Geosystems: Ch 2~ Earth's Atmosphere

What does the Earth’s Atmosphere do?

Contains gases to sustain life, helps with biological processes, blocks UV radiation, moderates climate, and redistributes water

What does gravity do density and pressure?

It makes them decrease when distance or altitude is increased

What is the heterosphere?

Highest in atmosphere and it contains a top (H2, He2) and bottom (N2, O2) layer

What is the homosphere?

It is uniformly mixed gases, except for Ozone (O3) and contains the “Ozone Layer”

What are the three highest gases of the homosphere?

Nitrogen (N2) 78%, Oxygen (o2) 20%, and Argon (Ar) 9%

What are the top two variable gases that affect Earth’s temperature?

Water Vapor (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide

Where does water vapor (H2O) come from?

Evaporation, photosynthesis, and volcanic eruptions

Where does carbon dioxide (CO2) come from?

Fossil fuel combustion, volcanic eruptions, and plant repiration

What is the outermost layer of the atmosphere?

Exosphere

What is the hottest layer of the atmosphere?

Thermosphere

What is the middle layer of the atmosphere?

Mesosphere

Which layer of the atmosphere is the “ozone” layer?

Stratosphere

Which layer of the atmosphere is where weather occurs?

Troposphere

What does the Ionosphere do>

It absorbs cosmic rays, Gamma rays, X-rays, and some UV rays

What does the Ozonesphere do?

It absorbs UV rays

When was the ozone depletion first identified?

In antartica in 1985

When is the ozone most depleted throughout the year?

September - November

What caused the ozone depletion?

Humans produced bromine and chlorine containing chemicals

What are CFCs or chorofourocarbons?

Used in cooling systems, blowing agents, or medicinal applications

EX: Freon

What are some effects of ozone depletion?

Higher UV radiation which causes eye cataracts, skin cancer, and weakened immunity and it may cause damage and disruption to ecosystems, crops, and forests

What was the Montreal Protocol of 1987?

Called for a reduce of CFC’s and started the use of HCFC’s

What is air pollution?

When substances are added to the atmosphere in enough concentrations to be harmful

What are some examples of natural air pollution?

Wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and soil

What are some examples of human air pollution?

Transportation 57%, fuel combustion 21%, industrial processes 12%, miscellaneous 10%

What is a primary air pollutant?

Harmful substance that is emitted directly into the atmosphere; no change

Ex: CO2 and NO2

What is a secondary air pollutant?

Formed in the atmosphere when a primary air pollutant reacts with substances normally found within the atmosphere; change

EX: Sulfuric acid, Nitric Acid, Nitric Oxide, and Ozone

What are photochemical reactions?

Produced chemicals through the aid of sun rays/UV

What is tropospheric ozone?

A man-made pollutant in the lower atmosphere; photochemical smog

Causes lung irritation, asthma issues, and respiratory illnesses

What is stratospheric ozone?

Essential component that helps screen out UV rays; however mad-made pollutants damage it

What was the Clean Air Act of 1970 and what did it do?

Created EPA and set limits on amount of specific air pollutants permitted

Ex: Lead, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and ozone

What is a pH scale?

Detects when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide reacting with water vapor in atmosphere create acids