The Atmosphere
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Fog and Low Clouds As Troublemakers During Wildfi Res
When Our Heads Are in the Clouds Sometimes water droplets do not freeze in below- Detecting fog from space Up to 60,000 ft (18,000m) freezing temperatures. This happens if they do not have Weather satellites operated by the National Oceanic The fog comes a surface (like a dust particle or an ice crystal) upon and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collect data on on little cat feet. which to freeze. This below-freezing liquid water becomes clouds and storms. Cirrus Commercial Jetliner “supercooled.” Then when it touches a surface whose It sits looking (36,000 ft / 11,000m) temperature is below freezing, such as a road or sidewalk, NOAA operates two different types of satellites. over harbor and city Geostationary satellites orbit at about 22,236 miles Breitling Orbiter 3 the water will freeze instantly, making a super-slick icy on silent haunches (34,000 ft / 10,400m) Cirrocumulus coating on whatever it touches. This condition is called (35,786 kilometers) above sea level at the equator. At this and then moves on. Mount Everest (29,035 ft / 8,850m) freezing fog. altitude, the satellite makes one Earth orbit per day, just Carl Sandburg Cirrostratus as Earth rotates once per day. Thus, the satellite seems to 20,000 feet (6,000 m) Cumulonimbus hover over one spot below and keeps its “birds’-eye view” of nearly half the Earth at once. Altocumulus The other type of NOAA satellites are polar satellites. Their orbits pass over, or nearly over, the North and South Clear and cloudy regions over the U.S. -
Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ammonia Stripping
United States Office of Water EPA 832-F-00-019 Environmental Protection Washington, D.C. September 2000 Agency Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Ammonia Stripping DESCRIPTION Ammonia stripping is a simple desorption process used to lower the ammonia content of a wastewater stream. Some wastewaters contain large amounts of ammonia and/or nitrogen-containing compounds that may readily form ammonia. It is often easier and less expensive to remove nitrogen from wastewater in the form of ammonia than to convert it to nitrate-nitrogen before removing it (Culp et al., 1978). Ammonia (a weak base) reacts with water (a weak acid) to form ammonium hydroxide. In ammonia stripping, lime or caustic is added to the wastewater until the pH reaches 10.8 to 11.5 standard units which converts ammonium hydroxide ions to ammonia gas according to the following reaction(s): + - NH4 + OH 6 H2O + NH38 Source: Culp, et. al, 1978. Figure 1 illustrates two variations of ammonia FIGURE 1 TWO TYPES OF STRIPPING stripping towers, cross-flow and countercurrent. In TOWERS a cross-flow tower, the solvent gas (air) enters along the entire depth of fill and flows through the packing, as the alkaline wastewater flows it may be more economical to use alternate downward. A countercurrent tower draws air ammonia removal techniques, such as steam through openings at the bottom, as wastewater is stripping or biological methods. Air stripping may pumped to the top of a packed tower. Free also be used to remove many hydrophobic organic ammonia (NH3) is stripped from falling water molecules (Nutrient Control, 1983). droplets into the air stream, then discharged to the atmosphere. -
Ozonedisinfection.Pdf
ETI - Environmental Technology Initiative Project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Assistance Agreement No. CX824652 What is disinfection? Human exposure to wastewater discharged into the environment has increased in the last 15 to 20 years with the rise in population and the greater demand for water resources for recreation and other purposes. Disinfection of wastewater is done to prevent infectious diseases from being spread and to ensure that water is safe for human contact and the environment. There is no perfect disinfectant. However, there are certain characteristics to look for when choosing the most suitable disinfectant: • Ability to penetrate and destroy infectious agents under normal operating conditions; • Lack of characteristics that could be harmful to people and the environment; • Safe and easy handling, shipping, and storage; • Absence of toxic residuals, such as cancer-causing compounds, after disinfection; and • Affordable capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. What is ozone disinfection? One common method of disinfecting wastewater is ozonation (also known as ozone disinfection). Ozone is an unstable gas that can destroy bacteria and viruses. It is formed when oxygen molecules (O2) collide with oxygen atoms to produce ozone (O3). Ozone is generated by an electrical discharge through dry air or pure oxygen and is generated onsite because it decomposes to elemental oxygen in a short amount of time. After generation, ozone is fed into a down-flow contact chamber containing the wastewater to be disinfected. From the bottom of the contact chamber, ozone is diffused into fine bubbles that mix with the downward flowing wastewater. See Figure 1 on page 2 for a schematic of the ozonation process. -
