Deck 16: The Oceans and Climate Change

Question 1

The Earth's climate system involves the exchange of heat and water among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Decrease of summer ice cover in the Arctic Ocean has had a significant impact on Arctic wildlife.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The gas(es) that is (are) increasing atmospheric concentration relative to other gases in the atmosphere annually is (are):

A) carbon dioxide.
B) chlorofluorocarbons.
C) methane.
D) nitrous oxide.
E) ozone.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Worldwide, the SOFAR channel is located at an approximate ocean depth of:

A) 100 meters.
B) 250 meters.
C) 500 meters.
D) 1000 meters.
E) 4000 meters.

Question 5

Volcanic eruptions have no impact on global climate patterns, they only affect local climate.

Question 6

Changes in the Earth's orbit can impact climate by increasing or decreasing solar input.

Question 7

Sea floor sediments and glacial ice trap carbon dioxide that can be used to predict future climate patterns.

Question 8

The Earth's average surface temperature has increased 0.6 ºC over the past 30 years.

Question 9

The fourth IPCC report on international climate change confirmed that human activity has produced climate change beginning in the mid-20ᵗʰ century.

Question 10

Worldwide retreat of mountain glaciers has not been absorbed to date.

Question 11

Changes in the relative position of the Earth's tectonic plates and resultant climate are reflected in the paleoclimate record contained in glacial ice and sea floor sediments.

Question 12

A decrease in global atmospheric temperature is caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide by the world's oceans.

Question 13

Natural causes for global climate change include all of the following except:

A) changes in solar input.
B) increase in elevation.
C) tectonic plate movement.
D) variation in the Earth's orbit.
E) volcanic activity.

Question 14

There is a significant positive correlation with sunspot activity and mean global temperature.

Question 15

Sea surface temperatures have remained unchanged in the past 50 years.

Question 16

The zone ocean where sound can travel extremely long distances is called the:

A) pycnocline.
B) SOFAR channel.
C) SONAR channel.
D) surface mix layer.
E) thermocline.

Question 17

The atmospheric component that contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is:

A) carbon dioxide.
B) methane.
C) nitrous oxide.
D) ozone.
E) water vapor.

Question 18

Greenhouse gases are compounds in the Earth's atmosphere that dissipate heat.

Question 19

Feedback loops are the interactions among the Earth's five spheres that either reinforce or negate changes in climate.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a consequence of global warming?

A) droughts in prime agricultural areas
B) increasing hurricane frequency
C) melting of glacial ice
D) shifts in the world-wide distribution of plant and animal communities
E) All of the above are consequences of global warming.

Question 21

List and define the components of the Earth's climate system.

Question 22

Detail ways in which you can reduce your personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 23

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)atmosphere
B)biosphere
C)cryosphere
D)geosphere
E)lithosphere

Question 24

Discuss the idea that present day climate changes are part of a larger natural atmospheric cycle. Support your position with evidence from Chapter 16.

Question 25

Discuss the sources of information used by scientists to reconstruct climatic data prior to the era of modern climate records.

Question 26

Sea level rise worldwide can be attributed to all of the following except the:

A) geological uplifting of ocean basins.
B) melting of Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
C) melting of land-based glaciers and mountain ice caps.
D) thermal expansion of deep-ocean waters.
E) thermal expansion of surface ocean waters.

Question 27

Describe the role of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Question 28

Burning of fossil fuels is chemically similar to:

A) autotrophic processes.
B) chemosynthesis.
C) metabolism.
D) photosynthesis.
E) respiration.

Question 29

The world's oceans play a role in reducing global warming by:

A) absorbing surplus heat.
B) increasing oceanic primary productivity.
C) moving carbon dioxide and nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface ocean.
D) removing CO₂ and sequestering CO₂ in ocean sediments.
E) trapping CO₂ in sea ice.

Question 30

Since 1750, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by almost:

A) 10%.
B) 20%.
C) 30%.
D) 40%.
E) 50%.

Question 31

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)anthropogenic CO2 inputs
B)changes in solar input
C)tectonic plate movement
D)variation in the Earth's orbit
E)volcanic activity

Question 32

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)Antarctic and Greenland ice sheet melting
B)deep ocean water thermal expansion
C)melting of terrestrial glaciers and ice caps
D)surface ocean water thermal expansion
E)tectonic uplifting

Question 33

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)changes in deep water circulation
B)decreased hurricane activity
C)increased ocean acidity
D)polar ice melting
E)sea level rise

Question 34

Which of the following atmospheric constituents has the greatest ability to absorb heat (a per mole basis)?

A) carbon dioxide
B) chlorofluorocarbons
C) methane
D) ozone
E) water vapor

Question 35

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)CH₄
B)CO₂
C)N₂
D)N₂O
E)O₃

Question 36

A reduction in the strength of the North Atlantic Current and a decrease in North Atlantic bottom water formation would most likely result in:

A) a cooling of the climate in northern Europe.
B) a decrease in precipitation over France, Spain, and Portugal.
C) an increase in North Sea storm intensity.
D) longer and hotter summers in southern Europe.
E) shorter and warmer winters in central Europe.

Question 37

Satellite data show that the rate of sea level rise since 1993 is on average about:

A) 0.5 inches/year.
B) 0.3 feet/year.
C) 3 millimeters/year.
D) 0.3 meters/year.
E) 0.006 kilometers/year.

Question 38

Concerned individuals can reduce their personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by doing all of the following except:

A) install low flow plumbing fixtures.
B) planting trees and increasing green space areas.
C) purchase recycled products.
D) reducing the area covered by pavement or structures (houses, garages, pools, decks, etc) in urban and suburban areas.
E) use of compact fluorescent light bulbs in place of incandescent bulbs.

Question 39

An agreement amongst 60 nations to voluntarily limit greenhouse gas emissions is called the:

A) Coriolis Protocol.
B) IPCC.
C) Keating Conference.
D) Kyoto Protocol.
E) United Nations Environmental Programme.

Question 40

Explain the processes currently responsible for worldwide sea level rise. How will these changes in sea level affect coastal nations?

Question 41

What is the Kyoto Protocol? How has this accord impacted worldwide policies regarding greenhouse gas emissions?

Question 42

List the observed changes in the world's oceans as a function of increased mean atmospheric temperature.