Composition of Atmosphere Flashcards
What are the 5 most abundant gassed in the atmos? (N.O.A.W.C)
1) Nitrogen, N2 (78%)
2) Oxygen, O2 (21%)
3) Argon, Ar (0.93%)
4) Water Vapor, H2O (0.4%)
5) Cardon Dioxide, CO2 (0.0395%)
What are “Aerosals”?
= solid/liquid particles suspended in the atmos.
-salt (ocean waves), dust (desert), ash (volcanos), particles from combustion (fire)
What are some characteristics of Water Vapor?
- most variable
- evaporation depends on energy (temp) and water availablity
How does Water Vapor vary in space?
- most in lowest 2km (troposphere)
- High in equilateral areas (warm oceans)
- Low in poles, deserts (cold oceans)
How does Water Vapor vary in time?
- high in summer
- low in winter
Which gases vary in concentration? Why?
=Carbon Dioxide CO2
- increasing
- seasonal variation
Most of Earth’s Carbon is stored in the…
=Rocks
The oxygen in our atmosphere is produced by…
=Photosynthesis
What is a “Fossil Fuel”? Examples.
=Naturally occurring
=Hydrocarbons compounds in the remains of of organic materials in rocks
-ex: coal, crude oil, natural gas
What are Carbon “Sinks”?
- processes that ABSORBS carbon
ex. Photosynthesis
What are Carbon “Sources”?
- processes that RELEASE carbon into atmos.
ex. respiration, decay, combustion
Explain the “Organic Cycle” of Cardon
1) Carbon in absorbed (sink) into the Earth (photosynthesis)
2) Carbon is stored in Fossil Fuels as long term storage (coal, oil, natural gas)
3) Carbon is released back (source) into the atmos. (respiration, decay, combustion)
Explain the “In-Organic Cycle” of Cardon
1) CO2 dissolves in precipitation; sink in carbonic acid, weathered rocks
2) Below the surface, CO2 is stored in Limestone
3) Volcanoes are a source of CO2 back into the atmos.
Define “Green House Gases” (GHG)
- a gas that absorbs the radiation emitted by Earth, warming the atmos. in the process
- GHG in atmos. created Greenhouse Effect
Which Greenhouse Gases are Increasing? 5 (C.M.N.O.C.)
1) Cardon Dioxid, CO2
2) Methane, CH4
3) Nitrous Oxide, N2O
4) Ozone, O3
5) Chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs (Halocarbons)
Why is the GHG Carbon Dioxide CO2 increasing?
- burning fossil fuels
- deforestation
- 41% increase
Why is the GHG Methane CH4 increasing?
- grazing animals
- mining fossil fuels
- landfills
- rice patties
- 158.6% increase
- natural source=anaerobic decay (wet lands)
Why is the GHG Nitrous Oxide N2O increasing?
- fertilizer use
- 20% increase
- natural source= denitrification
What is “Nitrogen Fixation” in the Nitrogen Cycle?
- bacteria change nitrogen into ammonium
- fertilizer and animal waste
- lighting & combustion
What is “Denitrification”in the Nitrogen Cycle?
-N2O enter the atmos. from soils and ocean under anaerobic conditions (no oxygen)
Explain the Nitrogen Cycle.
1) Nitrogen Fixation by bacteria-converted into ammonia and nitrates (fertilizers + animal waste)
2) Nitrification-ammonium in the soil undergoes changes through bacterial activity and is taken up by plants
3) Denitrification–N2O enter the atmos. from soils and ocean under anaerobic conditions (no oxygen)
What are the 3 stages in the Nitrogen Cycle?
1) Nitrogen Fixation
2) Nitrification
3) Denitrification
What is “Nitrification”in the Nitrogen Cycle?
-Ammonium in the soil undergoes changes through bacterial activity and is taken up by plants
Why is the GHG Ozone O3 increasing in the lower atmos?
-due to car exhaust
