GREENHOUSE EFFECT

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT
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GREENHOUSE EFFECT

• Earth is unique in the solar system in that it is
  the only planet that supports life as we know it.
• Several factors account for this
• Position near the sun not too close, not too far
• Abundance of water
• Right mixture of chemical compounds needed for
  life
• Right types of gasses in the right combination
  making up our atmosphere

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT

• Lets look at the last factor
• Right types of gasses in the right
  combination make up our atmosphere
• Why is this so important?

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT

• The earths atmosphere is a protective blanket
  which surrounds our planet.
• It allows the right amounts of suns energy in
  and out, creating a climate that is supportive of
  life

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SUNS ENERGY

• The suns energy reaches the earth in the form of
  electromagnetic radiation.
• Electromagnetic radiation includes visible light,
  infrared (heat), ultraviolet wave lengths and
  others forms of energy.

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SOLAR ENERGY

• Two things can happen to solar radiation as it
  approaches earths atmosphere
• Solar radiation can be reflected back into space
• Solar radiation can be absorbed by clouds, gases
  like ozone or earths surface - or scattered by
  the atmosphere.

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SOLAR RADIATION

• Some of the solar radiation is reradiated or
  emitted by the earth in the form of long-wave
  radiation
• This long-wave radiation is absorbed by certain
  gasses in the earths atmosphere.
• These gasses are called greenhouse gasses

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GREENHOUSE GASSES

• Naturally Occurring
• Water Vapor
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide
• Carbon Dioxide
• Influenced by humans
• Carbon Dioxide
• Nitrous Oxide
• Methane
• CFCs
• Ozone (?)

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(No Transcript)
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The level of greenhouse gases can be affected by
man-made and natural processes
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MAN-MADE PROCESSES

• Burning fossil fuels?CO2 and NOx
• Removing vegetation (deforestation)?CO2
• Using aerosols?CFC
• Polluting of oceans and waterways ?methane

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NATURAL PROCESSES

• Volcanic Eruptions
• Carbon Cycle
• Water Cycle
• Decay?methane
• Oceans and bacteria in soil?nitrous oxide

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MAN-MADE CONTRIBUTIONS

• Man-made contributions to greenhouse gases are
  potentially devastating
• The rise in greenhouse gases, especially carbon
  dioxide, are being attributed to a general rise
  in earths temperature.

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These two graphs show the relationship between
carbon dioxide concentrations in ice core
data/Mauna Loa data and global average
temperatures. There seems to be a direct
correlation between the two
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So what are the consequences of an overall rising
temperature on Earth?
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CONSEQUENCES

• Several theories exist as to what may become of
  our earth if temperature continue to rise

• Rise in sea level due to melting glaciers
• Balance of salt water in oceans will change,
  possibly affecting wildlife
• More tropical, dry weather in parts of world
• Increase in severe weather

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rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect16/Sect16_2.html
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VIDEO CITATIONS

• Greatest Discoveries with Bill Nye Earth
  Science. Discovery Channel School.
  2005.unitedstreaming. 1 July 2007lthttp//www.uni
  tedstreaming.com/gt