ENVS CH9 – Flashcard

___ refers to conditions in the atmosphere at a given place and time.

Of the various factors that determine an area's overall climate, the two most important are:

Which is true for solar radiation? A-It powers the hydrologic and other biogeochemical cycles. B-It comes in as solar radiation (light energy) but leaves as infrared radiation (heat energy). C-It is captured by plants during photosynthesis and may eventually become the energy available from fossil fuels. D-All of these choices are true.

What is the fate of solar radiation that reaches the Earth?

Which of the following statements about precipitation is true? A-Precipitation is any form of water, including rain, snow, runoff and groundwater. B-Precipitation has a profound effect on the distribution of organisms. C-Precipitation is lightest near the windward (the side from which the wind blows) coasts of continents. D-Precipitation occurs independently of atmospheric circulation patterns.

What is a rain shadow?

Scientists collect current data about the Earth's surface temperatures in all the following ways except: A-land-based meteorological stations B-air bubbles that form in winter ice C-weather balloons D-sea-surface buoys with temperature sensors

Although widespread thermometer records have only been kept since the mid-19th century, scientists can reconstruct historical temperature data in the following ways except: A-tree ring analysis B-air bubbles in ancient ice C-ocean sediment D-fossilized dinosaur bones

Besides temperature records, evidence that points to an increase in global temperatures includes: A-rise in sea levels B-retreating of the worlds glaciers C-in the northern hemisphere, spring now arrives a little early and autumn now starts a little late D-all of these choices

How much does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict global temperature might increase by the year 2100?

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas: A-carbon dioxide B-nitrous oxide C-methane D-sulfur dioxide

Which of the following greenhouse gases has no natural source? A-carbon dioxide B-chlorofluorocarbons C-nitrous oxide D-methane

Which of the following activities is responsible for the largest percentage of human-made carbon dioxide emissions? A-burning fossil fuels B-deforestation C-ozone depletion D-acid deposition E-agriculture

Why is carbon dioxide considered a greenhouse gas?

Which of the following greenhouse gases is released from the intestinal tracts of cattle? A-methane B-nitrous oxide C-tropospheric ozone D-CFCs

Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced as a result of fertilizer application? A-methane B-nitrous oxide C-tropospheric ozone D-CFCs

Which greenhouse gas that is released as the tundra thaws? A-methane B-nitrous oxide C-tropospheric ozone D-CFCs

Which greenhouse gas leaks out of old refrigerators and air conditioners? A-methane B-nitrous oxide C-tropospheric ozone D-CFCs

Methane is produced from all of the following food and agricultural activities except: A-the raising of cattle in large feedlot operations B-the cultivation of rice C-the application of fertilizers D-the disposal of food waste in landfills

Which group of air pollutants tend to cool the atmosphere because they reflect more sunlight back to space thus reducing incoming solar radiation?

The cooling effects of atmospheric aerosols are much weaker than the warming from an enhanced greenhouse effect for all of the following reasons except: A-aerosols such as sulfur haze typically remain in the atmosphere for about a year whereas greenhouse gases remain for hundreds of year B-greenhouse gases help warm the planet 24 hours a day whereas sulfur haze cools the Earth only during the day when the sun is shining C-there has been a concerted effort to increase sulfur emissions to counter the effects of the enhanced greenhouse effect but sulfur emissions are hard to produce D-no exceptions - all of the statements are true

Even if all burning of fossil fuels was stopped today, why will temperatures continue to increase?

Which of the following statements about sea level rise is false? A-As the Antarctic ice cap melts the amount of water in the oceans increases. B-As ocean water heats up, it expands causing sea levels to rise. C-The melting of continental glaciers does not contribute to changes in sea levels as this melt water is contained in river systems. D-Sea levels have already risen 10-20 cms putting island nations like the Maldives at risk.

Which of the following describes the effect of global climate change on biodiversity: A-Rising ocean water temperatures have increased the populations of krill and Antarctic silverfish thus increasing Adelie penguin populations for whom these are food sources. B- Warm temperatures and more frequent dry periods have stressed frog species such as the coqui making them more vulnerable to a lethal fungal infection thus reducing their populations. C- The warming of ocean waters in conjunction with increased carbon dioxide dissolving into ocean has resulted in boon for coral reefs which are thriving. D- Mountain ecosystems are not too vulnerable to global climate change because only very hardy species live at high altitude.

Even though the data linking climate change to disease outbreak is still circumstantial, diseases such as ________ are predicted to increase due to changes associated with global warming.

Moderation or postponement of global climate change through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions is called:

Which of the following activities will not mitigate global climate: A-developing energy alternatives like wind and solar B-switching to hybrid cars C-planting and maintaining forests D-eating more beef

Which of the following is a form of climate change adaptation? A-planting and maintaining forests B-developing varieties of drought resistant trees C-increase fuel efficiency of vehicles D-replacing coal burning power plants with natural gas

Why is the layer of stratospheric ozone so important?

What causes ozone depletion?

Which of the following does not contribute to ozone depletion? a-Carbon tetrachloride used as an industrial solvent. b-Carbon dioxide used as a dry cleaning solvent. c-Halons used as fire retardants. d-Methyl bromide used as a pesticide.

What type of cancer is expected to increase due to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere?

How has stratospheric ozone loss disrupted food webs in the Antarctic?

What did/will the Montreal Protocol achieve?

What does the reaction of water, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides produce?

Assuming the absence of air pollution control devices, which of the following is a major source of sulfur dioxide?A-refrigeration and air conditioning B-coal-burning power plants C-motor vehicles D-fertilizers

Which of the following is not an effect of acid deposition?A-mutations and skin cancer B-decreased hatching success in some birds C-forest decline D-destruction of monuments and buildings

Why are birds that inhabit areas with high acid deposition more likely to lay eggs with thin shells?