Deck 9: Global Atmospheric Changes

Question 1

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

A)Most solar radiation is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
B)Most solar radiation is reflected by snow, ice, and light colored land.
C)Most solar radiation is absorbed by the land and ocean.
D)An equal amount of solar radiation is absorbed by land, air, and water as is reflected back into space.

Answer 1

Most solar radiation is absorbed by the land and ocean.

Question 2

What is a rain shadow?

A)The silhouette of mountains as the sun passes from east to west.
B)The shade on the ground produced by clouds that threaten rain.
C)The dry land on the side of the mountains away from the prevailing wind.
D)The lessening of a chance of precipitation on any given day due to dry air at equator.

Answer 2

The dry land on the side of the mountains away from the prevailing wind.

Question 3

What can be interpreted from the following graph? 1. The graph shows that the Earth's surface temperatures do naturally fluctuate. 2. The graph shows that there has been a warming trend in the last several decades.

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)1&2
D)None of these choices

Answer 3

1&2

Question 4

Human activities have increased the levels of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere.

Question 5

The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, geographic location, and topographic features are all responsible for differences observed in precipitation.

Question 6

In science the terms climate and weather have the same meaning.

Question 7

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

Question 8

Which of the following greenhouse gases has no natural source?

A)carbon dioxide
B)chlorofluorocarbons
C)nitrous oxide
D)methane

Question 9

________ is typical weather patterns that occur in a place over a period of years?

Question 10

The graph below shows atmospheric concentration of CO₂ as recorded at the Mauna Loa Observatory. From the graph we can see that there are seasonal fluctuations in CO₂ concentrations that correspond with:

A)Plants taking up more carbon dioxide in the growing season.
B)Temperatures fluctuating between day and night.
C)Plants releasing more carbon dioxide in the growing season.
D)Cattle producing more methane in the summer when they are grazing.

Question 11

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

A)precipitation and temperature
B)distance from the sea and types of vegetation
C)latitude and altitude
D)wind speed and cloud cover

Question 12

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

A)0º to 1.4ºC.
B)2.0º to 5.5ºC.
C)3º to 5.7ºC.
D)3.5º to 10.4ºC.
E)none, they didn't actually make such a prediction.

Question 13

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

A)Climate
B)Weather
C)Precipitation
D)Wind speed

Question 14

Besides temperature records, evidence that points to an increase in global temperatures includes:

A)rise in sea levels
B)retreating of the world's glaciers
C)in the northern hemisphere, spring now arrives a little early and autumn now starts a little late
D)all of these choices

Question 15

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas:

A)carbon dioxide
B)nitrous oxide
C)methane
D)sulfur dioxide

Question 16

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.

Question 17

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

Question 18

Although widespread thermometer records have only been kept since the mid-19^th 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

Question 19

The figure reflects the differences in how sunlight strikes the Earth at different places. Which of the statements below can be inferred from this diagram? A B 1. Desk lamp A represents the vertical angle of the sun at the equator showing that sunlight is more concentrated here.
2. Desk lamp B represents the oblique angle of the sun at the equator showing that there is a larger area over which the sun shines.
3. Desk lamps A and B represent the possible different angles of the sun striking the northern hemisphere in the summer depending on how the Earth's axis tilts - A means a hotter summer, B means a cooler one.

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)1& 2 only

Question 20

Sunshine and insolation mean the same.

Question 21

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

A)CFCs.
B)ozone enhancers.
C)nitrous oxides.
D)atmospheric aerosols.

Question 22

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

Question 23

The computer models below show acidity of ocean waters in 1995 and 2100. What can be interpreted from the models about ocean acidification? 1. Plant and animals in the Arctic and Antarctic are likely to be the first and also the most affected by ocean acidification. 2. Since coral reefs are susceptible to acid bleaching, if water acidity around the equator increases as projected then coral reefs will be affected.

A)1
B)2
C)Both 1 and 2 can be interpreted from the models.
D)There is not sufficient information in these models for them to be interpreted.

Question 24

Which of the following greenhouse gases is released from the intestinal tracts of cattle?

A)methane
B)nitrous oxide
C)tropospheric ozone
D)CFCs

Question 25

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

Question 26

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.

Question 27

_________ is the term used to describe how gases affect heat in the atmosphere.

Question 28

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.

A)malaria
B)cancer
C)polio
D)AIDS

Question 29

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

Question 30

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

Question 31

The figure below is of a new innovation in electricity generation from coal. If this technology works as indicated in the figure, we could accomplish the following: Precombustion (decarbonization)Capture

A)Acid rain would be reduced as sulfur from coal is removed prior to combustion.
B)Carbon management would be accomplished as carbon dioxide would be separated and sequestered.
C)The main waste products released from coal combustion would be water vapor.
D)All of these choices would be accomplished.

Question 32

Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced as a result of fertilizer application?

A)methane
B)nitrous oxide
C)tropospheric ozone
D)CFCs

Question 33

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

A)mitigation
B)sequesteration
C)adaptation
D)insulation

Question 34

Why is carbon dioxide considered a greenhouse gas?

