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Three atmospheric processes modify the solar radiation passing through our atmosphere destined to the Earth’s surface, namely scattering, absorption, and reflection. These processes act on the radiation when it interacts with gases and suspended particles

The atom is the smallest part of the element that retains the chemical characteristics of the element itself. For our purposes, we can think of the atom as a sphere with a diameter of about 10⁻¹⁰ meters. This is about a million times smaller than the diameter of the period at the end of this sentence. If the atoms in your body were an inch in diameter, you would have to worry about bumping your head on the moon.

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The Russian geologist Vasily Dokuchaev (1846–1903), considered the father of soil science, was the first to identify and discuss, at the end of 19th century, what we know today as the “factors of soil formation”. He introduced the idea that soil is not something inert and stable, but it develops and evolves under the influence of climatic agents and

Jack Temple Kirby is W. E. Smith Professor Emeritus of History at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and currently lives on Anastasia Island in Florida. He is author or editor of seven books, including Rural Worlds Lost: The American South, 1920-1960 and Poquosin: A Study of Rural Landscape and Society (from the University […]

Humans began to cultivate food crops about 10,000 years ago. Prior to that time, hunter-gatherers secured their food as they traveled in the nearby environment. When they observed some of the grains left behind at their campsites sprouting and growing to harvest, they began to cultivate these

Agricultural lands occupy 37% of the Earth’s land surface. Agriculture accounts for 52% and 84% of global anthropogenic methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Agricultural soils may also act as a sink or source for carbon dioxide (CO₂), but the net flux

Life cycle thinking

In order to survive and lead fulfilling lives all humans must satisfy certain needs. One of the strategies that people adopt to satisfy their needs is the consumption of a wide spectrum of goods and services which are traded on global and local markets.

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