The spheres and climate change

Question 1

Define Biosphere

Answer 1

The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, including all living organisms and their interactions with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Question 2

Define lithosphere

Answer 2

The lithosphere is the outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle, which is involved in tectonic activities.

Question 3

Define hydrosphere

Answer 3

The hydrosphere includes all water on Earth, in various forms such as oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and ice.

Question 4

Define atmosphere

Answer 4

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth, protecting it from harmful solar radiation and supporting life by providing essential gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Question 5

Describe the interaction between the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

Answer 5

These four spheres interact in a dynamic system where, for example, plants (biosphere) absorb water (hydrosphere), take nutrients from the soil (lithosphere), and exchange gases with the air (atmosphere), enabling the cycling of matter and supporting life.

Question 6

Describe the phosphorus cycle

Answer 6

The phosphorus cycle involves the movement of phosphorus through rocks, water, soil, and organisms. It is released by weathering of rocks, absorbed by plants, and passed through the food chain, eventually returning to the soil and water bodies.

Question 7

Describe the processes involved in the carbon cycle

Answer 7

The carbon cycle involves processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion, where carbon is cycled between the atmosphere, organisms, oceans, and lithosphere.

Question 8

Describe the impact of the phosphorus cycle on global systems

Answer 8

The phosphorus cycle is critical for plant growth, which impacts food webs. Excess phosphorus from fertilizers can lead to eutrophication (over-fertilization (of water)), harming aquatic ecosystems.

Question 9

Describe the impact of the nitrogen cycle on global systems

Answer 9

The nitrogen cycle is essential for life, as it makes nitrogen available for plant growth. Human activities, such as using fertilizers, can disrupt this cycle, leading to water pollution and contributing to greenhouse gases.

Question 10

Describe the nitrogen cycle

Answer 10

The nitrogen cycle includes processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification, converting nitrogen into forms usable by plants and cycling it through ecosystems.

Question 11

Explain the role of radiation from the sun

Answer 11

Solar radiation is the primary energy source for Earth, driving photosynthesis, weather, and climate by providing heat and light.

Question 12

How does the interaction of radiation from the sun with the atmosphere act as the foundation for the global climate system

Answer 12

Solar radiation heats the atmosphere unevenly, creating air currents and weather patterns, which are foundational to the global climate system.

Question 13

How does the interaction of radiation from the sun with the ocean act as the foundation for the global climate system

Answer 13

Solar radiation heats the ocean, influencing sea surface temperatures and driving currents, which distribute heat globally and regulate climate.

Question 14

Describe the factors, including energy, that drive deep ocean currents, their role in regulating global
climate and their effects on marine life

Answer 14

Deep ocean currents, driven by temperature and salinity differences, regulate global climate by redistributing heat and carbon, moderating temperature extremes, and influencing weather patterns. They also support marine life by distributing nutrients and aiding species’ migration and survival.

Question 15

How does the interaction of radiation from the sun with the land act as the foundation for the global climate system

Answer 15

Solar radiation heats land surfaces, affecting air temperature, humidity, and contributing to the formation of wind and weather patterns that shape the climate system.

Question 16

How is changes in oceans an indicator of climate change

Answer 16

Warming oceans, altered salinity, and changes in sea levels indicate climate change and affect weather, marine life, and global climate patterns.

Question 17

How is changes in atmospheric temperatures an indicator of climate change

Answer 17

Rising atmospheric temperatures provide direct evidence of global warming, a key driver of climate change. These temperature shifts affect ecosystems, human societies, and the planet’s natural systems, leading to changes in weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity.

Question 18

How are sea levels changing an indicator of climate change

Answer 18

Rising sea levels, caused by melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater, are a key indicator of climate change.

Question 19

How is changes in biodiversity an indicator of climate change

Answer 19

Climate change affects species survival, leading to loss of biodiversity, which is an indicator of changing habitats and ecosystems.

Question 20

How is changes in species distribution an indicator of climate change

Answer 20

Species are shifting to new habitats due to climate changes, reflecting changes in temperature, precipitation, and availability of resources.

Question 21

How is changes in permafrost an indicator of climate change

Answer 21

Climate change causes it to warm up and ultimately thaw. This makes it a good indicator for detecting climate change.

Question 22

What is the greenhouse effect

Answer 22

The greenhouse effect is the process by which gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.

Question 23

How is changes in sea ice an indicator of climate change

Answer 23

Decreasing sea ice reflects warming temperatures, impacting polar ecosystems and contributing to sea level rise and global climate feedback.

