UK EES 110 Exam 3

Why is the study of soil important in geology?

It is important because soil is an integral part of the ecosystem, it reveals information about ancient climates, it is a primary resource for food production, it affects human history. Soil is made up of weathered rocks and can provide a lot of information to geologists

Why is CO2 increasing in our atmosphere, and why is that a concern?

It is increasing because it is caused by human activity. We are emitting more CO2. Because it is believed to be the cause of global warming

Why is "new car smell" actually not a good thing?

It is not a good thing because Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are coming out of the vinyl or plastic in the car. This is what causes the smell. VOCs are a harmful pollutant

What is soil contamination and how can we sometimes clean it up?

It is when the concentration of chemicals or substances in the soil becomes more than it normally or naturally is as a result of human activity. Some ways to clean it up are: Actual physical separation of the chemicals from the soil. Bio-remediation - adding nutrients or cultivate the soil Incineration - Using extremely high temperatures to destroy the compounds contained in the contamination Thermal Desorption - heat soil at high temp, which vaporizes bad stuff in soil like mercury or hydrocarbons The actual physical removal of the contaminated soil

Why is there lead in our air and soil? What harmful effects does lead have?

Lead is a naturally occurring element. It is found in the air and soil because of human activity. For example: we used to use leaded gasoline, and in manufacturing. There used to be lead in paint used in homes, ceramics, pipes, plumbing, batteries, ammunition and cosmetics. It is harmful because it is toxic. It can affect the development of the brain and nervous system. In adults it can cause long term harm of high blood pressure and kidney damage

What is deforestation and how does it cause soil erosion?

This is the removal of a forest or trees in order to develop land for building, farm or ranch use. It causes erosion because the soil is no longer protected by the trees and their root system. The land is exposed

Greenhouse Gas

Gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, that trap solar energy.

How does dust end up in the atmosphere from anthropogenic causes?

(ANTHROPOGENIC MEANS - Environmental pollution and pollutants that are caused from human activity). Winds and changes in atmospheric circulation as well as precipitation (snow, rain) can cause dust to be swept into the atmosphere. which influences our climate

What is CFC and what harmful effects does it have on the atmosphere?

Chlorinated Fluorocarbons are chemicals that break down the ozone layer

Asbestos. Where do we find it in the air?

A mineral once used in insulation and other materials that can cause respiratory diseases. the asbestos fibers can be suspended in the air. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used in manufactured products. It was once used in insulation but it was found to cause breathing diseases like lung cancer or something called asbestosis, so it is no longer used.

What is Smog? and What are some of the factors in its formation?

A mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog When air pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility Smog is caused by air pollution. Ground level ozone and fine particles are released in the air due to reactions between VOCs (volatile organic compounds), SO2 (Sulphur dioxide), and NOx (nitrogen oxides)

What is a Geotextile and how are they used?

A synthetic cloth used beneath the surface of the ground to stabilize soil or promote drainage.

What is the difference between aerosols and gases?

Aerosols are tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in atmosphere and GASES are a state of matter that does not have a fixed shape. (GASES are NOT tiny particles suspended in the air)

What are some naturally occurring aerosols? (Not manmade)

Ash from volcanoes, sulfur dioxide, forest fires send organic carbon into the air, sea salt, dust from sandstorms

How and why do sedimentary rocks give us clues to ancient climate change?

Because different types of environments contain different types of sediments. Geologists look at ancient sedimentary rocks to figure out type of environment that once was in the location where the rock formed Glaciers that existed at one time would leave behind certain types of sediment, which would tell scientists that it must have been cold at one time and so on Or they can see where a lake might have been at one time but it dried up

How is air pollution a global problem

Because pollution travels it does not just stay in one area. If water is polluted in one area it flows into other places. It is constantly moving through the earth's atmosphere through wind, rain etc.

Why isn't there soil on Mars?

Because there is no organic content found in it. It is only ground up rocks

Why is soil considered a NONrenewable resource?

Because when soil is eroded and lost it cannot be recovered. It is gone forever

What is Black Carbon? Where does it come from?

