Geology Final – Flashcards

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A dramatic increase in US total freshwater withdrawls during the period leading up to 1980 was mostly associated with
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irrigation and electrical production
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Total withdrawals after this period actually declined and have remained steady due to ________
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more efficient water use
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___ is the term that describes the volume of groundwater that can be held in subsurface materials
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Porosity
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____ materials composed of clay, sand, or gravel sized particles normally hold large volumes of water, whereas ______ rocks with interlocking mineral grains usually contain water only in fractures
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sedimentary crystalline
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Moving groundwater will dissolve certain types of ____ rocks, forming large passage ways and caverns that hold significant amounts of water
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limestone
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Although clay-rich materials hold large volumes of water, they have very low ______ due to their strong _____ attraction to the water molecule.
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permeability electrical
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The hydraulic gradient is defined as the ____ of a water table or potentiometric surface, and is calculated from the difference in _______ (water level) and _____ bw any two points within an aquifer
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steepness hydraulic head distance
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Large groundwater withdrawals can reverse the _______thereby changing the direction of groundwater flow
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hydraulic gradient
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his can allow seawater along a coastline to migrate laterally into the freshwater portion of an aquifer, creating the serious problem know as ________
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salt water intrusion
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Because a pumping well draws in water from all directions, a coastal aquifer can also become contaminated when salt water from deep _____ migrates upwards along faults and fractures that cut across the ______
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aquifers aquiards
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When water is pumed from the subsurface it decreases the ____ pressure within sedimentary materials, forcing the solid particles to support more of the weight
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pore or fluid
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This causes aquifers and aquitards to undergo ______ and a reduction in volume, which leads to the problem known as _________
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compaction land subsidence
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Because clay minerals are much more _____ than quartz grains or rock fragments, most of the volume reduction occurs within the _______
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compressible aquitards
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.Higher Treatment costs .Higher Operating Costs .Higher Capital Investment .Contaminated more easily
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Surface water supply
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. Contaminated less easily .Lower treatment costs . Lower operating costs . Lower Capital Investment
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Groundwater Supply
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Before saltwater can be used for most human applications the bulk of the dissolved ions or salts must be removed, a process referred to as ______
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desalinization
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One method for removing the ions is called ____ which involves boiling salt water such that water molecules vaporize, but the dissolved ions stay behind the liquid
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distallation
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The other method is called ________ , in which a semipermeable membrane allows water molecules to pass through under pressure, but not the dissolved ions
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revere osmosis
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One problem with these methods is that the remaining wastewater has a salt content much greater than that of seawater, thereby creating a _______ issue
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waste disposal
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Another problem is that both methods require significant amounts of _____ making them considerably ______ than traditional water resources
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energy more expensive
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. Less hazardous to mine . More disruptive to surface environment . Lower labor costs
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Surface Mining
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. More hazardous to mine . Less disruptive to surface environment . Higher labor costs
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Underground mining
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In recent years, companies have been able to extract oil and natural gas from petroleum source rocks (reddish layer) by ...
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using directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques
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Contamination of shallow aquifers by developing shale oil and gas deposits...
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can occur when fracking fluids leak through well casings near the aquifers and by migrating upwards along abandoned wells
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Seven basic energy sources
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Oil (37%), natural gas(25%), coal(22%), nuclear(8.6%), renewables (3.6%), hydro(2.6%), biomass(2.0%)
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Primary energy sources used to produce electricity
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Coal (45%) natural gas (24%) Nuclear (20%) renewables (10%) other (1%)
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The Peak Oil Theory tell us that.
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peak production of conventional crude should have occured approximately 30 yrs after the period of peak discovery in the 1960-70s
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In the future, we should find it more difficult to maintain current production levels of conventional oil because...
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the rate of new discoveries will be less than the depletion rate of existing reservoirs
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The oil and as fields lie in different regions on this map because...
