chapter 17/21: the atmosphere, climate, and climate change

Chapter 17/21: The Chapter 17/21: The Atmosphere, Climate, and Atmosphere, Climate, and

Climate ChangeClimate Change

What is the What is the Atmosphere?Atmosphere?

The atmosphere is a The atmosphere is a relatively thin layer of gas relatively thin layer of gas

around our planet that around our planet that protects us from outer space.protects us from outer space.

How was the atmosphere How was the atmosphere formed?formed?

Scientists believe that gases Scientists believe that gases emitted from volcanic emitted from volcanic

eruptions led to the formation eruptions led to the formation of an atmosphere.of an atmosphere.

These gases were primarily These gases were primarily Carbon Dioxide (COCarbon Dioxide (CO22), Sulfur ), Sulfur

Dioxide (SODioxide (SO22), Water Vapor ), Water Vapor

(H(H22O), and Nitrogen (NO), and Nitrogen (N22).).

But where did the Oxygen But where did the Oxygen (O(O22) come from?) come from?

Sunlight splitting HSunlight splitting H22O into HO into H22

and Oand O22

2H2H22O 2HO 2H22 + O + O22

Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae) in the Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae) in the form of stromatolites photosynthesized form of stromatolites photosynthesized oxygen over 3 billion years ago in the oxygen over 3 billion years ago in the

“Great Oxidation Event.”“Great Oxidation Event.”

Stromatolite Fossil from Glacier National Park

Cyanobacteria as seen under a microscope

Cyanobacterium (Blue Green Algae) became part Cyanobacterium (Blue Green Algae) became part of the eukaryotic plant cell around 543 million of the eukaryotic plant cell around 543 million

years ago early in the Cambrian Period. This is years ago early in the Cambrian Period. This is called endosymbiosis. The cyanobacteria called endosymbiosis. The cyanobacteria

benefited from having a safe place to live and the benefited from having a safe place to live and the plant cell benefited by having a food source.plant cell benefited by having a food source.

Stromatolite Fossil from Glacier National Park

Cyanobacteria as seen under a microscope

Plants take in HPlants take in H22O, COO, CO22, and sunlight and give off , and sunlight and give off

energy (sugar) and Oenergy (sugar) and O22 through photosynthesis. through photosynthesis.

6CO6CO22 + 6H + 6H22O + Sunlight _____CO + Sunlight _____C66HH1212OO66 + 6O + 6O22

Trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants produce about 50% of the world’s atmospheric oxygen. They are known as a “sink” for atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Plants take in HPlants take in H22O, COO, CO22, and sunlight and give off , and sunlight and give off

energy (sugar) and Oenergy (sugar) and O22 through photosynthesis. through photosynthesis.

6CO6CO22 + 6H + 6H22O + Sunlight _____CO + Sunlight _____C66HH1212OO66 + 6O + 6O22

Different Species of Phytoplankton. These microorganisms produce about 50% of all atmospheric oxygen worldwide. They are known as a “sink” for atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Cellular Respirators like animals take in energy Cellular Respirators like animals take in energy (sugar) and O(sugar) and O2 2 and give off Hand give off H22OO and COand CO22 through through

photosynthesis. photosynthesis. C C66HH1212OO66 + 6O + 6O2 2 _____6CO_____6CO22 + 6H + 6H22O O

Cows, humans, etc. are known as a “source” for atmospheric carbon dioxide.

See graphic on page 367 of See graphic on page 367 of your text for atmospheric your text for atmospheric

pathways.pathways.

Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

What are the “sources” of atmospheric carbon dioxide? What are the “sinks” for atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Principal Gases of Dry AirPrincipal Gases of Dry AirPrincipal Gases of Dry Air

Nitrogen, 78.08

Oxygen, 20.95

Argon, 0.934

Carbon Dioxide, 0.035

Trace Gases, 0.001

Movement of Heat Energy in Movement of Heat Energy in the Atmospherethe Atmosphere

ConductionConduction: Heat moves : Heat moves through a substance by through a substance by

molecular collisions.molecular collisions.Ex) Burning yourself on a hot Ex) Burning yourself on a hot stove is through conduction.stove is through conduction.

ConvectionConvection: Heat moves : Heat moves through a fluid (gas or liquid) through a fluid (gas or liquid)

by differences in density.by differences in density.Ex) Rising smoke from a Ex) Rising smoke from a

forest fire.forest fire.

RadiationRadiation: Transfer of : Transfer of Energy through empty space Energy through empty space via electromagnetic waves via electromagnetic waves

(spectrum).(spectrum).Ex) UV rays from the sun.Ex) UV rays from the sun.

