Ecology: Biology of Interaction. 5.15. Greenhouse Effect
Earth’s atmosphere transmits radiation from the Sun and Earth differently: it is almost transparent to visible light but effectively retains far-infrared radiation. As a result, energy reaches Earth’s surface more easily than it leaves it, which warms the planet. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect.
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5.14. Atmospheric absorption of solar radiation
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Chapter 5. Autecology and Foundations of Environmental Science
5.16. Water balance of organisms
5.15. Greenhouse effect As already noted, maximum solar emission lies in visible spectrum (wavelength around 0.5 μm), while Earth’s surface emission maximum lies in far-infrared (around 10,000 nm). The reason for this difference is simple: the Sun is much hotter than Earth. Earth’s atmosphere transmits solar and terrestrial radiation differently: it is nearly transparent to visible light, but effectively retains far-infrared radiation. As a result, energy passes more easily to Earth’s surface than leaves it. Earth therefore warms up. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect. Not only air but many other substances (e.g., glass and polyethylene film covering greenhouses) transmit visible radiation better than infrared (Fig. 5.15.1). [IMG_1] Fig. 5.15.1. Greenhouse operating mechanism The greenhouse effect is one of conditions enabling developed life on our planet. Without it, average Earth surface temperature (about +15°C) would be –23°C, and our planet would be practically unsuitable for life (see section 5.2). Greenhouse properties are exhibited by water vapor, clouds and fog, atmospheric aerosols, carbon dioxide, and methane. Ultimately, incoming and outgoing Earth energy flows balance each other (otherwise planetary temperature would not remain stable). But because heat outflow from Earth’s surface is hindered by the greenhouse effect, this balance is reached at a higher temperature than would occur in absence of this phenomenon. Additional materials: Learning model: Greenhouse effect (greenhouse principle) Learning model: Greenhouse effect in the atmosphere Learning model: Factors determining planetary temperature 5.14. Atmospheric absorption of solar radiation
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Chapter 5. Autecology and Foundations of Environmental Science
5.16. Water balance of organisms
5.16. Water Balance of Organisms