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the reservoir rocks o the gas fields were at one time buried deeper than the oil window
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The Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf is important bc
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its a strategic checkpoint where 20% of the worlds oil supply must pass
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Compared to light crude oil, heavy crude oils are those with a ____ proportion of heavy molecules and ___ sulfur atoms
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higher more
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Heavy oils are more ____ which makes them more difficult and costly to extract and transport
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viscous
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Also heavy crudes are also less desirable bc they produce smaller amounts of _____ when refined, plus the refining costs are higher
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gasoline
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Because ___ crudes have been the most profitable to produce, most of the worlds remaining oil reserves are on the ___ and more sulfur- rich end of the spectrum
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light heavy
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Synthetic Crude oil is now being produced from tar sand deposites in Canada. The hydocarbons are in the form of ____, ,a highly viscous fluid that is more like ____ than conventional crude oil
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bitumen asphalt
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Here the hydrocarbons are first seperated from the sand using _____ then converted into crude in a process that requires considerable amounts of ________
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steam natural gas
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One of the major problems associated with using tar sands is that it produces much more ______ compared to conventional crude oil
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carbon dioxide
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Gas hydrates are ___ like substances composed of ___ gas and water molecules
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ice methane
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Gas hydrates are commonly found in polar regions with marine ____ and _____ soils
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sediment permafrost
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Although these deposits represent a potential major source of energy, commercial production does not yet occur due to _______ and physical dangers
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technical issues
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. Carbon- free electricity . Renewable electricity . flood control . recreation . water supply
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Positive attributes related to hydroelectric power
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. Damage stream ecosystems . Blocks migrating fish . Traps Sediment . Risk of catastrophic flood . Geographically restricted
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Negative attributes related to hydroelectric power
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. Carbon- free and renewable energy . Continous production of electrcity .Produces electricity on large scale . Doesnt contribute to acid rain
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Positive attributes related to nuclear power plants
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. Produces radioactive by-products . risk of accident and contamination of air/water . lack of longterm waste storage . Proliferation of nuclear weapons
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Negative attributes related to nuclear power plants
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The process called _____ takes place when _____ strikes a solid object and is transformed into thermal or heat energy
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solar heating solar radiation
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A passive solar system is different from an active system in that it doesnt involve any _____ to distribute the heat throughout a building
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mechanical parts
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Energy from the sun preheats water so your standard water heater will use less energy
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active solar system
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. Direct sunlight blocked by overhang and tree leaves in the summer . Deciduous trees allow direct sunlight during the winter
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passive solar system
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Photovoltaic panels consist of individual cells made of _____ alloys that transform _____ directly into electricity
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silicon solar radiation
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Light particles called ____ are absorbed by the panels uppermost layer, dislodging _____ which then move in a circulating manner to form an electrical current
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photons electrons
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Although photovoltaic systems generate _____ amounts of electricity on sunny days, they produce _____ on cloudy days and ____ at night
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considerable much less none
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Wind energy firms are building multiple wind turbines in what are called ______ in order to maximize profits through the use of the economies of _____
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wind farms scale
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For wind energy to be cost-effective, turbines need to be located where the winds are strong and _____ for much of the year
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steady
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These conditions are common on top of mountain ridges and _____ which act to funnel the wind. Other ideal location include windswept coastlines and _______
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passes open plains
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. Heat removed from building . Heat added to ground . Ground cooler than air
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Summer view of a geothermal heat pump system
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. Heat added to building . Heat removed from ground .Compressor . Ground warmer than air
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Winter view of a geothermal heat pump system
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Electrical demand fluctuates, reaching a peak in the _____ and then dropping to a minimum called _____. This minimum occurs at ___ when human activity is at its lowest
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afternoon base load night
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Because electricity cant be stored in significant quantities, utility companies must _____ produce enough electricity to meet the minimum demand, yet have enough aditional capacity to meet ____ demand everyday
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continously peak
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Utility companies prefer to use _____ of energy because its easier to adjust production to meet the constantly changing demand simply by using more fuel. In Contrast, _______ of energy do not provide the same flexibility
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stored forms intermittent forms
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The global temperature data from land- and sea based measurements clearly indicate that the Earth is in a significant ___ trend
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warming
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The vast majority of climate researchers believe that this trend is a response of the Earth system to the sudden change in _______ in the atmosphere
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greenhouse gases
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Although predicting the future climate is difficult, what scientists know for certain is that the atmosphere is relatively ____ and that _____ is causing it to _____ additional heat
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thin human activity retain
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The ability of certain ______ to trap heat and warm the planet is known as the greenhouse effect