Structure of AtmosphereStructure of Atmosphere

The layers of the Atmosphere The layers of the Atmosphere are defined by changes in the are defined by changes in the

temperature trend.temperature trend.

TroposphereTroposphere: The : The lowest layer (0-10 lowest layer (0-10 Km). Temperature Km). Temperature

decreases with decreases with height due to height due to decreasing decreasing

pressure. This is pressure. This is where weather where weather

occurs.occurs.

StratosphereStratosphere: : (10-50 Km) (10-50 Km)

Temperature Temperature increases with increases with height. This is height. This is where we find where we find

the the ozone layerozone layer..

MesosphereMesosphere: : (50-90 Km) (50-90 Km)

Temperature Temperature decreases decreases

with height. with height.

ThermosphereThermosphere: (50 : (50 Km to Space) Km to Space) Temperature Temperature

increases with increases with height. Ionosphere height. Ionosphere

and and AurorasAuroras caused caused by by solar wind solar wind occur occur

here.here.

We sample the atmosphere We sample the atmosphere using using radiosonderadiosonde balloons balloons

You can remember the layers of the atmosphere You can remember the layers of the atmosphere from bottom to top by remembering this mnemonic: from bottom to top by remembering this mnemonic: TrTraeger aeger StStudies udies MeMega ga ThThunderstorms understorms ExExuberantly!uberantly!

Troposphere = Traeger

Stratosphere = Studies

Mesosphere = Mega

Thermosphere = Thunderstorms

Exosphere = Exuberantly!

Earth’s Heat BudgetEarth’s Heat Budget

The The greenhouse effect greenhouse effect is is caused by gases that trap caused by gases that trap infrared radiation (heat).infrared radiation (heat).

One of the primary Greenhouse One of the primary Greenhouse gases is Carbon Dioxide (COgases is Carbon Dioxide (CO22). CO). CO22

molecules absorb and re-radiate molecules absorb and re-radiate infrared (heat) radiation.infrared (heat) radiation.

Carbon

2 Oxygens

An animation showing how An animation showing how ozone is destroyedozone is destroyed

The mechanism for The mechanism for depletion of the ozone layerdepletion of the ozone layer

The The ozone layer hole ozone layer hole is greatest over Antarctica in is greatest over Antarctica in October (Southern Hemisphere Spring). This is due to October (Southern Hemisphere Spring). This is due to

extremely cold temperatures and the return of ultraviolet extremely cold temperatures and the return of ultraviolet radiation as the sun rises again. radiation as the sun rises again.

Why are the temperatures at Why are the temperatures at each location different?each location different?

Heating and Cooling: Light Directly Above Surface

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Time in Minutes

Raw Data for Different MaterialsRaw Data for Different Materials

Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910

Why are the temperatures at Why are the temperatures at each location different?each location different?

What happens to the temperature of sand when What happens to the temperature of sand when the lamp is put at a 45 degree angle?the lamp is put at a 45 degree angle?

Effects of Angle of Insolation on Temperature: Sand Only

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Time (minutes)

Overhead

45 Degree Angle

Raw Data for Light at an AngleRaw Data for Light at an Angle

Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910

Overhead

45 Degree Angle

When the sun’s rays are more direct, we get more When the sun’s rays are more direct, we get more intense rays.intense rays.

We get more solar insolation in the summer We get more solar insolation in the summer months also because the sun has less atmosphere months also because the sun has less atmosphere

to travel through if it is overhead.to travel through if it is overhead.

If there is more atmosphere to travel through, less If there is more atmosphere to travel through, less radiation reaches the surface.radiation reaches the surface.

Earth’s Axis is tilted at 23.5° from the vertical. This Earth’s Axis is tilted at 23.5° from the vertical. This gives way to the seasons.gives way to the seasons.

Table of SeasonsTable of Seasons

SeasonSeason Summer Summer Solstice Solstice (First Day (First Day of of Summer: Summer: around around 6/21)6/21)

Autumnal Autumnal Equinox Equinox (First Day (First Day of Fall: of Fall: around around 9/229/22

Winter Winter Solstice Solstice (First Day (First Day of Winter: of Winter: around around 12/21)12/21)

Vernal Vernal Equinox Equinox (First Day (First Day of Spring: of Spring: around around 3/21)3/21)

Day Day Length at Length at LCHSLCHS

Around 14 Around 14 hourshours

12 hours12 hours Around 10 Around 10 hourshours

12 hours12 hours

Sun Sun Directly Directly overhead:overhead:

