Composition of the Atmosphere
1. mixture of invisible gases (Including Water Vapor)
2. Water Droplets and Ice Crystals
3. Suspended Microscopic particles such as dust and smoke (aerosols)
Meteorology
Minute to minute, day to day changes in temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, etc.
Climatology
Longer term averages of weather (usually 3 years)
Oceanography
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Fundmental Cause of weather
Effect of the sun on the earth. Out Sun is a Nuclear reactor producing enormous amounts of fusion energy.
Earth's Atmosphere
a thin envelope of gases no taller than about the distance of an hour drive on the highway, 60 miles (100 km). some of it extends several hungered km high
aerosols
Tiny Solid or Liquid Particles that are suspended in the atmosphere (excluding cloud droplets and precipitation)
Sources of Aerosols in the air
1. Volcanic Eruptions
2. Forest Fires
3. Tornadoes
4. Wind Erosion
5. Incomplete Fuel combustion
6. Construction
7. Crop Spraying
8. Industrial Processes
Sink
a mechanism that removes gas from the atmosphere
Water Vapor
Varies near the earth's surface and is considered to be the most effect greenhouse gas
Source of water vapor
Evaporation from large bodies of water
Sink of Water vapor
condensation to produce water (rain)
Hydrologic Cycle
the cycle and process of water. Water is the only substance that exists naturally in the atmosphere in all three forms.
Sources of Carbon Dioxide
1. Volcanoes
2. Decomposition of plants
3. burning off of fossil fuels
4. Animal Respiration
5. Deforestation
Sinks of Carbon Dioxide
1. Photosynthesis
2. Dissolution into oceans
3. Absorption by Phytoplankton in large bodies of water
Carbon Dioxide
Is associated with warm periods in the earth's long term history. It has a residence time of 150 years and is a greenhouse gas.
Ozone
a naturally occurring gas concentrates 12-12 miles above the earth in the earth's atmosphere. It is a greenhouse gas and absorbs lethal amounts of ultraviolet rays from the sun protecting life on earth. However, when near the earth's surface it is a major
Methane
a green house gas that comes from the decay of organic substances, burring of forests, coal mining, and cattle raising
Chloroflurocarbons
is an Anthropogenic Gas and a greenhouse gas. It comes from propellants in spray cans, styrofoam puffing agents, and coolants fro refrigerators and air conditioners. Has a residence time on earth of 100 years.
Anthropogenic Pollutants near the earth's surface include:
1. Carbon monoxide (CO)
2. Nitrous Oxides including nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
3. Ozone (O3)
4. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
5. Industrial smoke particles
Sources of Pollutants
1. Incomplete buring of fossil fuels in cars, industries, and power plants
Pressure
a force exerted on a given area P=Force/Area