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83 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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atmospheric layers: temp. changes
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troposphere = decrease
stratosphere = increase mesosphere = decrease thermosphere = increase |
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troposphere
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where humans are, next to earth's surface. contains 75% of atmosphere's mass, much more dense. has lots of water vapor
air circulates in convection currents here, which redistributes heat and moisture. |
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relationship between water vapor and atmospheric height
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amount of water vapor decreases with height.
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stratosphere
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above the troposphere, more diluted than tropo. temperature increases.
almost 1,000 times more ozone than the tropo. creates a buffer against UV radiation. |
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mesosphere
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most poorly understood part of the atmosphere. temperature decreases. where shooting stars occur.
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thermosphere
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has highly ionized gases, causes electrically charged ions to glow in lower part of this layer. heated by high energy solar and cosmic radiation. causes northern and southern lights.
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what happens when light is absorbed?
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it turns to heat when it's absorbed. most NRG comes to earth as visible light, then it's turned to heat.
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as height ___, atmospheric pressure ____.
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height increases causes it to decrease (thin air = little oxygen).
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energy balance
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energy comes from the sun, 50% reaches the earth. the rest is reflected by clouds. applies to 1st law of thermo.
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transmission
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the passage of electromagnetic radiation, goes through without obstruction.
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absorption
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radiation converts to heat when it's absorbed.
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reflection
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the sharp bending of electromagnetic radiation in the atmosphere at an interface (i.e. air and water droplets).
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albedo
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also known as reflectivity. measure of a material's ability on earth's surface to reflect visible light. white objects have high %, dark surface have low %
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winds
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movement from high to low pressure
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global scale convection
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air rises off the earth, drops rain. then the dry, warm air circulates back down to earth. explains climates as there is lots of rain closer to the equator, and deserts in the northern hemisphere.
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latent heat
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stored energy in water vapor
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cooling causes water to ____
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it condenses, which causes rain. air cools as it moves north.
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water is important for regulating earth's temperature because...
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it has unique properties of heat absorption and energy of vaporization.
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why does it rain?
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water condenses as air cools, and air cool as it rises. if the air is moist, condensation is likely as height increases.
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coriolis effect
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curvature of the winds. bend clockwise in northern hemisphere, counter clockwise in southern.
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jet streams
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high force winds that circulate air.
if a jet stream stalls, water/rain don't circulate. they affect weather patterns. |
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as air increases, so does its ____.
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water saturation.
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3 factors that determine rain distribution
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- large-scale circ. patterns
- orographic effect - proximity to water |
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cold front
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when cooler air displaces warmer air. a boundary that pushes warmer air as it advances. create strong convection currents and local weather
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3 types of storms
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hurricane: atlantic ocean
typhoon: pacific ocean cyclone: indian ocean |
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relationship between carbon dioxide and temp.
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more carbon dioxide = higher temp. (may not be the cause, could be the result).
the amount of carbon dioxide is higher now. |
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weather
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description of physical conditions of the atmosphere.
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climate
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description of long term weather pattern in a particular area. weather and climate determine biomes and ecosystem distribution.
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factors that determine climate
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temperature and precipitation.
temp: latitude, altitude, seasons, oceans, atmosphere precip: global circulation, mountain ranges, seasons, proximity to water bodies. |
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latitude
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distance from the equator
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altitude
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height on a mountain.
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what are time scales?
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epoch: very long time periods of overall climatic conditions (millions of yrs.)
period: long time periods of overall climatic conditions (thousands of yrs.) |
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climate cycles
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interglacial period: time of higher global pressure
glacial period: time of the cooler global temps. (Ice Age). usually last 90% of the time. |
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in terms of climate cycles and time scales, we are in a _____.
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glacial epoch
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climate variations are caused by ___
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changes in how much sun hits the earth, changes in how the moon orbits the earth, milankovitch cycles, volcanic eruptions (ash blocks sunlight)
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el nino, la nina
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the irregular cycles of rising ocean temps. together cycle is called el nino southern oscillation. tradewinds weakened, so warm waters of indonesia moved eastward, bringing storms to the americas.
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ice cores
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can analyze layers of ice to find out information about the climate.
air bubbles reveal info about gases, can see volcanic ash, discover the temperature according to oxygen atoms. |
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uncertainty about climate change
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uncertainty has prevented government officials from taking action against it.
West coast governors have taken action to capitalize on renewable energy. 2007 IPCC report revealed that climate change is happening, and is caused by humans. |
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greenhouse gases
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carbon dioxide is the most common, usually results from burning fossil fuels.
methane: comes from cows, termites, rice paddies (stagnant water), landfills |
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carbon dioxide
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a common greenhouse gas. more than half of it is reflected back to the earth. when seasons change, CO2 fluctuates.
it's also used by plants --> during the winter it increases, and decreases in summer. |
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a warm period occurs approx. every ___ years.