23.5° N at 23.5° N at Tropic of Tropic of CancerCancer

0° at 0° at EquatorEquator

23.5° S at 23.5° S at Tropic of Tropic of CapricornCapricorn

0° at 0° at EquatorEquator

Here are two animations for the reasons for our Here are two animations for the reasons for our seasons. Animation 1 and Animation 2seasons. Animation 1 and Animation 2

Air Pollution and SMOGAir Pollution and SMOGSo

““WEEP SOME MORE, MY LADY” APPEARED TO BE LOS ANGLES’ THEME SONGWEEP SOME MORE, MY LADY” APPEARED TO BE LOS ANGLES’ THEME SONGYESTERDAY DUE TO SMOG. CITY HALL, MERELY ACROSS THE STREET, YESTERDAY DUE TO SMOG. CITY HALL, MERELY ACROSS THE STREET,

IS DIM AS MARION E. LENT GROPES HER WAY TO WORK.IS DIM AS MARION E. LENT GROPES HER WAY TO WORK.--LOS ANGELES TIMES, FEBRUARY 5, 1953--LOS ANGELES TIMES, FEBRUARY 5, 1953

Air Pollution over Downtown Los Angeles on July 13, 2004

““An An air pollutantair pollutant is any airborne gas or particle is any airborne gas or particle that occurs at a concentration capable of that occurs at a concentration capable of

harming humans or the environment.”harming humans or the environment.”

Air Pollution over the San Fernando Valley on July 13, 2004

Common Air Pollutants Common Air Pollutants as defined by the Clean as defined by the Clean Air Act of 1970Air Act of 1970

Air PollutantAir Pollutant Major SourcesMajor Sources EffectsEffects

Carbon Monoxide (CO)Carbon Monoxide (CO) Automobile exhaustAutomobile exhaust Reduces delivery of OReduces delivery of O22 to body to body

tissues; impairs vision and tissues; impairs vision and reflexesreflexes

Nitrogen Dioxide (NONitrogen Dioxide (NO22)) Burning of fossil fuels in power Burning of fossil fuels in power plants and automobilesplants and automobiles

Irritates lungs and lowers Irritates lungs and lowers resistance to respiratory resistance to respiratory infections; contributes to acid infections; contributes to acid rain and SMOGrain and SMOG

Sulfur Dioxide (SOSulfur Dioxide (SO22)) Burning of fossil fuels in power Burning of fossil fuels in power plants, oil refineries, paper plants, oil refineries, paper mills, volcanoesmills, volcanoes

Irritates respiratory system; Irritates respiratory system; contributes to acid raincontributes to acid rain

Particulate Matter (dust, smoke, Particulate Matter (dust, smoke, soot, ash)soot, ash)

Factories, power plants, oil Factories, power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, refineries, paper mills, volcanoesvolcanoes

Contributes to respiratory Contributes to respiratory problems; linked to some forms problems; linked to some forms of cancerof cancer

Lead (Pb)Lead (Pb) Smelters, battery plantsSmelters, battery plants Damages nervous and Damages nervous and digestive systemsdigestive systems

Ground Level Ozone (OGround Level Ozone (O33) ) BadBad

High Altitude Stratospheric High Altitude Stratospheric Ozone protects us from UVOzone protects us from UV

Reactions of nitrogen oxides Reactions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlightpresence of sunlight

Reduces lung function and Reduces lung function and causes inflammationcauses inflammation

SMOG (SMoke + fOG) is made worse by high SMOG (SMoke + fOG) is made worse by high temperatures and sunlight and is the worst during temperatures and sunlight and is the worst during

the summer monthsthe summer months

SMOG over the San Fernando Valley on July 13, 2004

An An inversion layerinversion layer traps the SMOG and does not let it traps the SMOG and does not let it escape in to the upper atmosphere. Warm air above escape in to the upper atmosphere. Warm air above traps cooler air below. Convection and mixing with air traps cooler air below. Convection and mixing with air

above cannot take place due to higher density air below.above cannot take place due to higher density air below.

SMOG over the San Gabriel Valley and La Cañada on July 13, 2004

Warmer Air Above

Cooler Air Below

Why is the air so much worse in the Inland Why is the air so much worse in the Inland Empire?Empire?

The The Air Quality Index Air Quality Index explains the colorsexplains the colors

Go to the following sites to find out more Go to the following sites to find out more about your local air quality and how it about your local air quality and how it

affects your health and the health of the affects your health and the health of the ones you care about!ones you care about!

