Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Trajectory Analysis Of Black Carbon In The Arctic Region, Kimberly Gottschalk

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

Black carbon (BC) is a troubling particulate. Commonly known as soot, BC forms through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It has a very low albedo compared to natural particulates making it a very efficient absorber of solar radiation. As BC is deposited on snow and ice, albedo is decreased - enhancing solar heating and increasing meltwater production. With rising air temperatures, melting rates of polar ice are increasing and are being enhanced by BC, leading to accelerated global sea level rise.

This study aimed to document sources and deposition areas of BC in the Arctic. Utilizing …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Global Warming On Hurricane Activity In The United States, Jesse Senzer

Anthós

This paper discusses the influence of global warming on ocean temperatures, and explains how vertical wind shear affects hurricane formation. It explores the scientific arguments against linking global warming to increased hurricanes, that ocean warming increases vertical wind shear in the main development region for Atlantic hurricanes, and that current/recent American hurricane trends fall within the realm of natural, multidecadal oscillations. Arguments supporting the link between global warming and hurricanes are addressed with climate modeling that links sea surface temperature (SST) increase to anthropogenic causes. It discusses SST’s influencing hurricane activity globally, if not locally to the U.S., and points …