Q&A Hero

Q: The exceptionally strong warming of the eastern Pacific is referred to as ________. A) the Coriolis effect B) La Nia C) El Nio D) Eastern Pacific Shallow Water Warming E) Eastern Pacific Deep Water Warming

Q: Milankovitch cycles ________. A) refer to shifts in the temperature of surface water in the middle latitudes of the Pacific Ocean B) are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit around the Sun that may trigger climate variation C) describe the timing of the northern lights in the thermosphere D) describe the transpiration, evaporation, and precipitation of Earth's water E) describe the pattern of upwelling and downwelling in the ocean

Q: Carbon dioxide is ________. A) the most potent of the greenhouse gases (per molecule of gas) B) the most abundant greenhouse gas C) more potent than methane (per molecule of gas) D) the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas produced in Canada E) the only greenhouse gas presently increasing in the atmosphere

Q: Of the following greenhouse gases, ________ concentrations have increased the most since 1750. A) water vapour B) carbon dioxide C) nitrous oxide D) ozone E) methane

Q: Earth's climate ________. A) has been stable over the history of the planet B) is changing as a result of natural and human processes C) will stabilize over the next century, according to the predictions of most scientists D) has been documented to have changed once because of the evolution of green photosynthesizing plants E) history is undeterminable because there is no method of studying past climates

Q: The atmosphere around Earth is warmed because ________. A) warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse B) molecules in the atmosphere can absorb radiation from Earth C) fossil fuels release heat during burning D) plants absorb CO2 E) plants release CO2

Q: The largest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in Canada is ________, followed by ________. A) oil, gas, and coal industries; transportation B) electricity generation; transportation C) transportation; oil, gas, and coal industries D) electricity generation; oil, gas, and coal industries E) oil, gas, and coal industries; electricity generation

Q: Climate change skeptics often imply that since cold and warm periods existed long before humans this proves that climate changes are natural, so whatever climate changes we observe now must also be "natural" and therefore we cannot be responsible for them. What's the problem with this argument? Can you use the results from the ice core to illustrate your point?

Q: List some paleoclimate properties that correlate well in the last 800 000 years based on the Antarctic ice cores.

Q: Water in the ocean evaporates. Water vapour drifts over the land and precipitates in the form of rain. List the three reservoirs of waterocean, vapour, rainin the order of increasing enrichment in deuterium.

Q: ________ is the separation and differential concentration of isotopes of slightly different mass.

Q: Give an example of positive feedback in climate change.

Q: In what two major environmental problems are halocarbons involved?

Q: ________ act as carbon sinks, and their removal, especially in areas where they are slow to recover, can reduce the biosphere's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Q: The greenhouse gas produced by herds of cattle is ________.

Q: What is the difference between global warming and global climate change?

Q: Explain how human health may suffer or benefit from global climate change.

Q: Briefly explain why there can be seasonal variation in carbon dioxide concentrations in the troposphere.

Q: Briefly explain how increased evaporation may affect the Earth's temperature.

Q: Distinguish between the terms weather and climate, and briefly discuss how each affects species distribution within ecosystems.

Q: Using the environmental properties discussed in this chapter (atmosphere, ocean currents, pollutants), explain why protecting the environment often requires international legislation.

Q: Define the term greenhouse gas and list examples.

Q: Match the following.A) sulphate aerosolB) An Inconvenient TruthC) argonD) ammoniaE) nitrous oxideF) water vapourG) ozoneH) methaneI) carbon dioxideJ) biodieselK) The Day After Tomorrow1.Predominant greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels2.Produced by microbes decomposing matter in landfills3.By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing, auto emissions, and fertilizer use4.Most abundant natural greenhouse gas5.Compound that contributes to short-term atmospheric cooling6.Greenhouse gas that absorbs the Sun's incoming short"‘wavelength radiation7.In 2006-2007 millions of lay citizens were powerfully educated about the reality, evidence, and consequences of global climate change by this film

Q: Refer to Figure 15.1. What is the number on the arrow that best describes the greenhouse effect?A) 235B) 342C) 390D) 77E) 324

Q: Refer to Figure 15.1. What is the value of the planetary albedo according to this figure? A) = 324/390 B) = 107/342 C) = 77/342 D) = (24+78)/168 E) = 390/324