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atmospheric gases
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Because the atmosphere is ______ to incoming solar radiation, most of the radiation strikes Earths land and oceans, at which point the light rays are either reflected, or absorbed and transformed into _____ energy
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transparent thermal
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Because this warms Earths surface, the planet itself emits electromagnetic radiation where the wavelengths are in the _______, infrared portion of the spectrum
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longer
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Greenhouse gases _____ some of the outgoing radiation, which is then transferred to the atmosphere as ____ energy
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absorb thermal
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Controls difference in winter/ summer solar heating
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eccentricity of orbit
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affects intensity of seasons
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axial tilt
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changes timing of seasons
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precession of axis
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The detailed, 2000 year climate record from Greenland includes the ________, which coincides with the expansion of human settlements in Europe and Greenland. The _______ followed, causing the collpase of Greenland colonies and bringing famine to Europe
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Medieval Warm Period Little Ice Age
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This 2000 year record illustrates how human civilization is ______ to variation in climate. One of the key lessons from the entire 50000 year record is how remarkably _____ the climate system has been for the past 10000 years, a period when human civilization began to flourish
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sensitive stable
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Of concern is the possibility that ______ could destabilize the planets sensitive climate system, causing civilization to face _____ changes in the climate
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global warming dramatic
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The climate of a region is the statistical variation of daily ____ events, where the number of days with cool weather _______ the days with warm weather. Global warming is expected to cause a shift in _____ worldwide, resulting in more hot ____ events and record highs compared to today
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climate weather roughly equals climate weather
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Evidence of global warming shown by a _______ in the number of years when global temperatures have been above the recent long- term average
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significant increase
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In this 800000 year climate record from Antartica, we see that carbon dioxide concentrations have consistently ranged bw ________ parts per million while the climate system oscillated back and forth between glacial and interglacial periods
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180 and 280
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This pattern results from _________ that trigger a change in Earths heat balance, followed by _____ feedbacks that amplify the initial change and ______ feedback's that keep the system in check
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orbital variations positive negative
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Because human activity has pushed carbon dioxide levels up to ___ parts per million by 2012, a level far above Earths normal operating range, scientists fear this could destabilize the climate system and cause ____ rather than ____ climate change
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395 abrupt gradual
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As Earths climate system gains additional heat energy, evaporation rates will ____ This and the fact that a warmer atmosphere is capable of holding ____ unusually heavy rain and snow events
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increase more more
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A warmer world should also bring a greater number of record highs, which will increase the potential for _____ conditions. These conditions will worsen in some areas bc spring rains are occurring ______, which will _____ the amt of time soils are exposed to dry, summer conditions
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drought earlier increase
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Because Earths existing _____ are expected to become larger, humans will likely have to move into what are now _______ in search of habitable living space
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deserts polar regions
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As the amount of Arctic sea ice continues to shrink, it ______ the amount of reflected sunlight, which ____ solar heating and causes the Arctic Ocean to become warmer
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decreases increases
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This sets up a ______ feedback, where the warmer ocean temperature ______ the rate of ice loss, which leads to even higher ocean temperatures and melting
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positive increases
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One concern is that the loss of sea ice may soon pass a ________, beyond which the ice would not return in the foreseeable future, thereby ______ the rate of global warming
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critical threshold speeding up
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Another concern is that a newly exposed Arctic OCean would alter existing ______ patterns in ways not yet understood
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global weather
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Based on temperature projections from climate models run under different _______ scenarios, scientists have estimated that sea level will likely rise between 0.6 and 1.9 feet by 2100
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greenhouse gas
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Because the massive Antartica and Greenland ice sheets are very complex, the models had to assume the ice sheets will melt similar to blocks of ____ icem whereas they are actually _______
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solid highly fractured
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This allows summer melt water to move downward, causing the ice to melt _______. The result is a ______ feedback where the initial melting triggers even greater melting; causing the large ice sheets to breakup much more _______
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from within positive rapidly
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Scientists now estimate that if both ice sheets were to destabilize, sea level would rise 33 ft over the course of a few _____ years, destroying much of the worlds coastal infrastructure and displacing hundreds of millions of peopel
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hundred
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A stabilization ____ represents the amount that carbon dioxide emissions need to be reduced in order to keep future emissions at some stable level
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triangle
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This can be accomplished through the collective contribution of individual stabilization _____, which represent different carbon dioxide ______ strategies, such as the use of wind and solar power, improved energy efficiency, reforestation and conservation
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reduction wedges
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Because human activity has been releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere _____ than the rate it is being removed by natural processes, atmospheric temperatures are expected to keep ____ for many years even if we stopped all emission today
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faster increasing
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There are two basic types of shorelines in terms of plate tectonics: leading edge (active) and trailing edge (passive). What best describes leading edge shorelines?
