topics 9.1-9.7

Question 1

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be an effect of global warming?
a. Loss of fertile delta regions for agriculture
b. Change in global patterns of precipitation
c. Extinction of some species that have narrow temperature requirements
d. Decreased rate of photosynthesis in vegetation
e. Increased frequency of hurricanes

Answer 1

d. Decreased rate of photosynthesis in vegetation

Question 2

The drop in stratospheric ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere (the “ozone hole”) is most evident during which season?
a. Antarctic spring (October)
b. Antarctic autumn (April)
c. Antarctic summer only (January)
d. Antarctic winter only (July)
e. Both Antarctic summer and Antarctic winter (January and July)

Answer 2

a. Antarctic spring (October)

Question 3

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that comes only from human sources?
a. nitrous oxide
b. carbon dioxide
c. methane
d. chlorofluorcarbons
e. carbon monoxide

Answer 3

d. chlorofluorocarbons

Question 4

Carbon dioxide and particulates are emitted by volcanoes. Particulates form stratospheric aerosols that reflect sunlight. Which of the following best describes the impact of atmospheric carbon dioxide and stratospheric aerosols?
a. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols cause cooling.
b. Both carbon dioxide and aerosols contribute to global warming.
c. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols have no effect on global climate.
d. Carbon dioxide reacts to form aerosols, leading to decreased global warming.
e. UV radiation causes carbon dioxide to break down, leading to increased stratospheric cooling.

Answer 4

a. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols cause cooling.

Question 5

A greenhouse gas that is exclusively anthropogenic
a. H2O
b. CO2
c. CH4
d. O3
e. CCl2F2

Answer 5

e. CCl2F2

Question 6

A greenhouse gas that, in the lower troposphere, is formed by photochemical reactions
a. H2O
b. CO2
c. CH4
d. O3
e. CCl2F2

Answer 6

d. O3

Question 7

Which of the following is an important contributor to both global warming and ozone depletion?
a. An increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide to higher-than-preindustrial levels
b. A buildup of methane in the stratosphere to higher-than-preindustrial levels
c. An increase in the levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth’s surface
d. An increase in the amount of infrared solar radiation absorbed in the troposphere
e. A release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere

Answer 7

e. A release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere

Question 8

Which of the following is part of a positive feedback mechanism associated with global climate change?
a. Increased gas mileage in cars
b. Increased cloudiness caused by more moisture in the atmosphere
c. Melting of Arctic sea ice
d. Increased acidity of seawater
e. Increased growth of CO2 -absorbing trees and grasses

Answer 8

c. Melting of Arctic sea ice

Question 9

Which of the following inferences is supported by the results of this series of experiments?
a. The atmosphere over Antarctica still contains some ozone.
b. Doubling of UV radiation will suppress photosynthesis completely.
c. The ozone hole over Antarctica is being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
d. Increased UV penetration through the Antarctic ozone hole would further depress productivity of phytoplankton.
e. Higher levels of UV radiation will eventually occur over Antarctica.

Answer 9

d. Increased UV penetration through the Antarctic ozone hole would further depress productivity of phytoplankton.

Question 10

Which two-tank comparison provides the strongest evidence that the presence of UV light at natural levels inhibits photosynthesis?
a. tank 1 versus tank 2
b. tank 1 versus tank 4
c. tank 2 versus tank 3
d. tank 2 versus tank 4
e. tank 3 versus tank 4

Answer 10

a. tank 1 versus tank 2

Question 11

Which of the following is the most valid conclusion that can be inferred from this experiment?
a. Natural UV levels are having a dramatic effect on productivity in the upper levels of the tropical oceans, where light intensity is high.
b. The thinning of the Antarctic ozone layer is likely to have a dramatic effect on the entire polar food chain.
c. Photosynthetic rates of polar phytoplankton under ambient conditions of light are very similar to those of phytoplankton in temperate areas.
d. UV radiation reaching the ocean surface near Antarctica has already increased about 500% over preindustrial levels.
e. UV radiation is a very important wavelength needed for photosynthesis in polar phytoplankton.

Answer 11

b. The thinning of the Antarctic ozone layer is likely to have a dramatic effect on the entire polar food chain.

