My Score: 24/100 points 24%
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The Living World #14-27 21%#14
Tropical rain forests have a rich biodiversity primarily because Correct Answer & Reason: E) many diverse niche opportunities and habitats occur in tropical rain forests As a general rule, diversity and ecosystem productivity increase with the amount of solar energy available to the system. The stable tropical rain forest environment promotes diversity by allowing plants and animals to interact all year round without needing to develop protection against severe weather conditions. In addition, because the sun shines all year long providing plants with the energy to manufacture food through photosynthesis, there is no seasonal food shortage in the ecosystem. Over the course of millions of years, with abundant food, tropical rain forest species have adapted to take full advantages of all the available niches. Ecosystem Structure: Biological Populations and Communities My Answer: I chose "A" because I was stuck between "A" and "E" since most organisms can grow faster in warmer climates such as the tropical rain forest. I chose "A" because I remember learning this information in AP Biology about bacteria and fungi growing faster when the climate of the area is moist and warmer. Although answer choice "C" discusses humid environments, it doesn't affect evolution to occur quicker. #17 Which of the following represents intraspecific integration(s)? Correct Answer & Reason: D) territoriality Territoriality is behavior by a single animal, mating pair, or group of animals of the same species of an area occupied and often vigorously defended against intruders, especially those of the same species. All of the other choices are interspecific interactions. Ecosystem Structure: Interactions Among Species My Answer: No answer #18 The marine zone that is essentially open ocean, and whose flora include surface seaweeds and those fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphins, is known as the Correct Answer & Reason: B) pelagic zone My Answer: No answer. Didn't know any of the zones mentioned #20 In the food web above, which of the following statements would be TRUE for the owl? I. The owl is an omnivore II. The owl is a primary consumer III. The owl is a secondary consumer IV. The owl is a tertiary consumer V. The owl is a primary producer Correct Answer & Reason: C) III and IV only Plants are known as producers. Primary consumers eat plants. Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers. Two possible examples are provided below. Energy Flow: Food Webs -Secondary Consumer: plant (producer) > rabbit (primary consumer) > owl (secondary consumer) -Tertiary Consumer: plant (producer) > grasshopper (primary consumer) > songbird (secondary consumer) > owl (tertiary consumer) My Answer: D) I, IV, and V only. I made a guess. #21 Energy enters this system as sunlight. If a leaf from the plant contains 10 calories of energy and the leaf is totally consumed by the grasshopper, which is then totally consumed by the songbird, which then totally consumed by the owl, about how much of the energy from the leaf is eventually available as energy for the owl to use? Correct Answer & Reason: B) 0.01 calories A general rule of thumb is that approximately 10% of the energy entering one level of a trophic level passes onto the next higher level. Leaf (10 calories) > grasshopper (1 calorie) > songbird (0.1 calorie) > owl (0.01 calorie). This loss of energy is consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that no energy conversion is 100% efficient. The loss occurs as energy is trapped in indigestible parts and energy (heat) lost in metabolic processes. Energy Flow: Trophic Levels My Answer: I chose "A". I miscalculated the trophic levels while I was reading the question. The question tells the trophic levels going up by 10% by the leaf at 10 calories to the grasshopper, songbird, and then the owl which is consumed three times. This should show that the trophic level from 10 calories to 0.01 calories. #22 An APES class performed and experiment of releasing and recapturing light and dark moths in the city and the country. The results are presented below: Comparison of Light and Dark Moth Recaptures in the City and Country Location # of Light Moths # of Dark Moths Released 300 300 Country Recaptured 200 100 Released 400 400 City Recaptured 200 300 Which of the following statements is TRUE? Correct Answer & Reason: A) A higher percentage of light moths were recaptured in the country than were recaptured in the city To find the percentage of moths recaptured, divide the number of moths recaptured by the number of moths released. Sixty-six (200/300) of the light moths were recaptured in the country compared to only 50% (200/400) recaptured in the city. Ecosystem Diversity: Trophic Levels. My Answer: I chose "B", a lower percentage of dark moths were recaptured in the city than were recaptured in the country. During my calculations I think I might have mixed up other comparisons leading to this answer. I tried to find out the percentages for each comparison. For example I would find country, released, and # of light moths. Then I would find city, released, and # of light moths, Etc. #23 In New York City, where the quality of drinking water had fallen below standards required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), authorities