Climate and Air PollutionStudy Guide

  1. Which of the global convention or treaty best exemplifies global collaboration for a sustainable environment, which reduced the production of CFC’s depleting the ozone layer in the stratosphere?
  1. The polar regions radiate away more heat energy (infrared radiation) than they receive from the sun in the course of a year. However, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year primarily by
  1. What process that happens in the oceans indirectly removes carbon from Earth’s atmosphere, forming carbon sinks?
  1. Most data indicate that, during the past 100 years, mean global annual temperature has
  1. Which of the following actions would be the most effective in decreasing acid rain and acid deposition problems?
  1. What are 4 gases have been implicated in contributing to the increase in global temperatures via the greenhouse effect ?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

  1. Which element is released by CFCs and catalyzes a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in the upper atmosphere?
  1. Ozone near Earth’s surface (ground level ozone) is on the increase. This ozone near the surface is undesirable because it
  1. In models of global warming, the most important factor contributing to an increase in sea level is
  1. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of the greenhouse effect in Earth’s atmosphere?
  1. Which of the following not only results from greenhouse warming but also contributes to additional warming of Earth in the artic (i.e., is a positive feedback process)? (hint: think solids and liquids)

  1. An increase in what compound in the atmosphere is most likely a significant cause of the general trend indicated by the graphabove?
  1. Which of the following most directly explains the periodic fluctuations of the curve on the graph above?
  1. Scientific studies and models indicate we need to prevent CO2 levels from reaching an irreversible tipping point of _____ ppm, which could set into motion large-scale, long-term changes.
  1. Which of the following shows approximate concentration of CO2, N2, and O` in dry air?

CO2=

N2=

O2=

  1. What are 3 possible effects of a warmer atmosphere include which of the following?

1)

2)

3)

  1. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is produced by domestic livestock, such as cows?

Questions 18-20 refer to the following air pollutants

  1. Sulfur dioxide
  2. Lead
  3. Ozone
  4. Hydrocarbons
  5. Particulates
  1. Most often cited as the causative factor for acid deposition ______
  2. Considered harmful in the troposphere but beneficial in the stratosphere ______
  3. Is the major pollutant that electrostatic precipitators are designed to remove from power-plant smokestack emissions ______

Questions 21-22 refer to the information and chart below.

In 1997, the World Resources Institute estimated the world’s proven oil reserves to be 1,000 billion barrels and the ultimately recoverable reserves to be 2,000 billion barrels. The table below shows the world consumption of oil from 1986 to 1997.

Year / Consumption (million barrels per day)
1986 / 62
1987 / 63
1988 / 65
1989 / 66
1990 / 66
1991 / 67
1992 / 67
1993 / 67
1994 / 68
1995 / 70
1996 / 72
1997 / 74
  1. At the 1997 rate of consumption, about how long will the estimated 2,000 billion barrels of oil last (in years)?Show your work please.
  1. What was the approximate percent increase in consumption from 1986 to 1997? Show your work please.
  1. The three main anthropogenic sources (human made) of gaseous air pollutants in the United States are

1)

2)

3)

  1. If Earth had no atmosphere, the mean surface temperature would be approximately -15°C. With our present atmosphere, Earth’s mean surface temperature is approximately +15°C. Which of the following is the best explanation for this difference?
  1. Ground-level ozone in most major United States cities results primarily from
  1. If increase in mean temperature continues to increase exponentially, global warming is most likely to directly cause what two effects as icebergs in the artic melt?
  1. What compound is an important contributor to both global warming and ozone depletion in the stratosphere (good ozone)?
  1. What actions would reduce global greenhouse emissions of Sulfur dioxides specifically?
  1. If a scientist were taking water samples from a local pond, what would be the strongest evidence in support of a scientist’s contention that a local area was experiencing acid deposition (such as the formation sulfuric acid from acid mine drainage of coal mines)?
  1. Which of the following factors is fundamentally responsible for seasons on Earth?

31. The graph above shows the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita versus the annual electric energy consumption per capita in 2004. Iceland is not on this graph for 2004, but by 2009, Iceland had increased its GDP to $40,000, and energy consumption up above 30,000 kwH per capita mainly by relying on geothermal energy. What is geothermal energy? How is electricity generated from a geothermal source? How is this different than coal powered energy?

32. Despite its low GDP per capita and low annual electrical energy consumption per capita, China has become the world’s largest emitter of CO2. Explain this apparent contradiction.

33. In addition to contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations, China is facing other air pollution issues related the generation of electricity. Identify one such issue and describe the impact it has on human health.

34. Two countries shown on the graph have developed domestic energy sources: sugarcane in Brazil and tar sands in western Canada.

a. Describe the process of fuel production from sugar cane.

b. Describe the process of fuel production from tar sands.

c. Describe TWO disadvantages of using the energy source that you chose in part (34a).

d. Which of the two energy sources is more sustainable? Justify your answer with an explanation.