GCC Flashcards
Anthropogenic sources of GH gases
CO2
-burning FF
Methane
-coal mine ventilation
NOx
-combustion of FF in car engines
CFCs
- aerosol propellant gases and refridgerants
Tropospheric ozone
Describe the methods that may be used to reduce releases of greenhouse gases by human activities (10)
Named GHG;;;
[R carbon dioxide, CFCs (given elsewhere in the paper)]
methods to reduce concentrations/emissions;;;;;;
max 3 per gas
Carbon dioxide
energy conservation/change in transport system to reduce fossil fuel use/use of one named non-carbon energy resource
named carbon sequestration method
[R afforestation]
Legislation, eg Kyoto Protocol, UK Climate Change Act
Methane
reduced use of landfill for waste/more recycling
named alternative livestock production/meat consumption
changed livestock diet to reduce methane release
coal mine and petroleum/natural gas ventilation collection
CFCs
named alternative material/HFCs/HCFCs/alcohols/HCs
named alternative process/pump action sprays/stick deodorants
named disposal method/incineration
Montreal Protocol
NOx
energy conservation use of named non-combustion energy resource (only credit each resource once)
catalytic converter
urea sprays
low temperature combustion
Tropospheric ozone
prevent release of NOx
credit each different method but not multiple examples of same method/methods must be linked with a particular gas, except for legislation
Describe the strategies that are being developed to control emissions of named greenhouse gases. (6)
control method for named GHG;;;;;;
max 3 for each named GHG control method
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 gasnamed 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
NOx
Explain why the carbon dioxide concentration fluctuates during each year. (2)
Photosynthesis/respiration/decomposition;
correct description of different seasonal rates;
[R reference to fossil fuels and combustion]
[R respiration if it refers to using/taking up CO2]
Explain why the long-term trend shown by the graph is likely to change global atmospheric temperatures (2)
Increased absorption of IR;
[R radiation] (conversion to) heat/temperature rise;
Use the processes that are involved in global atmospheric temperature changes to explain the difference between positive and negative feedback mechanisms. (4)
Positive:
increase of original effect; change in named processes;
eg
temperature increased, increased rate of decay, more CO2 released, temperature increased
temperature increased, more forest fires, more CO2 released, temperature increased
temperature increased, permafrost melts, more methane released, temperature increased
temperature increased, land ice melts, albedo reduced, temperature increased
Negative:
rebalance/reduce original effect; change in named processes;
eg
more CO2 released, more photosynthesis, more CO2 absorbed
increased temperature, increased evaporation, increased cloud cover, increased albedo/light reflection, decreased temperature
Outline 2 reasons why global climate change may cause sea level to rise (2)
Rising temperatures cause land ice to melt;
Heating of water causes anonymous (THERMAL) expansion causing levels to rise
Suggest how coastal areas that are high enough to avoid flooding may still be threatened by sea levels rising. (1)
Increased coastal erosion;
Salt water incursion
Explain why it may be difficult for species displaced by a rise in sea leaves to colonise new habitats. (3)
No suitable habitat exists/not able to adapt new environment;
No suitable habitat close/ isolated;
No biological corridor;
Rate of change too fast/ colonisation too slow;
Overpopulation/ more competition
Outline the difficulties in predicting global climate change.(3)
Lack of historical data
Unreliable proxy data
Unpredictability of anthropogenic activity
Lack of understanding of natural processes
Negative and positive feedback may mask/exaggerate the effect of GCC
Regional differences in carbon emissions
Natural fluctuations e.g. volcanic eruptions
Describe how a positive feed back mechanism may have contributed to the change in the area of sea ice in the Artic Ocean. (3)
Increase temp increases sea ice melt decreases albedo increases light absorbed increases temp further
Explain what is meant by the term “ tipping point” in climate regulation. (1)
is reached when the changes caused by human activities cause further changes such that the human activities are no longer needed to maintain the changes
Explain how a positive feedback mechanism may affect GCC. (4)
Definition
Faster soil decomposition
Increased CO2 emissions
More IR absorbed
Reduced CO2 solubility
Increased CO2 in atmos
More IR absorbed
Melting permafrost/warming sea
Increased CH4 emissions
More IR absorbed
Melting land/sea ice
Reduced albedo
More sunlight absorbed