Environmental Protection Agency

California Air Resources Board

South Coast Air Quality Management District

Air Now

Call 1-800-CUT-SMOG to report polluting vehicles that are smoking like a chimney!

Chapter 21: Climate and Climate ChangeChapter 21: Climate and Climate Change

What is Climate?

Chapter 21: Climate and Climate ChangeChapter 21: Climate and Climate Change

What is Climate?

Climate is the long-term state of Earth’s atmosphere.

Climate CharacteristicsClimate Characteristics

What are the two main characteristics of an area’s climate?

The two main characteristics of an area’s climate are temperature and precipitation.

What are three other characteristics of an area’s climate?

Climate CharacteristicsClimate Characteristics1.Number of days and hours of sunlight

2.Direction, speed, and steadiness of the wind

3.Occurrence of severe weather conditions

Controls on Climate

TemperatureTemperature PrecipitationPrecipitation

Controls on ClimateTemperatureTemperature PrecipitationPrecipitation

LatitudeLatitude Temperatures are generally Temperatures are generally colder towards the polescolder towards the poles

Areas near the equator and 60Areas near the equator and 60 N/S latitude are wet. Areas near N/S latitude are wet. Areas near

3030 N/S and the poles are dry N/S and the poles are dry

ElevationElevation Temperatures colder at higher Temperatures colder at higher elevationelevation

Air at higher elevations has less Air at higher elevations has less moisturemoisture

Nearby WaterNearby Water Coastal areas have mild climates Coastal areas have mild climates due to WATER!!!due to WATER!!!

More precipitation near large More precipitation near large water bodieswater bodies

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents Warm ocean currents warm Warm ocean currents warm nearby coast. Cold ocean nearby coast. Cold ocean

currents cool nearby coast.currents cool nearby coast.

Ocean currents can produce fog.Ocean currents can produce fog.

TopographyTopography Leeward side of mountains Leeward side of mountains warmer than windward sidewarmer than windward side

Windward side of mountains are Windward side of mountains are wetter than leeward sidewetter than leeward side

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds Air masses delivered from hot or Air masses delivered from hot or cold regions determine cold regions determine

temperaturetemperature

Air masses delivered from wet or Air masses delivered from wet or dry regions determine dry regions determine

precipitationprecipitation

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds Air masses delivered from hot or Air masses delivered from hot or cold regions determine cold regions determine

temperaturetemperature

Air masses delivered from wet or Air masses delivered from wet or dry regions determine dry regions determine

precipitationprecipitation

VegetationVegetation Vegetation affects rate at which Vegetation affects rate at which Earth heats/coolsEarth heats/cools

Vegetation releases water vaporVegetation releases water vapor

What are the major climate controls here in La Cañada?

Controls on Climate in La CañadaTemperatureTemperature PrecipitationPrecipitation

LatitudeLatitude Temperatures are moderateTemperatures are moderate Most precipitation occurs in Most precipitation occurs in winterwinter

ElevationElevation Cooler temperatures up Angeles Cooler temperatures up Angeles CrestCrest

More rain falls at higher More rain falls at higher elevations due to orographic elevations due to orographic

liftinglifting

Nearby WaterNearby Water Temperatures moderated by Temperatures moderated by nearby oceannearby ocean

Precipitation comes from Pacific Precipitation comes from Pacific OceanOcean

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents Our cold California Current keeps Our cold California Current keeps temperatures moderate.temperatures moderate.

Cold ocean current can produce Cold ocean current can produce fog and low clouds.fog and low clouds.

TopographyTopography Cooler temperatures up Angeles Cooler temperatures up Angeles CrestCrest

More rain falls at higher More rain falls at higher elevations due to orographic elevations due to orographic

liftinglifting

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds Winds blow from Southwest off of Winds blow from Southwest off of ocean keeps LC cool. Northeast ocean keeps LC cool. Northeast Santa Ana winds keep LC warm.Santa Ana winds keep LC warm.

Southwest winds bring Southwest winds bring precipitation. Northeast winds precipitation. Northeast winds

bring clear, dry weather.bring clear, dry weather.

VegetationVegetation Chaparral in hills keeps LC cool Chaparral in hills keeps LC cool at night. Asphalt keeps us hot.at night. Asphalt keeps us hot.

Vegetation releases water vaporVegetation releases water vapor

What is El Niño?

Warm ocean water makes its way across the Pacific Ocean and reaches our coast around Christmas time. This produces more rainfall in La Cañada.

