ASU Bio 130 Exam #1

How does the thickness of Earth's atmosphere compare to Earth's diameter?

"Thin" layer of gases surrounding Earth◦ Thickness = 1/100th of Earth's diameter◦ In other words, about 100 km thick

Dams provide __% of worldwide electricity and __% of irrigation water for crops.

16.6% for electricity, 50% for irrigation

How is freshwater divided up between common "reservoirs" (atmosphere, soil and aquifers, plants and animals, glaciers and icecaps, surface water - lakes, rivers and streams)?

30.1% is groundwater 68.7% is glaciers and ice caps 3% is in the atmosphere 3.8% is soil moisture .26% is in living things Surface water is 1.2%

Make sure you can describe agricultural strategies for reducing water consumption.

90% of water consumption. Water Rights out West, "Old School" Irrigation Techniques, Center Pivot Overhead Irrigation, Drip Irrigation.

Which of these (agriculture, domestic, industry) uses the most water worldwide? What does this industry sector use water for, most commonly?

Agriculture, for crops and livestock

What are the primary uses for water in the world?

Agriculture, for watering plants and animals. Domestic, for cleaning, cooking, drinking, bathing, and washing Industrial, for manufacturing

Which part of the U.S. has the most earthquakes? Which state is the most earthquake prone?

Alaska is the most earthquake prone

How is global climate change impacting the water cycle (generally speaking, in one sentence or less)?

As global temperatures increase, so does the rate of water transfer in the water cycle. More droughts in subtropics. More floods (and hurricanes) also. Melting of ice caps and glaciers. More water cycling at a faster rate. Sea levels will rise!

What continent uses the most freshwater?

Asia

What are the benefits and unintended consequences of dams?

Benefits:Flood control, Generation of electricity, More predictable supply of water. Unintended consequences: Ecological impacts can be severe. Fish migration, Wetlands downstream no longer resupplied with overflow water and sediments (Birds and fish die off), Less water and sediment reach the ocean and delta regions (Caused big problems for Colorado River delta region in Mexico).

Be able to describe the common soil properties discussed in lecture (and your book), including: o physical properties of texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, water infiltration rate, porosity and aeration o chemical properties of pH, nutrient-holding capacity/Cation exchange capacity (CEC) o biological properties of respiration rate and mass of microbes

Chemical - pH, total C, nutrients (NPK), cation exchange capacity (CEC) • Physical- Texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, water infiltration rate, porosity, aeration • Biological - Mass of microbes/fungi, respiration rate, small critters (nematodes, earthworms, arthropods, decomposition rates

Precipitation

Condensed water falling as rain, snow, or ice

Evapotranspiration

Evaporation of water from plants and soil

What is the general range of water vapor in the atmosphere?

Extends from 0 to ~10 km (6 miles)

Which weather-related natural hazards cause the most death (which 2) in the U.S.? Do either of these hazards affect us in Arizona?

Heat and Tornadoes, and then hurricanes and then floods. Heat affects Arizona.

Why are the tropics the warmest regions on Earth, and why do they receive more rainfall than other regions?

Heating near Earth's equator is most intense, causing the most evaporation, and precipitation in the "belt" around the equator. • Because of Earth's tilt, this heating is more intense during the summer seasons for each hemisphere. • This causes the tropical rain belt to shift to the northern hemisphere in May- June, and southern hemisphere in November-December. • Causes monsoon rains in India, SE Asia and SE China in northern summer, and similar patterns in Australia, South America and Africa in the southern summer.

Recharge

Infiltrating water gets past surface soils and plant roots; reaches water table and aquifer// water is purified as it travels through porous materials underground, removing biological and chemical contaminants

Make sure you can list the 5 soil formation factors.

Parent material, climate (temp and precipitation), topography (slope and amount of sun exposure), biological (microbes, plants, animals, roots and growing season, burrowing critters, time

Transpiration

Release of water vapor from plants

How are soils formed? What processes go into soil formation, and what components are critical for soil formation? How long does it take soil to form, on average?

Soil is a naturally occurring surface layer formed by complex biogeochemical and physical weathering processes that contains living matter and is capable of supporting plant life. Chemical, biological, and physical processes all work together to form soil. oSoils form over hundreds-thousands of years from parent material and organic matter. (Parentmaterial: sediments from rocks/minerals that have been weathered. Weathering: the gradual physical, chemical and biochemical breakdown of parent material. Decaying organic matter forms humus, dark part of soil that is partially undecayed.)

What are the three main ingredients for a thunderstorm?

Source of moisture InstabilityWarm, moist air near the ground and cool dry air aboveCreates cumulonimbus clouds (tall, fluffy, thick clouds) Sources of LiftExamples: forest fires, slope of terrain, fronts

What are some issues with groundwater pumping? (examples: land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, drains surface water systems above an aquifer - ecological impacts). How can these harm the environment ABOVE ground?

