Atmospheric Chemistry (C9)

• What are the primary gases that were likely present in Earth's early atmosphere?

  Nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• How did carbon dioxide levels decrease in Earth's early atmosphere?

  Dissolved into oceans and trapped in sediment rocks
• What process do algae and plants use to convert CO2 into oxygen?

  Photosynthesis
• What is the current percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere?

  0.018%
• Which gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?

  Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane
• What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?

  Absorption of longer wavelength radiation by greenhouse gases
• What percentage of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapor?

  95%
• Why is it difficult to model the Earth's climate system accurately?

  Complexity of the systems involved
• What is the term used to describe the amount of carbon dioxide released by an individual's activities?

  Carbon footprint
• How can individuals reduce their carbon footprint?

  By planting trees or reducing emissions
• What is a dangerous atmospheric pollutant that binds to red blood cells?

  Carbon monoxide
• Why is carbon monoxide particularly dangerous?

  It is odorless and colorless
• What pollutant is released when most fossil fuels are burned and causes acid rain?

  Sulfur dioxide
• What health problems can nitrogen oxides cause?

  Breathing problems
• What are particulates of carbon produced by incomplete combustion called?

  Soot
• What health issues can soot cause?

  Respiratory and cardiovascular problems
• What are the key factors that have influenced the change in Earth's atmospheric composition over time?

  • Volcanic activity releasing gases
  • Dissolution of CO2 into oceans
  • Trapping of CO2 in sediment rocks
  • Photosynthesis by algae and plants
  • Industrial activities increasing CO2 levels
• What are the main atmospheric pollutants and their effects?

  • Carbon monoxide: Binds to red blood cells, reduces oxygen transport
  • Sulfur dioxide: Causes acid rain
  • Nitrogen oxides: Causes breathing problems
  • Soot: Causes respiratory and cardiovascular issues
• What are the challenges in predicting climate change accurately?

  • Complexity of Earth's climate systems
  • Difficulty in modeling interactions between various factors
  • Historical inaccuracies in IPCC models
  • Variability in natural climate processes
• What are the main components of the greenhouse effect?

  • Absorption of longer wavelength radiation by greenhouse gases
  • Water vapor as the primary contributor (95%)
  • Carbon dioxide and methane as secondary contributors
  • Role in maintaining Earth's temperature
• What are the primary sources and impacts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Volcanic activity
  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Respiration by living organisms

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • Influences global temperatures
  • Affects ocean acidity levels
• What are the primary sources and impacts of methane in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Livestock digestion
  • Natural gas production

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • More potent than CO2 in trapping heat
  • Short atmospheric lifetime compared to CO2
• What are the primary sources and impacts of water vapor in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Evaporation from oceans and lakes
  • Transpiration from plants

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Primary contributor to the greenhouse effect (95%)
  • Influences weather patterns and precipitation
  • Acts as a feedback mechanism in climate change
• What are the primary sources and impacts of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Volcanic eruptions

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes acid rain
  • Contributes to respiratory problems
  • Can lead to ecosystem damage
• What are the primary sources and impacts of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Industrial processes
  • Burning of fossil fuels

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes breathing problems
  • Contributes to the formation of smog
  • Can lead to acid rain
• What are the primary sources and impacts of soot in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Biomass burning

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems
  • Contributes to global warming by absorbing sunlight
  • Can lead to reduced visibility and air quality
• What are the primary sources and impacts of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Industrial processes

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Binds to red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
  • Odorless and colorless, making it hard to detect
  • Can be fatal at high concentrations
• What are the primary sources and impacts of methane in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Livestock digestion
  • Natural gas production

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • More potent than CO2 in trapping heat
  • Short atmospheric lifetime compared to CO2
• What are the primary sources and impacts of water vapor in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Evaporation from oceans and lakes
  • Transpiration from plants

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Primary contributor to the greenhouse effect (95%)
  • Influences weather patterns and precipitation
  • Acts as a feedback mechanism in climate change
• What are the primary sources and impacts of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Volcanic eruptions

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes acid rain
  • Contributes to respiratory problems
  • Can lead to ecosystem damage
• What are the primary sources and impacts of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Industrial processes
  • Burning of fossil fuels

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes breathing problems
  • Contributes to the formation of smog
  • Can lead to acid rain
• What are the primary sources and impacts of soot in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Biomass burning

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems
  • Contributes to global warming by absorbing sunlight
  • Can lead to reduced visibility and air quality
• What are the primary sources and impacts of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Industrial processes

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Binds to red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
  • Odorless and colorless, making it hard to detect
  • Can be fatal at high concentrations
• What are the primary sources and impacts of methane in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Livestock digestion
  • Natural gas production

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • More potent than CO2 in trapping heat
  • Short atmospheric lifetime compared to CO2
• What are the primary sources and impacts of water vapor in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Evaporation from oceans and lakes
  • Transpiration from plants

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Primary contributor to the greenhouse effect (95%)
  • Influences weather patterns and precipitation
  • Acts as a feedback mechanism in climate change
• What are the primary sources and impacts of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Volcanic eruptions

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes acid rain
  • Contributes to respiratory problems
  • Can lead to ecosystem damage
• What are the primary sources and impacts of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Industrial processes
  • Burning of fossil fuels

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes breathing problems
  • Contributes to the formation of smog
  • Can lead to acid rain
• What are the primary sources and impacts of soot in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Biomass burning

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems
  • Contributes to global warming by absorbing sunlight
  • Can lead to reduced visibility and air quality
• What are the primary sources and impacts of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • Industrial processes

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Binds to red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
  • Odorless and colorless, making it hard to detect
  • Can be fatal at high concentrations
• What are the primary sources and impacts of methane in the atmosphere?

  Sources:

  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Livestock digestion
  • Natural gas production

  
  

  Impacts:

  • Contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • More potent than CO2 in trapping heat
  • Short atmospheric lifetime compared to CO2