Ch 18 Ecological Issues Today Flashcards
What is the name of the chemical that breaks down the ozone layer?
CFC (chlorofluorocarbons)
How much of UV radiation enters the Earth’s surface?
1%
The higher the UV radiation that penetrates the Earth’s surface the higher percentage of what?
skin cancers
Name three cons of acid rain.
kills trees, changes the pH of lakes, and damages architecture
How is acid rain formed?
sulfur and other chemicals from industrial plants mix with water in that air to form sulfuric acid
Describe Human Population Growth
The human population is exploding and as a result, there is more pollution and waste accumulating on the planet.
Describe the 6th mass extinction.
As the human population has increased many other species have declined in the number or have become extinct.
What kind of gases cause the Earth’s temperature to go up?
greenhouse gases emitted from burning fossil fuels, methane from farm animals, and nitrous oxide from vehicles
Name the gases that act as a natural blanket.
Carbon dioxide and water vapor.
They absorb heat from the sun and direct it back to Earth
How does the ozone (O3) layer in the upper atmosphere protect living organisms?
it absorbs UV radiation from the sun
Industrial pollutants leaked into the air, soil, and water are what?
carcinogens
Name three agricultural pollutants
pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers
What is the result of pesticides taking a long time to break down.
They become increasingly concentrated as they move up the food chain
What is the extinction of species?
that one-fifth of species will go extinct in the next 50 years
What is loss of usable water?
the fact that we are using and polluting ground water faster than natural pollutants can replenish it