Question 12

Which of the following human activities is most closely associated with depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer?
a. mining of coal
b. disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners
c. heating of homes and factories
d. generation of electricity
e. agricultural irrigation

Answer 12

b. disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners

Question 13

The main environmental effects of ozone depletion could include all of the following EXCEPT
a. lower food-crop production
b. decreased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere
c. disruption of marine food chains
d. increased incidence of skin cancer
e. reduction of primary productivity in the oceans

Answer 13

b. decreased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere

Question 14

Many scientists maintain that a rise in sea level has occurred in the last hundred years as a result of global warming. If this is true, which of the following factors best explains such a rise?
a. increased precipitation
b. increased cloud cover
c. increased evapotranspiration
d. thermal expansion of the ocean
e. melting of permafrost

Answer 14

d. thermal expansion of the ocean

Question 15

Most data indicate that, during the past 100 years, mean global annual temperature has
a. decreased by 5C
b. decreased by 0.5C
c. stayed the same
d. increased by 0.5C
e. increased by 5C

Answer 15

d. increased by 0.5C

Question 16

Global warming is most likely to directly cause which of the following?
a. Shifting of grain belts toward the equator
b. Falling sea levels in the Southern Hemisphere
c. Coastal flooding and submersion of low-lying areas
d. A decrease in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere
e. An increase in the number and size of glaciers

Answer 16

c. Coastal flooding and submersion of low-lying areas

Question 17

Which of the following will occur if the trend of global temperature increase continues?
a. Night temperatures will decrease as day temperatures increase.
b. Tropical areas will become cooler than they currently are.
c. Sea levels will drop due to increased evaporation.
d. The incidence of insect-borne diseases will decrease.
e. The troposphere will contain more water vapor.

Answer 17

e. The troposphere will contain more water vapor.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of the greenhouse effect in Earth’s atmosphere?
a. Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is absorbed by ozone gas in the stratosphere.
b. Gamma radiation from the Sun is absorbed at ground level by dust particles in the atmosphere.
c. Infrared radiation from Earth’s surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
d. Cosmic radiation from deep space is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
e. Alpha radiation from the Sun is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere.

Answer 18

c. Infrared radiation from Earth’s surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.

Question 19

If Earth had no atmosphere, the mean surface temperature would be approximately -15°C. With our present atmosphere, Earth’s mean surface temperature is approximately +15°C. Which of the following is the best explanation for this difference?
a. Reflection of incident solar radiation by clouds
b. Scattering of visible radiation by aerosols
c. Absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer
d. Absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases
e. The breakdown of oxygen molecules in the thermosphere

Answer 19

d. Absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases

Question 20

The polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive from the Sun in the course of a year. However, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year primarily by the
a. absorption of ultraviolet radiation by snow
b. transport of heat through the atmosphere and oceans
c. concentration of Earth’s magnetic field lines at the poles
d. release of latent heat to the atmosphere when the polar ice caps melt
e. generation of heat by glacial movement

Answer 20

b. transport of heat through the atmosphere and oceans

Question 21

The increase in mean global temperature is likely to result in all of the following EXCEPT
a. decreased size of the Greenland ice sheet
b. increased range of some plant species
c. increased populations of insects
d. increased ground-level ultraviolet radiation
e. increased sea level

Answer 21

d. increased ground-level ultraviolet radiation

Question 22

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration over the next 50 years is expected to cause which of the following global changes?
a. A decrease in the severity of storms
b. A significant loss of biodiversity in the tropics
c. Fewer significant heat waves
d. A delay in the spring migration of many birds
e. Later blooming of many mountain flowers

Answer 22

b. A significant loss of biodiversity in the tropics

Question 23

Global climate change occurs because increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in
a. the troposphere absorb outgoing IR radiation
b. the stratosphere absorb outgoing IR radiation
c. the troposphere absorb incoming UV radiation
d. the stratosphere absorb incoming UV radiation
e. neither the troposphere nor the stratosphere absorb incoming UV radiation

Answer 23

a. the troposphere absorb outgoing IR radiation

Question 24

The data in the graph can be useful in explaining the greenhouse effects when they are compared with
a. volcanic activity
b. sunspot activity
c. mean global temperatures
d. annual nitrous oxide production
e. cycles of flooding and drought

Answer 24

c. mean global temperatures

Question 25

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is also a by-product of anaerobic respiration?
a. methane, CH4
b. nitrogen, N2
c. oxygen, O2
d. nitrogen dioxide, NO2
e. hydrogen sulfide, H2S

Answer 25

a. methane, CH4

Question 26

Ozone in the stratosphere is important to organisms at Earth’s surface because ozone molecules are very strong absorbers of
a. infrared rays
b. ultraviolet rays
c. microwaves
d. visible light rays
e. x-rays

