Environmental Science Chapter 13 Atmosphere and Climate Change
How long will it take for chlorofluorocarbons released from Earth's surface today to reach the stratosphere?
10 to 20 years
Which of the following would occur if Earth were not tilted relative to the plane of its orbit?
Temperate regions would no longer have seasonal changes in climate
Which of the following does not reduce CO2 in the atmosphere?
animal respiration
Ultraviolet radiation is particularly dangerous because
it can damage genetic material in cells little has been done to save the ozone layer it always leads to the rapid death of organisms
Latitude strongly influences climate because _____ solar energy falls on areas that are closer to the equator than to the poles.
more
As the amount of ozone in the stratosphere decreases,
more ultraviolet light is able to reach Earth's surface
A true statement about greenhouse gases is that they
reradiate infrared radiation back to Earth
During summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Northern Hemisphere experiences
winter
Populations of tiny, shrimp-like animals known as _________________________ may be reduced by climate change.
zooplanktop
Which of the following statements related to global warming is not accurate?
Only fossil fuels, not living plants, release carbon dioxide when burned
Which of the following best describes the effect of a mountain range on the climate of a region?
The coastal side of the range usually has high levels of rain A desert is often found on the inland side of the range Average temperatures are lower at high elevations than at the base of the mountains
Which of the following correctly states an observation that helps to explain circulation patterns in the atmosphere?
Warm air rises and cools as it rises
Which of the following does not address how oceans affect climate conditions on land?
Water cools Earth because it reflects the most sunlight
Which of the following locations would you expect to have a climate with mild temperatures and frequent rain?
a coastal region at about 30 latitude
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
The ozone layer protects living organisms on Earth by
blocking solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation
The development of an ozone hole over the poles is a result of human activities and begins when molecular _____________ from chlorofluorocarbons is released into the atmosphere and collects on polar stratospheric clouds
chlorine
Ozone holes appear in polar regions during springtime when ozone-depleting
chlorine atoms are released from polar stratospheric clouds
The statement "Cool summers, cold winters with lots of snow - about 75 cm of precipitation each year" describes ________________.
climate
La Nina is the ___________ phase of the El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle
cold
An important property of air circulation is
cold air is denser than warm air
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
The difference between global warming and climate changes is that
global warming is a consequence of climate changes
Water vapor and carbon dioxide reradiate infrared radiation in the atmosphere back to the surface of Earth, so they are called ______________
greenhouse gases
A continuous record from Mauna Loa, Hawaii, reveals that annual average atmospheric CO2 concentrations have ____________________ since 1958.
increased
Which of the following would not be a consequence of a rise in global temperature
increased polar ice mass
The thinning of the ozone layer
occurs over both polar regions; is related to seasonal changes; will take many years to reverse
Strong circulating winds over Antarctica, known as the _________________________, play a role in the formation of the polar stratospheric clouds.
polar vortex
The _______________ is an international agreement that seeks to limit CO2 emissions from developed countries
Kyoto Protocol
The ___________________ is an international agreement that limits CFC production
Montreal Protocol
A(n) ______________ is often found on the inland side of a mountain range
rain shadow
If polar ice masses melt as a result of climate change, sea levels will ____________________.
rise
The average global temperature has ____________ during the 20th century
risen some years and fallen others, but has increased overall
Elevation is a factor in climate because under most conditions,
temperature falls as elevation increases
Seasonal changes in daylight hours and climatic conditions are caused by
the 23.5 tilt of Earth's axis
Climate in a region is
the long-term, prevailing atmospheric conditions
Chlorofluorocarbon molecules are environmentally significant because
their chlorine atoms can destroy many stratospheric ozone molecules
Large quantities gaseous sulfur dioxide can reach the upper atmosphere following a(n) _________________
volcanic eruption
A true statement concerning the physical properties of air is that
warm air can hold more water vapor than an equal amount of cold air
Rain frequently results whenever
warm, moist air rises
The statement "It's hot and sunny today - the temperature is 88F at 11 a.m" describes ______________
weather
During a(an) ____________________ period, winds push warm water eastward in the Pacific Ocean.
El Nino
Which of the following gases is most responsible for the greenhouse effect?
water vapor
Which of the following best describes measurements of CO2 levels in the atmosphere since 1958?
CO2 levels are higher in winter and lower in summer, but winter "highs" have increased each year and the summer "lows" have not fallen as far
Damage to ____________________ in cells of living organisms is caused by exposure to UV radiation.
DNA
Stratospheric ____________________ is destroyed by chlorine atoms released from CFCs.
ozone
Though CFC production has been cut back, the threat to stratospheric ozone continues because CFCs ____________________ in the atmosphere for decades.
persist
Though CFC production has been curtailed, the threat to upper atmospheric ozone continues because CFCs
persist and continue to break down ozone for decades
As a results 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