opted to restore the polluted Catskill Watershed. Once the input of sewage and pesticides to the watershed area was reduced, natural abiotic processes such as soil adsorption and filtration of chemicals, together with biotic recycling via root systems and soil microorganisms, water quality improved to levels that met government standards. The cost of this investment in natural capital was estimated between $1-1.5 billion, which contrasted dramatically with the estimated $6-8 billion cost of constructing a water filtration plant plus the $300 million annual running costs. The Catskill Watershed provides _______ to New York City. Correct Answer & Reason: E) ecosystem services Humankind benefits from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by natural ecosystems. Collectively, these benefits are known as ecosystems services and include products like clean drinking water and processes such as decomposition of wastes. Ecosystem Diversity: Ecosystem Services My Answer: No Answer. Don't know what the Catskill Watershed is except that it holds water and is the water source for NYC. #24 In response to climate shifts due to global warming, terrestrial animals can adapt, migrate, or die. Which of the following factors contribute to surviving the effects of global warming? I. Long generation times II. Being widely dispersed III. Having a narrow climatic tolerances IV. Being an r-strategist rather than a K-strategist V. Being confined to one geographic location Correct Answer & Reason: B) II and IV In changing and/or unstable environments, r-selection predominates as the ability to reproduce quickly is crucial. Characteristics of r-strategists include: -Produce numerous offspring at once -Short gestation period -Less resources spent per offspring -Offspring hatch or born capable of surviving on their own -Have small bodies -Mature fast and have short life span -Able to disperse offspring widely -Death rates are generally not correlated with density of population -Population size fluctuates and is not stable My Answer: I chose "A" because I knew that II and IV from previous knowledge (AP Biology) remember long generational times but wasn't sure if r and k selections. #25 Which of the following would be subject to primary succession? Correct Answer & Reason: A) rock exposed by a retreating glacier Primary succession occurs in biotic communities in a previously uninhabited and barren habitat with little or no soil. Natural Ecosystem Change: Ecological Succession My Answer: I chose the answer "D". I guessed on this question because I forgot what primary succession was. #26 Which of the following would be TRUE regarding succession? I. Growth of lichen on rocks after a fire destroyed a forest is an example of primary succession II. Growth of grasses on a newly formed sand dune is an example of secondary succession III. Growth of algae on cooled lava rock is an example of secondary succession IV. K-selected organisms are typical of primary succession V. r-selected organisms are typical of secondary succession Correct Answer & Reason: E) None are true Primary succession occurs in biotic communities in a perviously uninhibited and barren habitat with little or no soil. Secondary succession is a process started by an event (e.g. forest fire, harvesting, hurricane) that reduces an already established ecosystem (e.g. a forest or a wheat field) to a smaller population of species, and as such, secondary succession occurs on pre-existing soil whereas primary succession usually occurs in a place lacking soil. Secondary succession is usually faster than primary succession as soil is already present, so there is no need for pioneer species and seeds, roots and underground vegetative organs of plants may still survive in the soil, in unstable or unpredictable environments, r-selection predominates as the ability to reproduce quickly is crucial. There is little advantage in adaptations that permit successful competition with other organisms because the environment is likely to change again. Traits that are thought to be characteristic of r-selection include: high fecundity (ability to produce many offspring), small body size, early maturity onset, short generation time, and the ability to disperse offspring widely. Examples include bacteria and diatoms, insects, and weeds. In stable or predictable environments, K-selection predominates as the ability to compare successfully for limited resources is crucial. Traits that are thought to be characteristic of K-selection include: large body size, long life expectancy, and the production of fewer offspring, which require extensive parental care until they mature. Organisms with K-selected traits include large organisms such as elephants, trees, humans, and whales. Natural Ecosystems: Ecological Succession. My Answer: I guessed and chose "D" although I remembered learning about the different types of successions. #27 The first compound that ammonia is converted into in the nitrogen cycle is Correct Answer & Reason: D) nitrite The conversion of ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) is performed primarily by soil-living bacteria and other nitrifying bacteria. In the primary stage of nitrification, the oxidation of ammonium (NH4+) is performed by bacteria such as the Nitrosimonas species, which converts ammonia (NH3) to nitrites (NO2-). Other bacterial species, such as Nitrobacter, are responsible for the oxidation of the nitrites (NO2-) into nitrates (NO3-). It is important for the nitrates to be converted to nitrates because accumulated nitrites are toxic to plant life. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles: Nitrogen Cycle My Answer: I chose "A" because I got confused if nitrate or nitrite was first converted in the nitrogen cycle since they have almost similar names. |
