Earth’s Atmosphere
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Transcript of Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s Atmosphere
The Air Sphere
Gases in the Air
• Many gases make up the air we breathe– Nitrogen (78%)– Oxygen (20%)– Water Vapour (0-4%)– Carbon Dioxide (0.036%) – Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone (< 0.001%)
Where do these gases come from?
Cellular Respiration•A process used by animals to produce energy from food that is consumed
Consumed ReleasedOxygen + sugar carbon dioxide + water + energy
Products of Cellular respirationsteam (water vapour) and carbon dioxide
Where do these gases come from?
Photosynthesis•Process used by plants to produce energy•Energy from sunlight is captured using chlorophyll and used to produce sugars
Consumed ReleasedCarbon dioxide + water sugars + oxygen
Natural Balance• Cellular respiration requires oxygen and
produces carbon dioxide– Animals breathe in oxygen, and exhale carbon
dioxide
• Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide and produces oxygen– Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen
Air PollutionCombustion• Energy from hydrocarbons (fossil fuels, gasoline,
natural gas) is used to power vehicles, heat homes, produce electricity etc.
Hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water
• Burning fossil fuels requires oxygen, and produces carbon dioxide which is released into the atmosphere
Air Pollution Sources in Canada• Vehicle Emissions• Industrial Sources (factories)• Energy Production (for electricity and heating)• Livestock and fertilizers
In 2009, Canada emitted 521 megatons of CO2
• that’s 521 million tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in one year
Ontario’s Energy, Nanticoke Power Plant
• North America’s largest coal-fired power plant• Produced more than 8 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide in 2010
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect• Greenhouse gases (GHG’s) trap and re-radiate heat
from the sun back towards Earth
• This is normal (to some extent), keeps Earth warm enough for life
• Greenhouse Gases– Water vapour– Methane– Carbon dioxide– Ozone– Carbon monoxide
Greenhouse Effect with Pollution
Solutions to Reduce Air Pollution• Reduce carbon dioxide emissions– Hybrid-electric vehicles use burn less gasoline– Fully-electric vehicles use no gasoline– Stop burning fossil fuels for energy (use solar or
wind power instead)
• Remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere– Planting trees helps capture and store carbon
dioxide by photosynthesis
Reduce Carbon Dioxide• Hybrid-Electric Vehicles burn less gasoline
than conventional vehicles
Reduce Carbon DioxideFully-Electric Vehicles burn no gasoline
Fully-electric Tesla Model S
Reduce Carbon Dioxide• Stop burning fossil fuels to produce energy• Switch to wind, solar, hydro power
Wind Turbine, Toronto’s Lakeshore
Remove Carbon Dioxide• Planting trees helps capture and store carbon
dioxide by photosynthesis