Q: Figure 15.1Use Figure 15.1 to answer the following questions.Refer to Figure 15.1. What percentage of solar radiation is likely to increase the most as a result of the geo-engineering scheme in which sulphur aerosols are injected into the atmosphere?A) 40B) 107C) 195D) 67E) 77

Q: In developed countries, the two most deadly sources of indoor pollution are ________. A) pesticides and cleaning agents B) synthetic furniture materials and radiation from electronic equipment C) radiation from electronic equipment and pesticides D) radon and cigarette smoke E) pesticides and cigarette smoke

Q: In developed countries, a great deal of indoor air pollution comes from ________. A) outdoor pollution B) carbon monoxide C) cooking D) carpets and furniture E) washing dishes

Q: One of the problems that occurs as a consequence of CFC pollution is ________. A) increasing skin cancer in humans B) toxins accumulating in homes C) damage to human red blood cells D) movement of toxins into lakes and rivers, which poisons fish E) eutrophication

Q: Photochemical smog differs from industrial smog in that it ________. A) is formed in the presence of sunlight B) has large quantities of soot C) is primarily composed of carbon monoxide D) consists of primary pollutants E) is caused by similar substances to those used in non-digital photography

Q: Radon ________. A) is caused by the breakdown of the ozone layer B) may cause damage to respiratory tissues when inhaled C) binds with hemoglobin, preventing binding with oxygen D) contributes to the breakdown of the ozone layer E) in the atmosphere limits the availability of sunlight for plants

Q: Lead enters the atmosphere as a particulate pollutant. This is a problem because it ________. A) is a precious metal, and it is being lost to the atmosphere B) will cause the ozone hole to increase C) can be inhaled or ingested and affect the central nervous system D) can become attached to radon E) causes excess nutrification of waterways, resulting in eutrophication

Q: Tropospheric ozone ________. A) protects Earth from most of the harmful UV radiation B) causes respiratory diseases by binding with hemoglobin and preventing it from binding with oxygen in red blood cells C) has higher concentrations in urban areas D) is a primary pollutant E) is caused by poor farming techniques

Q: Carbon monoxide ________. A) increase has been linked to ozone depletion B) is the fourth (by weight) component of the atmosphere C) concentration increases during wildfires D) is a waste product created by plants during photosynthesis E) is consumed by plants for photosynthesis

Q: The dust storms that have large impacts on the Caribbean ________. A) provide nutrients which benefit the coral reef systems B) are the result of polar cells increasing in strength C) are the result of poor farming techniques D) are a natural phenomenon that have existed for millenia E) are the result of ozone depletion

Q: Low-pressure storm systems have wind patterns shaped by two factors: (a)the air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, and (b)the movement of air is deflected by the Coriolis effect. As a result of interplay between these two factors , in the low-pressure storm systems in the North Atlantic, the air circulates counterclockwise. In which direction does the air rotate in the low-pressure storm systems in the South Atlantic? A) counterclockwise, because nothing has changed: (a) and (b) in the South Atlantic have the same directions as in the North Atlantic B) counterclockwise, because although both (a) and (b) have changed, these changes were made in the opposite direction, neutralizing each other C) clockwise, because (b) has changed from deflection to the right to deflection to the left D) clockwise, because (b) has changed from deflection to the left to deflection to the right E) clockwise, because (a) has changed direction, but (b) did not

Q: The patterns of convection currents between the equator and subtropical latitudes are called ________. A) Coriolis cells B) Hadley cells C) high-pressure cells D) El Nio events E) Ferrel cells

Q: Seasons are a result of ________. A) Earth rotating near the Sun and then farther away from the Sun B) differences in the amount and intensity of sunlight brought about by the tilt of the axis C) alterations in Hadley cells D) changes in day length E) the phases of the Moon

Q: Weather patterns are largely determined in the ________. A) stratosphere B) mesosphere C) troposphere D) thermal inversion E) tropopause

Q: The relative humidity is the ________. A) ratio of water vapour to oxygen in the atmosphere B) amount of oxygen in a given volume of water vapour relative to the maximum concentration C) amount of water vapour in the atmosphere D) amount of water vapour relative to the maximum amount this volume of air could hold E) difference in available water vapour at midnight and at noon

Q: The largest portion of atmospheric gases by weight is ________. A) oxygen B) nitrogen C) sulfur D) ozone E) argon

Q: List the four major categories of air pollutants according to Environment Canada.

