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Atmosphere

Atmosphere. Quick Notes. Atmospheric pressure (millibars). 1,000. 200. 0. 400. 600. 800. 120. 75. Temperature. 110. 65. Thermosphere. 100. 90. 55. Mesopause. 80. Mesosphere. 45. 70. Altitude (kilometers). Altitude (miles). 60. Stratopause. 35. 50. Stratosphere. 40.

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Atmosphere

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  1. Atmosphere Quick Notes

  2. Atmospheric pressure (millibars) 1,000 200 0 400 600 800 120 75 Temperature 110 65 Thermosphere 100 90 55 Mesopause 80 Mesosphere 45 70 Altitude (kilometers) Altitude (miles) 60 Stratopause 35 50 Stratosphere 40 25 30 Tropopause 15 Ozone layer 20 10 Pressure Troposphere 5 (Sea level) 0 Pressure = 1,000 millibars at ground level –80 80 40 120 –40 0 Temperature (˚C) Fig. 18-3, p. 470

  3. Air Movements in the Troposphere Play a Key Role in Earth’s Weather and Climate • Troposphere • 75–80% of the earth’s air mass • Closet to the earth's surface • Chemical composition of air • Rising and falling air currents: weather and climate • Involved in chemical cycling

  4. The Stratosphere Is Our Global Sunscreen • Stratosphere • Similar composition to the troposphere, with 2 exceptions • Much less water • O3, ozonelayer, filters ~95 % UV • Location • From 7 to 30 miles up

  5. Chemical Composition

  6. Major Outdoor Air Pollutants • CO • CO2 • NO • NO2 • SO • SO2 • VOC’s • SPM

  7. Carbon Monoxide • CO • Colorless, odorless highly toxic gas • Sources: • Motor vehicle exhaust • Burning of forests and grasslands • Tobacco smoke • Open fires • Inefficient stoves used for cooking • Health Effects • Reacts with hemoglobin in red blood cells preventing oxygen uptake • Aggravate asthma & emphysema, heart attack • Headache, nausea, drowsiness

  8. Carbon dioxide • CO2 • Colorless, odorless gas • ~ 93% in the atm. Is from natural sources • Human sources: • Burning fossil fuels • Clearing forests • Environmental Impact • Increasing evidence that increased levels of CO2 is leading to global warming • Results in climate shifts • Droughts, floods, changes in prevailing winds, temperature changes, migration of species, tropical diseases in temperate areas

  9. Nitric Oxide • NO • Colorless gas • Forms when nitrogen and oxygen react at high combustion temperatures in automobile engines and coal burning power plants • Bacteria and lightning can also produce NO • Environmental Impact In the atmosphere • NO reacts with oxygen to form NO2 • Leads to photochemical smog and acid deposition

  10. Nitrogen dioxide • NO2 • Reddish-brown gas Sources • High temperature combustion in automobile engines and coal burning power plants • Health effects • Irritate eyes, nose and throat • Increase susceptibility to respiratory infections • Environmental Impacts • Reacts with water to form nitric acid Results in acid deposition • Photochemical Smog

  11. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) • Accounts for ~5% of all greenhouse gases • Anthropogenic Sources (about 40% of all N2O emissions) • Agriculture • Fossil fuel combustion • Wastewater management • Persistence • N2O molecules stay in the atmosphere for ~ 120 years

  12. SO2 • Colorless gas with an irritating odor • ~ 1/3 of SO2 in atm. Comes from natural sources • Can combine with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid • Sources • Combustion of sulfur containing coal in power plants and industry • Oil refining • Smelting of sulfide ores • Environmental Impact • Damage crops, trees, and soils • Harm aquatic life in lakes • Corrode metals, damage paint and stone on buildings

  13. Ozone • O3 • Colorless, highly reactive gas • Ozone in the stratosphere blocks ~ 95% of the UV rays • Ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere Health effects • Coughing & breathing problems • Reduce resistance to colds and pneumonia • Aggravate asthma & bronchitis • Environmental impact • Damages plants, rubber in tires, fabrics, and paints

  14. Volatile Organic Compounds • VOC’s Sources • Wetlands, termites, industry (solvents) • Rice paddies, landfills, oil and natural gas wells, tobacco smoke & cows Health effects • Blood disorders (such as leukemia) • Exposure to high levels can cause dizziness, nausea, or death

  15. Suspended Particulate Matter • SPM • Variety of solid and liquid droplets small enough to remain suspended in the air Sources • Dust, wildfires, sea salt • Coal burning power and industrial plants, motor vehicles, plowed fields, road construction, and tobacco smoke Health effects • Irritate nose, throat, and lungs • Consider effects of cadmium and PCB’s • Reduce visibity, corrode metals, and discolor clothes

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