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steep slopes, irregular coastline, restricted beaches
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What best describes the cause of ocean tides?
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Earths spinning motion and gravitational effect of the Moon and Sun
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Currents out in the open ocean are primarily driven by..
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prevailing winds and density differences of the water
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Key characteristics of ocean waves
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energy travels horizontally and water molecules move in a circular motion
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How surf forms along a shoreline
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waves beginning to drag on the seafloor and slowing down
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Why do long shore currents develop along shorelines?
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wave refraction
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Why are longshore currents important in environmental geology?
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cause the beach itself to migrate over time
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What best describes why irregular shorelines evolve and become straighter over time?
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waves erode headlands and deposit sediment in coves and bays
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Primary mechanism that causes barrier islands to retreat (migrate) toward the shoreline?
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storm overwash
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Hurricanes cause a regional rise in sea level ( dome of water) that can result in a very dangerous phenomenon know as storm surge What best explains the cause for this rise in sea level?
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high winds and lower air pressure within the storm
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Energy source that provides power for tropical storms and hurricanes
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warm seawater
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What is the most effective means of minimizing the structural damage that results from the high winds of a hurricane?
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strap the roof to the frame and board the windows
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What will not cause a tsunami? . ASteroid impacts . earthquakes . landslides . volcanic eruptions . strong winds
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strong winds
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Shoreline retreat is a natural process that humans have made worse in recent years. Which of the following is not a major factor in the rate at which shorelines move inland? . disruptions in sediment supply . coastal development . seal level rise . frequency of storms
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coastal development
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Seawalls are commonly used to stop shoreline retreat What is a negative consequence of building a seawall?
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loss of the beach at high tide
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Beach nourishment is a common technique or minimizing shoreline retreat. What is a negative consequence of beach nourishment?
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costly and must be done periodically
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Breakwaters are commonly used in coastal engineering. WHat is the basic purpose of installing a breakwater?
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create a quite area to moor boats and reduce erosion
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Over the past 3 million years, sea level has been as much as 400 ft lower and 100 ft higher compared to today
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True
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Massive wasting hazards are less likely to occur along trailing edge (passive) shoreline than along leading edge ( tectonically active) since the slopes are typically much more gentle.
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False
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What is the basic mechanism that naturally creates freshwater within the hydrolic cycle?
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evaporation
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Where is the majority of Earths freshwater being stored?
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glacial ice
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What activities use the greatest amount of water in the US?
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irrigation and electrical generation
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Due to geology, some regions have to rely entirely on surface water. What is a common technique used to expand surface water supplies?
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water diversions
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In terms of supplying sufficient quantities of drinking water, what is the most important property of an aquifer?
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high permeability (conductivity)
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Which of the following earth materials would not make for a good aquifer? . sandy sediment . fractured granite . sandstone . shale . soluble limestone
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shale
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Which of the following statements regarding streams and groundwater is NOT true? . WHen a stream goes dry it means the adjoining aquifer will also go dry . infiltrating water contributes to the supply of groundwater . when the water table becomes lower than a stream channel, the stream can run dry . groundwater baseflow is what allows streams to keep flowing during dry periods . when the water table is higher than a stream channel, ground water flows into the stream
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when a stream goes dry it means the adjoining aquifer will also go dry
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What best explains why confined aquifers make for a safer water supply compared to unconfined aquifers? . Unconfined aquifers are open to the surface env. . Confined aquifers dont have an overlying aquitard for protection . the water in confined aquifers is naturally filtered . unconfined aquifers have greater water pressure . confined aquifers have greater water pressure
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unconfined aquifers are open to the surface environment
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What best describes the direction that groundwater flows in the subsurface
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from areas of high hydraulic head to low hydraulic head
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What is the basic difference bw modern water wells and older hand dug wells?