Surface waters are connected to groundwater table, and can cause drainage of wetlands. Land subsidence:Land sinks when porous materials in aquifer are drained of water that supports land above. Houses sink, foundations crack, sewer pipes fracture. Sinkholes can develop and "swallow" houses. Saltwater intrusion: Coastal regions, as water table drops, sea water will infiltrate soils and aquifers, making them too salty for use.

Does all of the incoming solar radiation to Earth reach Earth's surface? Why or why not?

No, Some of this incoming radiation is reflected off clouds, some is absorbed by the atmosphere

Has the Earth always had the same atmosphere, over geologic time? Which types of organisms first began to release oxygen into the atmosphere in significant levels?

The Earth has had 3 different types of atmospheres. Early Earth ◦ Continually stripped away by solar winds, gases eventually began to build up ◦ 60% Hydrogen, 20% Oxygen (primarily in water), 10% Carbon dioxide, 5-7% Hydrogen sulfide ◦ NOT appropriate for life as we know it◦ Water vapor built up and rainfall caused oceans to begin forming - which absorbed CO2 Middle Earth Atmosphere ◦ Little Oxygen present in atmosphere◦ Anaerobic life (microbes) developed - they do not require oxygen for energy ◦ Microbes evolved to be able to consume CO2 and convert it to Oxygen ◦ This paved the way for life as we know it. Current Atmosphere Bacteria evolved again so they could take up O2 and convert it to CO2 (respiration) This balance in bacterial activity created our current atmosphereOxygen (O2) levels maxed out at 30% Major gases in our atmosphere fluctuate due to volcanic activity, plant and animal fluctuations, shifting of continents, and more...

Be able to describe the primary issues associated with "overuse" of surface water resources. How many wetlands have been "lost" in the U.S. and worldwide?

These are "lost" when they are filled in, dredged, channeled, paved over...Globally: ½ lost. Germany & France: 80% lost. U.S. Overall: 50% lost. California, U.S.: 90%lost

Infiltration

Water from precipitation percolating/soaking into the surface

Runoff

Water from precipitation that flows over land surface

Condensation

Water vapor becomes liquid water as air cools

Make sure you can describe the rain shadow effect, and what it causes.

When moist air encounters a mountain, it will rise up along the side of a mountain and cool • Condensation and precipitation occurs as a result of cooling Air that crosses mountain range warms as it descends and is able to retain more moisture from environment • "sucks" up moisture from surface (increases evaporation, transpiration rates) Result: Deserts! (ex. Sonoran desert in SW US)

In which part of the U.S. are wildfires the most prevalent? Why/how does the suppression of natural wildfires increase the risk for wildfires later on?

Wildfires are most prevalent in California. Suppression of wildfires causes accumulation of leaves, branches and other debris that act as fuel for the fire.

Aquifer

a body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater

Lakes

a large body of water surrounded by land

Rivers

a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream

Streams

a small, narrow river

How much of earth's water is salty, or ocean water?

about 97%

Canals

an artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation

Wetlands

land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land

How much of earth's water is freshwater?

less than 3%

How do global convection currents and the rain shadow effect impact the climate of Arizona? About how much of the rain in Arizona (and the desert southwestern U.S. in general) falls during monsoon season?

o 10 in per year o warm moist air flows down casing deserts

How many major soil orders are there? What is the most common soil order in the desert Southwestern U.S.? Which common soil order is particularly suited for agriculture?

o 12 major soil orders o Aridisols- most common in desert o Mollisols best agricultural soil

How are the properties of pH, aeration and salt content important for plant growth?

o Aeration- sols that remain saturated with water may not have adequate oxygen for plant roots o pH- influences which plants can grow there, affects solubility of minerals o salt content- when water evaporates, it leaves salty residue that can harm plant roots

When volcanoes erupt, what is the hazard to airplanes?

o Ash can clog engines and cause engine failure

How is weather different from climate? What is the time range needed to determine the climate of a region? What factors are used to describe the climate of a region?

o Climate is avg weather conditions over 30-yr period o Factors: precipitation, air temp, humidity, air pressure, soil/plant moisture levels, ocean temp (both)

What are the 2 main reasons that air pressure declines as altitude increases (in the troposphere)?

o Density of gas molecules decreases o temperature decreases

Why are so many desert regions on Earth located at around the 30 degree latitude (north and south) range and the 60 degree latitude range?

o Dry warm air sinks down that causes deserts

What are the 3 big factors that cause global convection currents to be so complex on Earth?