Black Carbon is Unburned fossil fuels, like soot. It can be natural or come from human activity. It comes from emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.

How do we study past climate?

By using satellite, instrumental, historical and environmental records. Scientists called Paleoclimatologists look for clues in Earth's natural environmental records which are buried in sediments, locked in glaciers and ice caps, rings of trees etc.

What effects will the build-up of CO2 have on the ocean?

CO2 in the oceans creates carbonic acid, which increases the acidity of the water. This then changes aquatic life. It wreaks havoc on ocean life.

What is climate forcing? What is the difference between positive and negative forcing?

Climate forcing are the different factors that affect the Earth's climate. These forcing drive the climate system to change. There are natural forcing and man-made forcing. Positive forcing example is when greenhouse gases have the greatest sustained positive forcing on the climate system Positive is warming and negative is cooling

Instrumental Data

Data collected through the use of instruments.. i.e. a thermometer gives us the temperature. Seizemograph gives data on earthquakes.

How does deflation occur and what landform results?

Deflation occurs when winds carry away sand and soil over long distances. Landforms that form as a result are depression in the land. Like a hollow. Water can collect in these areas and stay for a while depending on evaporation rates. Oasis' can form or lakes

What is desertification and what are its causes and effects?

Desertification is the process where fertile land becomes desert because of drought, deforestation. The effects are that land is not able to support life, effecting wild species, animals, crops and people. Increased soil erosion

What is El Nino and what effect may global warming have related to it?

El Nino is a climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean and it has a global impact on weather patterns. El Nino is a natural occurring pattern but with global warming it is changing how often el nine's occur and their strength

What factors influence the type of soil that will form?

Factors that influence soil are types of rocks, climate, terrain of region, type of plant and vegetation as well as human influence

What are glaciers and how do they form?

Glaciers air a slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles They form when snow remains in the same area year-round, where enough snow accumulates to transform into ice. Each year new layers of snow bury and compress the previous layers

Why are ice core important for understanding climate change?

Important climate information is trapped in the ice which tell scientists about our climate. Which includes dust, air bubbles, sea salts, volcanic ash, and soot from forest fires. It can be trapped in the glacial ice for eons.

What are some strategies for combatting global warming?

Improvement of car emissions, using solar energy, recycle, use renewable energy, use energy efficient appliances, reduce water waste, drive a fuel efficient car, reduce our carbon foot print Better regulation by governments on industry

What is the net effect of anthropogenic forcing mechanisms?

It affects Earth's radiation balance and causes climate change

Why is soil contamination, degradation and erosion a major problem?

It is a problem because it leads to increased pollution, sediment in streams and rivers, which clogs waterways and then leads to declines in fish and other species. Degraded lands hold onto less water which increases flooding. Soil is the Earth's skin and acts as an anchor for life to exist. With it being contaminated and eroded it upsets the balance of the ecosystem and the environment, destroying it

What controls the distribution of the Earth's rainforests and deserts?

It is because of the a weather effect known as Hadley Cells.

What controls the circulation pattern of the atmosphere?

It is controlled by the circulation of wind in the atmosphere which is driven by the rotation of the earth and energy from the sun

Is the climate changing?

yes it has changed throughout history. There is environmental evidence to show the different changes throughout the earth's history

What causes mercury pollution and why is it especially a problem for organisms high on the food chain?

Mercury pollution is caused by coal-fired power plants. It is a problem for organisms high on the food chain because when predators eat each other they are absorbing the contaminated food source. i.e. when humans eat fish with a high mercury content we are absorbing this mercury into our bodies which is toxic.

Where does methane originate? What harmful effect does it have on the atmosphere?

Methane is An odorless gas. It originates (comes from) the decomposition of wastes in landfills, and manure (Cow farts), natural gas and oil systems as well as coal mining. It is a harmful greenhouse gas. It is part of the cause of global warming. It is considered amongst the worst of the greenhouse gasses. Methane contributes to trapping solar energy in the atmosphere contributing to global warming.

What is a major source of NOx pollution? What harmful effect does it have on our atmosphere?