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older wells are much larger in diameter
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When water is pumped from a well it creates a cone- of- depression. What is the basic reason this sometimes causes problems?
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it reverses the natural direction of groundwater flow
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What describes the problem know as groundwater mining?
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falling groundwater levels due to excessive pumping
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What best describes the problem known as saltwater intrusion
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heavy pumping allows saline water to migrate into freshwater aquifers
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Water desalinization techniques
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distillation and reverse osmosis
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What best describes the environmental problem associated with desalinization?
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disposing of the concentrated saltwater
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Xeriscaping is a water conservation technique commonly used in landscaping. What best describes xeriscaping?
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use of negative vegetation
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Groundwater recharge occurs every time it rains
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False Groundwater recharge only occurs when soil moisture becomes great enough that the water is able to flow downward by gravity and into the GW system. These conditions are more common during the winter and spring when evap. and transpiration are low, allowing the buildup of soil moisture
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Solar energy drives the hydrologic cycle
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True. The hydrologic cycle is driven by solar radiation that causes water to evaporate from the oceans and land surface
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Desalinization is desirable bc it is an energy efficient process
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False. Desalinization requires significant amounts of energy, making it considerably more expensive than extracting and processing traditional water resources
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When groundwater recharge is less than discharge it can cause land subsidence to occue
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True. When GW recharge is less than discharge subsurface water levels (pressure) will decline, which causes materials to compact and can lead to land subsidence
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If energy is the capacity to perform work or transfer heat, what is work?
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when an object is moved a given distance against some force
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Which is true regarding chemical energy? . Is the same as heat energy . Comes from the flow of electrons . All the above . is derived from the nucleus of atoms . is stored in chemical bonds
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is stored in chemical bonds
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What best defines energy efficiency?
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measures how much of the original energy goes to its intended purpose
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Which of the following statements regarding coal is false? . Forms in swamp like conditions . Carbon content decreases as depth of burial increases . requires increases in temp. and pressure to transform organic matter into coal . is found in sedimentary rock sequences . originates from decaying plant material
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carbin content decreases as depth of burial increases
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Environmental problems associated with society's use of coal
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acid rain land subsidence acid mine drainage greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
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What best describes how petroleum is different than coal?
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contains considerable amounts of hydrogen
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What best explains how crude oil is different from natural gas
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consists of longer chains of hydrocarbon molecules
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What is essential in order for petroleum to accumulate in a trap
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. a porous rock to store the hydrocarbon molecules . a low permeability cap rock that prevents the escape of hydrocarbons . hydrocarbons must migrate from a source rock . the source rock must generate hydrocarbon molecules
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What best describes the oil window?
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depth interval where temperatures allow oil to form in a source rock
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Approx. how much of the US energy supply consists of fossil fuels?
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90%
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What energy source make sup the largest percentage of the electricity produced in the US?
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coal
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Which of the following regarding the peak oil theory is false? . Is based on the act that oil is a finite resource . Predicts a production decline to follow a decline in new discoveries predicts that world production of conventioanl crude oil will soon peak. . Has yet to be shown to be true for a single nation . is a statistical model developed be a petroleum geologist named Hubbert
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has yet to be shown to be true for a single nation
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Basic problem or issue with respect to expanding the worlds oil supply in the future.
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. Fewer giant fields are being found today . Discoveries of new fields peaked in the 1970s . Numerous smaller fields mist be found to offset production declines in older fields . Remaining deposits are more expensive and difficult to extract
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What represents the most effective strategy for ultimetly addressing the problem of peak oil?
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reduce demand for conventional oil and increase supply of alternatives
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Which of the following is not a replacement for conventional oil? . natural gas . biofuels . electricity . shale oil . coal liquefaction
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electricity
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Nuclear energy is often called radiant energy
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False. Radiant energy, which often comes from the sun, is often called solar energy
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Economical petroleum traps are geologically rare
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True. Traps that contain economical amounts of petroleum are relatively rare froom a geologic perspective
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China, with is large population, has the highest per capita energy consumption in the world.
