 1.8 million tonnes (1987) to 45k tonnes (2010) + now 197 countries have part.

32
Q

Why is there need for Constant Monitoring of Market ODS?

A

Illegal market of ODS persits specifically in low-income country. This occurs because ODS substitutes are expensive, lifetime of CFC equipment is long, penalties in many countries are small.

33
Q

What is the Montreal Protocol?

A

International agreement on the emission of ozone-depleting substances: froze production and consumption of CFC’s with goal of zero production by 2000 + LEDC’s granted a longer time to implement the treaty.

34
Q

List Arguments in Favor of the Montreal Protocol

A
  • International cooperation was achieved
  • Most countries followed the rules
  • 1.8 million tonnes (1987) to 45k tonnes (2010)
35
Q

List Arguments Against the Montreal Protocol

A
  • China and India continued to produce and use CFCs
  • LEDCs have more challenges in changing
  • Chemicals will stay in the atmosphere for a long time.
36
Q

Distinguish between Primary and Secondary Pollutants

A

Primary pollutants are passed into the environment in the form in which they are produced (e.g. CO2). Secondary pollutants are not directly emitted from a source but form when other pollutants react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight (e.g. tropospheric ozone)

37
Q

How is Air Quality Measured?

A

Air quality indices are used by government agencies to characterize the quality of the air at a given location.
• 0-15 Very good
• 100 Very poor

38
Q

What is Photochemical Smog?

A

Photochemical smog is air pollution containing ozone and other reactive chemical compounds formed under the influence of sunlight.

39
Q

What Factors contribute to the Frequency and Severity of Photochemical Smog?

A
  • Topography (low lying areas are more affected)
  • Climate (high pressure more affected)
  • Population density (amount of vehicles)
  • Fossil fuel use
  • Deforestation (slash and burn)
40
Q

What is Thermal Inversion and how does it affect Smog?

A

Thermal inversions occur due to a lack of air movement when a layer of cool air is trapped beneath a layer of warm air. This causes concentrations of air pollutants to build up near the ground instead of being dissipated by “normal” air movements.

41
Q

What are the Consequences of Air Pollution?

A
  • Adverse health effects (asthma, lungs)
  • Economic losses from bad health
  • Treatment costs for
42
Q

What are the Consequences of Air Pollution?

A
  • Adverse health effects (asthma, lungs)
  • Economic losses from bad health
  • Treatment costs
  • Reduced food production (affect photosynthesis)
  • Higher deaths
43
Q

What Strategies can be Implemented to reduce Air Pollution?

A
  • Taxation on petrol/gas/diesel
  • Switching to energy efficient technology
  • Regulating car-free zones
  • Re-forestation to increase carbon sinks
  • Green-power investment (solar, hydro, ect)
  • Catalytic converters to remove pollutants
44
Q

What is Acid Deposition?

A

Mix of air pollutants that together lead to the acidification of freshwater bodies and soils.

45
Q

What are the Types of Acid Deposition?

A
  • Dry deposition (ash and dry particles)

* Wet deposition (acid rain, snow, fog and mist)

46
Q

Explain Acid Deposition Formation

A

The combustion of fossil fuels produces sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen as primary pollutants. These gases are converted into secondary pollutants of dry deposition or wet deposition

47
Q

What are the Consequences of Acid Deposition?

A
  • Increasing acidity of water (absorb aluminum)
  • Fish death (water becomes toxic)
  • Forest damage by acid precipitation
  • Aluminum in soil reduces water absorption by plants
  • Increases leaching (loss of nutrients in soil)
  • Reduce crop yield
  • Reduced population of soil microorganisms
  • Eutrophication
  • Reduced ability to carry out photosynthesis
48
Q

Why can the Impact of Acid Deposition occur far from the Source of Pollution?

A

• Pollution emitted is deposited in the same region
• Locations are downwind of industrial areas
e.g. Canada’s forests damaged by US coal plants

49
Q

What Strategies can be Implemented to Reduce Acid Deposition?

A
  • Use of low-sulfur fuels
  • Catalytic converters installed on cars
  • Use of limestone to neutralize acids
  • Use of alternative energy sources (green-energy)
50
Q

Give an Example of an International Agreement to Reduce Acid Deposition

A

1999 Air quality agreement between US and Canada focused on acid rain and smog.

ESS (8 decks)

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