Air-Sea Interaction and Atmospheric Circulation12

Ocean-Atmosphere Connections

Interactions through water exchange, gas exchange, and energy transfer.

Global CO2 Reservoir

Oceans contain 52 times more CO2 than the atmosphere.

Phytoplankton Role

Absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide into the ocean reservoir.

Major Atmospheric Gases

Nitrogen (78.1%) and Oxygen (20.9%) make up 95-99% of dry air.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

Shortwave radiation filtered out in the stratosphere by the ozone layer.

Infrared (IR) Radiation

Longwave radiated heat trapped by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Greenhouse Effect Mechanism

Greenhouse gases absorb and trap outgoing infrared radiation in the troposphere.

Methane Heat-Trapping Efficiency

Methane is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

Super-Greenhouse Gases (HFCs)

Minor gases with a 10,000-year atmospheric lifetime creating a permanent effect.

Positive Climate Feedback Loop

Melting polar permafrost releases stored methane, further amplifying global warming.

The Montreal Protocol (1989)

International treaty that successfully phased out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Earth's Average Albedo

The average reflectivity percentage of the Earth's surface is 30%.

Ocean Surface Albedo

The ocean surface has a low albedo of about 7%, retaining 93% of solar energy.

Ice Sheet Albedo

Ice sheets have a high reflectivity of approximately 85%.

Evaporation and Salinity

Evaporation increases surface ocean salinity by leaving salt behind.

Precipitation and Salinity

Condensation and rain falling at higher latitudes decrease surface ocean salinity.

Vertical Air Movement

Heated air expands and rises; cooled air contracts and sinks.

Horizontal Air Movement

Air moves horizontally from areas of high pressure to low pressure.

Coriolis Effect Deflection

Deflects moving air and water to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

Equatorial Coriolis Deflection

The Coriolis effect experiences zero deflection at the equator.

Three Atmospheric Cells

Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells make up the circulation per hemisphere.

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Equatorial low-pressure zone where two Hadley cells meet, featuring rising moist air.

Horse Latitudes

Subtropical high-pressure zones at 30 degrees N/S with sinking dry air and weak winds.

Trade Winds

Strong, dependable surface winds moving from east to west between 5 and 30 degrees latitude.

Westerlies

Strong surface winds moving from west to east between 30 and 60 degrees latitude.

Monsoon Definition

A special seasonal wind system characterized by a complete reversal of wind direction.