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False. China and India have large population but low per capita energy consumption rates because they are still developing, hence their toal energy usage is still less than that of the US
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Fossil fuels are distributed fairly evenly around the globe.
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False. Fossil fuels are unevenly distributed around the world. The middle east contains vast amounts of oil, but virtually no coal reserves, and Japan essentially has no fossil fuels
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With respect to conventional oil, the US reached production in the 1970s
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True. Production in the US is currently increasing due to the extraction of shale oil using directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, but its unlikely that total production will ever exceed the 1970s
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Synthetic crude oil can be made through a process of liquefying coal. What is the primary problem with using coal to help meet the growing demand for oil?
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higher carbon dioxide emissions
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In comparison to light crude oil, which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to heavy crude oil? . Heavy crude oil is more difficult to extract . Oil companies prefer heavy crude oil bc it is more profitable . refining heavy crude oil is more expensive . most of the remaining oil reserves consist of heavier crudes . heavy crude oil is more viscous
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oil companies prefer heavy crude oil because it is more profitable
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What best explains why carbon dioxide emissions are so much higher using tar sands compared to conventional crude oil?
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tar sands require additional energy to produce
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What best describes oil shale deposits?
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organic rich source rock that has never been buried deep enough to produce oil
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The original method of processing oil shale involved crushing the rock and then heating it. What environmental problem did this create that the new method (heating the rock in place) seeks to avoid?
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disposing of large volumes of waste rock
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Gas hydrates represent a potential source of natural gas. Which of the following is the primary reason commercial production is not yet taking place?
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high potential for the uncontrolled release of gas
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Which of the following is NOT true regarding the production of corn-based ethanol as an alternative to gasoline in the United States? .production requires a significant amount of farmland .production likely results in a net energy loss .provides a long-term solution to our energy needs .it is helping to drive up food prices .it is less energy efficient than gasoline
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provides a long term solution to our energy needs
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A pumped-storage system is where water is pumped up into an elevated reservoir, and then allowed to fall to produce electricity. What is the basic reason this system is economical?
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surplus electricity at night is being used to pump water into reservoir
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What best describes the major advantages of generating electricity with nuclear power plants?
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generates electricity on a large scale and doesnt emit carbon dioxide
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What best describes the major disadvantages of nuclear power?
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high production costs and lack of long term waste storage
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What energy transformation takes place when sunlight strikes an ordinary solid object?
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electromagnetic to thermal (heat)
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What describes the difference between passive and active solar energy designs?
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Active involves some type of mechanical system
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What best describes the difference between solar thermal and photovoltaic systems?
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photovoltaic generates electricity only
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Which of the following describes the advantages of wind power over solar?
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Wind turbines can generate power at night and on cloudy days
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What best explains why producing electricity via geothermal energy is restricted geographically?
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Areas where shallow crustal rocks are sufficiently hot are relatively rare
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Which of the following describes the basic way in which electricity is generated using the ocean thermal energy conversion technique, or OTEC?
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temperature difference bw the surface and deep ocean waters
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With respect to the U.S. transportation system, what best explains why electric motors are considered as the most sustainable means of running cars and trains in the future?
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Fuels for internal combustion engines all produce greenhouse gases
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A likely future model for the electrical grid is a decentralized system where power is generated from numerous sources distributed across the grid. What would the primary role of nuclear power be in this model?
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provide steady amounts of power to meet baseload demand
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Light crude oil contains a higher proportion of shorter chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms compared to heavy crude oil.
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True: Crude oil is composed of different chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Those oils that contain more of an abundance of lighter, shorter hydrocarbon chains are referred to as light crudes
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With respect to geothermal energy, Earth's internal heat escapes evenly though the crust.
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False: The outflow of heat through Earths crust is not uniform. Higher rates of heat loss generally occur in areas of tectonic and volcanic activity or where crust is thin
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Which of the following statements with respect to Earth's climate is NOT true? .Earth is currently in a strong warming trend. .the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. .past climate changes have caused societies to collapse. .variation in energy output from the Sun is too small to explain current warming. .atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are currently well within Earth's recent operating range.