Photochemically Driven Collapse of Titan's Atmosphere
REPORTS has escaped, the surface temperature again Photochemically Driven Collapse decreases, down to about 86 K, slightly of Titan’s Atmosphere above the equilibrium temperature, because of the slight greenhouse effect resulting Ralph D. Lorenz,* Christopher P. McKay, Jonathan I. Lunine from the N2 opacity below (longward of) 200 cm21. Saturn’s giant moon Titan has a thick (1.5 bar) nitrogen atmosphere, which has a These calculations assume the present temperature structure that is controlled by the absorption of solar and thermal radiation solar constant of 15.6 W m22 and a surface by methane, hydrogen, and organic aerosols into which methane is irreversibly converted albedo of 0.2 and ignore the effects of N2 by photolysis. Previous studies of Titan’s climate evolution have been done with the condensation. As noted in earlier studies assumption that the methane abundance was maintained against photolytic depletion (5), when the atmosphere cools during the throughout Titan’s history, either by continuous supply from the interior or by buffering CH4 depletion, the model temperature at by a surface or near surface reservoir. Radiative-convective and radiative-saturated some altitudes in the atmosphere (here, at equilibrium models of Titan’s atmosphere show that methane depletion may have al- ;10 km for 20% CH4 surface humidity) lowed Titan’s atmosphere to cool so that nitrogen, its main constituent, condenses onto becomes lower than the saturation temper- the surface, collapsing Titan into a Triton-like frozen state with a thin atmosphere. -
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting Texas Water Development Board Third Edition The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting Texas Water Development Board in cooperation with Chris Brown Consulting Jan Gerston Consulting Stephen Colley/Architecture Dr. Hari J. Krishna, P.E., Contract Manager Third Edition 2005 Austin, Texas Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the following persons for their assistance with the production of this guide: Dr. Hari Krishna, Contract Manager, Texas Water Development Board, and President, American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA); Jen and Paul Radlet, Save the Rain; Richard Heinichen, Tank Town; John Kight, Kendall County Commissioner and Save the Rain board member; Katherine Crawford, Golden Eagle Landscapes; Carolyn Hall, Timbertanks; Dr. Howard Blatt, Feather & Fur Animal Hospital; Dan Wilcox, Advanced Micro Devices; Ron Kreykes, ARCSA board member; Dan Pomerening and Mary Dunford, Bexar County; Billy Kniffen, Menard County Cooperative Extension; Javier Hernandez, Edwards Aquifer Authority; Lara Stuart, CBC; Wendi Kimura, CBC. We also acknowledge the authors of the previous edition of this publication, The Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting, Gail Vittori and Wendy Price Todd, AIA. Disclaimer The use of brand names in this publication does not indicate an endorsement by the Texas Water Development Board, or the State of Texas, or any other entity. Views expressed in this report are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Water Development Board, or -
Moons Phases and Tides
Moon’s Phases and Tides Moon Phases Half of the Moon is always lit up by the sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different parts of the lighted area. From Earth, the lit portion we see of the moon waxes (grows) and wanes (shrinks). The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon look as if it is changing shape in the sky The Moon passes through four major shapes during a cycle that repeats itself every 29.5 days. The phases always follow one another in the same order: New moon Waxing Crescent First quarter Waxing Gibbous Full moon Waning Gibbous Third (last) Quarter Waning Crescent • IF LIT FROM THE RIGHT, IT IS WAXING OR GROWING • IF DARKENING FROM THE RIGHT, IT IS WANING (SHRINKING) Tides • The Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth cause the seas and oceans to rise and fall in an endless cycle of low and high tides. • Much of the Earth's shoreline life depends on the tides. – Crabs, starfish, mussels, barnacles, etc. – Tides caused by the Moon • The Earth's tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon. • The Earth bulges slightly both toward and away from the Moon. -As the Earth rotates daily, the bulges move across the Earth. • The moon pulls strongly on the water on the side of Earth closest to the moon, causing the water to bulge. • It also pulls less strongly on Earth and on the water on the far side of Earth, which results in tides. What causes tides? • Tides are the rise and fall of ocean water. -
Stratosphere-Troposphere Coupling: a Method to Diagnose Sources of Annular Mode Timescales
