Environmental Science Chapter 13
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
The ______ is a process by which the atmosphere traps heat that is radiated from Earth's surface.
Greenhouse effect
How long will it take for chlorofluorocarbons released from Earth's surface today to reach the stratosphere?
10 to 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
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.
Ultraviolet radiation is particularly dangerous because
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
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.
During summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Northern Hemisphere experiences
winter
Populations of tiny, shrimp-like animals known as ________ may be reduced by global warming.
zooplankton
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 correctly states an observation that helps to explain circulation patterns in the atmosphere?
Warm air rises and cools as it rises.
The thinning of the ozone layer a. occurs over both polar regions. b. is related to seasonal changes. c. will take many years to reverse.
all of the above
Which of the following best describes the effect of a mountain range on the climate of a region? a. The coastal side of the range usually has high levels of rain. b. A desert is often found on the inland side of the range. c. Average temperatures are lower at high elevations than at the base of the mountains.
all of the above
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 statement "Cool summers, cold winters with lots of snow—about 75 cm of precipitation each year" describes __________.
climate
La Niña is the _____ phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
cold
An important property of air circulation is
cold air is denser than warm air
One serious consequence of global warming, a rise in sea levels, could result in ___________ of beaches.
erosion
The critical difference between today's global warming and Earth's previous climate changes is that
global warming may occur much more rapidly than it did during previous climate changes.
Water vapor and carbon dioxide help trap heat in the atmosphere near 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
An effect of El Niño is _______ in the southern part of the United States.
increased rainfall
Strong circulating winds over Antarctica, known as the __________, play a role in the formation of the polar stratospheric clouds.
polar vortex
Sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere can lead to the formation of ______________ that can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the surface of Earth.
polar vortex
Trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies are examples of _______winds.
prevailing
A(n) ________ is often found on the inland side of a mountain range.
rain shadow
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 global warming, sea levels will _________.
rise
The average global temperature has _____ during the 20th century.
risen some years and fallen others, but has increased overall
Climate in a region is
the long-term, prevailing atmospheric conditions.
A true statement about greenhouse gases is that they
trap heat that is radiated upward from Earth.
Large quantities of gaseous sulfur dioxide can reach the upper atmosphere following a(n) __________.
volcanic eruptions
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
Which of the following gases is most responsible for the greenhouse effect?
water vapor
The statement "It's hot and sunny today—the temperature is 88ºF 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 best describes measurements of 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 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
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