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Environmental Science A-Level AQA > Atmosphere + Pollution > Flashcards

Atmosphere + Pollution Flashcards

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1
Q

explain how features of the environment may affect the dispersal of atmospheric pollutants. (4)

A

wind velocity- distance travelled
wind direction- dispersal
temperature- rate of degradation
presence of the pollutants- chemical reactions/synergism
presence of UV/sunlight- photodegradation/chemical reactions
topography- reduce movement away from source/shelter

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2
Q

Which atmospheric pollutant is controlled by landfill tax? (1)

A

Methane

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3
Q

use tropospheric ozone to explain the meaning of secondary pollutant? (2)

A

formed by reactions of other pollutant(s);
trop O3 formed by breakdown of NOx to release monotonic O and reaction of O2/ interaction of NOx and O2

NO2–>NO+O
O+O2–>O3
NO+O2–>O3

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4
Q

Explain how tropospheric ozone increases the problems caused by acid rain. (3)

A

synergistic action;
ozone damages wax/cuticle/stomata;
exposes leaf to other acidic pollutant;

reacts with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur trioxide;
SO3 produces sulfuric acid;
increase damage
e.g.
corrosion
leaching of toxic metals

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5
Q

describe how changes to soil, caused by acidic pollution, harm plants. (2)

A

soil deflocculation;
nutrient leaching/solubility/loss;
enzymes denatured/proteins denatured;
reduced decomposition

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6
Q

describe features of lichens that make them useful in monitoring acidic atmospheric pollution. (4)

A

range of sensitivities (to acidic conditions);
generally distributed;
easy to find;
easy to identify;
normally common;

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7
Q

explain how biotic indices may be used to monitor pollution. (6)

A

sensitivity to pollution;

range of tolerance/different sensitivities;
lichens/aquatic invertebrates

presence/absence;
abundance;
size/state of health

easy to find/catch;
easy to identify;

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8
Q

describe the factors that make it more likely that a temperature inversion will occur. (3)

A

high pressure;
low wind speed;
valley;
clear sky;
night time;

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9
Q

outline the differences between smoke smogs and photochemical smogs. (5)

A

smog:
smoke + fog
colder days
combustion of FF

photochemical smog:
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS
warmer days
combustion of FF in car engines

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10
Q

suggest how the production of a named pollutant, other than smoke, may be reduced by the name of a secondary fuel. (1)

A

CO2/SO2/NOx are not released when an there is an increase in use of hydrogen

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11
Q

ozone is involved in many environmental issues.
outline how ozone is environmentally important in the following (1 mark for each)

A

acid rain:
oxidises SO2 to SO3

the stratosphere:
absorbs UV/prevents skin cancer

photochemical smog:
interaction with NOX
production of PANs

directly affecting living organisms:
eye/respiratory/asthma/leaf cuticle damage

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12
Q

suggest how the low persistence of ozone affects the severity of the pollution it causes. (1)

A

only short term/reduced mobility

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13
Q

suggest how the low persistence of ozone affects the severity of the pollution it causes. (1)

A

only short term/reduced mobility

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14
Q

describe how oxides of nitrogen may cause the production of a secondary pollutant. (2)

A

photochemical reaction to create PANs
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS

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15
Q

outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen. (2)

A

catalytic conveter;
reduces;
oxygen+nitrogen produced;

urea/ammonia treatment;

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16
Q

outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide… (2)

A

wet/dry desulfurisation;
coal desulfurisation;

clean air act

17
Q

explain how lichens can be used to monitor atmospheric pollution. (4)

A

range/type;
sensitivities;
presence/absence/abundance;
colour;
size/state of health;
estimate past pollutant levels

18
Q

describe how the impact of pH on seed germination may be investigated. (6)

A

Name seed/same seed species (e.g. crest);
same amount of seeds (minimum of 10);
repeat so results are reliable for a statistical test;
range of pH;

control variable;
temperature/water/light/age of seeds

record results daily
count/ calculate percentage of germinated seeds

19
Q

For ozone depletion and global climate change, state the differences in the following: (1 mark for each)

A

types of electromagnetic radiation involved:
ozone depletion UV/short wave
GCC IR/long wave;

direction of travel of the radiation involved:
ozone depletion downwards/incoming/from Sun
GCC upwards/outgoing/from Earth;

layer of the atmosphere in which the radiation is involved:
ozone depletion stratosphere/ozonosphere
[A ozone layer]
GCC troposphere;

involvement of CFCs:
ozone depletion source of chlorine
GCC absorbs IR/greenhouse gas;

international agreements intended to reduce the problems:
ozone depletion Montreal Protocol
GCC Kyoto Protocol;

