UNIT 9 APES

What is the GWP of carbon dioxide?

1

What role did Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina play in the reduction of ozone depletion?

At the University of California, Irvine, F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario J. Molina discovered that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could deplete Earth's atmospheric ozone layer, which blocks the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.

What are some examples of legislation in place to ensure the protection of endangered species?

Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)

How could damages to estuaries and wetlands impact food supply?

Estuaries and wetlands host an abundance of biodiversity, and therefore play an important role and provide many food resources. The degradation of estuaries and wetlands would mean a significant amount of biodiversity will be destroyed, which will eliminate food supply.

If the polar bear population declines, what will happen to seal populations in the arctic? Explain.

If the polar bear population declines, the seal population in the arctic will likely increase. A decline in the polar bear population means that the seal population has less predators, so its population will increase.

Why does the Ozone layer get thinner at the poles than other places?

It occurs because of the special atmospheric and chemical conditions that exist there and nowhere else on the globe. The very low winter temperatures in the Antarctic stratosphere cause polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) to form. The chemical reaction that leads to the formation of PSCs produces chlorine, which directly destroys ozone molecules.

What is one solution to habitat fragmentation?

One solution that allows us to have roads and reduce the amount of fragmentation that roads lead to are habitat corridors. Habitat corridors is an area of habitat that connects populations that are otherwise separated by human activities.

Explain how planting and protecting trees can reduce ocean acidification.

Plants too are carbon sinks, so planting more trees would mean that less CO2 is being absorbed by the ocean, which reduces ocean acidification, because rising CO2 levels is what is driving ocean acidification.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The natural ability of the earth to absorb heat from the sun (infrared) and keep our planet warm enough to live on.

How can invasive species be harmful?

They can outcompete native species and subsequently reduce biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to the extinction of native plants and animals.

True or false: Since CFCs have been phased out, they are no longer found in the atmosphere.

This statement is false. Although CFCs have been phased out, they have a long atmospheric lifetime, which means concentrations can still be found in the atmosphere.

What is the natural pH of the ocean?

8.1

Climate change is expected to expand Hadley cells poleward. How would this lead to increased drought in the subtropics?

As global temperatures rise, the temperature difference between the poles and the equator is likely to decrease, expanding the cell of air circulation adjacent to the equator known as the Hadley Cell. It would lead to increased drought in the subtropics because as the Hadley cell continues to expand towards the tropics, it would also move the dry subtropics area poleward, expanding the dry area as well.

Why is the ozone layer above the Artic the thinnest in spring?

As long as it remains cold and dark, nothing happens to the thin clouds that formed. However, UV light starts the chlorine release process which directly destroys ozone.

What is the GWP of methane?

21

How does being an r-selected species help a species become established in a new habitat as an invasive?

Although they have short life spans, being able to mature and reproduce quickly, and being able to reproduce many at a time, makes them more likely to outcompete a few k-selected species for food, and makes them very destructive in the time that they are alive.

What is the number one threat to animals?

habitat destruction

How can climate change lead to habitat loss?

Climate change can lead to habitat loss because of factors like sea level rise, temperature change, and alterations of weather patterns. For example, sea level rise as a result of climate change has led to the destruction of wetlands, which provide habitat for a large array of biodiversity.

Why is there likely to be an increase in diseases transferred by mosquitoes as a result of climate change?

Climate change is likely to result in the increase of these diseases as a result of global climate change because it will lengthen the periods of transmissions and spread the geographical range of these species. Global warming can lead to melting ice sheets and increase the surface temperature of Earth's surface which encourage the spread of vector-borne diseases(Disease that results from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods), which are primarily in the tropics by making more polar areas able to support these insects that carry such diseases.

How would estuaries and coastal wetlands be impacted by rising sea level?

Coastal wetlands would be impacted by rising sea levels wetlands because Rising seas will drown most wetlands and estuaries. .

How do warmer waters impact sea turtles.