Energy/Resources and Consumption #53-67 13%
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Pollution #68-91 16%#68
Which of the following would be classified as a secondary air pollutant? Correct Answer & Reason: B) Acid rain Primary air pollutants are pollutants that are released directly into the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and are toxic. Secondary air pollutants are those pollutants that are formed by the combination or chemical reaction of primary pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid rain forms from the chemical reaction in the atmosphere. Acid rain is formed by the reaction of sulfur dioxide and water vapor. Another example of secondary air pollutant would be PANs ( peroxacyl nitrates) which are formed by the hydrocarbons, oxygen,and nitrogen dioxide. Air Pollution: Sources- Primary and Secondary My Answer: I chose "A" because I guessed #69 Which of the following would NOT be classified as a criteria pollutant? Correct Answer & Reason: E) Carbon dioxide Criteria pollutants that do the most harm to humans. In addition to those listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and lead (Pb) are also included. Air Pollution: Major Air Pollutants My Answer: No Answer. Wasn't sure what a criteria pollutant was but had an idea of it. #70 1,500 parts per billion would be the same concentration as _____ parts per million. Correct Answer & Reason: B) 1.5 This type of problem can easily be solved by factor analysis. Air Pollution: Measurement Units 1,500 parts 1 billion 1,000,000 parts ------------ x --------- x ----------------- = 1.5 ppm 1 billion 1,000,000,000 parts 1 million My Answer: No Answer. #71 Which one of the criteria pollutants listed below contributes to the formation of both acid decomposition AND photochemical smog? Correct Answer & Reason: B) NO2 NO2 reacts with H2O to form nitrous acid and nitric acid,, which are both components found in acid deposition (rain): 2NO2+H2O----> HNO2+HNO3. Nitrogen dioxide also absorbs light energy and breaks down to form nitric oxide and atomic oxygen. Nitric oxide can then combine with ozone (O3) to form nitrogen dioxide is greater than the concentration of nitric oxide, then ozone is formed and can reach dangerous levels. if the concentration of nitrogen dioxide is less than the concentration of nitric acid, then the ozone is destroyed almost instantly, keeping the concentration of ozone stable and below a harmful threshold.Sulfur dioxide is only involved in formation of acid rain, not photochemical smog. My Answer: No Answer. I didn't know what was acid deposition and photochemical smog was. #72 During the summer months, Los Angeles, California often experiences a temperature inversion. During this even Correct Answer & Reason: B) Stable warm air lies above a mass of colder air, trapping air particulates close to the ground Temperature inversions usually occur in urban areas when air pollutants are trapped close to the ground and are not able to rise into the atmosphere. Under normal conditions, warmer air, which is less dense than cooler air, will rise into the cooler atmosphere above. However, during a temperature inversion, the air above a city is warm, which prevents the polluted warmer air from rising, causing smog levels to increase, which results in increased respiratory distress. Air Pollution: Temperature Inversions My Answer: I chose "E" because it is true that "Warm air rises while colder air sinks" due to cold air having a lower density; which is known as the "stack effect." Although, I wasn't sure if the second part of the answer was correct. #73 Given the following pollutants I. CFCs II. VOCs III. Radon IV. PANs V. Asbestos Which are NOT naturally occurring indoor air pollutants? Correct Answer & Reason: C) I, II, and IV "Naturally occurring" means occurring in nature in a free state. Both the radon and asbestos are found in nature and are sometimes found in indoor air samples. If radioactive radon occurs in the bedrock near a building, it can seep into a basement or crawlspace and eventually result in lung cancer. Asbestos was often used as insulation material. