ESS Topic 6: Atmospheric Systems & Societies

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84 Terms

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Characteristics of the atmosphere

it has undergone changes through geological time, it is a mixture of solids liquids and gases

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Layers of the atmosphere in order

Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

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Troposphere characteristics

Meteorological and climactic phenomena

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Stratosphere characteristics

Ozone layer

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Mesosphere characteristics

Coolest layer

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Thermosphere characteristics

Northern lights

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Human impacts on the atmosphere

impacts atmospheric composition through altering inputs and outputs, such as changes in concentrations of atmospheric gases

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Examples of atmospheric gases

ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor

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Where does atmospheric reactions occur

inner layers of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere)

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Where are clouds

troposphere

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Albedo

reflective properties of a surface; how much light is reflected by an object or surface compared to the amount of light that hits it

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Clouds average albedo

0.5

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What do clouds do through albedo

restricts the amount of short-wave radiation reaching ground below

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Greenhouse effect

greenhouse gases in atmosphere trap heat radiated from earth’s surface, natural and necessary to maintain sustainable temperature for living systems

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Temperature in the troposphere

temperature fall with height

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Role of the albedo effect from clouds in regulating global average temperature

Low level clouds means a relatively high albedo; reflects a significant amount of sunlight, thus has a cooling effect on Earth

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Role of greenhouse effect in regulating temperature on Earth

Greenhouse gases re-emit infrared radiation; the infrared radiation traps thermal radiation thus warms Earth’s surface.

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Two main gases in the troposphere

Nitrogen, oxygen

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Part of the atmosphere where most weather occur

Troposphere

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Stratospheric ozone

is good, absorbs UV radiation

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Tropospheric ozone

is bad, contributes to smog

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Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs)

Chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer

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Example of an ODS

Halogenated organic gases

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Characteristic of halogenated organic gases

Stable under normal conditions but when exposed to ultraviolet radiation in stratosphere, slows the rate of ozone reformation

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Effect of pollutants on ozone

causes holes in the ozone layer, lets through UV radiation, damaging

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Example of seasonal pattern in ozone concentration

Antartica: spring sees a reduction in amount of ozone but ozone recovers in the summer. Because air over Antarctica becomes cut off from rest of atmosphere in winter.

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Effects of UV rays on people

Damages human living tissues, mutation, skin cancer

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Effects of UV rays on zooplankton

Reduced rates of photosynthesis = damage

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Three tiers of pollution management strategies

Changing behavior, regulating emission, cleaning up

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Example of changing behavior as a pollution management strategy

Fridges with ODS refrigeration can be replaced with green freeze technology, soap instead of shaving foam

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Why shouldn’t you use shaving foam

Emits aerosol

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Example of actions to minimize ozone depletion

Montreal protocol

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What was the Montreal Protocol

an international agreement for the reduction of use of ozone-depleting substances signed under the UNEP

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Contents of the Montreal Protocol

Made national laws and regulations to decrease the consumption and production of halogenated organic gases such as CFCs; provided incentives to find alternatives, raised awareness in the use of CFCs, technology was transferred to LEDCs to replace ODCs

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Difficulties of the Montreal Protocol

Harder for LEDCs to implement changes, dependent on national governments to comply, chemicals have long life thus damages will continue

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Identify the ways in which it is possible to reduce the impact of ozone depletion on human health

Replace ODS fridges with green freeze technology, use alternatives to AEROSOLs (pump-action sprays)

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What is photochemical smog and how is it formed

Type of air pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants in the atmosphere

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Process of producing photochemical smog

Combustion of fossil fuels, produce primary pollutants, generate secondary pollutants, photochemical smog

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Characteristics of photochemical smog

Hazy, brownish gray appearance, typically observed in urban areas with high levels of traffic and industrial activity

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Primary pollutants examples

carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide

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Photochemical smog in relation to primary and secondary pollutants

is a mixture of primary and secondary pollutants formed under influence of sunlight

