ess 6.1

6.1...of ess

inputs of the atmosphere

-water (evaporation / transpiration)

-CO2, SO4, NO2 from combustion

-NH4 from livestock

-volcanic ash

-solar radiation

-oxygen from photosynthesis

-CO2 from respiration

-aerosols

outputs of the atmosphere

-precipitation

-solar radiation

-oxygen for respiration

-CO2 for photosynthesis

composition of the atmosphere

-78% nitrogen

-21% oxygen

-0.9% argon

-0.03% co2

-0.0-4% water vapor

-trace gases: neon, helium, krypton, xenon

role of greenhouse gases

-maintain mean global temp

-normal and necessary condition for life on Earth

-allow short wavelengths of radiation (i.e. visible light, UV to pass through to Earth’s surface whilst longer wavelengths (i.e. infrared radiation) are trapped

role of albedo effect in regulating global average temperature

-low albedo = more radiation from sun that gets absorbed by the planet, temps rise

-high albedo = Earth is more reflective, more radiation reflected back to space, temps lower

greenhouse gases

-carbon dioxide

-nox

-water vapor

-methane

outline the role of greenhouse in regulating temperature on Earth

-greenhouse effect: atmospheric heating phenomenon in which temperatures on Earth rise because of greenhouse gases (CO2, NOx, water vapor, methane)

-these gases allow incoming sunlight to pass through but trap heat radiated from Earth’s surface

-if this heat weren’t trapped, Earth would be 33 degrees colder on average (celsius)

-it’s called greenhouse gases because of how these gases warm the Earth, thus the effect they have is called the greenhouse effect

factors influencing climate

-abiotic factors: mainly temperature and precipitation

-biotic factors: plants and animals