Question 24

Difference between greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 24

The greenhouse effect is natural, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, leading to global warming.

Question 25

Explain the causes and effects of the greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 25

The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life. The enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by human activities, leads to global warming, affecting weather, sea levels, and ecosystems.

Question 26

Discuss the link between the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming

Answer 26

The enhanced greenhouse effect, due to excess greenhouse gases, increases Earth’s temperature, driving global warming and climate change.

Question 27

Identify how scientists use climate modelling

Answer 27

Scientists use climate models to simulate and predict climate patterns, test scenarios, and understand potential impacts of different greenhouse gas levels on future climate.

Question 28

Define the term ‘biodiversity’

Answer 28

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all forms, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Question 29

Suggest why biodiversity is important to the survival of a species an the long term effects of the loss of
biodiversity

Answer 29

Biodiversity ensures ecosystem resilience and availability of resources. Loss of biodiversity reduces adaptability, risking ecosystem collapse and species extinction.

Question 30

Describe the effect of climate change on sea level

Answer 30

Climate change causes sea levels to rise due to melting ice and thermal expansion of water, threatening coastal areas and ecosystems.

Question 31

Describe the effect of climate change on biodiversity

Answer 31

Climate change disrupts habitats and species distributions, threatening biodiversity and increasing extinction risks.

Question 32

Identify strategies for addressing global carbon emissions

Answer 32

Strategies include renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, reforestation, carbon capture, and sustainable practices.

Question 33

What is the Paris agreement

Answer 33

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Signed 22 April 2016 with 196 signing it

Question 34

Outline the importance of the Paris Agreement

Answer 34

It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.

Question 35

What is photosythensis

Answer 35

the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a by-product.

Question 36

Formula for photosynthesis

Answer 36

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Question 37

Nitrogen cycle term nitrification

Answer 37

This is the process by which ammonium gets changed into nitrates by bacteria. Nitrates are what the plants can then absorb

Question 38

Nitrogen cycle term Fixation

Answer 38

Fixation is the first step in the process of making nitrogen usable by plants. Here bacteria change nitrogen into ammonium

Question 39

Nitrogen cycle term Assimilation

Answer 39

This is how plants get nitrogen. They absorb nitrates from the soil into their roots. Then the nitrogen gets used in amino acids, nucleic acids and chlorophyll

Question 40

Nitrogen cycle term Ammonification

Answer 40

This is part of the decaying process. When a plant or animal dies, decomposers like fungi and bacteria turn the nitrogen back into ammonium, so it can reenter the nitrogen cycle

Question 41

Nitrogen cycle term Denitrification

Answer 41

Extra nitrogen in the soil gets put back out into the air. There are special bacteria that performs this task well

Question 42

Identify the purpose of climate models and why they are used by scientists.

Answer 42

Climate models are tools used by scientists to simulate and understand the Earth’s climate system. Their primary purpose is to project future climate conditions, assess the impacts of natural and human-induced changes, and guide policy decisions for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Question 43

The biosphere consists of components that interact to support life on Earth. These are:

Answer 43

atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biota.

Question 44

How do deep ocean currents redistribute heat and why is it important

Answer 44

Deep ocean currents are crucial for redistributing heat, moving warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles to the equator, which helps moderate Earth’s climate and prevent extreme temperature differences.

Question 45

What are the layers of the atmopshere

Answer 45

Layer - Temperature - Trend - Key Features
Troposphere Decreases Weather, life, water vapor.
Stratosphere Increases Ozone layer, absorbs UV radiation.
Mesosphere Decreases Burns meteors, coldest layer.
Thermosphere Increases Auroras, satellites, ionosphere.
Exosphere N/A Transition to space, sparse particles.

Question 46

What are some indicators of climate change

Answer 46

ocean and atmospheric temperatures,
sea levels, biodiversity, species distribution, permafrost and sea ice

Question 47

What is carbon capture

Answer 47

Carbon capture works by capturing CO₂ from industrial emissions or the atmosphere, transporting it, and either storing it underground or using it in industrial processes. This technology helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impacts.

Question 48

What distance is the troposphere

Answer 48

0 - 10 km

Question 49

What distance is the stratosphere

Answer 49

10 - 30 km

Question 50

What distance is the mesosphere

Answer 50

30 - 50 km

Question 51

What distance is the thermosphere

Answer 51

50 - 400km

Question 52

What distance is the exosphere

Answer 52

> 400km