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Environmental Studies > Chapter 7 - The Atmosphere > Flashcards

Chapter 7 - The Atmosphere Flashcards

0
Q

Define: Ozone

A

Triatomic oxygen

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1
Q

Define: Chemoautotrophs

A

An organism that gains it’s metabolic energy using energy from chemical reactions, e.g. nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle.

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2
Q

Define: Stratosphere

A

The layer of the atmosphere that absorbs UV and contains the ozone layer. It is above the troposphere at an altitude of approximately six to 30 miles.

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3
Q

Define: Dynamic Equilibrium

A

A combination of active processes that cancel out each other’s effect so that there is no overall charge.

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4
Q

Define: Troposphere

A

The layer of the atmosphere below the stratosphere, from ground level to about six miles.

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5
Q

Define: Infrared (IR) Radiation

A

Long wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted from warm objects.

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6
Q

Define: Nuclear Fusion

A

The release of energy during the joining of he nuclei of small atoms.

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7
Q

Define: Electromagnetic Radiation

A

Energy in the form of energy waves with a range of frequencies.

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8
Q

Define: Global Climate Change

A

The various changes to the climate caused by increased energy retained in the atmosphere as a result of human activities.

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9
Q

Define: Greenhouse Effect

A

The natural processes by which atmospheric gases allow visible light to pass through but absorb infrared energy, causing heating.

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10
Q

Define: Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

A

An alternative name for global climate change.

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11
Q

Define: Tropospheric Ozone

A

Ozone in the troposphere, largely produced by human activities.

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12
Q

Define: El Niño

A

The name given to the reversal of the equatorial Pacific Ocean current that normally flows westwards.

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13
Q

Define: La Niña

A

The name given to the strengthening of the westward flowing equatorial Pacific Ocean current.

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14
Q

Define: Positive Feedback Mechanism

A

A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that increases the original change.

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15
Q

Define: Negative Feedback Mechanism

A

A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that reduces the original change.

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16
Q

Define: Kyoto Protocol

A

The international agreement intended to control emissions of greenhouse gases.

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17
Q

Define: HFCs

A

Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs.

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18
Q

Define: HCFCs

A

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs.

19
Q

Define: MEDC

A

More Economically Developed Countries.

20
Q

Define: Anthropogenic

A

Something made or caused by human activities.

21
Q

Define: CFCs

A

Chlorofluorocarbons are pollutants that cause ozone depletion and contribute to global climate change.

22
Q

Define: Infiltration

A

The process by which surface water enters the ground between the particles of soil or rock.

23
Q

Define: Montreal Protocol

A

International agreement that has controlled the release of ozone-depleting substances.

24
Q

What are the gases of the atmosphere, including proportion and importance for life?

A
  • Nitrogen (78%) [Used in proteins]
  • Oxygen (21%) [Used in aerobic respiration]
  • Carbon Dioxide (0.038%) [Used in photosynthesis]
  • Rare Gases (1%)
  • Methane (0.00017%) [Chemoautotrophs use methane as carbon]
  • Ozone (0.000007%) [Absorbs UV light in stratosphere]
  • Water Vapour (Variable) [water in the water cycle]
25
Q

What are the major anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gases?

A
  • Carbon Dioxide (Combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation)
  • Methane (Landfill sites, livestock intestines, pipeline leaks)
  • Nitrogen Oxides (Power stations, vehicle engines)
  • CFCs (Aerosol propellants, fire extinguishers, refrigerants)
  • Tropospheric Ozone (Photochemical breakdown of NO2)
26
Q

What are the likely consequences of global climate change?

A
  • Sea level rise
    > Thermal Expansion (sea warms up and expands)
    > Melting land ice (flows into sea, increases volume)
  • Changes in climate
    > Wind patterns (change in velocity, direction, frequency)
    > Precipitation (increased evaporation rates)
  • Ocean current changes
    > El Niño (reversal of Equatorial Pacific Ocean current)
    > La Niña (normal Equatorial Pacific Ocean current strengthened)
    > North Atlantic Conveyor (Greenland land ice melting)
  • Ecological changes
    > Faster plant growth
    > Shallow rooted plants cope less well
    > Hibernating species disturbed frequently
    > Wetland habitats enlarged/shrunk
    > Ecological events changed (migration, flowering)
27
Q

What are the changes in currents in an El Niño year?