STRATOSPHERE-TROPOSPHERE COUPLING: A METHOD TO DIAGNOSE SOURCES OF ANNULAR MODE TIMESCALES Lawrence Mudryklevel, Paul Kushner p R ! ! SPARC DynVar level, Z(x,p,t)=− T (x,p,t)d ln p , (4) g !ps x,t p ( ) R ! ! Z(x,p,t)=− T (x,p,t)d ln p , (4) where p is the pressure at the surface, R is the specific gas constant and g is the gravitational acceleration s g !ps(x,t) where p is the pressure at theat surface, the surface.R is the specific gas constant and g is the gravitational acceleration Abstract s Geopotentiallevel, Height Decomposition Separation of AM Timescales p R ! ! at the surface. This time-varying geopotentialZ( canx,p,t be)= decomposed− T into(x,p a,t cli)dmatologyln p , and anomalies from the(4) climatology AM timescales track seasonal variations in the AM index’s decorrelation time6,7. For a hydrostatic fluid, geopotential height may be describedg !p sas(x ,ta) function of time, pressure level Timescales derived from Annular Mode (AM) variability provide dynamical and ashorizontalZ(x,p,t position)=Z (asx,p a )+temperatureδZ(x,p,t integral). Decomposing from the Earth’s the temperature surface to a andgiven surface pressure pressure fields inananalogous insight into stratosphere-troposphere coupling and are linked to the strengthThis of time-varying level, geopotentialwhere can beps is decomposed the pressure at into the a surface, climatologyR is the and specific anomalies gas constant from and theg is climatology the gravitational acceleration NCEP, 1958-2007 level: ^ a) o (yL ) d) o AM responses to climate forcings. -
Environmental Systems the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere
Environmental Systems The atmosphere and hydrosphere THE ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere, the gaseous layer that surrounds the earth, formed over four billion years ago. During the evolution of the solid earth, volcanic eruptions released gases into the developing atmosphere. Assuming the outgassing was similar to that of modern volcanoes, the gases released included: water vapor (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrochloric acid (HCl), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen (N2) and sulfur gases. The atmosphere was reducing because there was no free oxygen. Most of the hydrogen and helium that outgassed would have eventually escaped into outer space due to the inability of the earth's gravity to hold on to their small masses. There may have also been significant contributions of volatiles from the massive meteoritic bombardments known to have occurred early in the earth's history. Water vapor in the atmosphere condensed and rained down, of radiant energy in the atmosphere. The sun's radiation spans the eventually forming lakes and oceans. The oceans provided homes infrared, visible and ultraviolet light regions, while the earth's for the earliest organisms which were probably similar to radiation is mostly infrared. cyanobacteria. Oxygen was released into the atmosphere by these early organisms, and carbon became sequestered in sedimentary The vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere is variable and rocks. This led to our current oxidizing atmosphere, which is mostly depends upon the types of radiation that affect each atmospheric comprised of nitrogen (roughly 71 percent) and oxygen (roughly 28 layer. This, in turn, depends upon the chemical composition of that percent). -
Tornado Safety Q & A
TORNADO SAFETY Q & A The Prosper Fire Department Office of Emergency Management’s highest priority is ensuring the safety of all Prosper residents during a state of emergency. A tornado is one of the most violent storms that can rip through an area, striking quickly with little to no warning at all. Because the aftermath of a tornado can be devastating, preparing ahead of time is the best way to ensure you and your family’s safety. Please read the following questions about tornado safety, answered by Prosper Emergency Management Coordinator Kent Bauer. Q: During s evere weather, what does the Prosper Fire Department do? A: We monitor the weather alerts sent out by the National Weather Service. Because we are not meteorologists, we do not interpret any sort of storms or any sort of warnings. Instead, we pass along the information we receive from the National Weather Service to our residents through social media, storm sirens and Smart911 Rave weather warnings. Q: What does a Tornado Watch mean? A: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information. Q: What does a Tornado Warning mean? A: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you need to take shelter immediately. Q: What is the reason for setting off the Outdoor Storm Sirens? A: To alert those who are outdoors that there is a tornado or another major storm event headed Prosper’s way, so seek shelter immediately. I f you are outside and you hear the sirens go off, do not call 9-1-1 to ask questions about the warning. -
Saturn — from the Outside In
