Module 7

Question 1

Pollen grains in sedimentary rock (AE)

Answer 1

• Distributed by winds → fossilised at bottom of lakes/bogs
  As climate + environment around lake changes, so does composition of pollen preserved in lake sediments
  → looking at composition of pollen to identify plant species and relate to climate, eg. alpine pollen = cold climate
  Pollen grains do not provide global temp → only LOCAL

Question 2

Rock types and formations (AE)

Answer 2

1. Vast chalk deposit in White Desert at Farafra depression
2. Chalk- limestone composed of calcite
3. Process of glaciation
4. Surface exposure dating

Question 3

Fossils and microfossils
 (AE)

Answer 3

1. Fossil reefs, stromatolites, limestone deposits, Ediacaran fossils and sand ripples found in Australia.
2. In SA, Cambrian limestone in Normanville on Fleurieu Peninsula.

Question 4

Changing isotope ratios in rocks and deep sea sediments (AE)

Answer 4

1. O-16 evaporates first into atmosphere = tropic oceans rich in O-18 molecules
2. O-18 molecules precipitate/condense at lower, mid latitudes
3. Evaporated O-16 molecules travel via clouds towards pole, then precipitates as snow
4. O-16 trapped in glaciers during cooler periods
5. When climate becomes warmer, O-16 rich glaciers melt back into the ocean, increasing ratio of O-16:O-18

Question 5

Ice cores
(RE)

Answer 5

Warmer periods = more O-18 isotopes in frozen H2O = changes in snow fall from high to lower levels

1. Winter seasons indicated by darker layers in ice core
2. Summer is indicated by lighter layers

Question 6

Dendrochronology (RE)

Answer 6

1. 1 ring = 1 year of growth in an oak tree
2. Scarring in rings = fires
3. Disfigured rings = uneven growth from lack of sunlight
4. Measure rings across several trees to reveal matching patterns (cross-dating)

Question 7

Dendrochronology 2 (RE)

Answer 7

1. Growth directly affected by surrounding conditions
2. Indicates seasons in which growth was poorer/better helping infer climate conditions
3. Captures climate conditions from periods older than tree life

Question 8

Aboriginal art sites
 (RE)

Answer 8

1. Now extinct species/environments recorded in form of rock painting
2. Aboriginals in Aus for 50,000 years > - witnesses to changes in climates, ecosystems, native animals
3. Art sites preserve iconic megafauna eg. Procoptodon

Question 9

Human instrument records (RE)


Answer 9

1. Thermometers measure atmospheric temperature
2. Models predict effects of future climate change
3. In past decade, human record of predictions have nearly all come true (most accurate form of data)

Question 10

Changing isotope ratios in coral (RE)

Answer 10

1. Calcium carbonate layers in their growth- rate read to show salinity, pH, temp
2. Skeletal cores in UV/X-ray captures differences in growth rates through coral life
3. Increasing pH creates stress by eating away at skeleton

Question 11

Stalactites

Answer 11

Hanging in ceiling

Question 12

Stalagmites

Answer 12

Growing from ground up

Question 13

Isotope ratios in stalactites and stalagmites (RE)

Answer 13

Sampling their O:16-O:18 ratio provides info on their temp + growth rates reflect rainfall activity

Question 14

Natural greenhouse effect

Answer 14

Some solar energy reflected back into space, some absorbed by GHG- this traps heat to warm atmosphere. This:

1. Regulates average temp. to allow survival.
2. Temp influenced by ice ages, interglacial periods every 100,000 years

Question 15

Anthropogenic greenhouse effect

Answer 15

Fossil fuels, agriculture, growing populations
^^ increases GHG levels in atmosphere

1. Temp rise by approx. 0.7 degrees since 20th century
2. Increased ozone creates smog in city +blocks UV radiation

Question 16

Influence of increasing GHG

Answer 16

1. Biomass burning
2. Methane (fossil fuel + livestock)
3. Carbon dioxide (deforestation)

Question 17

Ocean acidification (OA)

Answer 17

Acidity changes in ocean as CO2 in atmosphere dissolves in water, lowering pH.