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Tropospheric ozone in relation to pollutants

Tropospheric ozone is a secondary pollutant

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Effects of tropospheric ozone

Highly reactive, damages plants, irritates eyes, creates respiratory illnesses, damages fabrics

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Example of an effect of tropospheric ozone

Might have caused dieback of German forests

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Thermal inversion

When layer of warm air is trapped between cooler air (normally temperatures decrease as altitude increase)

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Why does thermal inversions occur

Lack of air movement

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Effects of thermal inversions

Causes concentrations of air pollutants to build up near the ground

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Why is ozone a problem in areas experiencing atmospheric high pressure

In regions of high pressure, air tends to sink and compress, creating stable atmospheric conditions. These stable conditions can contribute to the buildup of pollutants (ozone) near the surface, resulting in higher ozone concentrations and potential air quality issues

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How to manage pollution before air pollution happens

Consume less, burn less fossil fuels, lobby governments to increase renewable energy use

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Example of managing air pollution before it happens

Increase use of public transportation, promotion of hybrid cars

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How to manage pollution while it’s happening

Government regulation / taxation

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How to manage pollution after it happened

Re-greening of cities (more trees and parks), afforestation to filter air

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Sources of urban pollution

Old cars, vehicles using diesel

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How can urban design help reduce the incidence of smogs

Efficient transportation systems (well-connected road design), green spaces and urban vegetation

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What is acid deposition

Deposition of acidic substances from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface

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Causes of acid deposition

sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced when fossil fuels are burned

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What is dry deposition

Ash and dry particles

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What is wet deposition

Rain and snow

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Characteristics of dry deposition

Close to source of emission, causes damages to buildings and structures

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Characteristics of wet deposition

Dissolved acids in precipitation, falls at great distance from source

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What is catalytic convertors

Part of a car that helps reduce the pollution it emits like a filter

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Effects of catalytic convertors

Helps tackle emissions of NOx, but also increases Co2 emissions and reduces fuel efficienty

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Effects of acid deposition

alters soils, stresses forest vegetation, acidifies freshwaters, and harms fish and other aquatic life

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Direct effect of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms

chlorophyll loss & yellowing, thinning of cuticle

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Indirect toxic effect of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms

Increased solubility (dissolve) of metal on fish

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Main areas experiencing acid rain

scandinavia, USA, canada

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Why such countries experience acid rain

downwind from industrial areas, high rainfall, thin soils

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Areas that cause acidification

china, india

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Pollution management before pollution

Reducing emissions, reduce demand for electricity through education campaigns, reducing SO2 emissions by removing sulfur from fuel before combustion

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Pollution management during pollution

Catalytic converters (converts NOx to nitrogen gas)

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Cons of catalytic converters

expensive to buy, increases Co2 emission

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Pollution management after pollution

Liming lakes to neutralize acidity, international agreements

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Cons of liming lakes

Expensive, only treats symptoms, not the cause

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What is liming lakes

pouring into the lake a product capable of neutralizing acidity

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Cons of international agreements

Difficult to establish and monitor

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Examples of international agreements regarding acidification

1999 Gothenburg Protocol, 1991 Air Quality Agreement (USA-Canada)

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Reducing strategies

Energy conservation, sustainable transportation

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why do we need to conserve energy

Reducing energy consumption helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that are caused by power generation

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Ways to enact energy conservation at an individual scale

energy-saving appliances, improving insulation, promoting energy-conscious behavior

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What does sustainable transportation consist of

Encouraging alternatives to private viechles

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Reusing strategies

Extending lifespan of products, reducing need for new production

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Effects of reusing strategies

Helps conserve resources, reduces pollution that comes from manufacturing and disposal

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Recycling strategies

Collection and processing of waste materials to manufacture new products, thus reduces demand for raw materials

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Examples of recycling startegies

Material recycling, e-waste recycling, organic waste composting