Chapter 26: Evolution of the Atmosphere and Greenhouse Gases

Volcanic activity

________ also released nitrogen, which built up in the atmosphere over time, as well as water vapour and small amount of methane and ammonia.

Greenhouse gases

________ like carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour act like an insulating layer in the Earths atmosphere.

Deforestation

________: fewer trees means less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis.

water vapour

When the ________ in the atmosphere condensed, it formed the oceans.

Agriculture

________: more farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes.

fossil fuels

Burning ________: carbon that was locked up in these fuels is released.

forms of human activity

Some ________ affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Green plants

________ and algae evolved and absorbed some of carbon dioxide so that they could carry out photosynthesis.

carbon dioxide

As well as absorbing the ________ in the atmosphere, green plants and algae produced oxygen by photosynthesis, this is when plants use light to convert ________ and water into sugars.

Earths temperature

The ________ varies naturally, but recently the average temperature of the Earths surface has been increasing.

Deforestation

fewer trees means less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis

Burning fossil fuels

carbon that was locked up in these fuels is released

Agriculture

more farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes

Creating waste

more landfill sites and more waste from agriculture means more CO2 and methane released by decomposition of waste

Carbon dioxide

greenhouse gas

Long wavelengths

________are absorbed by greenhouse gases

Increasing carbon dioxide is

______linked to climate change

Consequences of climate change

ice caps melting, change in rainfall patterns and change in temperature