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Environmental Science

Environmental Science . Chapter 7 Notes #1. Atmosphere. Thin Layer of gases that surrounds the Earth Extends from the surface to 100’s of km’s above “Air” Composition 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 1% = water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, and others 2 most important

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Environmental Science

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  1. Environmental Science Chapter 7 Notes #1

  2. Atmosphere • Thin Layer of gases that surrounds the Earth • Extends from the surface to 100’s of km’s above • “Air” • Composition • 78% Nitrogen • 21% Oxygen • 1% = water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, and others • 2 most important • Oxygen for respiration • Carbon Dioxide for photosynthesis

  3. Atmosphere • Living organisms appeared about 4 billion years ago • Changed out the atmosphere • Depleted the oxygen • Plant evolved to photosynthesize • Allowed for increased oxygen in the atmosphere • Photosynthesis and Respiration keep oxygen and carbon dioxide constant

  4. Atmosphere • Our atmosphere has 5 layers • The layers get less dense the further you move out from Earth’s surface • 1. Troposphere • Nearest to Earth’s Surface • Extends out to 10 km (6 mi) • Where most weather occurs • Contains 90% of the atmosphere’s gases

  5. Atmosphere • Stratosphere • 10 km to 50 km (about 30 mi) • Less dense than troposphere • Contains the ozone layer • Protects us from UV rays • Wind blows – not as much turbulence as in troposphere • Mesosphere • 50 km to 80 km (about 50 mi) • Less dense than the troposphere and the stratosphere

  6. Atmosphere • Thermosphere • 80 km to 500 km (310 mi) • Less dense than all three of the above • Exosphere • Beyond the thermosphere • Gases become thinner and thinner • It eventually just merges with outer space

  7. Climate • Weather • What is happening in the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular time • Climate • Average weather in an area over a long period of time • Aspects of climate • Temperature • Humidity • Wind • Precipitation Temp and precip. Generally determines what type of organisms are able to live in a particular region

  8. What Determines Climate? • Latitude • Distance from the equator • Measured in degrees N or S • Solar energy received depends on latitude • Air Circulation • Cold air sinks and warms as it does so • Warm are rises and cools as it does so • Warm air holds more water than cold air • As warm air rises it causes wind (mvmt of air) • End result – areas of heavy precipitation, dry areas, etc.

  9. What Determines Climate? 3. Ocean Currents • Currents redistribute large masses of hot and cold water • Mvmt cause by winds and rotation of the Earth • Oceans make climates more moderate (warm winters and cool summers) • Local Geography • Height above sea level affects temp • Mountains influence the distribution of precipitation

  10. Seasonal Change in Climate • Result in Earth’s orbit around the sun • In the Northern Hemisphere the Earth tilts so that we get more direct sunlight in the summer than in the winter • We are closest to the sun in the winter! • Equator gets direct sunlight year around – so its always warm (tropics)

  11. Seasonal Change in Climate

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