Climate Zones around the World

Climate ZoneClimate Zone SubclimateSubclimate DescriptionDescription

PolarPolar TundraTundra

IcecapIcecap

Always cold & dry with short, cool summersAlways cold & dry with short, cool summers

Freezing all yearFreezing all year

DryDry Desert: AridDesert: Arid

SemiaridSemiarid

Very Dry: Evaporation > PrecipitationVery Dry: Evaporation > Precipitation

Dry: Evaporation > PrecipitationDry: Evaporation > Precipitation

Humid TropicalHumid Tropical Tropical WetTropical Wet

Tropical Wet & DryTropical Wet & Dry

Hot & Rainy most of yearHot & Rainy most of year

Hot all year with wet & dry seasonsHot all year with wet & dry seasons

Moist mid-Moist mid-latitude with latitude with mild wintersmild winters

Humid SubtropicalHumid Subtropical

Marine West CoastMarine West Coast

MediterraneanMediterranean

Hot, humid summers & mild wintersHot, humid summers & mild winters

Mild and rainy all yearMild and rainy all year

Hot, dry summers. Mild, rainy wintersHot, dry summers. Mild, rainy winters

Moist mid-Moist mid-latitude with latitude with

severe winterssevere winters

Humid ContinentalHumid Continental

SubarcticSubarctic

Warm summers & cold, snowy wintersWarm summers & cold, snowy winters

Short summers & long, cold, snowy Short summers & long, cold, snowy winterswinters

HighlandHighland NoneNone Temperature & Precipitation vary Temperature & Precipitation vary greatly with latitude & elevationgreatly with latitude & elevation

Climate Change

Earth’s Climate Over the Past 400,000 years

Climate Change

How does Earth’s energy budget affect climate?

Causes of Climate Change

Earth’s Motions and Milankovitch Cycles: Eccentricity

The shape of Earth’s orbit changes with a period of 100,000 years.

Earth’s Motions and Milankovitch Cycles: Axial Tilt

The tilt of Earth’s axis goes between 22.1 and 24.5 every 41,000 years. The tilt right now is 23.5.

Earth’s Motions and Milankovitch Cycles: Precession (Wobble)

You can think of the Earth as a top that wobbles back and forth. Earth’s axis wobbles with a period of 23,000 years.

Plate Tectonics

Large landmasses near the poles cause temperature differences

between the poles and the equator to increase. This usually

contributes to global cooling because glaciers on land reflect

light. Global warming occurs when there are no large

landmasses near the poles.

Sunspot Cycles:

Sunspot cycles occur on 11 year cycles.

Sunspot Cycles:

More sunspots on the face of the sun means that the sun gives off more energy. This translates to global warming.

Fewer sunspots means that the sun gives off less energy. This translates to global cooling and the Maunder Minimum.

Sunspot Cycles:

Sunspot cycles occur on 11 year cycles.

Sunspot Cycles:

Sunspot number prediction through the year 2015.

Volcanic Eruptions:

Dust and sulfur dioxide gas are sent into the stratosphere when volcanoes erupt. Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfuric

acid droplets that remain suspended in the stratosphere for many years. This reflects sunlight and causes global cooling.

Volcanic Eruptions:

Very large volcanic eruptions can cause large amounts of carbon dioxide to be ejected into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, as you know, is a greenhouse gas. This can cause global warming. Go here for an LA Times story about volcanic eruptions that caused

warming.

Human Effects:

We spoke of these during our viewing of Inconvenient Truth.

Human Effects:

Mr. Gore spoke of the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global temperatures.

Human Effects:

Mr. Gore spoke of the effects of human-induced global warming, such as sea level rise.

Human Effects:

The effects of human-induced global warming, such as species extinction

Human Effects:

Mr. Gore spoke of the effects of human-induced global warming, such as storm intensities.

Methods for Measuring Climate Change

Sea floor Sediments:

Scientists can use the ratio of Heavy Oxygen 18 to Lighter Oxygen 16 to tell what climate was like in the past. More Oxygen 18 in sea floor sediments means that more glaciers existed when

the shells in the sediments formed.

Methods for Measuring Climate Change

Glacier Ice Core Samples:

Bubbles of ancient air in samples can be analyzed for carbon dioxide content. Snow that fell on a glacier during a warm period

has more heavy Oxygen 18.

Methods for Measuring Climate ChangeTree Growth Rings: Scientists can study a tree’s growth rings to

determine past climate. Thicker growth rings signify a wetter, cooler period. Thinner growth rings signify a dryer, warmer period.

chapter 17/21: the atmosphere, climate, and climate change

pressure slide

microscope slide

o sunlight

oxygen o

structure of atmosphere

o cows

nitrogen cycle slide

climate change slide

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