METEOROLOGY/AGRONOMY/ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 404/504

Block 1 Exam
17 February 1997

1. Compare the composition of the atmospheres of Earth, Mars, and Venus and discuss the relationship of the composition to their planetary surface temperatures.



2. Discuss the seasonal change in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the Northern Hemisphere: when is the concentration maximum and when is it minimum? What is the reason for the timing of these extremes?



3. How does the seasonal change in carbon dioxide in the Southern Hemisphere differ from that in the Northern Hemisphere both in magnitude and timing of extremes. Explain.



4. Discuss the essential features of the global nitrogen cycle. Discuss the sources, lifetimes, and fate (how they leave the atmosphere) of the key nitrogen compounds.



5. Why do CFCs present a double threat to the global environment?

6. What characteristics of replacements for CFCs make them less harmful than CFCs?



7. Briefly describe the global ocean circulation cycle that exchanges waterbetween the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.



8. What are the two factors that determine the Global Warming Potential for a gas over a period of 100 years?



9. Compare the relative magnitudes of these factors for carbon dioxide and methane and discuss which has the higher GWP over 100 years.



10. Several years ago when there seemed to be threat of global cooling and that the earth might be entering a new ice age, it was suggested that carbon black (fine soot) couldbe spread over large areas of the polar regions to warm the planet. Aside from the thical questions of this practice, compare warming due to this effect with warming due to anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Consider both the effects on the visible and infrared portions of the global energy balance. Which method would lead to more total heat in the earth's atmosphere and why?