Climatology and Atmospheric Layers

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary gas composition of the troposphere?

Oxygen (21%)

Water Vapor (up to 5%)

Nitrogen (78%) (correct)

Carbon Dioxide (0.0365%)

What is the maximum altitude of the troposphere?

12 km

10 km (correct)

8 km

15 km

Which of the following statements about water vapor in the troposphere is correct?

Water vapor typically ranges from 0.01% to 5% (correct)

Water vapor is primarily composed of nitrogen

Water vapor does not exist in the troposphere

Water vapor is a constant 5%

Which layer of the atmosphere is known for containing the majority of the Earth's weather?

Troposphere Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the troposphere's composition is carbon dioxide?

0.0365% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the air in the stratosphere?

It is thin and dry. Signup and view all the answers

At what altitude does the stratosphere begin above the troposphere?

10-50 km Signup and view all the answers

Why do jets typically fly in the stratosphere?

To avoid weather disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not true about the stratosphere?

It experiences significant weather phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about turbulence in the stratosphere compared to the troposphere?

There is less turbulence in the stratosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is significantly different about the composition of the stratosphere compared to the troposphere?

It contains significantly more ozone. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately differentiates climate from weather?

Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about climate change is supported by evidence?

The 20th Century was the hottest in the past 1000 years. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes both climate and weather?

They change with time. Signup and view all the answers

What measurement significantly differs between the troposphere and stratosphere?

Water vapor levels are 1000 times less in the stratosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate increase in sea level during the 20th century?

100-200 cm Signup and view all the answers

By how much did the global temperature increase since 1861?

0.6 degrees Celsius Signup and view all the answers

Which decade was reported to have had the highest temperature on record up to 1990?

1980s Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the year 1990 in relation to temperature records?

It marked the beginning of the hottest decades. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't real experiments be conducted on the earth's climate?

It is impossible to control all variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected range of sea level rise due to thermal expansion and other factors by the year 2100?

9 to 88 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which ice sheet is currently losing ice at a significant rate?

Greenland Ice Sheet Signup and view all the answers

What contributes mainly to the persistence of anthropogenic climate change over centuries?

Greenhouse gas emissions Signup and view all the answers

What is the forecasted global temperature increase by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels?

Between 1.4°C and 5.8°C Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is primarily responsible for the thermal expansion of seawater leading to rising sea levels?

Temperature increase Signup and view all the answers

What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) primarily known for in the stratosphere?

Breaking down ozone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a use of CFCs?

Solar panels Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the loss of the ozone layer?

Higher incidence of sunburn Signup and view all the answers

How long do CFCs typically take to reach the stratosphere after being released into the atmosphere?

10-20 years Signup and view all the answers

Which protocols aim to reduce the emission of CFCs?

Montreal Protocol and Copenhagen Protocol Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of ozone layer depletion on human health?

Increased skin cancer incidence Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the environmental impacts of ozone layer depletion?

Increased acid deposition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT impacted by ozone layer depletion?

Polar ice mass Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the potential benefits of substituting CFCs?

Lower greenhouse gas emissions Signup and view all the answers

How long do CFCs take to break down in the atmosphere?

65-385 years Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Troposphere

Weather happens here
Location: surface to about 10 km
Composition: unpolluted air; Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Remaining 1% is CO2 (0.0365%), H, He, Ar
Water vapor is .01% to 5%

Stratosphere

Location: above troposphere, about 10 to 50 km
Very thin air; virtually no weather, and no turbulence
Similar composition to troposphere, except:
Water vapor is 1000 x less
Ozone is 1000 x greater

Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature

Pressure and temperature decrease with increasing altitude
The graph displays how pressure, temperature and altitude relate.
Note the location of the tropopause and stratopause

Climate vs Weather

Climate = long-term atmospheric conditions
Weather = short-term atmospheric conditions
Both are dynamic and change over time

CO2 Measurements

Graph shows CO2 levels rising over time (1960-2000)

Evidence for Climate Change

20th century was the warmest in the past 1000 years
Global temperatures have risen 0.6°C (1.1°F) since 1861
16 warmest years recorded since 1980, 10 warmest since 1990
Glaciers and sea ice are melting
Sea level has risen 100-200 cm over the 20th century

Projecting Future Changes

Real experiments aren't possible for the entire Earth's climate
Use scaled-up small experiments
Computer models (GCMs)
Learn from the past (paleoclimatology)

Sea Level Rise

There is a graph showing sea level rise over time
The graph also shows different scenarios for sea level rise by the year 2100

Solutions to Climate Change

Do more research (wait and see) - current US strategy
Act now to reduce risks because of global warming impacts (severe)
Act now in the same way to reduce global warming risks, regardless of whether warming occurs
Prevention strategies and cleanup strategies detailed

Removing CO₂ from the Atmosphere

Methods for removing CO2 from the atmosphere are described.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

1988 - IPCC established (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
1997 - Kyoto Protocol reached
Agreement to reduce CO2 emissions from 39 countries
US pulled out of the agreement in 2001
Russia's ratification was needed for the Protocol to take effect;
New post-Kyoto treaty?

Ozone in the Stratosphere

Ozone (O₂) protects life on Earth from harmful UV solar radiation
Ozone depletion causes the ozone "hole"

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related chemicals break down ozone in the stratosphere
Used in many applications, now mostly phased out

Seasonal Ozone Layer Thinning

Graph showing seasonal thinning of ozone layers

Loss of the Ozone Layer: Reasons for Concern

Increased incidence of sunburn, eye cataracts, skin cancer
Immune system suppression
Increase in acid deposition
Lower crop yields and reduced productivity

Solutions: Protecting the Ozone Layer

CFC substitutes
Montreal Protocol (1987)
Copenhagen Protocol (1992)

Future Climate Predictions

Global average temperature and sea level will likely rise based on IPCC scenarios
Temperature increases between 1.4 and 5.8 °C from 1990–2100
Snow and ice cover will decline (exceptions noted), with Greenland losing ice compared to Antarctica gaining
Sea-level rise anticipated
Change will potentially persist for centuries

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Description

Explore the different layers of the atmosphere, including the troposphere and stratosphere, and their unique characteristics. This quiz also covers the distinction between weather and climate, as well as evidence of climate change through CO2 measurements. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in atmospheric science.