EAS 1540 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Subtropics, Northern Hemisphere, Radiant Energy
27 Jun 2016
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Atmospheric co2 has a lifetime of 10,000 years. Estimated that we can safely release 500 gt of co2. We currently emit 50 gt a year, and land/oceans take up 20% - thus we have 20 years. Warmer in tropics, colder in polar regions. Thin warm layer on surface, with a thick cold layer below. Water saltiest in the subtropics, with the atlantic considerably saltier than others. High salt concentration on the surface, more uniformly low content below. Arises from real physics related to conservation of angular movement. In the northern hemisphere, the coriolis effect is always directed to the right of the water motion. In the southern hemisphere, the coriolis effect is always directed to the left of the water motion. Material is warmed when it absorbs radiant energy. Much of the visible radiant energy from the sun (short wavelengths) passes right through the atmosphere without being absorbed and consequently, without much direct heating from the sun.
