E

AP Environmental Science 9.3: The Greenhouse Effect

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