Answer 26

b. ultraviolet rays

Question 27

Stratospheric ozone depletion is most likely to result in which of the following?
a. Increased growth of food crops due to increasing amounts of ultraviolet radiation
b. Extended grazing season for cattle
c. Disruption of photosynthesis in plants
d. Increased movement of the human population toward equatorial regions
e. A higher percentage of cloudless days

Answer 27

c. Disruption of photosynthesis in plants

Question 28

Which of the following best explains why it is predicted that ozone depletion over the poles will be at its worst between 2010 and 2019?
a. Projected global warming from carbon dioxide emissions is expected to reach a peak during those years.
b. Ozone-depleting chemicals produced before their use was banned will take that long to reach peak concentrations in the stratosphere.
c. Deforestation in tropical regions is expected to reach a peak during the second decade of the twenty-first century.
d. Increased global population will lead to an increase in per capita CO2 production.
e. Acid deposition will continue to increase, reaching a peak in approximately 2015.

Answer 28

b. Ozone-depleting chemicals produced before their use was banned will take that long to reach peak concentrations in the stratosphere.

Question 29

Which of the following represents a positive feedback loop in the Arctic that is associated with anthropogenic climate change?
a. Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water
temperature increases -> more ice melts
b. Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water
temperature decreases -> more ice melts
c. Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water
temperature increases -> more ice forms
d. Arctic Ocean ice forms -> ocean surface
water temperature increases -> more ice melts
e. Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water
temperature decreases -> less ice melts

Answer 29

a. Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water
temperature increases -> more ice melts

Question 30

Which of the following not only results from greenhouse warming but also contributes to additional warming of Earth (i.e., is a positive feedback process)?
a. Increased emissions of particulates and aerosols from industrial activity
b. Increased volcanic activity
c. Decreased air temperature and subsequent formation of clouds
d. Decreased incidence of sunspot activity
e. Decreased size of snowpack

Answer 30

e. Decreased size of snowpack

Question 31

Which of the following is true about the region of Earth’s atmosphere known as the stratosphere?
a. It is the warmest layer of the atmosphere because it is closest to the Sun.
b. Most of the atmospheric water vapor is found in this layer.
c. It is the layer of the atmosphere in which nearly all weather takes place.
d. The highest concentration of naturally occurring ozone forms in this layer.
e. It is characterized by steadily decreasing temperature with altitude.

Answer 31

d. The highest concentration of naturally occurring ozone forms in this layer.

Question 32

Surface oceanic circulation results most directly in the
a. distribution of heat from tropical to temperate and polar regions
b. movement of benthic organisms from polar to temperate regions
c. spring and fall overturn of temperate bodies of water
d. restriction of the jet stream to polar regions
e. moderation of ocean acidification

Answer 32

a. distribution of heat from tropical to temperate and polar regions

Question 33

In the stratosphere, which of the following increases Earth’s albedo by reflecting solar energy back into space?
a. carbon monoxide
b. carbon dioxide
c. nitrogen dioxide
d. peroxyacyl nitrates
e. sulfate aerosols

Answer 33

e. sulfate aerosols

Question 34

rue statements about ozone include which of the following?

It is a pollutant in the troposphere.

It filters out most of the UVC radiation in the stratosphere.

Most of it is formed in the stratosphere by reaction between carbon dioxide and free oxygen atoms.
a. I only
b. II only
c. III only
d. I and II only
e. I, II, and III

Answer 34

d. I and II only

Question 35

Which of the following best describes how an anthropogenic activity can increase ocean acidification?
a. Emissions from power plants that burn fossil fuels increase atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is absorbed by the ocean.
b. A spill from an oil rig in the ocean can have acute toxic effects on fish and other aquatic organisms, which disrupt the aquatic food web.
c. Tourist activities in coastal areas increase the concentration of sunscreen in the water, which decreases the photosynthetic rates of aquatic producers and increases the pH of the ocean.
d. During and after a major volcanic eruption, large amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and ash are released into the stratosphere, which affects global climate.

Answer 35

a. Emissions from power plants that burn fossil fuels increase atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is absorbed by the ocean.

Question 36

Which of the following events would most likely lead to a decrease in the pH in the oceans?
a. Decreased deforestation in agricultural areas
b. Decreased vehicular emissions from cars and trucks
c. Increased burning of fossil fuels in power plants
d. Increased rates of photosynthesis in terrestrial ecosystems

Answer 36

c. Increased burning of fossil fuels in power plants