NOx pollution is produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures. In areas where there are a lot of cars such as cities, there is a huge amount of nitrogen oxides being released into the atmosphere which increases air pollution. It is harmful to our atmosphere because it produces smog and acid rain as well as releasing fine particles into the air. It can cause adverse health effects. It affects all levels of our environment from humans to animal and plant life. It can damage plants and vegetation by causing reduced growth, disease, frost damage

Why is ozone in some cases considered pollution and how does it form?

Ozone is sometimes considered pollution because it is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. It is referred to as Ground level ozone or "bad" ozone. It has harmful effects on sensitive vegetation and ecosystems

What is Younger Dryas event? What lesson can we learn from this event? What were the effects? What was the cause?

Period of global cooling that occurred 12,000 years ago 12,900 BP; all of a sudden got really cold, 1,110-1,500 years later it got suddenly warm again

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen soil

What effect do plant roots have on soil strength?

Plant roots help keep soil in place and protect the soil from erosion. They add to the soil strength

Does sea level vary with time?

yes. It changes due to water warming and cooling, glaciers melting.

How does the ozone layer protect us? How do CFC's destroy it?

Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation. It is part of the stratosphere. CFC's break down the ozone layer, which then removes our protective layer exposing humans and the earth to UV radiation

What causes certain areas to have radon gas problems?

Radon is a radioactive gas. Certain areas like basements because they are confined air spaces have radon gas problems because the radon easily penetrates building materials like sheetrock, concrete block, mortar, wood paneling and most insulations.

What is Acid Rain and how does it form?

Rain containing nitric and sulfuric acids A result of industrial pollution, caused by the burning of fossil fuels. It is formed by a chemical reaction when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals which then produces the acid rain (acidic pollutants)

What are some factors that control soil erosion rates?

Rainfall (a major contributor to soil erosion) Type of Soil (Some soils erode faster than others) Sloping of Land Vegetation (can reduce erosion because it is like an anchor for soil) Farm Management - Farming can contribute to erosion, but methods are developed to reduce erosion in the way crops are planted.

What effect does a high sand content versus a high clay content have on soil?

Sand soil is dry and does not have many nutrients and is fast draining. Clay soil is will feel slick and may stick to hands. Can appear shiny. Absorption is slow. In areas where soil has a high clay content the land could be prone to flooding because the clay is slow to absorb water

What is soil composed of?

Soil is a thin later of material covering the earth's surface. It is formed from the weathering of rocks. It is made up of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living organisms.

How does soil form and what problems can it cause us?

Soil is a thin later of material covering the earth's surface. It is formed from the weathering of rocks. It is made up of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living organisms. Soil can cause problems because when it becomes polluted and contaminated, this is then passed on to plants, animals and humans

What is soil subsidence and what are some causes?

Soil subsidence is the withdrawal of pore fluids. The sinking or settling of the soil. Causes can be from the settlement of low density soils, caving in of natural or man-made underground voids. Ground water is also another common cause of soil subsidence. For example when the groundwater table is lowered due to mining of ground water it weakens the soil. i.e. sink hole opening up.

Hydrologic Cycle

The continuous circulation of water among the atmosphere, the oceans, and the earth.

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back.

dendrochronology

The process of counting tree rings to determine the age of a tree

What is greenhouse effect? How does it work?

The trapping of the sun's warmth in the earth's lower atmosphere due to the greater exposure to radiation from the sun. There are two types of greenhouse gases one is natural and the other is man-made.

What is meant by the term "anthropogenic forcing"? What are some examples? Are they all positive or negative? When did they become especially prevalent?

This is forcing due to human activity rather than natural factors. Examples - increased greenhouse gas from fossil fuel burning, sulphate aerosols produced by industrial products, It can be positive and negative More prevalent in recent history because of human activity

What is shrink/swell and what causes it?

This referes to the extent the soil with expand when wet and shrink when dry. The cause is water. When dry the soil shrinks and cracks, when wet is expands. It can cause damage if there are structures built on soil with a high shrink/swell capacity. It could crack a foundation of a building

carbon-14

Used to date fossils up to 75,000 years old radioactive element used to date once-living things

Explanation of Cause and Effect of positive and negative anthropogenic forcing mechanisms:

Warming: Greenhouse Gases Warming: Black Carbon Cooling: Reflective Aerosols Cooling: Land Use Changes

What is the difference between weathering and erosion

Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil and minerals. Erosion - this is when soil is taken away by wind, water and natural agents. (Destruction)

What are some signs of trouble you should look for when buying a house?

