Unit 03

Question 1

Recognize the interconnectivity of the Earth’s systems

Answer 1

It is impossible to impact any sphere without affecting the biosphere.

Question 2

Identify the types of energy playing a role at the earth’s surface

Answer 2

The surface of the earth reflects 35% of the energy from the sun.
Energy is also absorbed at the surface and converted to heat energy to warm the surface and ultimately the atmosphere, oceans and the ground
Energy is also converted to kinetic energy

Question 3

Explain the basic processes responsible for the circulation of the atmosphere

Answer 3

Convection and advection result in the circulation of the atmosphere

Question 4

Describe how humans have affected the chemical make-up of the atmosphere

Answer 4

Clearing of vegetation = less energy converted to chemical energy through photosynthesis

Question 5

Describe how humans have affected the circulation of the atmosphere

Answer 5

Accelerating or decelerating natural flows of air, or preventing, diverting or creating new flows of air
Urban heat islands

Question 6

Explain the basic processes responsible for the circulation of the hydrosphere

Answer 6

Convection – movement of moisture and water vapour
Advection – the transfer of moisture (clouds)
Precipitation – transfer of water from the atmosphere to the earth
Runoff – water from land to sea
Evaporation and condensation -precursor for convection and precursor for precipitation

Question 7

List processes affecting circulation of the hydrosphere at local and global scales

Answer 7

Local: thunderstorms
Global: convergent precipitation: heating of the equator bringing rain to equatorial regions

Question 8

Describe how humans have affected the circulation of the hydrosphere

Answer 8

By accelerating or decelerating the natural flows of water or water vapour
Changing the chemical makeup of water
Creation of reservoirs = high evaporation
Diversion of water to supply cities and farms
Warming of atmosphere will leaf to increase in evaporation
Changing the rate of water infiltration and so increasing runoff = floods

Question 9

Identify and explain the basic processes responsible for the circulation of the lithosphere

Answer 9

Constructive (building up the landscape) and destructive (break down the landscape) processes

Question 10

Identify ways in which humans have affected the circulation of the lithosphere

Answer 10

Weathering and erosion processes
Fracking can cause earthquake activity
Human induced erosion of rocks (limestone guelph) – as limestone

Question 11

List the sources and classes of contaminants measured in the Arctic

Answer 11

Persistent organic pollutants (pops), radionuclides and heavy metals.
Agricultural chemicals drifting from distant landscapes
Radionuclides from waste accidents, leads, nuclear accidents
Heavy metals from power generation

Question 12

Explain links between Arctic contamination and circulation of the atmosphere and hydrosphere

Answer 12

If the hydrosphere and atmosphere didn’t circulate the planet would get too hot and burn up
Land at the poles would get to cold and freeze
Need movement of air from the poles to the equator
The contaminants in the arctic will move as well through currents
Grasshopper effect: transfer of pop northward through circulation in the atmosphere

Question 13

Explain the affects of legacy and recently introduced contaminants on life in the Arctic

Answer 13

HBCD is a fire retardant used for forest fires – is it being found in higher concentrations the wildlife of the arctic