Saturn — From the Outside In Saturn — From the Outside In Questions, Answers, and Cool Things to Think About Discovering Saturn:The Real Lord of the Rings Saturn — From the Outside In Although no one has ever traveled ing from Saturn’s interior. As gases in from Saturn’s atmosphere to its core, Saturn’s interior warm up, they rise scientists do have an understanding until they reach a level where the tem- of what’s there, based on their knowl- perature is cold enough to freeze them edge of natural forces, chemistry, and into particles of solid ice. Icy ammonia mathematical models. If you were able forms the outermost layer of clouds, to go deep into Saturn, here’s what you which look yellow because ammonia re- trapped in the ammonia ice particles, First, you would enter Saturn’s up- add shades of brown and other col- per atmosphere, which has super-fast ors to the clouds. Methane and water winds. In fact, winds near Saturn’s freeze at higher temperatures, so they equator (the fat middle) can reach turn to ice farther down, below the am- speeds of 1,100 miles per hour. That is monia clouds. Hydrogen and helium rise almost four times as fast as the fast- even higher than the ammonia without est hurricane winds on Earth! These freezing at all. They remain gases above winds get their energy from heat ris- the cloud tops. Saturn — From the Outside In Warm gases are continually rising in Earth’s Layers Saturn’s atmosphere, while icy particles are continually falling back down to the lower depths, where they warm up, turn to gas and rise again. -
Aviation Glossary
AVIATION GLOSSARY 100-hour inspection – A complete inspection of an aircraft operated for hire required after every 100 hours of operation. It is identical to an annual inspection but may be performed by any certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic. Absolute altitude – The vertical distance of an aircraft above the terrain. AD - See Airworthiness Directive. ADC – See Air Data Computer. ADF - See Automatic Direction Finder. Adverse yaw - A flight condition in which the nose of an aircraft tends to turn away from the intended direction of turn. Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) – A primary FAA publication whose purpose is to instruct airmen about operating in the National Airspace System of the U.S. A/FD – See Airport/Facility Directory. AHRS – See Attitude Heading Reference System. Ailerons – A primary flight control surface mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. AIM – See Aeronautical Information Manual. Air data computer (ADC) – The system that receives and processes pitot pressure, static pressure, and temperature to present precise information in the cockpit such as altitude, indicated airspeed, true airspeed, vertical speed, wind direction and velocity, and air temperature. Airfoil – Any surface designed to obtain a useful reaction, or lift, from air passing over it. Airmen’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET) - Issued to advise pilots of significant weather, but describes conditions with lower intensities than SIGMETs. AIRMET – See Airmen’s Meteorological Information. Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) – An FAA publication containing information on all airports, seaplane bases and heliports open to the public as well as communications data, navigational facilities and some procedures and special notices. -
Light, Color, and Atmospheric Optics
Light, Color, and Atmospheric Optics GEOL 1350: Introduction To Meteorology 1 2 • During the scattering process, no energy is gained or lost, and therefore, no temperature changes occur. • Scattering depends on the size of objects, in particular on the ratio of object’s diameter vs wavelength: 1. Rayleigh scattering (D/ < 0.03) 2. Mie scattering (0.03 ≤ D/ < 32) 3. Geometric scattering (D/ ≥ 32) 3 4 • Gas scattering: redirection of radiation by a gas molecule without a net transfer of energy of the molecules • Rayleigh scattering: absorption extinction 4 coefficient s depends on 1/ . • Molecules scatter short (blue) wavelengths preferentially over long (red) wavelengths. • The longer pathway of light through the atmosphere the more shorter wavelengths are scattered. 5 • As sunlight enters the atmosphere, the shorter visible wavelengths of violet, blue and green are scattered more by atmospheric gases than are the longer wavelengths of yellow, orange, and especially red. • The scattered waves of violet, blue, and green strike the eye from all directions. • Because our eyes are more sensitive to blue light, these waves, viewed together, produce the sensation of blue coming from all around us. 6 • Rayleigh Scattering • The selective scattering of blue light by air molecules and very small particles can make distant mountains appear blue. The blue ridge mountains in Virginia. 7 • When small particles, such as fine dust and salt, become suspended in the atmosphere, the color of the sky begins to change from blue to milky white. • These particles are large enough to scatter all wavelengths of visible light fairly evenly in all directions.