16 Human Modification of Global Biogeochemical Cycles

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the human modification of global biogeochemical cycles. Many and physical processes are involved in determining climate Earth, some these being significantly perturbed by activity. The chemical composition atmosphere determines transmission, absorption, reflection incoming solar radiation outgoing terrestrial radiation, resulting energy balance surface temperature. cycles sulfur—a crucial component clouds most aerosols—and carbon nitrogen, which form radiatively important trace gases, central to radiative properties atmosphere. combustion fossil fuels, consequent oxidation nitrogen air has greatly modified natural atmospheric C, N, S. Although change CO 2 little effect on precipitation, sulfur- nitrogen-containing acids have a major impact rain snow. These turn perturb minor elements, such as aluminum, through weathering process rocks soils.