Q: The term ________ describes a specific location where large quantities of pollution are discharged, such as a factory.

Q: The most successful international effort to address a global environmental problem was the ________, where nations agreed to cut CFC production in half.

Q: Discuss the effect the Asian Brown Cloud has on life expectancy and agriculture.

Q: How does indoor pollution in developing countries differ from indoor pollution in developed countries?

Q: A departure from the normal temperature distribution in the troposphere is called a(n) ________.

Q: Differentiate between primary and secondary pollutants.

Q: List the six air pollutants that are commonly monitored by air quality stations throughout Canada.

Q: List the three most important atmospheric properties.

Q: Why was London's "killer smog" of 1952 important?

Q: Match the following.A) low-pressure systemB) high-pressure systemD) thermal inversionC) Coriolis effectE) thermosphereF) troposphereG) Ferrel cellsH) thermoclineI) solar angleJ) mesosphereK) Hadley cellsL) stratosphere1.Convective cells near the equator2.The bottom layer of Earth's atmosphere in which we live3.The highest level of our atmosphere, with comparatively few molecules per unit area4.A system which contains air that moves outward away from the centre as it descends5.Reversal of normal vertical temperature distribution in the lower layers of the atmosphere6.Hadley cell results from changes in ________ with latitude

Q: Refer to Figure 14.1. According to the figure, the major reason we have ________.A) tides is because of the seasonsB) tides is because of the Moon's rotation around usC) seasons is because of the Sun's rotation around us, as it gets nearer and farther awayD) seasons is because of our rotation around the Sun, as we get nearer and farther awayE) seasons is because of the tilt to our axis

Q: Refer to Figure 14.1. Part (a) depicts Earth during ________. A) December B) the winter C) the summer D) the June solstice E) equinox

Q: Figure 14.1Use Figure 14.1 to answer the following questions.Figure 14.1 shows the effects of ________ on our planet.A) the MoonB) the Coriolis effectC) the convection cellsD) the SunE) gravity

Q: In 1958 trash collection programs were established, and backyard incinerators were banned in the hope of reducing smog. However, it was estimated that massive amounts of gasoline were evaporating from storage tanks, fuel pump nozzles, and delivery trucks. This was also considered a serious contributor to smog, and over the next 20 years several new rules, and several new devices, were put in place to alleviate it. There was still a great deal of smog, now identified as photochemical smog, despite the changes. The major remaining problem was ________. A) indoor pollution from new houses, with new furniture B) the influx of new manufacturing, with new chemicals C) too many coal-fired power plants along the coast D) the large distances travelled daily by solitary commuters E) insufficient city funding to improve waste dumps

Q: By the late 1950s, four counties in southern California had created air pollution control districts, agreeing that ________. A) the major problem, non-point source pollution, was primarily in Los Angeles B) the major problem, point source pollution, was primarily in Los Angeles C) the most effective method was for each city to address its own polluters individually D) air pollution was more effectively regulated by counties than by individual cities E) more and better freeways would help solve the problem

Q: In the mid-1950s, a researcher in Los Angeles was able to create smog by setting up a large, clear chamber and using it to expose auto exhaust to sunlight. He was demonstrating ________. A) the cause of acidic deposition B) point source pollution C) non-point source pollution D) the cause of ozone depletion E) photochemical reactions

Q: The Los Angeles smog problem is made much worse by ________. A) the foggy climate, which leads to acidic deposition B) nearby mountains and the sunshine, which cause inversion layers C) the convection cells, which bring pollutants from other cities D) the high cloud levels, which deplete the local ozone layer E) the onshore breezes, which prevent pollution from dispersing

Q: One key to the puzzle of Los Angeles smog is the fact that ________. A) the offshore breezes carry inland pollution to coastal Los Angeles B) the Hadley cell for that area drops cool air, and pollution, right over Los Angeles C) Los Angeles and its suburbs are all ringed by mountains D) incoming tides in the harbour push air pollution ahead of them E) there are so many rainy days, increasing the acidic deposition

