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Transcript
Atmosphere Revision Booklet Section 1 – The Natural Greenhouse Effect The 5 key steps that explain how the Earth’s atmosphere is warmed: 1. Incoming shortwave radiation from the sun. 2. Some of the incoming radiation scattered by clouds, some reflected from Earth’s surface, some absorbed. 3. Earth then emits long wave radiation from its surface. 4. Some of this escapes into space, some is absorbed by greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide. 5. The longwave radiation that is absorbed by the gases warms the atmosphere. Section 2 Natural climate change - Geological (long term) and historical (short term). Long term causes of natural climate change (ice age) Factor Orbital change Explanation The earth’s orbit on a cycle of 100 000 years changes from more circular to more elliptical. When it is more circular slightly less incoming solar radiation is received. Earth’s tilt The Earth’s tilt changes on a cycle of 46 000 years. With increased tilt, more incoming solar radiation is reflected, decreasing temperature. Development This means that global temperatures will decrease and this appears to trigger an ice age as snow and ice does not melt in the summer months, meaning that glaciers and ice sheets begin to form and increase in size. As a result snow and ice builds up further increasing the albedo of the Earth’s surface. Temperatures decrease further. Short term causes of natural climate change (Little Ice Age) Factor Sun spots Explanation Dark spots of intense solar activity happen on the surface of the sun, emitting increased short wave radiation. Volcanic activity Increased volcanic activity results in big ash clouds which scatters incoming shortwave radiation. Development Periods with higher numbers of sunspots show higher temperatures, for example the medieval warm period, periods with lower numbers of sun spots link to colder periods, for example the little Ice Age between 1400 and 1800 AD. This results in a decrease in global temperatures. Exam Question Explain how natural factors can cause climate change. (6 marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... Thirdly, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… To conclude, most important reason is ................................................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Section 3 – impacts of the Little Ice Age – 1400 – 1800AD Impact Environmental impact Environmental impact Environmental impact Economic impact Explanation Shorter growing season in NW Europe and summer frosts. The River Thames froze in some winters. Development This resulted in crops failing and widespread hunger. This meant frost fairs could be held. Glaciers in the Alps increased in size taking up much more land. Crop yields decreased due to shorter growing seasons and summer frosts This meant they took up farmland. Farmers’ income fell and food became much more expensive. Exam Question Describe how climate change in the past impacted people and ecosystems. (6 marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... Thirdly, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… To conclude, most important reason is ................................................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Section 4 – Extinction of Mega Fauna Around 11 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age many species of very large mammals became extinct. Examples of these were the Giant Sloth, Sabre Tooth Tiger and Woolly Mammoth. There are two theories for this: 1. A warming climate led to the increase in area of the coniferous forests as they spread northwards. Most of these mammals lived in tundra ecosystem and therefore they lost their natural habitat. 2. The animals were hunted by humans who were migrating to higher latitudes as climate warmed. This meant that over time the species decreased in numbers and became extinct. Exam Question Evaluate theories of why past geological scale climate change led to mass extinctions. (6marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... To conclude, the most likely theory is ................................................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Section 5 – The UK Climate You need to be able to describe and explain patterns of temperature and rainfall. Summers are warmer in the south and east, for example London. Winters are usually milder (slightly warmer) in the west, especially Devon and Cornwall. Rainfall is highest in the west, for example Wales and Cumbria. This is because the sun’s rays are at a higher angle in the sky and therefore more incoming short wave radiation is received in the south. This is due to the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift bringing warm water from the Gulf of Mexico close the UK western shores. This is because the higher altitude land here causes more relief rain as the air moves up over the hills and mountains. Exam Question Describe and explain the UK’s climate pattern. Include temperature and rainfall. (4 marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... Thirdly, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section 6 – Human Caused Climate Change Human activities have released large amounts of additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect. Activity Burning fossil fuels to make electricity Oil is used for many types of transportation, for example cars and planes. Intensive cattle farming and also paddy fields to grow rice produce methane. Landfill sites Explanation Large amounts of coal and gas are burned to make electricity, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As well as carbon dioxide cars also emit nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas. Methane is released into the atmosphere, and absorbs long wave radiation. As rubbish decomposes it produces methane. Development Important because demand for electricity is increasing worldwide, especially in SE Asia where coal is often used. These absorb more of the outgoing longwave radiation thus warming the atmosphere. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, can absorb much heat. Much of the UK’s rubbish ends up in landfill. Exam Question Explain how human activities can result in climate change (4 marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... Thirdly, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Impacts of climate change on the UK Factor Warmer summer temperatures, especially in the south. Higher winter temperatures Increased temperatures Invasive species Higher sea levels Impact Growing season should lengthen and therefore some crops should ripen more successfully, for example more places could grow grapes. Fewer snowfall events in winter might mean the Scottish ski industry has to close. Could result in more rainfall, and possible more intense rainfall. The range of certain insects could be extended northwards. Might flood low lying land along the coast. Development This means that some farmers’ incomes will increase and new businesses start. This is important because flooding can damage property and infrastructure. Tropical diseases might spread to the UK, e.g. malaria. This is important for the Fenland in East Anglia which is very low and is used intensively for agriculture. Impacts of climate change in Tuvalu Factor Increasing sea levels Salt water incursion Erosion Impact Land and peoples’ homes are being flooded at high tides and in storms. This damages their possessions. The land is 5 metres above sea level at most. Ground water and soil water is becoming salty due to the sea level. Increasing numbers of cyclones have hit the islands in recent years. Development This is important because people might be forced to migrate away from their villages, perhaps to New Zealand. This has resulted in people not being able to grow vegetables such as taro. Important because the country cannot afford to import its food. This has damaged the coastal road and also natural protection like coral reefs. Important because the country cannot afford to build higher sea defences. Exam Question For a named developing country (poor country) explain why climate change is likely to have a large impact on its people. (6 marks) Firstly, ..................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Secondly, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... Thirdly, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… To conclude, most important impact is ................................................................................. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