Cooler eggs become female, while warmer eggs become male. Thus, increasing temperatures invariably result in highly male-biased sex ratios, which will in turn decrease turtle populations because there aren't as many females to lay eggs, and therefore, the population will decline.

Why must coral live in the photic zone?

Coral Reefs must live in the photic zone because they depend on the zooxanthellae for food, and in order to make food by photosynthesis these tiny algae need access to sunlight.

Why does CO2 get so much attention when these other gases have greater GWP?

Even though CO2 has the smallest GWP, it is the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change because of its atmospheric lifetime. It has a very long atmospheric lifetime, thus, it can accumulate in a way that other gases can't. This is why CO2 has such a significant impact on global climate change, and why it gets so much attention.

How can the overexploitation of resources lead to climate change?

Overexploitation of resources such as lumbar can also lead to habitat loss and fragmentation. For example, trees are often cut down for building supplies and to manufacture other goods, and also to make room for urban development and housing. This can lead to a loss of habitat for animals such as birds.

What is the difference between Stratospheric Ozone and Tropospheric Ozone?

Ozone in the stratosphere protects us from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. However, ozone in the troposphere, closer to Earth's surface, is a pollutant and hazardous to our health.

Describe how ozone molecules are produced, and then broken down as they absorb UV light.

Ozone is formed when heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions between oxides(a chemical compound that contains at least one oxygen atom and one other element in its chemical formula.) of nitrogen (NOX ) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). When an ozone molecule absorbs even low-energy ultraviolet radiation, it splits into an ordinary oxygen molecule and a free oxygen atom. Usually this free oxygen atom quickly re-joins with an oxygen molecule to form another ozone molecule.

What type of relationship exists between coral polyps and algae?

mutualistic

What is the atmospheric lifetime of methane?

12 years

What is the atmospheric lifetime of nitrous oxide?

120 years

What is the GWP of CFCs?

12000-16000

_ How many countries have signed the agreement?

197

When was the Montreal Protocol signed?

1987

What is the atmospheric lifetime of CFCs?

20-100 years

What is the atmospheric lifetime of CO2?

20-200 years

How do researchers use ice cores to determine the approximate temperature thousands of years ago?

Scientists measure oxygen isotopes to determine the temperature of the past. Ice samples that have more oxygen isotopes indicate colder temperatures because particles that are heavier(more isotopes) take more energy to evaporate.

How do researchers use ice cores determine the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere thousands of years ago?

Scientists use the air bubbles in ice that contain gasses that can be measured.

How does the greenhouse effect work?

Solar radiation from the sun is absorbed by Earth's surface, warming the surface, and some of it is reflected back into space.

Do warmer waters increase or decrease the metabolic rate of fish?

increase

Can warmer water hold more or less dissolved oxygen?

less

How does this impact marine life?

less DO can mean suffocation for many fish

Can warmer water hold more or less carbon dioxide?

more

What are invasive species?

non-native species that have been introduced into an ecosystem (usually by human actions) and cause harm to the native species

What are organisms that have trouble thriving in a fragmented habitat?

oak trees, panthers, and deers

The vast majority of the excess heat from the greenhouse effect has been absorbed by the

ocean

What is the important characteristic of the photic zone?

photosynthesis can occur

What are some sources of CFCs?

refrigerants, aerosols, aircraft halons, solvents

What are some sources of nitrous oxide?

soils, livestock manure, biomass or fossil fuel combustion, wastewater management

Which type of UV ray is mostly NOT absorbed by the atmosphere?

UV-A

What are some results of increased greenhouse gases that have impacted the environment or harmed humans?

- glaciers have shrunk -ice sheets are melting -plant and animal range has shifted -sea levels are rising -seas are expanding from thermal expansion -insects are moving into places that used to be too cold for them, and these insects carry disease -droughts are threatening crops, wildlife, and freshwater supplies -biodiversity is affected as many species depend on ice for food and for a place to live. -many organisms cannot move or adapt quickly enough to survive, so population numbers decrease, particularly specialist populations.

Explain how CFCs destroy ozone molecules.

Chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere are broken down by UV radiation, releasing chlorine atoms. These wayward atoms destroy ozone molecules, by pulling away an oxygen atom.

What is the GWP of nitrous oxide?

310

Vienna Convention

A framework convention adopted in 1985 to regulate activities, especially emissions of CFCs, that damage the ozone layer.

endangered species

A species whose numbers are so small that the species is at risk of extinction

How does being a generalist help a species become established in a new habitat as an invasive species?

Being a generalist species helps a species become established in a new habitat as an invasive species because their ability to adapt and ability to eat a large amount of resources helps them to find food and be able to survive in a new habitat.

What greenhouse gas does not naturally occur in the environment?

CFCs

What are the greenhouse gases in order of their GWP (largest to smallest)?

CFCs, Nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide

What is the chemical formula for ocean acidification?

CO2+H2O=H+ +HCO-3

True or false: The Earth is warming evenly (by the same amount) across all latitude lines.

False, global warming means that the earth's average temperature is warming, but not necessarily in every single location across the globe. Temperature trends across the entire globe aren't uniform because of the diverse geography on our planet—oceans versus continents, lowlands versus mountains, forests versus deserts versus ice sheets—as well as natural climate variability. The sun does also not naturally heat the earth evenly. The earth is a sphere, so heat from the sun is unevenly distributed. Also, more urban areas may be warmer due to increased carbon dioxide output and release of other atmospheric pollutants.

True or false: Scientists understand all of the impacts of Climate Change.

False, scientists know a lot about the impacts of climate change, but there is always more we can understand and learn about it.

Why is ocean acidification a problem?

Free hydrogen ions as a result of ocean acidity, combine with calcium carbonate to produce bicarbonate, which means there is less available calcium carbonate for organisms to use, which makes it hard for organisms to maintain their shells.

Explain how an increase in global temperature also increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

Global warming as a result of larger emissions from greenhouse gases have increased evaporation which leads to more water vapor in the air, and thus more warming, creating a positive feedback loop.

What are examples of some invasive species?

Green Tree Snakes in Guam, Kudzu in North America, Emerald Ash Borers in North America, and Zebra Mussels

What are the main ozone depleting substances?

HCFCs, CFCs, and halons

What can be a replacement for CFCs?

HFCs

How do humans harm biodiversity?

HIPPCO

HIPPCO

Habitat destruction, Invasive Species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate Change, Overexploitations

There are two forest habitats of undeveloped, protected land. Habitat A is one continuous 1,000 acre area. Habitat B is in three sections totalling 1,000 acres, broken up by four-lane highways. If both areas have the same amount of land, why does it matter that B is fragmented? Explain in terms of biodiversity.

Habitat fragmentation can lead to an overall loss of biodiversity by separating natural areas and populations. Urban roads and other developments that break up habitat can increase accidents to wildlife. Pollution from these developments can reduce air and water quality for the surrounding areas as well. Habitat fragmentation reduces the available habitat of a species.

Why does having low genetic diversity in a population make it more vulnerable to extinction?

Having low genetic diversity within a population makes it more vulnerable to extinction because it reduces its ability to adapt, and increases its ability to be wiped out. If there is little genetic variability within the population, the population is likely to respond similar to a problem or stress. If a problem strikes, it is likely to take out the entire population rather than just a small percentage.

Why is sea ice so important to polar bears?

Ice is important to polar bears because it allows them to travel, and also use it as a platform to hunt for food.

If global climate change continues, what is likely to happen to organism populations adapted to arctic and tundra biomes?

If Global climate change continues, organism populations adapted to arctic and tundra biomes are likely to significantly decrease. Global warming will quicken melting of polar ice, destroying these organisms' habitat, leading to significant decline or extinction.

What are the effects of UV exposure on other organism

It can cause problems for phytoplankton, which are the basis of many marine food webs. It can also affect plant growth.

Besides cancer, what are the effects of UV exposure on humans?

It can lead to premature aging of the skin, eye damage such as cataracts and suppress the immune system.