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they are trapped in the lung, which causes the lungs to produce acids. In time, this can lead to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Chlorofluorocarbons and peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) are not naturally occurring in their free state and are generally not considered indoor air pollutants. VOCs (volatile organic compunds) such as formaldehyde, are indoor air pollutants and are commonly found in carpet, paneling, furniture, paint, plastics, cleaning fluids, etc., but unlike CFCs and PANs, they are not naturally occurring. Air Pollutant: Indoor Air Pollutant My Answer: No Answer. I don't know any of the naturally occurring indoor air pollutants that were mentioned. #74 Which of the following criteria were used for acceptable exposure to specific air pollutants as addressed in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set forth by the Clean Air Act? I. The amount of time exposed to the air pollutant II. The concentration of the air pollutant III. The toxicity of the air pollutant IV. The LD50 of the air pollutant V. The number of people that would be at risk if exposed to the air pollutant Correct Answer & Reason: A) I and II National Ambient Air quality Standards (NAAQS) are standards established by the EPA under authority of the Clean Air Act that apply for outdoor air throughout the country, Primary standards are designed to protect human health, with an adequate margin of safety, including sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory diseases. Secondary standards are designed to protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant. Air Pollution: Clear Air Act and Other Relevant Laws My Answer: I guessed and chose "C" #75 Which of the following statement(s) regarding noise pollution is/are TRUE? I. Noise pollution is a significant occupational hazard and is regulated and enforced by the EPA. II. Sound measured a 40 decibels is twice as loud as sound measured at 20 decibels III. Noise pollutions is not a serious threat in the oceans as organisms that live in the water do not hear IV. The Office of Noise Abatement and Control of the EPA is currently charged with regulating and overseeing noise abatement activities. Correct Answer & Reason: E) III, IV, and V Noise pollution in the workplace is regulated and enforced by OSHA a branch of the U.S Department of Labor. A difference of 20 decibels corresponds to an increase of 10 x 10 or 100 times in intensity, Reef fish, whales, dolphins, and other marine species rely on sounds to communicate. Under the Clear Air Act, the EPA established the Office of Noise Abatement and Control to carry out investigations and studies on noise and its effect on the public health and welfare. Through ONAC, the EPA coordinated all federal noise control activities, but in 1981 the administration concluded that noise issues were best handled at state and local level. As a result, ONAC was closed and primary responsibility of addressing noise issues were transferred to state and local governments. However, EPA retains authority to investigate and study noise and its effect, disseminate information to the public regarding noise pollution and its adverse health effects, respond to inquiries on matters related to noise, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations for protecting the public health and welfare. My Answer: No Answer. #76 Which of the following forms of water pollution affects the largest number of people worldwide? Correct Answer & Reason: D) Waterborne pathogens and diseases The World Health Organization has estimated that about 1 billion people globally lack basic access to drinking water resources, while about 2.5 billion people have inadequate sanitation facilities, which accounts for many water related acute and chronic diseases. Some 3.5 million people, many of them young children, die each year from water-borne diseases such as intestinal diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery, caused by microbially-contaminated water supplies that are linked to deficient or non existent sanitation and sewage disposal facilities. Globally, water-borne diseases are the second leading cause of death in children below the age of five years, while childhood mortality rates from acture respiratory infections ranks first. My Answer: I chose "E" because usually in third world countries were factories are built, the water sources downstream are contaminated by the factories with the toxic materials. Now I see why it was answer choice "D" because pathogens and diseases can be in any water source and they can develop on its own. #77 An APES class was doing a field study of effluent water entering a river through a large drainage pipe from a large building. Which of the following would be a logical conclusion based upon their observation? Correct Answer & Reason: B) The students detected measurable amounts of coliform bacteria in the river near the drainage pipe and concluded that the building could be a meatpacking plant. In choice A), hot water does not promote the growth of algae-phosphates and/or nitrates do. With an algal bloom being a mile away from the factory, it would be more likely that phosphates and/or nitrates were coming from another source. In choice C), finding high concentrations of metal ions upstream the drainage pipe would generally rule out of the factory. Furthermore, metal ions would generally not be a waste product from a fertilizer plant. In choice D), large numbers of larvae, also known as indicator species, probably insect indicate that the water this far from the factory may be very clean. amounts of wastes dumped into the water at the site of the drainage pipe would supply to vital nutrients bacteria that would thrive and use up large amounts of oxygen for their need (cultural eutrophication). Turbidity measures the amount of suspended material in the water and would probably not have much to do with the release of waste water from the production of pharmaceuticals. Water Pollution: Sources My Answer: I chose "C" because it made the most sense to me. Now I see why a fertilizer