Q: In the 1950s, Los Angeles became famous for its smog. One part of the problem was ________. A) the increase in the number of automobiles B) the heavy industry along the coastline C) natural gas leaks from wells D) the pollution from the dams on the Colorado River E) the dust from inland farms suffering extended droughts

Q: Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.Thousands of young families moved "over the hills" and into the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, after World War II. New neighbourhoods were springing up, replacing orange groves and open space; roads and schools quickly sprang into existence, trying to keep pace with the rapid population growth. The number of cars increased as there was no public transportation to these suburbs. Ringed by beautiful mountains, the entire Los Angeles basin looked like a new, green, sun-filled paradise to the families seeking a fresh start. In the early 1950s, one of the common family chores in Los Angeles was to carry the trash out to the stone incinerator behind the garage where each family burned all of their dry trash. "Wet" garbage was collected and taken to a city dump, where it was burned by the city. Everyone throughout the city either used an incinerator or burned things in an open trash pile; there were over 400 000 backyard trash incinerators. On warm afternoons, eyes would sometimes sting and burn as the smoke could not move over the mountains because of inversion. The combination of this smoke and smoke from automobiles mixed with fog from the ocean formed "smog," as it was dubbed in Los Angeles. People would stop, close their eyes, and let the cleansing tears refresh irritated eyes. They accepted this as a normal part of life in sunny California. Later, in the 1970s, the effect of sunlight on the air and smoke inversion created a photochemical type of smog. Vancouver has a very similar geographical layout. It, too, is ringed by mountains and, especially in winter, has a lot of fog. Based on the lesson learned in California, however, Vancouver never allowed people to burn anything in their backyards. Today, Vancouver enjoys an excellent environment.Part of the reason that people's eyes would sting was the ________.A) lead emissions from the burning trashB) carbon monoxide from the burning trashC) smoke and particulates from the burning trashD) excess water vapour from the burning trashE) plastics and chemicals in the burning trash

Q: Describe Hadley cells and use them to explain the Sahara.

Q: How could the use of CFCs increase levels of mercury (Hg) in polar bears?

Q: Explain why the trade winds between 30N and the equator are north easterlies (i.e., blow from the north-east direction). What direction would you expect the trade winds to blow on the other side of the equator (i.e., between 30S and equator)?

Q: Is the presence of ozone good or bad for us, and why?

Q: Why is indoor pollution still such a large problem? What are the most dangerous indoor pollutants in the developed nations?

Q: What determines the amount of solar radiation that strikes Earth's surface? What is the role of solar energy in creating seasons?

Q: How do interacting masses of warm and cool air generate weather patterns?

Q: Discuss the objective, and the success, of the 1987 Montreal Protocol. To what two factors do scientists attribute its success?

Q: Define atmospheric deposition in general, and explain the causes and effects of acidic deposition.

Q: Currently, many Canadians live in areas that violate Environment Canada air quality standards for at least one of the six criteria pollutants.

Q: Indoor pollution is mostly due to kitchen appliances.

Q: Of the six major pollutants tracked by Environment Canada, only lead is in the air primarily as a result of poor farming practices in the Prairie provinces.

Q: The stratospheric ozone layer is important for reducing the amount of UV radiation hitting the surface of the planet.

Q: The "killer smog" in London was sparked by a chemical conversion.

Q: Tropospheric ozone is an example of a primary pollutant.

Q: The materials and gases found in each of Earth's atmospheric layers mix completely with all of the other layers, because of air pressure and convective cells.

Q: Which of the following airborne pollutants is the least likely to be a problem in remote rural areas?A) ground-level ozoneB) ammoniaC) pesticidesD) hydrogen sulphideE) methane

Q: How would a goverment regulation requiring oil companies to reduce the sulphur content of fossil fuel emissions help fish? A) It would reduce leaching of aluminum from soils into waterways. B) It would reduce acid skin burns in fish. C) It would reduce the acid rains, which help invasive species such as zebra mussels in competing against native fish for food. D) It would disrupt the reproduction of lampreys preying on fish. E) It would increase the atmospheric haze that shelters fish from harmful UV radiation.