chapter 13 environmental Test
How long will it take for CFC's released today to reach the stratosphere
10-20 years
The _________________________ is an international agreement that seeks to limit CO2 emissions from developed countries.
Kyoto Protocol
What is the greenhouse gas most responsible for the greenhouse effect
Methane
The _________________________ is an international agreement that limits CFC production.
Montreal Protocol
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
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
What effects do mountain ranges have on the climate of its region
coastal side gets rain, inland sides becomes desert, temps are lower as elevation increases
What is true of air density
cold air is more dense than warm air
A(n) _________________________ is often found on the inland side of a mountain range.
desert/rain shadow
During a(an) ____________________ period, winds push warm water eastward in the Pacific Ocean
el nino
One serious consequence of climate change, a rise in sea levels, could result in ____________________ of beaches.
erosion
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
What is the difference between climate changes and global warming
global warming is a consequence of climate change
The _________________________ is a process by which the atmosphere radiates infrared radiation back to Earth's surface and thereby warms Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.
greenhouse effect
Water vapor and carbon dioxide reradiate infrared radiation in the atmosphere back to the surface of Earth, so they are called _________________________.
greenhouse gases
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
What would occur if the Earth were not tilted relative to its plain of orbit
if the earth was not tilted there would be no seasonal changes
A continuous record from Mauna Loa, Hawaii, reveals that annual average atmospheric CO2 concentrations have ____________________ since 1958.
increased
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 the genetic material in living cells
What are some facts about the thinning of the ozone layer
it occurs at both poles, they change seasonally, and will take years to reverse
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 UV light is able to reach earth's surface
Stratospheric ____________________ is destroyed by chlorine atoms released from CFCs
ozone molecules
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
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
Though CFC production has been cut back, the threat to stratospheric ozone continues because CFCs ____________________ in the atmosphere for decades.
remain/persist
If polar ice masses melt as a result of climate change, sea levels will ____________________.
rise
What has the global temperature done during the 20th century
risen and fallen but increased overall
What are the consequences of a rise in global temperature
rising sea levels, more major storms, and more droughts
What has been observed in CO2 levels in the atmosphere since 1958
Co2 levels are higher in winter and lower in summer but have steadily risen each year
List some facts about global warming.
Co2 levels are rising, temperature and Co2 are related, reforestation is not enough
Damage to ____________________ in cells of living organisms is caused by exposure to UV radiation.
DNA
Populations of tiny, shrimp-like animals known as _________________________ may be reduced by climate change.
Zooplankton
Where (in latitude) would you expect to find mild temperatures and frequent rainfall
a coastal region at about 30 degrees latitude
Why are CFC's environmentally significant
their chlorine atoms destroy ozone molecules
In terms of solar energy, how does latitude influence climate
there's more solar energy near the equator
What do greenhouse gases do to increase the greenhouse effect
they reradiate infrared radiation back to earth
Large quantities of gaseous sulfur dioxide can reach the upper atmosphere following a(n) _________________________.
volcanic eruption
How do circulation patterns of the atmosphere occur
warm air rises and cools as it rises