A)It is released when fossil fuels are burned.
B)It is part of the carbon cycle, which is also known as the greenhouse cycle.
C)It can absorb infrared radiation.
D)It is responsible for protecting organisms from UV radiation.

Question 35

Which greenhouse gas that is released as the tundra thaws?

A)methane
B)nitrous oxide
C)tropospheric ozone
D)CFCs

Question 36

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

Question 37

Which greenhouse gas leaks out of old refrigerators and air conditioners?

A)methane
B)nitrous oxide
C)tropospheric ozone
D)CFCs

Question 38

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

A)Fossil fuel emissions are not responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect.
B)Greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for many years.
C)Deforestation must also be stopped in order for temperatures to decline.
D)Increased methane emissions will more than make up for the difference.

Question 39

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.

Question 40

_____________ is the separating and capturing of carbon dioxide produced during the combustion of fossil duels?

Question 41

Since 1991 acid deposition in some areas of the United States and Canada have been reduced by as much as 35 percent.

Question 42

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

A)sea turtles are declining as their egg production is affected by increased UV radiation
B)phytoplankton populations are declining because increased UV radiation reduces photosynthetic activity
C)whales exposed to increased UV radiation are getting cancer and dying
D)increased UV radiation warms ocean water temperatures resulting in increasing numbers of krill

Question 43

List four ways in which solar radiation shapes life on Earth.

Question 44

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

A)acid deposition increases the effects of DDT which has already been implicated in thinning eggshells.
B)high rates of cancer due to acid deposition impact birds' ability to form eggs.
C)acid deposition acts as an endocrine disruptor that interferes with reproductive hormones in bird species.
D)in acidic soils calcium, an important nutrient for eggshell production, washes away and so less is available to birds in their diets

Question 45

The computer-generated image below depicts a part of the southern hemisphere in December 2007. What is the source of the purple-colored region on the image represent?

A)A zone with high concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide
B)A zone with high concentration of tropospheric ozone.
C)A zone with low concentration of stratospheric ozone.
D)A zone with high CFC concentrations.

Question 46

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

Question 47

Nitrogen oxide emissions are harder to control than sulfur dioxide emissions because motor vehicles produce a substantial portion of nitrogen oxides.

Question 48

What causes ozone depletion?

A)Flying airplanes especially at high altitudes.
B)Combustion of a sulfur containing fuel like coal.
C)CFCs leaking from old refrigerators and air conditioners.
D)Deforestation especially in mountainous regions.

Question 49

________ is any form of precipitation with an acidic component, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.

Question 50

The ______ is/was an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

Question 51

The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers and agricultural land, which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences, is known as _____.

Question 52

The ozone layer in the atmosphere is responsible for blocking a significant portion of _______ originating from the sun before they can reach the earth's surface.

Question 53

Why is the layer of stratospheric ozone so important?

A)Ozone breaks down greenhouse gases.
B)Ozone shields the earth from infrared radiation.
C)It shields the earth from ultraviolet radiation.
D)Ozone contributes to albedo, which cools the earth.

Question 54

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.

Question 55

What causes variation in precipitation? List and describe 3 important factors.

Question 56

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

Question 57

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

A)ozone and carbonic acid
B)hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid.
C)sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
D)sulfur nitrate and nitrogen sulfate.

Question 58

What did/will the Montreal Protocol achieve?

A)It banned all use of CFCs by 1998 in highly developed countries, with indefinite use allowed in developing countries.
B)It achieved very little, because it was signed by only 50 countries.
C)It has not resulted in any measurable change in the amount of ozone-depleting chemicals in the atmosphere.
D)It is expected that ozone-thinning will gradually decline over time with recovery occurring after 2050.

Question 59

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

A)skin
B)liver
C)brain
D)lung

Question 60

Nitrogen oxide emissions are easier to control than sulfur dioxide emissions.

Question 61

Describe the difference between mitigation and adaptation as strategies that can be used to deal with global climate change. Discuss the strengths of each strategy and give two examples of each strategy can be implemented.

Question 62

Identify four potential effects of global climate change. Briefly discuss the ramifications of each of the effects that you have identified.

Question 63

Distinguish between the terms "greenhouse effect" and "enhanced greenhouse effect". Include identification of four major greenhouse gases and their sources in your discussion.

Question 64

While there has been success in addressing ozone depletion and acid deposition, ecosystems have not yet recovered. What is the reason for this slow recovery? As part of your answer also describe some strategies that were employed to reduce these pollution problems.

Question 65

Describe the difference between tropospheric ozone and stratospheric ozone. Explain the significance of each for humans and other forms of life on Earth.

Question 66

Although global climate change, ozone depletion, and acid deposition are often treated as three separate issues there are many links between these three problems. Describe three of these links.

Question 67

Explain how large forests help to mitigate global climate change.

Question 68

Discuss the process of acid deposition and the human activities that cause this problem. What are some of the impacts that acid deposition has had on the abiotic and biotic components of the environment over the past thirty years?