What is the downside to using HFCs?

It has a higher GWP than CO2, so they can contribute to global warming.

How does this impact the food web of a local habitat?

It impacts the food web because it means that fish require a larger amount of food. This impacts the food web of the local habitat because if fish require a larger amount of food to keep them sustained, then there is going to be less of the lower trophic level. Competition between species will increase, and the ecosystem will likely reach its carrying capacity much sooner, because fish need more resources each.

What are the cons of using mechanical methods for the control of invasive species?

It is expensive and time consuming

Explain how melting permafrost can lead to a positive feedback effect, increasing the rate of climate change.

Melting permafrost can create a positive feedback loop, because melting permafrost releases methane, which has an atmospheric warming potential larger than that of CO2. Releasing methane can lead to atmospheric warming, which then causes permafrost to melt, and creating a positive feedback effect.

Explain how melting sea ice can lead to a positive feedback effect, increasing the rate of climate change.

Melting sea ice can lead to a positive feedback effect, because of the ice-albedo effect. As warmer temperatures melt the ice, the albedo(reflectivity) decreases, which leads to even further warming because it cannot reflect sunlight off, but sunlight is instead absorbed by the ocean. This leads to even further melting and therefore higher land temperatures.

How can we use mechanical methods to control pest species?

Mowing, hoeing, and hand pulling, etc

What are the effects of UV exposure on the economy?

Negative health effects on both humans and other organisms may produce negative effects on the economy by reducing available food supply(sick fish), reducing the amount of workers available, if increasing numbers of people have cancer and other UV associated problems, they may not be able to work. Damage to ecosystems by exposure to UV light may decrease tourism. Increasing the number of cases of cancer and other ailments from UV exposure may decrease outdoor recreational activities and the market for those.

Explain the connection between the Greenhouse Effect, these gases, and Climate Change.

The Greenhouse Effect results in the warming of the Earth using greenhouse gases which absorb heat. Increasing outputs of these gases into our atmosphere contributes to and is the main contributing factor to climate change.

What would happen to the local climate of western Europe if the Gulf Stream stopped flowing due to climate change?

The Gulf Stream would stop bringing warm water to Western Europe and it would freeze.

What will happen to the Arctic Fox population? Explain.

The arctic fox population will also likely increase. Polar bears prey on arctic foxes, so a reduced polar bear population would decrease the amount of predators for the arctic fox population, so their population would increase.

How does the loss of algae negatively impact coral?

The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. The algae supply the coral with glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis. The coral uses these products to make proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and produce calcium carbonate.

Explain the connection between domestication of plants and animals and lowered genetic diversity in a domestic population.

The development of special populations with certain desirable characteristics and other valuable genetic information decreases genetic diversity because it creates a large population with the same desirable traits, decreasing genetic diversity.

How might this become an issue?

The new species might become an issue, harming the native organisms in the area.

How does increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere decrease the pH of the ocean?

The ocean is a carbon sink, meaning it absorbs carbon dioxide. When CO2 mixes with water, carbonic acid is formed. This acid increases H+ ions in the water, which then bind to calcium (used by some marine life to make shells) to form calcium carbonate.

What are the main greenhouse gases?

The principal greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

What would happen if sea levels rise such that a coral reef were covered by more than 50 meters of water?

The sea level rise will contribute to coastal erosion, which will increase sedimentation and can smother coral reefs. Rising sea levels of more than 50 meters will not allow sunlight to penetrate coral reefs, so they would not be able to survive.

Why is water vapor not significant in climate change?

The water cycle cycles water vapor out of the atmosphere very quickly

How is thermal expansion linked to rising sea levels?

Thermal expansion contributed to rising sea levels because as ocean temperatures increase, water starts to expand which causes sea levels to rise.

What is thermal expansion?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, volume, and density in response to a change in temperature.

What qualities do these (and other) organisms share that make them more vulnerable to extinction due to fragmentation?