20
Q

Explain how natural processes cause atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to fluctuate. (3)

A

Change in named process;;
Eg
photosynthesis
(aerobic) respiration/decomposition
volcanic action
forest fires
combustion;
death;
Stated impact on CO2 levels;;

21
Q

Explain the difference between positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms. (2)

A

Positive feedback increases the initial change;
Negative feedback reduces the initial change;

22
Q

Explain how ozone depletion threatens humans. (2 marks each= total of 4)

A

human health:
DNA mutation;
Proteins/enzymes denatured;
Sunburn;
Skin cancer/;
Retina damage;

other living organisms:
Lower crop yield/fishery yields / other stated impact on humans;
Reduced photosynthesis;
Egg damage;
Leaf (cuticle) damage;
Reduced photosynthesis/egg damage/other stated impact;

23
Q

Describe the strategies that are being developed to control emissions of named greenhouse gases. (6)

A

eg
carbon dioxide
energy conservation to reduce fossil fuel use
use of non-fossil fuel energy resources/renewables/nuclear
carbon sequestration/tree planting
named regulation/Kyoto protocol/Paris agreement/COP21

methane
reduced use of landfill
burning of landfill gas
burning of coal mine/oil facility gas
named change to livestock production
named change to padi field/rice production
named regulation/Landfill Tax

oxides of nitrogen
increased use of mass transport
urea/ammonia sprays
catalytic converters
named regulation/MOT/congestion charge

chlorofluorocarbons
named alternative material/alcohol/HC/HCFC/HFC
named alternative process/trigger packs/pump action
waste CFC incineration
named regulation/Montreal Protocol/Vienna Convention

tropospheric ozone
NO x control

24
Q

Describe how methane is released by fossil fuel use. (1)

A

Anaerobic decomposition/respiration/digestion/fermentation; organic matter/bacteria;

25
Q

Describe one pollution problem caused by CFCs which threatens human health. (3)

A

Depletion of (stratospheric) ozone;
[A damage to ozone layer/creation of ozone hole]
chlorine released (from CFC);
specific chemical reaction;
increased UV reaches Earth/less UV absorbed by ozone;
mutations/cancer/skin damage/eye damage;

26
Q

Describe the methods that have been used to reduce the releases of methane. (4)

A

Landfill tax/reduced use of landfill;
named alternative method eg composting/recycling/incineration;
methane collection at landfill sites;
combustion/use of methane;
collection of mine/oil well ventilation gases;
change in diet of livestock;
[R reduce livestock numbers]

27
Q

Use the processes involving energy in the atmosphere to explain the meaning of ‘dynamic equilibrium’. (2)

A

Balanced processes;
named energy processes that balance;

28
Q

Outline the difficulties in predicting global climate change. (3)

A

Natural fluctuations/trends;
(inaccuracy of) measuring small changes;
regional differences;
other causes of climate change;
lack of historical data;
feedback mechanisms (mask/exaggerate effect);
lack of understanding of natural processes;
use of secondary data;
uncertainty of future human activity;
eg of problem;

29
Q

Outline the methods that have been used to control ozone depletion. (4)

A

Montreal (Protocol) (ignore reference to Kyoto);
reduced/banned production/use (of ODSs);
named alternative material/HCs/HFCs/HCFCs/alcohols;;
named alternative process/pump action/trigger pack;
named waste disposal technique/incineration;
eg recycle/drain CFCsfrom fridges

30
Q

structure of the atmosphere

A

(TOP) mesosphere
stratopause
stratosphere
tropopause
(BOTTOM)troposphere

31
Q

Outline two ways in which human activities affect atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. (4)

A

fossil fuel combustion
released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration

deforestation
released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration

reforestation/afforestation
absorbed CO2 /reduced atmospheric CO 2 concentration

ploughing
increased respiration/released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO2 concentration

32
Q

Suggest how a reduction in stratospheric ozone may be harmful to life on Earth. (2)

A

Increased UV;
named effect of UV/DNA damage/cancer/eye damage/plant tissue damage/sunburn/skin damage/mutations;

Environmental Science A-Level AQA (12 decks)

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