Ocean Acidification & Climate Change

Greenhouse Gases

Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), Water vapor (H2O), Chlorofluorocarbans (CFCs) are examples of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Water vapor (H2O)

as the planet warms, evaporation increases putting more H2O in the atmosphere. As atmosphere H2O levels increase, warming levels increase influences more evaporation and more H2O in the atmosphere creating further warming. This is called a feedback loop.

Carbon dioxide

the combustion of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) to power much of civilization moves carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere leading to high levels of carbon in the atmosphere. CO2 is the main contributor to climate change.

Methane (CH4)

Methane gas is released from CAFOs and travels into the atmosphere leading to warming.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

the over-use of nitrogen fertilizers (especially on monocultures) leads to the production of N2O gas.

Chlorofluorocarbans (CFCs)

absorb radiation emitted by earth’s surface, preventing it from escaping into space and contributing to the greenhouse effect and causing warming.

most abundant (greatest amount) greenhouse gas

water (H2O)

most potent greenhouse gas

methane (CH4) - one CH4 molecule is equivalent to 25 CO2 molecules

how is water vapor related climate change

water is an example of a positive feedback loop that causes more warming. evaporation rates increase, causing more water to be put in the atmosphere and causes warming in turn and encourages more evaporation.

which gas is most efficient at trapping infrared radiation and warming the surface of the earth

methane (CH4)

weather

weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time. minutes to months

climate

climate is how atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time. Years to millions of years

positive feedback loop

process in which an initial change will bring about an additional change in the same direction

effect of climate change on carbon cycle

there’s more CO2 in the atmosphere and less trees causing less photosynthesis.

how could carbonic acid (H2CO3) adversely affect humans

as CO2 levels rise do to combustion of fossil fuels, diffusion of CO2 into the ocean is also increase causing a rise of CO2 in the ocean. Carbon dioxide reacts with water to create carbonic acid. This acid reacts with shells and marine organs causing shells to dissolve. These organisms need their shells to survive and make the base of the food chain upon which humans rely for food and protein

how carbon moves from the geosphere to the atmosphere

fossil fuels in the geosphere are made up of carbon. As humans burn fossil fuels, carbon is moved from the geosphere to the atmosphere as CO2 causing an increase in the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps infrared radiation that warms the planet. As the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere rise, more infrared radiation is trapped causing an increase in global temperature.

what type of ice is causing sea level rise and how

• glacier ice - as glaciers melt, water eventually ends up into the ocean

• ice sheet (ice on land) - as ice moves from land to sea, the water level increases

• run-off - adding water via run off will increase the amount of water in oceans

• warming liquid ocean water - warm water molecules move around more taking up more space than cold slow water molecules increasing overall water level

greenhouse effect

sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms earths surface. This heat is radiated back toward space. Most of the outgoing heat is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules and re-emitted in all directions, warming the surface of the earth and the lower atmosphere. The intensity of the greenhouse effect is what matters