oceanography chapter 16
Of the following statements about the greenhouse effect and global warming, which is/are true
-Global warming will likely result in more prolonged droughts
What are the main factors that contribute to the documented global rise in sea level
-an increase in the amount of water in the ocean from the melting of ice on land
Of the following natural factors, which have caused past climate changes on Earth
-changes in solar energy
Hazards associated with sea level rise include all of the following except
-increasing damage from storms. -drowning of beaches. -permanent inland flooding. -accelerated coastal erosion. all are correct
Global engineering (geoengineering) proposals to reduce Earth's greenhouse effect include
-reducing the amount of sunlight reaching Earth
Of the following, which are examples of climate feedback loops
-the role of clouds at different altitudes
Variations in Earth's orbit that influence long-term climate changes include
-the shape of Earth's orbit (eccentricity). -the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation (obliquity). -the wobbling of Earth's axis of rotation (precession)
Over the past 30 years, Earth's average surface temperature has risen by
0.6°C.
Since 1750, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by almost
30%
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The zone ocean where sound can travel extremely long distances is called the
SONAR channel
sunspots
changes in solar energy
Which of the following atmospheric constituents has the greatest ability to absorb heat on a per-mole basis
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
The fourth IPCC Report of 2007 concluded that
climate change models can mimic present-day conditions only if human emissions are taken into account
The world's oceans play a role in reducing global warming by
absorbing surplus heat energy
anthropogenic CO2 inputs
does not belong
tectonic uplifting
does not belong
All of the following are parts of Earth's climate system except the
exosphere
T/F: There is a significant positive correlation between sunspot activity and recent changes in mean global temperature
false
T/F:A decrease in cloud cover due to a higher moisture content in the atmosphere is an example of a positive-feedback loop
false
T/F:Greenhouse gases are compounds in the Earth's atmosphere that dissipate heat
false
T/F:Sea surface temperatures have remained unchanged during the past 50 years
false
T/F:Volcanic eruptions have no impact on global climate patterns, they only affect local climate
false
Recent worldwide sea level rise can be attributed to all of the following except the
geological uplifting of ocean basins
Climate models and observations to date indicate that the oceans will warm the most in
high-latitude areas
Domestic cattle production and rice agriculture release relatively large amounts of which gas into the atmosphere
methane (CH4)
An increase in cloud cover and a corresponding decrease in absorption of solar radiation is an example of a
negative-feedback loop
Using proxy data, scientists have compiled a detailed record of Earth's climate over the recent geologic past. This science is called
paleoclimatology
greenhouse effect
process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere
Concerned individuals can reduce their personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by doing all of the following except
reducing the area covered by pavement or structures (houses, garages, pools, decks, etc) in urban and suburban areas
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
refrigerants
paleoclimatology
study of ancient climates
The oceans' "biological pump"
takes carbon from the photic zone and stores it in deep ocean water and seafloor sediments
T/F: The Earth's climate system involves the exchange of heat and water among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere
true
T/F:Carbon dioxide (CO2) has the greatest relative contribution to increasing the greenhouse effect compared to other anthropogenically produced greenhouse gases
true
T/F:If all greenhouse gas emissions by humans were reduced to zero, the Earth is still projected to keep warming for the foreseeable future
true
T/F:Melting ice on land and thermal expansion of water are two of the most important factors causing sea level rise
true
T/F:The concentration of methane (natural gas) exhibits the greatest current rate of increase compared to other greenhouse gases
true
T/F:The fourth IPCC report on international climate change (2007) confirmed that human activity has produced climate change beginning in the mid-20th century
true
T/F:The oceans have absorbed the majority of the increased heat in the atmosphere
true
The atmospheric component that naturally contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is
water vapor
Of the following atmospheric gases, only _________ is an important greenhouse gas
water vapor H2O