cannot be the reason for anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and sludge worms. Most of the choices except "B" and "E" actually measured for the experiment except of observing only. #78 Groundwater contamination is addressed in all of the following EXCEPT the Correct Answer & Reason: A) Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, was enacted to reduce point source and addressed contamination. The safe protecting surface water. It did not directly address groundwater the Drinking water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Superfund Act did address groundwater contamination. Water Pollution: Clean Water Act and Other Relevant Law My Answer: I chose "D" because I wasn't familiar with Superfund. I knew it was letter choice "E" since I wasn't sure on "C" and "D". #80 At which point on the graph would you expect to find the highest concentration of anaerobic bacteria? Correct Answer & Reason: B) B Anaerobic decomposition is a biological process in which decomposition of organic matter occurs without oxygen. The area of the graph where oxygen in the water is lowest is the area where BOD is the highest. Two processes occur during anaerobic decomposition. First, facultative acid-forming bacteria use organic matter as a food source and produce volatile (organic acids, gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, stable solids, and more facultative organisms. Second, anaerobic methane formers use the volatile acids as a food source and produce methane gas, stable solids, and more anaerobic methane formers. My Answer: I guessed and chose "C" since I didn't know what BOD levels are. #84 A group of workers at a nuclear power plant received an acute exposure of radiation. This means Correct Answer & Reason: B) the workers received a high dosage of radiation in a very short time period An acute exposure refers to a single exposure to a harmful substance that results in severe biological harm or death. Hazards to Human Health: Acute and Chronic Effects My Answer: I guessed and chose "C" #85 A laboratory was testing the effectiveness of a new insecticide. The laboratory determined that the LD50 dosage level for the rats was 150 milligrams per kilogram of body mass. Based on this information, which of the following statements would be most accurate? Correct Answer & Reason: B) Fifty out of 100 rats receiving 150 milligrams of the new insecticide per kilogram of body mass would die. The median lethal dose, LD50 of a toxin, radiation, or pathogen is the does required to kill half the members of a tested population after a specified test duration. LD50 figures are frequently used as a general indicator of a substance's acute toxicity. Hazards to Human Health: Dose-Response Relationships My Answer: No Answer #86 Which point represents the LD50? Correct Answer & Reason: D) D Follow the Y axis up to 50%, then move right until you reach the curve, then read straight down. My Answer: I chose "B" because I was stuck on "B" or "D". I got this wrong because I forgot to go down to the X-axis after going through the Y-axis. #87 Which point represents the threshold? Correct Answer & Reason: C) C The first point along the graph where a response above zero is reached is referred to as a threshold dose. For most drugs, the desired effects are found at doses slightly greater than the threshold dose. At higher doses, undesired side effects appear and grow stronger as the dose increases. The more potent a particular substance is, the steeper this curve will be. My Answer: I guessed and chose "A" because I didn't know what threshold was. So I guessed and thought it was when it starts to even out and doesn't go any higher. #88 Of the indoor pollutants that are listed below, which one hit the highest total care costs, affects the most people, and causes the most deaths? Correct Answer & Reason: D) cigarette smoke Cigarette smoke causes about half a million deaths a year in the United States and represents about 1 of every 5 deaths. On average, adults who smoke cigarettes die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Based on current cigarette smoking patterns, an estimated 25 million Americans who are alive today will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses, including 5 million people younger than 18 years of age. Smokers increase their riskuf up from bronchitis by nearly 10 times, from emphysema by nearly 10 times, and from cancer by up to 22 times. The total cost of caring for Americans with health problems caused by cigarette smoking-counting all sources of medical payments is about $73 billion per year. Hazards to Human Health: Smoking and Other Risks My Answer: No Answer. I can also see why since it is directly inhaled. #89 DDT, a synthetic agricultural pesticide, was very effective in reducing incidents of malaria but caused shell thinning in certain species of birds. particularly birds of prey such as the bald eagle,brown pelican, peregrine falcon,and osprey. Based only upon shell thinning, DDT would be classified as what type of hazardous waste? Correct Answer & Reason: E) endocrine disrupter Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for development, behavior, fertility, and maintenance of homeostasis. Studies have shown that endocrine disruptors can cause adverse biological effects in animals. and low-level exposures also cause similar effects in human beings. In the late 1950s. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, turned her attention to conservation and the environmental problems caused by synthetic pesticides. Her book, Silent Spring (1962), brought environmental concerns to an unprecedented portion of the American public. Silent Spring. while met with fierce denial from chemical companies, spurred a reversal in national pesticide policy—leading to a_nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides——and led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DDT has also been linked to avian beak deformities. Had the question included beak deformities, then DDT would also be acting as a mutagen (capable of mutating DNA) and/ or teratogen (a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects). Hazardous Chemicals in the Environment: Types of Hazardous Waste #90 The most common and generally considered one of the most effective methods of disposing of hazardous wastes is to Correct Answer & Reason: D) incinerate the waste at a high temperature Following is a diagram of a hazardous waste landfill. Hazards to Human Health: Waste Treatment/Disposal of Hazardous Waste My Answer: I chose "C" because that's what a lot of the companies do now. Now that I think about it, I think "A" would be better because it burns everything into smaller things. But, wouldn't it release harmful emissions? #91 Which of the following acts addresses and regulates the disposal of hazardous wastes? Correct Answers & Reason: B) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Congress enacted the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976 to address the increasing problems the nation faced from its growing volume of municipal and industrial waste. RCRA amended the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965. It set national goals for: - Protecting human health and the natural environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. - Energy conservation and natural resources. -Reducing the amount of waste generated through source reduction and recycling. - Setting standards for the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes. Hazards to Human Health: Relevant Laws My Answer: I chose "A" because that was the only act that sounded like it would control hazardous wastes. I didn't know any of what the acts were about. Global Change #92-100 11%#92
If the price of a barrel of oil from the Middle East were to suddenly double, it would Correct Answer & Reason: A) make it economically feasible to explore for new sources of oil within the United States, thereby increasing the supply, which would decrease the price for oil The marketplace forces of supply and demand determine the price of fuel. If demand grows or if a disruption in supply occurs, there will be upward pressure on prices. By the same token, if demand falls or there is an oversupply of product in the market, there will be downward pressure on prices. Recently, crude oil prices have risen dramatically, driven by rising global demand, speculation on prices, and political instability in several oil producing countries. My Answer: I chose "D" because I misread it. I thought it was because most things that we use are run by oil such as transportation. Therefore increasing the demand for oil since there is a decrease in supply of gasoline #93 Currently, the gas contributing most to stratospheric ozone breakdown is Correct Answer & Reason: E) Nitrous oxide (N2O) released from livestock manure, sewage treatment, and industrial processes Currently, nitrous oxide emissions from human activities are more than twice as high as the most leading ozone-depleting gas. Nitrous oxide is emitted from natural sources and as a by-product of agricultural fertilization, livestock manure, sewage treatment, and other industrial processes and is a greenhouse gas. Due to the reduction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by the 1987 Montreal Protocol, nitrous oxide is becoming an increasingly larger fraction of the emissions of ozone-depleting substances. Stratospheric Ozone: Causes of Ozone Depletion My Answer: No Answer. #94 An increase in greenhouse gases increases troposphere temperatures. If ice melts due to global warming, it affects the earths albedo. Which of the following statements would be true regarding the effect of melting ice and its effect on the earths albedo? Correct Answer & Reason: B) Melting ice would decrease the Earth's albedo resulting in more heat being absorbed, resulting in more ice melting in what would be known as a positive feedback loop. Ice (snow) albedo is a positive feedback climate process whereby a change in the area of snow-covered land, ice caps, glaciers or sea ice alters the albedo (Earth's reflectivity). Global warming tends to decrease ice cover allowing for greater exposure of darker land to increase absorption of solar energy. leading to more warming and more ice melting. Global Warming: Impacts and Consequences of Global Warming My Answer: No Answer. I didn't know what Earth's albedo was. #95 Which of the following was instrumental in significantly reducing the production of chlorofluorocarbons? Correct Answer & Reason: B) Montreal Protocol The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty went into effect on January 1, 1989. It is widely believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer may be