Question 18

Influence of ocean acidification (OA)

Answer 18

Since Industrial revolution, OA increased by 30%
1. Coral porosis = dissolution of coral itself - disease attacks skeletons on dead coral
2. Collapses reefs, affecting ecosystems
3. Cracked therapod shells exposure to predators

Question 19

Changing weather patterns (flow on effect)

Answer 19

More heat in atmosphere increases evaporation +convection, which changes climate systems.

This affects land + ocean temp, rain/snowfall, intensified bushfires/cyclones

Question 20

Changes in glaciers, sea ice, ice sheets (flow on effect)

Answer 20

Melting glaciers:
Rising + warming sea levels, disrupted ocean circulations.
1. Destructs coastal erosion/communities, intense coastal storms

Less ice forming:
1. Decreased breeding grounds + algae = limited food supply chain
2. Reduced albedo effect = ocean salinity, coastal erosion

Question 21

Changing range of species due to rising sea
level

Answer 21

Loss of land + coastal erosion:
1. animals cannot migrate due to natural borders + threatened ecosystems die

2. Loss of mudflats /marshes which remove habitats for invertebrates = less food supply and therefore species extinction

eg. Dugong (northern AUS)
- Relies on reduced food source (seagrass)
→ rising sea levels reduce distribution of seagrass, shrinking population

Question 22

Burning of fossil fuels

Answer 22

Caused by size of population and standard of living.
1. Power stations are coal-driven.
2. Largely used energy for transport

Question 23

Land use and land cover change

Answer 23

Agriculture uses:
1. Fertilisers
2. Ruminant animals
3. Land clearing
4.Tilling/ ploughing

All contributes to nitrous oxides and carbon dioxides in atmosphere.

Question 24

Minimisation of GHG by humans in daily lives

Answer 24

1. Eating less meat + buying local products
2. Electric/hybrid cars
3. Use of public transport

Question 25

Urban design (mitigation)

Answer 25

1. Double glazing (insulation)
2. Efficient public transport
3. Green buildings

Eval. of insulation:
- Reduced electricity bills
- Less air conditioner noise
- Expensive to construct
- Difficult to retrofit in exisiting homes

Question 26

Urban design (adaptation)

Answer 26

1. Elevated houses
2. Sea walls
3. Light surfaces reduce albedo effect

Eval. of elevated houses:
- Money saved in long run
- Easier cleanups after floods/ avoids damage
- Expensive to implement
- Requires zoning laws/building code approval

Question 27

Geosequestration (Geo-engineering- mitigation)

Answer 27

Captures CO2 from major power stations and injects them into geological formations, locking it away.

Evaluation:
- Reduces CO2 in atmosphere
- Benefits soil quality
- Unknown long term effects
- Risk of leakage

Question 28

Solar energy/ solar panels (alternate energy sources)

Answer 28

Pros:
- Sustainable
- Little maintenance
- Lower electricity bills

Cons:
- Inconsistent energy source
- Expensive to install
- Incompatible with certain roof types

Therefore should be paired with other energy sources to meet electricity demand.

Question 29

Hydroenergy/ hydroelectric dams (alternate energy sources)

Answer 29

Generates electricity as water passes through turbine.

Pros:
- Renewable + sustainable
- High efficiency (90% vs coal at 25%)
- Reliable (can meet peak demands due to actively flowing rivers)

Cons:
- Susceptibility to drought
- May obstruct fish migration, water temps. + ecosystem around river

Question 30

Agricultural practices of Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander peoples

Answer 30

Mosaic burning:
Lighting low fires in small areas manually to burn underbush.
1. Opens native seeds
2. Encourages native animals to migrate then come back to new growth

Insect diet:
1. Replacement of meat- reduces carbon footprint.
2. Higher in protein
3. Bogong moth- nutritious source eaten by Aboriginals