Environmental chapter 13 study quide
How long will it take for CFC's released today to reach the stratosphere?
10-20 years
A predicted increase in Earth's average temperature caused by human activities and the subsequent release of gases such as carbon dioxide is known as ______ _______.
Global warming
Water vapor and carbon dioxide reradiate infrared radiation in the atmosphere back to the surface of Earth, so they are called __________ _____.
Greenhouse gases
The ________ ________ is an international agreement that limits CFC production.
Montreal Protocol
In terms of solar energy, how does latitude influence climate?
More.....(i don't know if i got to write the full answer)
Strong circulating winds over Antarctica, known as the _____ ______, play a role in the formation of the polar stratospheric clouds.
Polar vortex
Trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies are examples of __________ winds.
Prevailing
What do greenhouse gases do to increase the greenhouse effect?
Temperature regions would no longer have seasonal changes in climate
As a result of the destruction of stratospheric ozone, scientists believe that __________, including frogs, toads, and salamanders, will be especially vulnerable to increased UV radiation.
amphibians
Why do the ozone holes form during the springtime?
chlorine atoms are released from polar stratospheric clouds
Where (in latitude) would you expect to find mild temperatures and frequent rain fall
coastal region at about 30 degree latitude
What is true of air density?
cold air is more dense than warm air
One serious consequence of climate change, a rise in sea levels, could result in _______ of beaches.
erosion
What is the difference between climate changes and global warming?
global warming is a consequence of climate changes
The __________ ______ is a process by which the atmosphere reradiates infrared radiation back to Earth's surface and thereby warms Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.
greenhouse effects
Sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere can lead to the formation of ____ that can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the surface of Earth.
haze
A continuous record from Mauna Loa, Hawaii, reveals that annual average atmospheric CO2 concentrations have _________ since 1958.
increased
What are the consequences of a rise in global temperature?
increased polar ice masses
An effect of El Niño is _________ ________ in the southern part of the United States.
increased rainfall
Why is UV radiation particularly dangerous?
it can damage genetic material in cells
The ______ ________ is an international agreement that seeks to limit CO2 emissions from developed countries.
kyoto protocol
Powerful computers are required to perform the calculations for scientists to develop climatic ______
models
What happens as the amount of ozone in the stratosphere decreases?
more ultraviolet light is available to reach Earth's surface
What are some facts about the thinning of the ozone layer?
occurs over the poles, will take many years to recover, and is related to seasonal changes
How do oceans affect climate conditions on land?
oceans are the source of most precipitation, coastal areas have more moderate climate, they redistribute warm and cold masses of water
Stratospheric _____ is destroyed by chlorine atoms released from CFCs.
ozone
As a result of the destruction of stratospheric ozone, single-celled organisms called _____________, that live near the ocean's surface, can be killed by increased UV radiation.
phytoplankton
A(n) ____ ______ is often found on the inland side of a mountain range.
rain shadow
List some facts about global warming.
re radiate infrared radiation back to earth
Though CFC production has been cut back, the threat to stratospheric ozone continues because CFCs ______ in the atmosphere for decades.
remain
If polar ice masses melt as a result of climate change, sea levels will ____.
rise
What has the global temperature done during the 20 th century?
risen some years and fallen others, but increased overall
What effects do mountain ranges have on the climate of its region?
the coastal side of the range usually has high levels of rain.... (i didn't get to write the full answer)
Populations of tiny, shrimp-like animals known as ___________ may be reduced by climate change.
zooplankton
During a(an) __ ____ period, winds push warm water eastward in the Pacific Ocean.
El Nino
What has been observed in CO2 levels in the atmosphere since 1958?
CO2 levels are higher in winter and lower in summer, but the winter "highs" have increased each year as the summer "lows" not fallen as far.
Damage to ___ in cells of living organisms is caused by exposure to UV radiation.
DNA
Why are CFC's environmentally significant?
Their chlorine atoms can destroy many stratospheric ozone molecules
Large quantities of gaseous sulfur dioxide can reach the upper atmosphere following a(n) ________ ________
Volcanic eruption
What is climate?
the long-term, prevailing atmospheric conditions
How do circulation patterns of the atmosphere occur?
warm air rises and cools as it rises
How does rain frequently form?
warm, moist air rises
What What would occur if the Earth were not tilted relative to its plain of orbit?
water cools Earth because it reflects the sun light
What is the greenhouse gas most responsible for the greenhouse effect?
water vapor