A
  • Wind direction reversed (eastwards, Australia to South America)
  • Ocean current reversed (water warms up and is carried east)
  • Colder Australian water (dry season, little rainfall, droughts)
  • Warmer South American water (increased evaporation, heavy rains and floods)
28
Q

How does global climate change affect the North Atlantic Conveyor?

A
  • Melting Greenland icecap (increased melt water)
  • Reduced return current
  • Cooled seawater diluted by freshwater (melting ice)
  • Smaller density increase (less sinking of water)
  • Europe becomes colder
29
Q

Why is it difficult to predict global climate change accurately?

A
  • Natural changes (difficult to tell if humans caused it)
  • Limited historical data (rainfall patterns, wind velocity)
  • Natural processes interconnected (unexpected effects)
  • Very slow changes (sea level rise)
  • Changes in different locations/times
  • Do not fully understand Earth’s climate systems
30
Q

What would raised temperatures cause?

A
  • Increased decomposition rates (more carbon dioxide released)
  • Reduced albedo (smaller area of ice/snow)
  • Methane released from methane hydrate in methane sediments
  • Melting permafrost release methane gas bubbles
  • Drier forests (fires more frequent, extra carbon dioxide)
31
Q

What are the methods of reducing Carbon Dioxide levels?

A
  • Energy conservation to reduce use of fossil fuels.
  • Use of alternative energy resources.
  • Carbon sequestration by planting more trees.
  • Storage of CO2 from power stations underground.
  • Kyoto Protocol emission reductions.
32
Q

What are the methods of reducing Methane levels?

A
  • Reduced dumping of waste in landfill sites.
  • Reduced livestock production.
  • Better collection of gas from coal mines and gas and oil facilities.
33
Q

What are the methods of reducing Nitrogen Oxides levels?

A
  • Reduced use of internal combustion e.g. more use of public transport.
  • Catalytic converters in vehicle exhausts.
  • Addition of urea to power station effluents.
34
Q

What are the methods of reducing Chlorofluorocarbons levels?

A
  • Use of alternative methods:
    > Butane or propane in aerosol cans.
    > HFCs and HCFCs in refrigerators.
    > Alcohols as solvents for cleaning equipment.
  • Use of alternative processes:
    > Trigger and pump action spray cleaners.
    > Stick deodorants.
38
Q

What are the methods of reducing Tropospheric Ozone levels?

A
  • Same as Nitrogen Oxides methods.
39
Q

How can agricultural strategies been out into place to cope with climate change?

A
  • Cultivate warmer climate crops
  • Cultivate drought-resistant crops
  • Abandon unsustainable irrigation areas.
  • Increase soil organic matter to increase water retention
  • Water storage in times of water surplus for irrigation use
40
Q

How can building design strategies be put into to place to cope with global climate change?

A
  • Better ventilation/cooling systems (reduce air conditioning)
  • Paler materials (reduce heat absorption)
41
Q

Why is there concern about ozone depletion?

A
  • UV B reach Earth’s surface (absorbed by living cells)
  • DNA damage
  • Skin cancer
  • Cataracts
  • Plant tissue damage
42
Q

How can flooding strategies be put into place to cope with climate change?

A
  • Riverbank defences
  • River barrages (protect against high tides)
  • Less building on flood plains
  • Reduce runoff rates (reduced paved areas increase infiltration)
  • River regulation dams
43
Q

How can coastal erosion strategies be put into place to cope with climate change?

A
  • Improved coastal defences

- Managed retreat (abandon lower value areas)

44
Q

How can storm damage strategies be put into place to cope with climate change?

A
  • Stronger building design
46
Q

What are the categories of UV light and their characteristics?

A
  • UV A (Not absorbed by ozone)
  • UV B (Almost fully absorbed by ozone)
  • UV C (Completely absorbed by ozone)
47
Q

What are the reactions involved in ozone depletion by chlorine?

A

1) Cl + O3 —> ClO + O2
2) ClO + O —> ClO2
3) ClO2 —> Cl + O2

Summary Reaction) Cl + O3 + O —> 2O2 + Cl

48
Q

Why is ozone depletion greatest in Polar Regions?

A
  • Reaction occurs in low temperatures
  • Ice crystals provide catalytic surfaces
  • Spring time, sunlight causes reaction
49
Q

Do other gases cause ozone depletion?

A
  • Nitrogen oxides

- Released in troposphere, dissolved into rain

Environmental Studies (11 decks)

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