The Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases, as presented in the lecture.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and other anthropogenic activities.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas with a higher global warming potential than CO2, produced from fossil fuel extraction, agriculture, and organic matter decay.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A greenhouse gas resulting from agricultural activities, fossil fuel combustion, and certain industrial processes.

Fluorinated Gases

Synthetic greenhouse gases that include SF6, HFCs, and others, known for their high global warming potential.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect, including CO2, CH4, N2O, and fluorinated gases.

Aerosols

Tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere that can have cooling effects on climate but also contribute to air quality issues.

Anthropogenic Sources

Human activities that emit greenhouse gases, such as fossil fuel burning, industrial processes, and agriculture.

Natural Sinks

Processes that absorb and store greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate their concentration in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric Lifetime

The average time a gas remains in the atmosphere before it is removed by processes such as chemical reaction or absorption.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer, including CFCs and HCFCs.