Atmosphere & Lithosphere
What 5 factors affect how much solar energy reaches Earth's surface?
Reflection & absorption of solar energy by the atmosphere or surfaces, angle that solar radiation hits surface, length of daylight, local geographic features, man-made & naturally occuring events
What is the greenhouse effect?
A natural process that makes the Earth warm enough for us to live
Why did CO2 emissions used to be stable?
Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, cellular respiration vs. growing plants, photosynthesis, ocean's ability to capture large amounts of CO2
How is CO2 created and how can it be removed from the atmosphere?
Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
Photosynthesis, oceans taking CO2 in
How is CH4 created? (5)
Digestion of livestock, manure storage and management, rice farming in paddy fields, decomposing household waste, leaks during distribution of natural gas
How is nitrous oxide primarily created? (3)
Applying oxygen-rich fertilizer, certain chemical processes, car exhaust
What does global warming result in? (9)
HIgher sea levels, disturbances in ecosystems, melting of permafrost, worsening of disasters, change in weather patterns, more illness & death, worse air pollution, ocean currents slow down, more acidic oceans
What are the impacts of melting permafrost? (5)
Infrastructure damage, more vegetation, ecosystems change, global warming accelerated, ancient bacteria & viruses unfreeze
What are the steps of the carbon cycle?
Carbon released as CO2 from cellular respiration & combustion, CO2 absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, animals ingest plants/animals and breathe out CO2, decomposers break down organic matter and return CO2 through cellular respiration, CO2 in water becomes calcium carbonate, which turns into carbonate rock
What are the 3 steps of wind?
Uneven heating, pressure differences, air movement
What 3 factors influence wind pattern?
Coriolis effect, local terrain, global systems (trade winds, jet streams, ocean currents)
WHat are the 6 steps of the phosphorus cycle?
Weathering of rocks, absorbtion by plants, consumption by animals, decomposition & return to soil, leaching & sedimentation, geological uplift
What are the 3 ways humans impact the phosphorus cycle?
Fertilizers, deforestation, mining
Why is the phosphorus cycle important? (3)
Essential for DNA, ATP and cell membreanes, regulates ecosystem productivity, helps sustain agriculture
What is eutrophication?
When water bodies become enriched with excessive nutrients which leads to excessive algal grown and then hypoxia
What are the steps of eutrophication? (8)
Excess nutrients enter water, they promote plant growth, top layer of algae prevents sunlight from reaching other plants, plants die, sink & decompose, decomposed matter & sediments from runoff fill lake, microorganisms use oxygen to decompose, hypoxia occurs, aquatic life dies
How can we prevent eutrophication? (3)
Control/reducing amount of nutrients entering water, implementing buffer zones w/ vegetation near water bodies, wastewater treatment
What is an ecological footprint?
An estimate of the surface area individual humans or population require to obtain the resources for satisfying all their needs and to ensure the disposal of their waste
What are the 4 sources of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?
Burning of fossil fuels, smelting of mmineral ores, vehicles & heavy equipment, manufacturing & oil refineries & other industries
What are the consequences of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contamination? (1 & 4 elaboration)
Acid rain, causes soil degradation, damage to aquatic ecosystems, forest damage, corrosion to buildings & monuments
What are the 8 sources of toxic metals in the atmosphere?
Mining, tailings, industrial wastes, agricultural runoff, lead acid batteries, aging water supply systems, pains & treated limber, landfills
What are the consequences of toxic metal contamination? (7 & 1 why)
Gastrointestinal & kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, vascular damage, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, cancer, since they bioaccumulate
What are the 6 sources of CFCs?
AC, refrigeration, blowing agents in foams, insulation, aerosol, solvents
What are the 2 consequences of CFC contamination?
Destruction of ozone layer, warmer lower atmosphere
What are the 3 sources of dust & airborne particles?
Soil lifted by wind, volcanic eruptions, pollution
What are the consequences of dust & airborne particle contamination? (3)
Irritation of eyes, coughing, sneezing
What is the source of smog?
A mixture of pollutants including NOx and SO2
What are the 2 consequences of smog?
Respiratory issues, eye, nose, & throat irritation
What 8 things cause soil depletion?
Over-farming, monoculture farming, erosion, soil compaction, improper irrigation, overfertilization, excessive pesdicides, deforestation
What is bioremediation?
The process of using microorganisms, fungi, plants or enzymes to break down/neutralize harmful pollutants