Earths Interdependent systems - Princeton Ch 4

Question 1

Rift volcanoes

Answer 1

Occur when plates move away from each other. When a rift volcano erupts, new ocean floor is formed as magma fills in where the plates have separated

Question 2

Subduction volcanoes

Answer 2

Occur where plates collide and slide over each other

A heavy ocean plate is pushed below the other and melts as it encounters the big mantle

Question 3

Hot spot volcanoes

Answer 3

Do not form at the margin of plates.

Found over “hot spots” which are areas where magma can rise to the surface through the plates. (Ex. Hawaiian islands)

Question 4

How old is the earth

Answer 4

Between 4.5 and 4.8 billion years old

Question 5

What three things interact in the rock cycle and to create basic rocks

Answer 5

Time, pressure, and the earth’s heat

Question 6

This type of rock results when rock is melted (by heat and pressure below the crust) into a liquid and then resolidifies. The molten rock (magma) comes to the surface of the earth, and when it emerges it is called lava; solid lava is this type of rock. Another example is basalt.

Answer 6

Igneous

Question 7

These rocks are formed as sediment (eroded rocks and the remains of plants and animals) builds up and is compressed. One place this can occur is at a subduction zone where ocean sediments are pushed deep into the earth and compressed by the weight of rock above it. An example is limestone.

Answer 7

Sedimentary

Question 8

This type of rock is formed as a great deal of pressure and heat is applied to rock. This can happen as sedimentary rocks sink deeper into the earth and are heated by the high temperatures found in the earth’s mantle. An example is slate. (The product of shale)

Answer 8

Metamorphic

Question 9

Three soil categories from compact particle size to large pores (that can hold more water and don’t easily stick together)

Answer 9

Clay, silt, sand

Question 10

As soil pH gets more _____, ions of heavy metals such as Hg or Al can leach into the ground water and harm plant and aquatic life.

Answer 10

Acidic

Question 11

Soil Layers

Answer 11

OAEBCR
O horizon
A horizon
E horizon
B horizon
C horizon
R horizon

Question 12

O horizon

Answer 12

Uppermost horizon; organic material (organism waste, decomposing organism, live organisms); humus

Question 13

A horizon

Answer 13

Weathered rock and some organic material that has traveled down
Topsoil
Zone of leaching

Question 14

E horizon

Answer 14

Eluviated horizon
leached of clay, iron, or aluminum oxides
Sand and silt sized minerals

Question 15

B horizon

Answer 15

Relieved minerals leached out of the A horizon and organic materials
Zone of illuvation (the movement of dissolved material from higher soil layers to lower soil layers due to the downward movement of water caused by gravity)

Question 16

C horizon

Answer 16

Bottommost layer of soil composed of larger pieces of rock that have not undergone much weathering

Question 17

R horizon

Answer 17

Bedrock, below all other layers of soil

Question 18

Loamy

Answer 18

Soil composed of roughly the same amount of all three textures (clay, silt, sand)
Best for plant growth

Question 19

Problems of monoculture and prevention

Answer 19

Significant decrease in genetic diversity makes crops more susceptible to pests and diseases
Consistent planting of one crop in an area eventually leaches the soil of specific nutrients that the plant needs to grow
Prevention: crop rotation (diff crops are planted in the area in each growing season)

Question 20

Detrimental effects of the green revolution

Answer 20

Chemical pesticides result in insects that are pesticide resistant
Over irrigated soils undergo salinization which leads to land degradation

Question 21

Salinization

Answer 21

Soil becomes water-logged and when it dries out, salt forms a layer on its surface

Question 22

Erosion has increased significantly caused by humans results from

Answer 22

Logging and slash and burn agriculture (deforestation)
Over cultivation of agricultural fields
Overgrazing
Urbanization

Question 23

Best management practices to conserve soil

Answer 23

Use of animal waste (manure), compost, and the residue of plants to increase organic matter in soil
Organic agriculture, compost, manure, crop rotation, non-chemical methods
Contour plowing and strip planting
Trees and other wind barriers

Question 24

Soil conservation act of 1935

Answer 24

Created the soil conservation service. Passed in response to the dust bowl. Created to conserve soil and restore the nation’s ecological balance. Was led by Hugh Hammond Bennett.

Question 25

Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977

Answer 25

Soil and water conservation programs to aid landowners and users; also sets up conditions to continue evaluating the condition of US soil, water, and related resources

Question 26

Food Security Act (1985)

Answer 26

Nicknamed the Swampbuster, this act discouraged the conversion of wetlands to nonwetlands. 1990 federal legislation denied federal farm supplements to those who converted wetlands to agriculture, and provided a restoration of benefits to those who converted lands to wetlands.

Question 27

Layers of Atmosphere (from closest to earth to farthest)

Answer 27

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere (Ionosphere)

Question 28

Epilimnion

Answer 28

The uppermost, and thus the most oxygenated layer of freshwater

Question 29

Hypolimnion

Answer 29

The lower, colder, and denser layer of freshwater

Question 30

Thermocline

Answer 30

The line between the epilimnion and hypolimnion, at which the temperature shifts dramatically

Question 31

Littoral zone

Answer 31

Begins with the very shallow water at the shoreline. Plants and animals that reside in the littoral zone receive abundant sunlight. The end of this zone is defined as the depth at which rooted plants stop growing.

Question 32

Limnetic zone

Answer 32

Surface of open water; the region that extends to the depth that sunlight can penetrate. Organisms that are residents in this zone are short lived and rely on sunlight to carry out photosynthesis

Question 33

Profundal zone

Answer 33

Water that is too deep for sunlight to penetrate. Because the Profundal zone is an aphotic zone (a zone that light cannot reach), photosynthesizing plants or animals cannot live in this region

Question 34

Benthic zone

Answer 34

The deepest layer in a body of water; characterized by very low temperatures and low oxygen levels.

Question 35

Coastal zone

Answer 35

This zone consists of the ocean water closest to land. Usually it is defined as being between the shore and the end of the continental shelf.

Question 36

Euphotic zone

Answer 36

The photic, upper layers of water. The euphotic zone is the warmest region of ocean water; this zone also has the highest levels of dissolved oxygen

Question 37

Bathyal zone

Answer 37

The middle region of ocean water; this zone receives insufficient light for photosynthesis and is colder than the euphotic zone

Question 38

Abyssal zone

Answer 38

This is the deepest region of the ocean. This zone is marked by extremely cold temperatures and very low levels of dissolved oxygen, but very high levels of nutrients because of the decaying plant and animal matter that sinks down from the zones above.

Question 39

Bioaccumulation

Answer 39

Fat-soluble molecules accumulate and stay in the fatty tissues of animals since they can not dissolve in water

Question 40

Bio magnification

Answer 40

Compounds are passed from prey to predator. Since a predator needs to eat a lot of prey, each of the prey organism gives some of the compound to the predator. The compounds accumulate and the concentration becomes much higher than you would expect to be in the environment