o Earth is rotating o Earth doesn't have even distribution of land over northern and southern hemisphere. More land in north. Land heats more fast Earth has seasons because earth is tilted

What can trigger a tsunami? If you were in the open ocean, would you see a big tsunami wave pass you on its way to shore? Do tsunami waves travel fast, or slow?

o Earthquake on ocean floor, volcanic eruption, landslide o No wave is small in open ocean o Travel fast

What is a "fault," in geologic terms? What are the force(s) that cause earthquakes?

o Fault is where two techtonic plates move past each other, theres friction and pressure builds up to over come friction and then movement occurs Volcanic eruption can cause earthquakes

In which states do landslides occur? What are common triggers for landslides?

o Gravity, erosion, saturation from rainfall, earthquakes, excess weight

Which part of the U.S. has the most volcanoes? What are the main hazards associated with volcanoes?

o Hawaii and Alaska o Immediate vicinity § Lava flows § Avalanche from debris § Explosive blasts/ flying rocks o Widespread issues § Noxious gas emissions § Airborne ash clouds

How does a soil's texture & % organic matter influence it's a) soil-water properties b) CEC?

o Larger particles have larger spaces between them = better drainage. Smaller spaces allow for more capillary action (like you see in a straw), so they hold on to water better. o A high cation exchange capacity reduces leaching, or washing of nutrients out of soil column. Leaching can lead to water contamination.

Where is the world's largest volcano?

o Mauna Loa in Hawaii

What % of flood related deaths are auto related? How does this happen?

o More than 50% o Drivers don't realize how deep the water is in a roadway and their ca can be sweapt away. Cars float in just a few inches of water

What are the 4 main component gases in the atmosphere (and their approximate %, excluding water vapor)?

o Nitrogen- 78.084% o Oxygen- 20.947% o Argon- 0.934% o Carbon Dioxide- 0.033%

During which months does the northern hemisphere experience longer days? Shorter days? When are the lengths of day and night equal?

o North has more daylight in the summer o March and september equal amount sunlight

Where do you expect to see the tropical rain belt in March, July, September, and November (i.e., approximate latitude - at Equator, north of Equator or south of Equator)?

o North summer up o South summer down o March -equator o June/ July it migrates north- india, southern parts of America o November- south

Be able to define and describe the 5 different soil horizons, and where they are located in the horizon (O, A,E, B, C). Which horizon is most important for plant growth and why?

o O: organic layer, with lots of undecayed organic materials, not usable by plants in soil o A: topsoil- most important layer for plants because it has decomposed organic material o E: eluviated (leached) layer- not present in some soils and not pictured here o B: subsoil, rich in minerals o C: deposited sediments from which soil formed, parent material o R: bedrock level, not soil and not pictured here

What are advantages and disadvantages of organic vs. inorganic fertilizers?

o Organic: has nutrients bound to carbon structure, slowly released over time as organic wastes break down, increases CEC of soil Inorganic- released more quickly and often leaching occurs

How do winds and water erode soil? Are there strategies to reduce water and soil erosion in common farming practices? What are these strategies?

o Particles picked up and carried away by water/ wind; topsoil often removed

Be able to list and describe the 3 ways that heat is transferred in the atmosphere.

o Radiation: via electromagnetic radiation; ex: sun, heat from fire, heat lamp o Conduction- transferred thru substance by molecules/ atoms; ex: metal spoon that gets hot after sitting in hot water o Convection- heat transferred thru movement of a fluid (air, water, melted rock); ex: in convection oven, fan blows hot air over food

What is radon, where does it originate, and what illness does it cause?

o Radioactive, colorless, odorless gas from rocks/ soils with natural uranium o Causes lung cancer

Be able to list the three sediment sizes that are measured in order to classify a soil's texture. What are some soil texture classifications (i.e., the names of different textures)?

o Sand: 2-.063 mm o Silt: .063-.004 mm o Clay: anything finer than .004 mm

What is a monsoon? When do monsoons occur in India and North America? When do they occur in Australia? Where do the strongest monsoons in the world occur?

o Season, describe a change in tardewinds over asia during summer o Australia- summer o North America- juna, july, auguast o India is most dramtic monsoon

How do soils benefit human health? What % of medicines have their origin in the soil? Be able to name the type of medicines we discussed in lecture.

o Supply 97% of calories people consume o CA, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu... o 40% medicine originates from soil: recent cancer drugs, antidiarrheal meds, diaper creams, antibiotics

What is the "ring of fire?"

o Surrounds the pacific plates

What are the 2 most important factors that influence soil properties?

o The amount of organic matter and the amount of clay sediments

Be able to name/identify the 6 major Koppen climate zones and match them with descriptions. At what latitudes can "Highland" climates be found?

