UNIT 1: Problems In The Atmosphere Flashcards by Andrei Maglaqui

The ______ is the mixture of gases that surround the Earth.

atmosphere

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How many layers are in the atmosphere

5(troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere)

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Which layers contain most of the gases in the atmosphere

troposphere & stratosphere

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The ___________ , the atmospheric layer nearest the Earth’s surface, contains most of the planet’s air-the mixture of gases that people depend on to stay alive.

troposphere

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The troposphere is made up of 78% ____ , 21% ______ , and 1% mixture of other gases like _____, _______, _____, and ________

nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, helium, and argon

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Which layer of the atmosphere contains water vapor in variable amounts depending on temperature.

troposphere

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The _____ is responsible for maintaining the conducive temperature of the earth, allowing various organisms to thrive.

troposphere

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The _________ is the Earth’s second layer of air.

stratosphere

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The stratosphere contains much of the atmosphere’s ozone gas (O3), which lies in a
sub-layer of the lower stratosphere known as the ________

ozone layer

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This stratospheric ozone gas serves as a sunscreen for the planet by filtering out about 95% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it can reach the Earth’s surface.

ozone gas (O3)

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_________ refers to the accelerating rate in the increase of the average global temperature. This is due to the rapid increase in greenhouse gases found in the atmosphere due to anthropogenic activities.

Global warming

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Solar radiation that reaches the surface of the earth is absorbed and then re-emitted back by the heated surface as ____________ . This is the heat that we feel if we touch a surface that has absorbed solar radiation.

infrared radiation (IR)

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the heat absorbing components of the atmosphere prevent the IR from escaping, thus the heat is trapped on earth, much like the heat trapped in a farmer’s greenhouse, thus the name __________

greenhouse effect.

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the minor components that are the effective absorbers of infrared radiation:

carbon dioxide and water vapor

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These gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect

greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.

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the more heat is trapped by the atmosphere, the warmer the earth. This is what we now call ____________

global warming

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In the early ________ , climate scientists became increasingly concerned about rising
average annual atmospheric temperatures and CO2 levels might affect the global climate.

1980s

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IPCC (acronym)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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Causes of Global Warming

Burning of Fossil Fuel
Deforestation
Agriculture and Farming Practices

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Burning of Fossil Fuel) Fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas, are formed for millions of years from buried remains of plants and animals, thus low in carbon content

thus HIGH in carbon content

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Burning of Fossil Fuel) When these (Fossil fuels) are burned, the carbon content is released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon monoxide, a major greenhouse gas

the carbon content is released into the atmosphere in the
form of CARBON DIOXIDE

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Burning of Fossil Fuel) there are also the increased amounts of tiny particles in the lower atmosphere that scientists call ‘bad carbon’ (soot or smoke)

BLACK CARBON

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Burning of Fossil Fuel) the resulting layer of black particles in the higher atmosphere absorbs heat like a black blanket contributing to the warming effect of atmospheric particles

the resulting layer of black particles in the LOWER atmosphere

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Burning of Fossil Fuel) Although black carbon falls out of the lower atmosphere in days, while it is suspended in the air, it absorbs the sun’s heat millions of times more effectively than CO2. Overall, it is considered the first biggest contributor to global warming after CO2.

Overall, it is considered the SECOND biggest contributor to global warming after CO2.

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WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Deforestation) Photosynthetic organisms increase carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Photosynthetic organisms ABSORB carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Deforestation) Algae are the largest photosynthetic organisms and responsible for absorbing the greatest amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

TREES are the largest photosynthetic organisms

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Deforestation) Most trees on earth are found in forests, making these ecosystems especially important in regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

None (haha lol) ˙𐃷˙

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Deforestation) Human activities that lead to the removal or destruction of vast amounts of trees is called afforestation

DEFORESTATION

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Deforestation) Reducing the trees available for carbon dioxide absorption relates to a decrease in this greenhouse gas and therefore a decrease in global warming

relates to AN INCREASE in this greenhouse gas and therefore AN INCREASE in global warming

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Agriculture and Farming Practices) Methanol is a greenhouse gas that is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, such as animal wastes and dead plant materials, which is a natural process

METHANE is a greenhouse gas that is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter

WHAT MAKES THIS STATEMENT FALSE: (Agriculture and Farming Practices) increased agricultural activities have also greatly increased the amount of organic matter available for anaerobic decomposition, being the number one cause of methane release in the atmosphere

None (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

Effects of Global Warming (name 5)

1. melting and shrinking of ice sheets in the Arctic Sea 2. intensified weather disturbances that bring about intense rain and wind 3. Change in climatic conditions of biomes 4. a decline in the food supply of the global population 5. high rates of evaporation dry up lands, reduce freshwater supply, and lead to desertification

_____________is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional, and global climates.

Climate Change

Dealing with Global Warming (name 4)

1. Decrease Fossil Fuel Use 2. Reforestation and Afforestation 3. Enacting global and national laws and agreements 4. Sustainable land management

Renewable energy resources

1. solar energy 2. wind energy 3. hydrogen energy 4. ocean energy 5. hydro power 6. geothermal power 7. bioenergy

______ is the presence of chemicals in the air, called air pollutants, at levels high enough to harm humans, other organisms, ecosystems, or human-made materials.

