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Environmental Chem > Planetary Boundaries > Flashcards

Planetary Boundaries Flashcards

1
Q

Biosphere Integrity control variables

A

Loss of genetic diversity
Loss of functional diversity

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2
Q

Loss of genetic diversity

A

Genetic diversity provides the potential for species to adapt to new conditions brought by changes in Earth systems.
Measured by number of extinctions per million of species per year: E/MSY

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3
Q

Biosphere Integrity definition

A

The biosphere depends on and is influenced by all Earth system processes. Feedback cycles within the biosphere affect the flow of material and energy and help to regulate the Earth system and provide resilience. Core PB.
RED

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4
Q

Loss of functional diversity

A

The filling of functions (niches) within the biosphere. To have a healthy planet, all species need to fill specific roles in the environment.
NOT YET QUANTIFIED

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5
Q

Loss of genetic diversity: boundary and current value

A

Boundary: 10 E/MSY
Currently: >100 E/MSY

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6
Q

Core Planetary Boundaries

A

Climate change + Biosphere Integrity

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7
Q

Climate Change: Control variables

A

Concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere
Radiative Forcing

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8
Q

Climate Change: definition

A

Includes the change in temperature, weather patterns and more. Core PB.
RED

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9
Q

Atmospheric CO2 concentration: definition

A

Concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 is the most important greenhouse gas: which impact the Earth’s temperature

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10
Q

Radiative Forcing: definition

A

The rate of energy change per unit area of the globe as measured at the top of the atmosphere, relative to 1750 (pre-industrial revolution). Equivalent to one light bulb being turned on per square meter.
Measured in: W/m^2

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11
Q

Atmospheric CO2 Concentration: Boundary and Current Value

A

Boundary: 350 ppm
Currently: 428 ppm

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12
Q

Radiative Forcing: Boundary and Current Value

A

Boundary: 1 W/m^2
Currently: 3 W/m^2

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13
Q

Novel Entities: definition

A

Include pollution from plastics and other man made materials that have been introduced by human activity.
RED

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14
Q

Novel Entities: control variables

A

None clearly defined, some suggested:
- Production of materials
- Release of materials
- Toxicity/disturbance to biosphere integrity of materials

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15
Q

Biogeochemical Flows: definition

A

Pathways between living organisms and the environment. Specifically nitrogen and phosphorus flows.
RED

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16
Q

Biogeochemical Flows: Control variables

A

Nitrogen fixation rate
Phosphorus flow to erodible soils

17
Q

Nitrogen fixation rate: definition

A

Industrial and intentional biological fixation of nitrogen

18
Q

Phosphorus flow to erodible soils: definition

A

Flow of phosphorus from freshwater systems into the ocean globally, and flow from fertilizers to erodible soils regionally.
- Phosphorus comes from specific rocks and once fixed cannot be returned to original state

19
Q

Nitrogen fixation rate: Boundary and current value

A

Boundary: 78 Tg N/yr
Currently: 248 Tg N/yr

20
Q

Phosphorus flow to erodible soils: boundary and current value

A

Boundary: 7 Tg P/yr
Currently: 11 Tg P/yr

21
Q

Ocean Acidification: definition

A

Increased CO2 concentration in oceans is linked to a drop in pH. Affects marine life, specifically shellfish and their shell production. GREEN

22
Q

Ocean Acidification: Control variable

A

Aragonite saturation state, relative to pre-industrial levels (%)

23
Q

Aragonite saturation state: definition

A

ocean surface saturation state of carbonate ions with respect to aragonite

24
Q

Ocean acidification: boundary and current value

A

Boundary: >80%
Currently: 84%

25
Q

Freshwater use: definition

A

Freshwater use is blue water from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and renewable groundwater stores, as well as green water from terrestrial precipitation, evaporation, and soil moisture. Disruptions and/or changes in the environment can impact freshwater use.
ORANGE

26
Q

Freshwater use: control variables

A

Human induced disturbance to blue water flow (%)
Human induced disturbance to green water availability (%)

27
Q

Human induced disturbance to green water availability: definition

A

Green water includes terrestrial precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture, and water available to plants. Human disturbances to green water available to plants can have severe consequences for several terrestrial biosphere processes.

28
Q

Human induced disturbance to blue water availability: definition

A

Blue water is surface and ground water. The control variable for this Earth system looks at how humans have changed streamflow over ice-free land from the pre-industrial state.

29
Q

Freshwater use: Boundaries and Current values

A

Blue water:
Boundary: 10%
Currently: 18%

Green water:
Boundary: 11%
Currently: 16%

Environmental Chem (10 decks)

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