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atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are currently well within Earths recent operating range
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What best explains the effect of greenhouse gases on Earth's atmosphere?
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absorb some of the energy Earth radiates out into space
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Which of the following statements regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) and the greenhouse effect is true? .all of the answers listed here. .global warming from burning fossil fuels was predicted in the 1800s. .link between CO2 and the greenhouse effect was proven in the 1800s. .CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is relatively low. .without CO2, the average global temperature would be below freezing.
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All of the answers
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Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas? .methane (CH4) .water (H2O) .nitrogen (N2) .nitrogen oxide (N2O) .carbon dioxide (CO2)
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nitrogen
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There are several long-term changes in Earth's orbit that affect how heat from the Sun is distributed over the planet. Which of the following describes how the orbit changes from being elliptical to more circular?
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Eccentricity
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Which of the following statements regarding variations in Earth's orbit is true? .all of the answers listed here. .even together, they don't produce enough temperature change to cause an ice age. .they can fully account for the recent rise in global temperature. .their effect on global temperatures was only recently discovered by NASA scientists. .their combined effect on past global temperatures is purely hypothetical.
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even together, they dont produce enough temperature change to cause an ice age
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Which of the following are considered climate feedback mechanisms? .greenhouse gases and short-wavelength radiation .ocean tides and ocean circulation .short-wavelength radiation and ocean circulation .greenhouse gases and reflection/adsorption of sunlight .short-wavelength radiation and reflection/adsorption of sunlight
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greenhouse gases and reflection/adsorption of sunlight
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With respect to modeling Earth's climate system, which of the following best describes global circulation models (GCMs)?
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Accurately simulate the past climate and are used to project the future climate
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What best explains the problem with using sediment layers to determine past climatic conditions?
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Do not provide details on year-to year variations
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What best explains why glacial ice cores are ideal for examining climatic conditions in Earth's past?
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Provide high-resolution data on both temperature and carbon dioxide
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Ice core data have revealed which of the following? .Earth's climate shows a history of abrupt and rapid changes in temperature. .current carbon dioxide concentrations are far outside of Earth's recent operating range. .all of the answers listed here. .there's a strong correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide and temperature. .Earth's climate has been remarkably stable for the past 10,000 years.
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All of the answers
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What do climatologists NOT expect to see now that Earth's climate system has been pushed to a higher energy level?
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The warming trend to reverse in the near future
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What do climatologists fear might happen if the Earth system crosses a climate threshold?
answer
System will enter a period of abrupt and dramatic climate change
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What do climatologists predict will occur as the Earth continues to warm?
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. More frequent heavy rain and snow events . atmosphere will hold more water vapor . more frequent droughts . higher evaporation rates
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One important consequence of global warming is that Earth's climatic zones are expected to shift. Which of the following would affect large parts of Earth's population as winters arrive later and end earlier?
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Less melt water to sustain streams during the summer months
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Sea level is expected rise due to continued melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Which of the following best describes why climatologists are likely to have underestimated the rate of sea level rise?
answer
Ice sheets are melting from within as water flows down through fractures
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Ocean acidification is taking place as the oceans absorb some of the additional carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What is the basic environmental problem that this creates?
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More difficult for marine organisms to secret their own productive shells
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Which of the following best explains why continued warming of the Arctic is expected to greatly accelerate the rate of global warming?
answer
Loss of sea ice and thawing of gas hydrates
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Earth's glacial periods are explained by orbital variations that produce a small temperature change, which is then amplified by changes in carbon dioxide concentrations.
answer
True: Orbital variations affect the distibution of solar radiation striking the Earth, This in turn produces a small temperature change that is then amplified by changes in carbo dioxide concentration
question
To slow the current warming trend, industrialized nations must reduce their overall rate of greenhouse gas emissions.
answer
True: Because of the long residence time of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the climate system is going to continue to warm due to past emissions. In order to slow down the rate of future warming, it is imperative that industrialized nations reduce the overall rate of greenhouse gas emissions.
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