Antarctica (a global common) Flashcards

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1
Q

what is ablation

A

the opposite of accumulation, refers to all processes that remove snow, ice or water from a glacier or snow field

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2
Q

what is a nunatak

A

is an exposed, often rocky element of a ridge, mountain or peak not covered with ice or snow within an ice field or glacier

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3
Q

what is the Antarctic convergence zone

A

a natural boundary separating two distinct hydrological regions/areas of distinct climate/areas of distinct wildlife

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4
Q

what is the global thermohaline circulation (explain it)

A

water wants to move from where it is warm to where it is colder - but when water becomes colder it sinks. in the oceans this is accelerated further by changes in ocean salinity. these changes in temperature and salinity and the desire of water to move along gradients create the global thermohaline circulation

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5
Q

where does surface flow for the global thermohaline circulation come from

A

the tropics (warmest water)

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6
Q

where does bottom flow for the global thermohaline circulation come from

A

Antarctica (coldest water)

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7
Q

where is Vostok

A

is a south pole station- is isolated in the middle of the continent- in the coldest part of Antarctica

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8
Q

in which months is Antarctica warmest

A

October, November and December (temperature peak is in December and January)

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9
Q

main 4 threats to Antarctica

A

climate change
fishing and whaling
search for minerals
tourism and scientific research

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10
Q

Krill: there is a NEGATIVE feedback on

A

species that eat krill (as there is less krill in the oceans)

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11
Q

Krill: there is a POSITIVE feedback on

A

species that are eaten by krill

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12
Q

what impact has climate change has on Antarctica

A

parts of Antarctica are cooling and accumulating ice

the Antarctic peninsula has lost several large ice shelves causing a speed up of ice inland (positive dieback)

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13
Q

how many birds breed along the coast of Antarctica

A

100 million (from 35 species)

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14
Q

how many permanent scientific bases are there in Antarctica

A

40

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15
Q

example of an organisation that regulates tourism in Antarctica

A

International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (compromised of 99 companies from 16 countries- membership is voluntary)

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16
Q

economic pressures on Antarctica: fishing and whaling

A

already an issue as Antarctica is rich in fish stock
number of krill dropped in the 1970s
increase in allowance of catch - to reduce pressure elsewhere

17
Q

where are fishing restrictions

A

in the north sea- so people have gone to the south sea

18
Q

when was whaling banned and by who

A

banned in 1904 by the IWC. but still allowed to for scientific purposes

19
Q

mineral exploitation in Antarctica

A

need for fuels. coal found on the coast and on mountains

20
Q

how many barrels of oil can be extracted in the Ross Sea area

A

50 billion- but no one is allowed to as it could cause conflict

21
Q

negative impacts of scientific research

A

limited breeding space for penguins due to research

risk of oil spills and accidents from supply ships

22
Q

research impacts: argentina 1989

A

in 1989 an argentine ship released 250,000 gallons of oil into the sea- affecting species of krill and sea birds

23
Q

how many tourists come to Antarctica every year

A

1000

24
Q

issues of tourism in Antarctica

A

more vessels on seas around Antarctica

little policing and management in place (no quarantine)

25
Q

how much does it cost a tourist to go to antarctica

A

£4,500 to see it

£15,000 to get on land

26
Q

how much has the temperature of Antarctica increased by

A

3 degrees celcius (faster than anywhere else- 5X the mean rate of global warming)

27
Q

how much has the population of emperor penguins declined by in some areas

A

50% - breed on sea ice which is retreating

28
Q

since the 1950s how many km2 of ice shelf has been left

A

28,000 km2

29
Q

what species will be affected by the decline in krill numbers

A

whales, seals and penguins

30
Q

how much have krill numbers dropped by since the 1970s

A

80% (worsened by our over fishing of krill)

31
Q

what is the issue of global trade and Antarctica

A

pollution and waste created by global trade both impact Antarctica but does not benefit Antarctica at all

32
Q

impact of globalisation on Antarctica

A

the issue of the sovereignty of Antarctica has become increasingly hard to manage