The Atmosphere: One component of the climate system Composition / Structure Radiative transfer Vertical and latitudinal heat transport Atmospheric circulation Climate modeling Suggested further reading: Hartmann, Global Physical Climatology (Academic Press, 1994)

Atmospheric layers

Typical Vertical Profiles pressure temperature

Solstice surface temperatures Annual range

Sea surface temperature

Atmospheric composition

Atmospheric layers

Evolution of halogenated gases

Growth of CO 2 and CH 4

Atmospheric mass

Total mass ~ 5 x kg = 5 x t

Atmospheric mass Total mass ~ 5 x kg = 5 x t ~ 7 x 10 5 t per capita

Atmospheric mass Total mass ~ 5 x kg = 5 x t ~ 7 x 10 5 t per capita CO 2 (370 ppm) : ~ 200 t per capita

Atmospheric mass Total mass ~ 5 x kg = 5 x t ~ 7 x 10 5 t per capita CO 2 (370 ppm) : ~ 200 t per capita O 3 (0.5 ppm) : ~ 300 kg per capita

Atmospheric mass Total mass ~ 5 x kg = 5 x t ~ 7 x 10 5 t per capita CO 2 (370 ppm) : ~ 200 t per capita O 3 (0.5 ppm) : ~ 300 kg per capita [Cl] (2 ppb) : ~ 1.5 kg per capita

Atmospheric absorption

Planetary energy balance

Total albedo (observed from space)

Planetary energy balance

Emission temperature Planetary energy balance

Net outgoing longwave radiation (measured from space: Wm -2 ) Recall: absorbed solar rad per unit area