Air pollution

Chemicals causing pollution in the air are called ________

air pollutants

__________ air pollutants include all chemicals that are emitted directly into the air from natural processes and human activities and that are build up to harmful levels.

Primary

________ air pollutants are harmful chemicals that form in the air by reacting with primary pollutants or with chemicals naturally found in the air.

Secondary

Major Air Pollutants

- Sulfur dioxide - Nitrogen oxide - Carbon monoxide - Ozone and Photochemical oxidants - Lead - Particulate matter - Mercury from coal

Causes and Sources of Air Pollution

1. Indoor/household air pollution 2. Outdoor ambient air pollution

- Solid fuels such as charcoal, peat, coal, wood pellets, corn, wheat, rye and other grains that can be burnt to release energy - Kerosene for cooking or oil lamps release the pollutants ethylene, Sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide

Indoor/household air pollution

- any activity that involves burning releases pollutants in the atmosphere - agricultural pesticides

Outdoor ambient air pollution

Effects of Air Pollution (name 5)

1. Formation of photochemical smog and acid rain 2. Depletion of nutrients from soil and waterways 3. Can harm forests and crops 4. Damage cultural icons such as monuments and statues 5. Respiratory and related health problems for animals, especially humans

Solutions to Air Pollution (name 3)

1. Air pollution cleanup strategies 2. Pollution prevention 3. Enacting laws against air pollution

Philippine Clean Air Act of ____

1999

_______, also called acid rain, refers to acidic particles and droplets falling from the air or washed out of the air by precipitation onto land and into aquatic systems.

Acid deposition

Two types of acid deposition

One is wet deposition, which consists of acidic rain, snow, fog, and cloud vapor. The other is the dry deposition made up of acidic particles.

TRUE or FALSE: (Causes and Sources of Acid Deposition) Coal burning facilities and vehicles emit sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: (Causes and Sources of Acid Deposition) sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) can be deposited on the earth’s surface in the form of dry deposition and are converted to acid when they are mixed with the earth.

FALSE: when they are mixed with WATER.

TRUE or FALSE: (Causes and Sources of Acid Deposition) Dry depositions are formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with atmospheric water and oxygen to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). They are then deposited to earth as rain, snow, or sleet.

FALSE: WET depositions are formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with atmospheric water

Effects of Acid Deposition (name 8)

1. Respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma 2. Leaching of toxic metals such as lead and copper from water pipes into drinking water 3. Damages statues, buildings, metals, and car finishes. Limestone and marble are especially susceptible. 4. Increased acidity on aquatic ecosystems 5. Damage to crops (especially at when soil pH falls below 5.1) 6. Prevents seed germination 7. Leach essential plant nutrients such as calcium and magnesium 8. Weaken trees and other plants so they become more susceptible to other types of damage

Solutions to acid deposition (name 3)

1. Cleanup strategies 2. Prevention 3. Enacting laws against air pollution

Near the ground, ________ is an air pollutant that causes lung damage and asthma attacks. But 10 to 30 miles above the Earth’s surface (16-48 km), these molecules protect life on Earth.

ozone (O3)

Ozone in the stratosphere forms when the two oxygen atoms in an O2 molecule are broken apart by the energy of _______ . Each lone oxygen atom can then combine with a different O2 molecule to form _____

sunlight, O3 (ozone)

The _________ is the portion of the stratosphere where ozone molecules are present, mixed in among the other gases that comprise the atmosphere.

ozone layer

The ozone layer is where about ____of the ozone in the Earth system is found.

90%

Ozone absorbs the most energetic wavelengths of ultraviolet light, known as _____&_____, wavelengths that harm living things.

UV-C and UV-B

When UV light is absorbed by oxygen and ozone, _______ is generated, which is why the stratosphere gets warmer with altitude.

heat

Cause of Ozone Layer Depletion

chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases

two chemists at the University of California, Irvine, published an article detailing threats to the ozone layer from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases.

Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland

1985, a team of English scientists found what over Antarctica that was later linked to CFCs.

a hole in the ozone layer

Ozone Depletion begins when ____ get into stratosphere.

CFCs

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion (Effect on climate)

a. decreases the temperature, increases air circulation; affects wind patterns, weather, and climate. b. CFCs also cause increase of CO2. leads to increase of H2O2 in troposphere. c. Induces acid rain formation.

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion (Effect on human beings)

a. Increases incidences of Skin cancer b. Decrease in immunity level makes people prone to infectious diseases c. Retards physical growth and affects mental development of human beings

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion (Effect on biotic communities)

a. Decrease in photosynthesis by plants b. Fertilized crops are affected easily by UV radiation c. When the amount of P increases resistivity to UV radiation decreases d. Rate of evaporation of water increases which results reduction in soil moisture e. Phytoplankton are also affected

Recognition of the harmful effects of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances led to the ___________________________ , a landmark agreement to phase out those substances that has been ratified by all 197 UN member countries.

Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987,

Though HFCs represent a small fraction of emissions compared with carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, their planet-warming effect prompted an addition to the Montreal Protocol, the ______, in 2016.

Kigali Amendment

aims to slash the use of HFCs by more than 80 percent over the next three decades.

Kigali Amendment