GEOG 1220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Plutonium-239, Heavy Metals, Natural Circulation

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Geography
• Course: GEOG 1220
• Professor: Lorne Bennett

Document Summary

Physical systems and human transformation: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, smelting, extraction and deliverance of metals effects the lithosphere. This is the essence of human impact on the environment (affecting natural critical balances) 3 fa(cid:272)tors that ha(cid:448)e (cid:272)o(cid:374)tri(cid:271)uted to the (cid:272)reatio(cid:374) of the earth"s e(cid:374)(cid:448)iro(cid:374)(cid:373)e(cid:374)t: the earth is located where it is located in the solar system, temperature, abundance of water, solar energy (exogenous, geothermal (endogenous) Critical components of the atmosphere: carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone, dirt or condensation. Global circulation of the atmosphere: circulation is because of density of air and pressure systems, this stops when there is an equilibrium. Inversion layer occurs when warm air is over cold air. How have humans modified atmospheric circulation: examples: the urban climate (urban heat islands), Global circulation in the hydrosphere: sources of water on earth, hydrologic cycle, natural patterns and human effects. Convection - process when the water vapor of the earth goes to the sky, responsible.