expected to recover by 2050; however, increasing anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions may delay that goal. Stratospheric Ozone: Laws and Treaties My Answer: I guessed and chose "A" because the act sounded like it would be a require industrials and transportation to require a certain limit or requirement for the release of chlorofluorocarbons. #96 The majority of the natural greenhouse effect is due to which gas listed below? Correct Answer & Reason: C) Water vapor (H2O) The key words in this question are “natural” and “greenhouse effect.” Both carbon dioxide and water vapor are produced naturally; water vapor through evaporation and carbon dioxide through animal respiration, volcanic eruptions, and thawing permafrost- Also, “global warming” and “greenhouse effect” are different—do not use the terms inter- changeably. The greenhouse effect is caused by certain gases (and clouds) absorbing and re—emitting the infrared radiation from Earth’s surface, keeping Earth 20°C to 30°C warmer than it W0U1d be otherwise. Water vapor is the most important contributor to the greenhouse effect. By quantity, there is much more water vapor than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; it accounts for about 80% of total greenhouse gas mass and 90% of greenhouse gas volume. Water vapor vari es from a trace in extremely cold and dry air to about 4% in extremely warm and humid air. The average amount of water vapor in the atmosphere averaged for all locations is between 2 and 3% while carbon dioxide levels are near 0.04% (more than 60 times as much water vapor in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide). As greenhouse gases, they both trap outgoing long wave radiation between Earth and the atmosphere, keeping temperatures warmer than they would be otherwise. However, carbon dioxide is a more efficient greenhouse gas than water vapor and is being produced by humans at increasing levels. Global warming is the rise in temperatures caused by an increase in the levels of green- house gases due to human activity. Global Warming: Greenhouse Gases and the Greenhouse Effect My Answer: I chose "A" because due to the advancement of technologies, it emits a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere which deplete the ozone layer. I can see why it can be H2O since there is an abundance of it and is almost everywhere. #97 Which of the following factors are primary reasons why sea level is rising? I. Thermal expansion of the oceans II. More frequent rain and flooding III. Melting of sea ice IV. Melting of land-based ice Correct Answer & Reason: D) I and IV Global sea level rose at an average rate of about 3.5 mm per year from 1993 to 2009. Two main factors contribute to sea level rise. The first is thermal expansion: as ocean water warms, it expands. The second is from the contribution of land—based ice due to increased melting. The major store of water on land is found in glaciers and ice sheets. Melting of sea ice does not contribute to sea level rise (think about ice cubes melting in a glass of water-the level does not rise). Global Warming: Impacts and Consequences of Global Warming. My Answer: I chose "C" because wouldn't the melting of sea ice increase sea levels? I mean more water is going into the ocean... #98 Which countries listed below have stated they would not agree to any further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions under and updated Kyoto Protocol (Doha Amendment) set to expire in 2020? I. Canada II. China III. Japan IV. Russia V. United States Correct Answer & Reason: D) I, III, IV, and V The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that commits countries to reduce greenhouse gases emissions based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) man—made CO2 emissions have caused it. The first Kyoto Protocol consisted of 192 coun~ tries and went into effect in 2005 and expired in 2012. In the 2007, non-binding ‘Washington Declaration‘, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa agreed in principle on the outline of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. They envisaged a global cap-and—trade system that would apply to both industrialized nations and developing countries, and initially hoped that it would be in place by 2009. In 2010, 76 developed and developing countries collectively responsible for 85% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions agreed to and pledged (Cancun Agreements) to control their emissions of greenhouse gases. However, by 2012, the USA, Japan, Russia, and Canada had indicated they would not agree to a second Kyoto commitment. Global Warming: Relevant Laws and Treaties My Answer: No Answer. Wasn't familiar about the Kyoto Protocol but only knew it was a meeting where leaders from every country in the world meet up to discuss global warming problems and ways to resolve it. #100 Which international agreement has been helpful in protecting endangered animals and plants by listing those species and products whose international trade is controlled? Correct Answer & Reason: B) CITES CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Loss of Biodiversity: Relevant Laws and Treaties My Answer: I guessed and chose "A" because it sounds the most reasonable and relevant to the question. I didn't know any of the acts and treaties that were mentioned in the answer choices. |