o Tropical- extend north/ south of equator 15 to 25 degrees latitude, temp greater than 64, annual precipitation greater than 59 in o Dry- 20-35n/s of equator, often surrounded by mountains o Moist Subtropics Mid-latitudes- warm humid summers,mild winters, 30 to 50 latitude on eastern/ western borders fo most continents, cyclone winter, thunderstorms summer o Moist Continental Mid-latitudes- warm to cool summers, cold winters, 50 degrees, -22 degrees, winters are severe o Polar- 50 degrees is warmest, northern America, Europe, asiagreenland, antartica Highlands- mountain terrain with rapid elevation change

How does the presence of plants impact the rate of erosion?

o Vegetative cover is best protection against erosion Plants shelter soil from impact of raindrops Plant roots hold soil in place Slow winds over soils to reduce erosion

Be able to classify the following as a geologic or weather hazard: o Volcano o Hurricane o Earthquake o Tornado o Heat o Tsunami

o Volcano o Hurricane o Earthquake o Tornado o Heat o Tsunami

Nonconsumptive

water can be returned to the source after being cleaned, includes many industrial uses

Consumptive

water is not returned to source but is lost to evaporation or percolates into ground, includes most of irrigation of crops

What part(s) of the U.S. are the most likely to be impacted by a hurricane? What IS a hurricane? What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone?

•Florida, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina... *Once winds from the tropical cyclone reach 74 mph (64 knots, 33 meters per second) it is classified as a Hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. However, around the world there are different names for this storm. For instance, a storm of the same magnitude in the Northwest Pacific is called a Typhoon. •Where it is located! -Atlantic/Eastern Pacific Oceans - hurricanes -Western Pacific - typhoons -Indian Ocean - cyclones

How are thunderstorms related to tornadoes?

•From supercell thunderstorms, which have strong vertical wind shear (change in wind direction with altitude)

Which part of the country experiences the most tornadoes? Which state experiences the least? Which country has the most tornadoes?

•South-middle US. (a.k.a. "tornado alley") and Florida * Alaska *The US

Make sure you can fill in the blanks: As altitude (distance from Earth's surface) increases, air pressure ______. As altitude in the troposphere increases, temperature _______.

*Decreases *Decreases

Yellowstone is a ____ volcano. Is it due to erupt again in the near future (in geologic terms)? What is some evidence that is used to determine this?

*Super? *Catastrophic eruptions occur so infrequently in the geologic record that it is statistically not likely anytime soon. and scientists aren't sure if it's *Basic math on Yellowstone's eruption cycle (one event every 600,000 to 800,000 years) seems to suggest a fourth event, well, about now.

Be able to list the 4 layers of the atmosphere, and a primary function of each layer. In other words, which layer holds the gases that sustain life? Which layer protects us from meteors? Which layer is responsible for the Northern Lights? Which layer contains ozone that protects life from UV radiation?

*Troposphere: Supports life Stratosphere: Protective Barrier from UV Mesosphere: protects us from meteors Thermosphere: responsible for northern lights

What are the three major rock types, from which all soil sediment is derived?

Igneous (formed from molten/melted rock that cooled) • Metamorphic (rock that is buried deep below the surface and cooks as if in a pressure cooker) • Sedimentary (rock formed from compressed sediments of weathered rocks)

How LONG is a water molecule in these different Earth reservoirs (know 2 longest and shortest times)

It depends on permeability: sometimes it can move several meters in a day, in others it can take a century to move a centimeter

What are some residential strategies for reducing water consumption?

Low-flow Water Fixtures (Low-Flow Toilets 1.6 gal 40%, Showerhead 2.5 gal/min 20%), Fauset aerators 2 gal/min, only run dishwasher full, use correct water setting on clothes washer, do not leave water running while brushing teeth.

How does domestic use of water differ in developed countries vs developing countries?

Most developing countries don't have access to clean water very easily, and they usually have to pump the water. In developed countries, people have easier access to clean water, and don't have to worry about pumping it because it comes straight to their homes.

When is groundwater pumping and use considered to be "renewable?" In particular, is the Ogallala Aquifer "renewable" at our current rate of pumping? What is happening to the water table in this area?

No Most groundwater in the U.S. is pumped out of the ground at a pumping well. When water is pumped from the aquifer, it reduces the level of the water table, which is called "drawdown." Renewable resourceif you pump groundwater ONLY at rate that it can be replenished via recharge of aquifer. Water table has dropped more than 300 feet in some places.

What regions of the world tend to have the highest and lowest precipitation rates?

The northern and southern hemispheres have the most amount of precipitation, including parts of the central hemisphere (northern Africa). Generally though, the central hemisphere is the driest.

Evaporation

The process of turning from liquid to vapor