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100,000 years.
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how does sulfur dioxide impact temp?
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it cools the planet.
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proof of global warming
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- carbon dioxide levels increased in hawaii.
- consensus from 2007 IPCC confirmed global warming is very likely caused by humans. - ice sheets, ice packs, and arctic ocean are shrinking |
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examples of positive feedback mechanisms
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definition: increase change or destabilize a system (the earth's climate).
examples: - water vapor is a greenhouse gas. temperature increases as water vapor increases. - reduced snow albedo: more darkness creates more heat, which melts ice. exposes more ocean, leads to more darkness. |
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negative feedback mechanisms
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resist change, stabilize a system. good for the climate.
examples: - more CO2 in the atmosphere increases plant growth. and when plants grow, they remove CO2 from the atmosphere. - clouds act as an umbrella to keep earth cool. allows for more water vapor, which creates more clouds. |
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factors that increase CO2 and methane
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overpopulation, car culture increase, cutting down trees and plants, urbanization, rice paddies.
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factors that reduce greenhouse gas
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becoming vegan, cap/trade systems, consumer education, switch to renewable fuels
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kyoto protocol
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160 nations agreed to cut back greenhouse gas emissions. met in kyoto japan in 1997. set limits for individual nations.
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what's the most common cause of air pollution
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transportation
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primary pollutant
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enter atmosphere directly from the source. example: carbon monoxide
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secondary pollutant
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formed in the atmosphere by reactions. paroxy acetyl nitrate
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particulate air pollutants
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nose filters large particles. government regulates fine particles because they are anthropogenic. fine particles also bend light rays.
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acid deposition
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damages ecosystems because it kills fish. kills plants because it changes pH of soil. causes aesthetic damage on structures or buildings.
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indoor pollution
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more dangerous than what's outdoors. result of smoking, cooking fires, and poor ventilation.
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ways to control air pollution
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electrostatic precipitator: a massive vacuum. scrubbers remove air pollutants from water. automobile emission control system. cut smoking.
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clean air legislation
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clean air act of 1963, rewrote original in 1970 and 1990. created criteria pollutants, primary/secondary standards, cap/trade system.
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energy
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capacity to perform work or to heat something up.
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power
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energy consumed per unit of time
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conventional energy
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human energy use has increased over time. seen diversification of where energy comes from. most energy used by industry, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
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methods to conserve energy at home
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seal windows, insulate house, use flourescent bulbs, get efficient appliances.
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clean air legislation
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clean air act of 1963, rewrote original in 1970 and 1990. created criteria pollutants, primary/secondary standards, cap/trade system.
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energy
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capacity to perform work or to heat something up.
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power
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energy consumed per unit of time
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conventional energy
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human energy use has increased over time. seen diversification of where energy comes from. most energy used by industry, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
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methods to conserve energy at home
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seal windows, insulate house, use flourescent bulbs, get efficient appliances.
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most energy is wasted by ___.
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making electricity and energy for cars.
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acid rain is composed of...
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sulfates and nitrates
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temperature inversions
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occur when warmer air overlays cooler air, reversing the temperature.
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concrete and glass in cities create ___
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dust domes and heat islands. tall buildings create updrafts, concrete and glass allow rainfall to run off quickly. temp is usually higher than in rural areas.
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what's the main cause of ozone depletion?
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CFC's and other halon gases.
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montreal protocol
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first major international agreement to regulate use of CFC's. cut CFC usage by more than 95 percent
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how does pollution harm us?
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soot and fine particulates connected to asthma, heart attacks. can cause bronchitis and emphysema.
smoking causes lung disease. damage plants by chlorosis (chlorophyll bleaching) |
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methods to conserve energy and reduce air pollution
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important to reduce production of pollution.
- carpool, bike, use public transportation. - plant a tree - write to congress reps - buy clothes that can be washed and not dry-cleaned. |
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specific heat
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energy absorbed per temperature change.
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which has more oil, coal or gas?
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coal has more.
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fossil fuels: pros
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power density, transportability, relatively abundant, energy industry/economy entrenchment
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fossil fuels: cons
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extraction, transportation, prices at pumps, refining, combustion
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nuclear fission
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breaking apart, mass is not conserved.
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types of nuclear radiation
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alpha: easily blocked
beta: not so easily blocked gamma: need a block of concrete to protect oneself |
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wavelengths
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long wavelengths = less NRG
short wavelengths = more NRG |
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nuclear powered energy
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other countries use more than the U.S. popularity ended in the 1970's.
Cost: main reason that people didn't like NP maintenance, safety protocol. |
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advantages of nuclear power
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no/low greenhouse gas emissions. no air pollution, huge amounts of available fuel.
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disadvantages of nuclear power
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plant meltdown, have to store all the waste somewhere. Currently store it at Yucca Mountain, put waste inside storage casts.
mining waste, expensive to decommission a power plant. |