These organisms all thrive better in less fragmented areas due to their habitat needs. The panther requires more space for a habitat. The deer is likely to be hit by roads and urban areas, and oak trees need to have the right soil conditions to grow, and this could be disrupted by fragmentation.

Foraminifera are teeny tiny plankton, but their loss would make a huge impact on ocean life - why?

They play an important role in the marine food chain. Their loss would significantly reduce the available food supply for many ocean primary producers and subsequently reduce food available for organisms up through the trophic levels.

If global climate change continues, what is likely to happen to organism populations adapted to tropical biomes?

They will likely migrate because more areas on Earth can support them, which will lead to changes in population as organisms encounter new organisms and are exposed to new environmental pressures.

True or false: CFC molecules are broken down by UV light, so once they reach the stratosphere, they are no longer harmful to ozone.

This statement is false. Although UV does break down CFC, once they reach the stratosphere, they are no longer affected and contribute to ozone depletion.

True or false: CFC molecules are lighter than atmospheric air, causing them to rise quickly to the stratosphere.

This statement is false. CFCs are actually much heavier than air, so this is not why they can rise quickly into the atmosphere. CFCs are able to rise into the stratosphere because the Earth's atmosphere is always in motion and mixes chemicals that are added to it, due to wind. Wind is able to mix these chemicals to the top of the stratosphere faster than molecules can set based on their weight.

How does the degradation of wetlands and estuaries impact the economy?

This would negatively impact the economy because wetlands and estuaries are important because they helped prevent shoreline erosion and protect coastal communities from flooding. Therefore, they help the economy by preventing damage from floods. Additionally, wetlands and estuaries are home to lots of biodiversity, which are important for food resources, and therefore are also huge Industries. The destruction of such ecosystems would negatively impact the economy by eliminating these industries and fisheries.

True or false: Today, the Earth is warmer than it has ever been in its history.

True but, the average temperature is warmer, but it has been warmer for periods of time in history than today.

True or false: Human activity has always influenced climate change over Earth's history.

True, but, only since the industrial revolution have we significantly increased our influence towards climate change. Humans have always done activities that influence climate change.

What are the three types of radiation the sun produces?

UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.

Which type of UV ray does not reach the Earth? (is absorbed by the atmosphere)

UV-C is completely absorbed by the atmosphere, but UV-B is also almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere(about 95%)

Which type of UV ray is most dangerous to life?

UV-C(short wavelength)

What happens inside a cell when it is struck by UV light that leads to cancer?

Ultraviolet (UV) light kills cells by damaging their DNA. The light initiates a reaction between two molecules of thymine, one of the bases that make up DNA. If enough DNA damage builds up over time, it can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer.

How does ocean warming lead to the increased occurrence of toxic algae blooms?

Warmer temperatures prevent water from mixing, allowing algae to grow thicker and faster. Warmer water is easier for small organisms to move through and allows algae to float to the surface faster. Algal blooms absorb sunlight, making water even warmer and promoting more blooms.

How can we use biological methods to control invasive species?

We can introduce natural enemies of the invasive species

What are some other ways we can reduce CFCs?

We can regularly inspect and maintaining air conditioners and refrigeration appliances to prevent leaks.

How can we use chemicals to control invasive species?

We can use pesticides

What was the goal of the Montreal Protocol?

What was the goal of the Montreal Protocol? The goal of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

What are the three main ways to control invasive species?

biological, mechanical, and chemical methods.

What are the sources of methane?

burning of fossil fuels, livestock, landfills, decomposition, burning biomass, natural wetlands.

what are the sources of carbon dioxide?

decomposition, respiration, burning fossil fuels, deforestation.

What organisms are impacted by ocean acidification?

foraminifera, coral, clams

What are the reasons a species might become endangered?

habitat loss, invasive species, poaching, climate change, overfishing, overhunting, pollution, if the animal is a specialist.

How are many invasive species introduced to the environment?

human transport, either with the global trade of species (for example, exotic pets) or with humans traveling and intentionally or unintentionally bringing the species back with them.