Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere. Ecclesiastes 1:14-16 A generation goes, and a generation...
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Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere. Ecclesiastes 1:14-16 A generation goes, and a generation comes, But, the Earth remains forever. The Sun rises,
Ecclesiastes 1:14-16 A generation goes, and a generation comes,
But, the Earth remains forever. The Sun rises, and the Sun goes
down, And hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to
the south, and goes around to the north. Round and round goes the
wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
Slide 3
A Big Blue Marble Seen from space, the Earth looks like no
other planet that we know Its most conspicuous features are its
atmosphere and hydrosphere
Slide 4
From pre-history Man has been directly and indirectly affected
by environment --- nothing as much as weather --- Sun God; Rain
God; omens; reward/punishment; etc --- SAD
Slide 5
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Prolonged, but seasonal
depression coinciding with shortening days and decreasing angle of
insolation Recognized by National Institute of Mental Health; the
AMA; the APA Variable: geographically [Fig 1-3]; demographically;
physiologically
Slide 6
Weather: the state of the Earths atmosphere with respect to
heat or cold; wetness or dryness; clearness or cloudiness (Webster)
--- atmospheric extent is conceptual --- manifest in wind;
temperature and precipitation patterns; storms; etc
Slide 7
Climate: weather of a location over an extended period of time,
including its extremes [I do not like terming climate as average
weather look at variability in NYC temperature hidden in Average
Daily Highs/Lows (Fig 1-4)]
Slide 8
Meteorology Study of the atmosphere and processes that create
weather and climate Atmospheric elements of: (1) temperature of the
air (2) humidity of the air (3) type and amount of cloudiness (4)
type and amount of precipitation (5) pressure exerted by the air
(6) speed and direction of wind
Slide 9
Atmospheric Hazards: Assault by the Elements Natural hazards
are a part of living on Earth [understatement] They effect millions
worldwide and cause billions of dollars damage --- Earth geologic
hazards grab the press --- atmospheric hazards total more more
lives; damage; dollars unfortunately human lifestyles continue to
make hazards worse
Slide 10
The Atmosphere: A Part of the Earth System From the human
perspective the Earth is huge [surface area 500 mill sq. km /103
mill sq mi] It is a single global system of interrelated components
operating as a single entity This Earth system is defined by four
subsystems
Slide 11
The Atmosphere: A Part of the Earth System, cont (1)
Lithosphere the outer, rigid portion of the solid Earth (upper
mantle; crust) (2) Atmosphere gaseous envelope surrounding the
Earth; provides air we breath; protects from radiation; provides
energy exchange
Slide 12
The Atmosphere: A Part of the Earth System, cont (3)
Hydrosphere dynamic water and energy exchange processes that make
Earth unique; 97% of Earth water is tied up in oceans (4) Biosphere
life portion of the Earth; a narrow band--- the interface of the
other three zones
Slide 13
Composition of the Atmosphere variant vs non-variant gases
nitrogen oxygen water vapor trace elements (CO 2 ; O 3 ) dust
industrial exhaust (NO x ; SO x ) insolation vs terrestrial
radiation
Slide 14
Ozone (O 3 ) Stratospheric Tropospheric --- VOCs and NO x ---
Corrosive --- Biological irritant (a secondary pollutant) ---
compliance measured as hourly average (0.085ppm)
Slide 15
Ozone (O 3 ), cont Factors affecting O 3 --- human/economic
industrial mix transportation --- Physical wind atmospheric
stability and inversions topography severe air pollution
potential
Slide 16
Origin of Atmosphere - First atmosphere of light gases
disappear to space - degassing and dissolving -plants absorb CO 2,
release O 2
Slide 17
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere Atmosphere structure is
based on: (1) pressure (2) temperature (3) vertical variation in
composition --- Homosphere --- Heterosphere
Slide 18
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere, cont Earth atmosphere
weight approx. 5.6 X 10 18 Structure based on: (1) pressure (2)
temperature (3) vertical variation in composition
Slide 19
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere, cont Homosphere
Troposphere Tropopause normal lapse rate / inversions Stratosphere
Mesosphere Heterosphere Thermosphere Ionosphere Exosphere
Slide 20
Heating of the Atmosphere Radiation Conduction Convection /
Advection Latent Heat of Condensation
Slide 21
Controls on Weather and Climate (1) Latitude (2) Land-Water (3)
Ocean Currents (4) Altitude (5) Physical Barriers (6) Human
Activities (7) Pressure systems and storms
Slide 22
Average Breakdown of Insolation Absorbed by atmosphere 19%-22%
Reflected into space 34% Absorbed Earth surface 43%-47%
Slide 23
Heat Energy Budget Insolation to the Ground 47% of incoming
solar radiation reaches the surface of the Earth ultimately
returned to the atmosphere terrestrial radiation 14%
conduction/convection 10% latent heat 23%
Slide 24
Variation in the Heat Energy Balance Regions of Energy Surplus
--- tropical zones --- seasonal Regions of Energy Deficit --- polar
zones --- seasonal
Slide 25
Air Temperature Temperature and Heat sensible temperature
Temperature-Humidity Index [THI=T- 0.55(1-RH)(T-14)] wind
chill
Slide 26
Temperature Measure liquid-in-glass bi-metal electronic
Slide 27
Scales Fahrenheit Celsius Kelvin
Slide 28
Short Term Variations in Temperature Daily affects of
insolation Cloud cover Differential heating (land/water) Reflection
Horizontal Air Movement