FOR201H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Intertropical Convergence Zone, Cation-Exchange Capacity, Volatile Organic Compound
Document Summary
Equatorial weather is relatively stable, with limited seasonal variation in temperature. Slight shifts occur with solar angle and air movements. Weather is determined by local convection, atmospheric moisture, and diurnal patterns. A boreal summer: occurs at higher tropical latitudes and is when near vertical sunlight occurs daily for several months. The inter-tropical convergence zone (itcz): is where the air currents of the northern and southern hemisphere converge. Rainforests are important sources and sinks for many trace gases. Forest soils release many gases after deforestation. The gases react with hydroxyl radicals and help to cleanse the atmosphere of many greenhouse gases. Halocarbons: affect the ozone layer and act as greenhouse gases. During wet season, fungal pores can contribute 50% of particulate matter in the lower atmosphere. The climatic influence of aerosols is unknown. Rainforests aren"t the lungs of the world. Under stable and natural conditions, forests are in approximate balance with the atmosphere.