You should find out if the house is in an area that floods easily. Is the foundation of the house cracked. (BIG PROBLEM) Has the house ever been flooded Check the water pressure in the house Is there dampness, any mold cracks in walls, ceiling or doors Is there asbestos, or lead paint. What are the condition of the trees in the yard, are they old, do they hang over or lean towards the house What is the drainage like in the yard. Does water pool anywhere

Hadley Cells

a global scale winds that transport heat from the equator to the poles the rising air near the equator creates rain which then creates rain forests in that area of earth. The air dries out and heads north and south again which is responsible for deserts IT IS A YIN and YANG thing

How are hydrologic and carbon cycles related?

because they are both biogeochemical cycles. Which means they move material between nonliving and living things and back again

Why do we know that the "Younger Dryas" event was not part of the "Ice Age"?

because through analyses of the ice cores in Greenland it provides estimates as to when it occurred

How does both chemical and physical/mechanical weathering play a role in soil formation?

chemical weathering of soil is when the internal structure of a mineral is altered by the addition or removal of elements. This can happen when their is a reaction due to temperature and the presence of chemically active fluids. Physical/mechanical weathering of soil is the physical disintegration of a rock into smaller fragments, they rocks maintain their original properties. This is occurs mainly from temperature and pressure changes.

coral skeletons

coral in the ocean build their own skeletons

Why do different soils form in different places?

different soils form in different places due to the type of parent material that exists in each particular region (Meaning types of rocks)

What do we find in the ice cores other than ice?

dust, gas bubbles, soot, volcanic ash, sea salts

What is a temperature anomaly, and what trend do we see in them?

it means a departure from a long term average We see a warming trend

What problems are being caused by the melting the glaciers and permafrost?

melting glaciers is causing the rise in sea levels which leads to flooding. Melting of permafrost releases stored carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, which are powerful heat-trapping gases. It can cause erosion, disappearance flakes, landslides. it can also cause changes in plant species composition

What are Milankovitch Cycles? How do they explain periods of glaciation during the Ice Age?

periodic shifts in Earth's orbit and tilt which change distribution and intensity of sunlight. They explain periods of glaciation during the ice age because of the cyclical changes at this time

What are the effects of climate Change?

poses fundamental threat to our planet, species and humans

how does soil form?

soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface

How is soil transported?

soil is transported by natural forces such as wind, water ice and snow

How do cohesion and friction control the soil's engineering strength?

strength of soil means what stress a soil can sustain. When there is more cohesion in soil it is stronger and the strength increases. When there is friction the material in the soil will expand or contract. When the volume increases the strength of the soil decreases.

What is the timescale difference between weather and climate?

the difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions are of the atmosphere over a short period. Climate is how atmosphere behaves over long periods of time

pollen

the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant

How do ice layers form?

they form from the buildup of annual layers of snow. Lower layers are older than upper.

What role do ocean currents play in regulation the climate?

they regulate global climate. The ocean currents are like a conveyer belt, they transport warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles back to the tropics

Paleoproxy data

this is data that paleoclimatologist gather from natural recorders of climate variability. i.e. tree rings, ice cores, fossil pollen, ocean sediments

What is sediment pollution? What are its causes and effects?

this is when the sediment caused by erosion enters rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. It can lower water quality for drinking and wildlife. It fills up storm drains and catch basins. Water becomes polluted with sediment and then become cloudy, Murky water prevents vegetation from growing in water

What are some natural forcing mechanisms?

volcano eruptions, earth's orbit, changes in solar output

How do the ice cores allow us to track temperature change?

we learn about glacial-interglacial cycles, changing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. It allows us to generate continuous reconstructions of past climates

What trend do we see in global temperature?

we see a warming trend globally

Historical records

write down history or some other documented communication