unit 4 mod 47,48,49,50,62,63,64
Explain the benefits of stratospheric ozone and how it forms.
plays a beneficial role by absorbing most of the biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight (called UV-B), allowing only a small amount to reach the Earth's surface formed naturally by chemical reactions involving solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) and oxygen molecules, which make up 21% of the atmosphere. ... In the second step, each of these highly reactive atoms combines with an oxygen molecule to produce an ozone molecule (O3).
Distinguish among global change, global climate change, and global warming.
"Global change" refers to planetary-scale changes in the Earth system. The system consists of the land, oceans, atmosphere, polar regions, life, the planet's natural cycles and deep Earth processes. These constituent parts influence one another. "Global warming" refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. "Climate change" refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time - including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns.
Explain the process underlying the greenhouse effect.
A process called the greenhouse effect causes Earth to heat. The greenhouse effect is the absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases and re-radiation of energy back towards earth, greenhouse gases radiate infrared energy back toward surface of planet trapping heat. ... The strongest greenhouse gas are CFCs
Explain how temperatures have increased since records began in 1880.
According to the NOAA 2019 Global Climate Summary, the combined land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.07°C (0.13°F) per decade since 1880; however, the average rate of increase since 1981 (0.18°C / 0.32°F) is more than twice as great
Describe how acid deposition forms and why it has improved in the United States and become worse elsewhere.
Acid deposition, which is composed of Hydrogen, sulfate, and nitrate ions, forms from both - sulfur dioxide and - nitrogen oxides. Acid deposition is harmful to aquatic organisms and can reduce forest productivity in sensitive ecosystems. Due to reduction s in sulfur emissions int he US, Acidic deposition is much less of a problem than it used to be. Asia is a location today where acidic deposition is an environmental problem.
Explain strategies and techniques for controlling sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
Air pollution is best controlled by increasing the efficiency of process that cause pollution, thereby reducing emissions, or by removing pollutants from fuel BEFORE combustion.After combustion occurs Filters and Scrubbers: -remove pollutants from the exhaust stream before they can be releases into the environment. The use of filters and scrubbers is preferable to trying to remove pollutants after they have been distributed throughout the environment.
Explain how indoor air pollution differs in developing and developed countries.
Around 50% of people, almost all in developing countries, rely on coal and biomass in the form of wood, dung and crop residues for domestic energy. ... Exposure to indoor air pollution may be responsible for nearly 2 million excess deaths in developing countries and for some 4% of the global burden of disease.
Identify the natural and anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gases.
CH4 and N2O are emitted from both natural and anthropogenic sources
Explain how CO2 concentrations have changed over the past 6 decades and how emissions compare among the nations of the world.
Each line represents one decade, from 1958 to 2020. CO2 concentration is measured in parts per million* (ppm). ... First, we notice that over the last six decades, carbon dioxide concentration has increased steadily, which is why the lines stack up nicely in a non-stacked chart type like this. the US emitted 15.53 metric tons of carbon dioxide per capita. China emitted 6.59 metric tons. India emitted just 1.58 metric tons. As these countries get richer, their per capita emissions are poised to rise further
Discuss how global climate change has affected the environment.
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner.
Explain how global climate change has affected organisms.
Humans and wild animals face new challenges for survival because of climate change. More frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warming oceans can directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak havoc on people's livelihoods and communities.
Describe the major indoor air pollutants and the risks associated with them.
Indoor air pollution has been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects, including headaches, respiratory problems, frequent colds and sore throats, chronic cough, skin rashes, eye irritation, lethargy, dizziness and memory lapses. Long-term effects may include an increased risk of cancer.
Identify the future changes predicted to occur with global climate change.
Some places will have wetter winters and drier summers. Melting Snow and Ice: As the climate warms, snow and ice melt. The amount of summer melting of glaciers, ice sheets, and other snow and ice on land are predicted to be greater than the amount of winter precipitation.
Explain the global climate change goals of the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to reduce the onset of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to "a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system"
Explain efforts to reduce ozone depletion.
To halt the depletion of the ozone layer, countries around the world agreed to stop using ozone-depleting substances. ... The main substances include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide.
Discuss how we estimate temperatures and levels of greenhouse gases over the past 500,000 years and into the future.
To predict future climate, scientists use computer programs called climate models to understand how our planet is changing. Climate models work like a laboratory in a computer. They allow scientists to study how different factors interact to influence a region's climate.
Explain the role of feedbacks on the impacts of climate change.
When we burn fossil fuels to produce electricity, heat, and more, they emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. These gases trap the sun's energy in Earth's atmosphere as heat. ... Scientists call this process a "feedback loop" - and it's got profound consequences for the planet.
Explain how photochemical smog forms and why it is still a problem in the United States.
a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities. It tends to occur more often in summer, because that is when we have the most sunlight. Photochemical smog has many adverse effects. When combined with hydrocarbons, the chemicals contained within it form molecules that cause eye irritation. Radicals in the air interfere with the nitrogen cycle by preventing the destruction of ground level ozone
Describe innovative pollution control measures.
cloud seeding- the dropping of crystals into clouds to cause rain giant sprinklers- smog-eating buildings- consists of thermoformed shells coated in photocatalytic titanium dioxide. This coating reacts with light to neutralise elements of air pollution, negating the effects of up to 1,000 cars a day according to its developers pigeon air patrol- smog free tower- The tower can process 30,000 cubic meters of air every hour, remove ultra-fine smog and let out clean air
Describe the depletion of stratospheric ozone.
gradual thinning of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica