BIOL 1005 Lecture Notes - Lecture 41: Permafrost, Malaria, Ebola Virus Disease
Document Summary
Driving forces - increasing levels of greenhouse gases co2 primary driver. Co2 levels have been increasing over the last approx. Effectiveness & residence time in the atmosphere: co2 = approx. 100 yrs. effectiveness due to long residence time. Ch4 (methane) produced by bacterial breakdown of organic material (permafrost thawing) residence time is approx. Ch4 hit by uv radiation breaks down into h2o and co2. Balanced climate we look at summer highs and winter lows (record holding temps) The ration of summer highs to winter lows is 1:1. Ratio of summer to winter is approx. 1) increasing temperatures will help drive changes in weather. Hurricane & typhoon intensity increasing storm surge issues property damage issues. Some areas are drier which causes drought issues and ag. Some areas are wetter in mo more precipitation but fewer precipitation bouts erosion and property damage. Estuarine flooding alteration of salinity and change in function.
