HTW 121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Ozone Depletion, Stellar Atmosphere, Global Warming
19 Oct 2014
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Document Summary
Gas that occurs both in earth"s upper atmosphere and at ground level. Located in the troposphere (air closest to ground level) Pollutant that is a significant health risk, especially for children w/ asthma. Natural shield; gradually been damaged/depleted by man-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (cfcs) Sources of cfcs: aerosol propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerants, foam plastic products (insulation, foam mattresses, upholstery. Ozone depletion allows more uv rays to get to the ground, contributing to global warming. Greenhouse gases: naturally occurring gases that capture heat and keep the surface of the. Before industrial revolution, production of these gases was in balance w/ what could be used/restored on earth. Necessary phenomenon to sustain life on earth. Life on earth depends on energy from sun. ~30% of sunlight beamed towards earth is deflected by outer atmosphere and scattered back to space. Rest reaches planet"s surface and is reflected upward again as infrared radiation (slow-moving energy)
