Topic 9 Flashcards
What are the phases of the evolution of the atmosphere?
Volcanoes gave out gas
Released CO2 and nitrogen and small amounts of water vapour, methane and ammonia
Oceans, algaes and green plants absorbed CO2
Water vapour condensed to form oceans
CO2 was dissolved in oceans
Green plants and algae absorbed some of the CO2
Carbon became trapped under layers of sediment from dead animals
Got compressed to form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas
Green plants and algae produced oxygen through photosynthesis
How does increased CO2 levels cause climate change?
Short wave length radiation from the sun enters the atmosphere and bounces of the earth
Greenhouse gases stop the radiation from escaping and becomes long wavelength radiation trapped in the atmosphere
This warms up the earth
What human activities increase levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Deforestation
Burning fossil fuels
Agriculture- more farm animals producing methane
Creating waste- more landfill sites, more CO2 through decomposition of waste
How do you reduce carbon footprint?
Renewable energy sources
More efficient processes to conserve energy and cut waste
Taxing companies on how much greenhouse gases they emit to prevent them releasing as much
Cap emissions of all greenhouse gases
Technology capturing CO2 produced by burning fossil fuels
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
It binds to the haemoglobin in your blood that normally carries oxygen so less oxygen is transported around your body
It is hard to detect as it doesn’t have a colour or smell
How are these gases released/ created?
Sulphur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Why are they harmful?
Combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities
Reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air caused by the heat of burning
These gases mix together with water and clouds and form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid that falls as acid rain
