patterns of global climate change

biosphere

All life on earth

hydrosphere

all water on earth

water cycle

movement of water through earths spheres

lithosphere

earths crust: rocks, dirt

atmosphere

layer of gases surrounding earth. divided into troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

carbon cycle

how carbon moves through the biosphere. Carbo is present in hydrosphere (dissolved CO2), lithosphere (fossil fuels and rocks), atmosphere (methane or CO2) and living things (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids)

photosynthesis

carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

cellular respiration

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + ATP

nitrogen cycle

How nitrogen moves through the biosphere. Nitrogen is important because cells use it to make DNA, proteins and chlorophyll

phosphorous cycle

how phosphorous moves from the lithosphere to the hydrosphere and through food chains

human impact on cycles

main detrimental factors include deforestation, mining, CFCs, population increase, industrial wastes, travel

Deforestation

more CO2 due to less photosynthesis, increased desertification, negative impact on cycles

Mining

land clearance, waste materails

CFCs

damage ozone layer, greenhouse gas that traps more heat than CO2

Population increase

deforestation, more livestock → more methane

industrial waste

sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides can react with water vapour to form acid rain

travel

most travel options release CO2

climate patterns

regular patterns of seasons, weather, temperature and rainfall.

earths tilt

23.5 degrees, affects length of daylight in an area.

land vs water heat absorption

during the day land absorbs heat faster than water. At night, land loses heat faster than water. Ocean temps are more stable.

land features

temp is lower the higher above sea level you are. Sandy soil, fresh snow reflect heat, dark soils and vegetated areas absorb heat.

ocean currents

warm water near equator sinks and cools while moving towards poles, cold water from poles rises and warms while moving toward equator. Increased CO2 warms ocean, causing change in currents

wind

temp differences between tropics and poles cause convection currents that create wind.

La Nina

stronger trade winds move warm water from the east further to the west than normal. This causes an increase in rainfall in Australia

El Nino

winds weaken and reverse, sending water and wind east. This causes warmer, drier weather in australia

greenhouse effect

gases trap heat in atmosphere