AP Environmental Science 9.3: The Greenhouse Effect

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Natural Global Processes

Location

Greenhouse Effect: in troposphere

Ozone Shield: in stratosphere

Details

Greenhouse Effect: a natural process that traps heat near the Earth’s surface.

• short wave radiation in (rays of sunlight)
• long wave radiation out (infrared radiation via heat)
• re-radiation downward by “greenhouse gases” in atmosphere (absorb heat, emitted as infrared radiation)

Natural gases involved:

• Greenhouse Gases: H2O, CO2 (holds heat for a longer time), CH4 (greater ability to hold in heat)
• Ozone Shield: O2, O3

Greenhouse Gas Human Inputs:

• carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • 75% developed countries
  • 22% U.S.
• chlorofluorocarbons \n (CFCs)
• methane (CH4)
• nitrous oxide (N2O)

Ozone Shield Human Inputs

• chlorofluorocarbons \n (CFCs)
• other stable halogen–containing gases (halogens = chlorine, fluorine, & bromine)

Geometry of Incoming Solar Radiation

Air Circulation Patterns

Ocean Currents

Gases Released through Human Activities