Hydrosphere
If there are less coral reefs, would the level of erosion in coastal areas increase or decrease?
Increase (waves will hit the shore more forcefully)
Which surface would absorb more solar radiation- the ocean or sea ice?
The ocean
What is the source of energy for Earth's climate systems?
The Sun
Which sphere is sea ice a part of?
Hydrosphere
Name 1 way that a person could help reduce the amount of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere.
As the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and ocean increase, what happens to the pH of the ocean?
It lowers (becomes more acidic)
Name 1 type of climate proxy data (evidence we use to study past climates).
Ex: Ice cores, fossilized pollen, Historical Data, Tree Rings
What gas does photosynthesis produce?
Oxygen
During photosynthesis, plants take in Carbon Dioxide from the air. Which 2 spheres are interacting?
Biosphere & Hydrosphere
Name 1 way to lower the amount of stormwater runoff that enters a stream.
Ex: Decrease impervious surfaces, plant more vegetation, tree planting, rain garden
Which property of water explains why the sand heats up faster than the water at the beach?
High specific heat.
Name 1 greenhouse gas
Ex: Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Ozone, Water vapor
True or False? Permafrost (ground permanently frozen) is a carbon sink.
True! It stores carbon
Explain 1 way that the biosphere impacts the hydrosphere.
Ex: Humans emit CO2 by burning fossil fuels, which leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere, which mixes with the ocean. This leads to ocean acidification.
Name 1 way to decrease coastal erosion and preserve biodiversity.
Example: Increasing the amount of vegetation
Name 1 impact of warming temperatures on stream ecosystems.
Ex: Decreased oxygen, Decreased biodiversity, Decreased amount of sensitive species
A positive feedback loop occurring in the Arctic and northern reaches and high elevations of the Northern hemisphere involves permafrost which is ground that remains frozen for two or more years and sometimes for up to thousands of years.
The Arctic region has warmed approximately 4-5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900. As the region warms, permafrost thaws, releasing large amounts of once stored carbon dioxide and methane.
Explain why this is a positive feedback loop.
As the permafrost melts, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which leads to increased temperatures, which leads to more ice melting. This cycle repeats itself as MORE and MORE and MORE carbon dioxide is released.
Explain why a lower ocean pH is harmful to the biosphere.
A lower pH prevents shelled organisms like clams from getting the carbonate that they need to build their shells. This leads to weaker shells and potentially the death of these shelled organisms.
What is 1 way carbon moves from the geosphere to the atmosphere?
Humans burning fossil fuels
Name an action that governments could take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ex: Fund renewable energy
What are the 2 indicators that chemical weathering has occured?
Color & Shape change
Explain the purpose of a climate model.
Ex: Simulate Earth's climate in order to predict future climate
A family replaces an old toilet that uses approximately 2.7 gallons per flush with a high-efficiency toilet that uses 1.5 gallons per flush. If they flush the toilet 5 times per person per day in a 4-person household, how much water do they save in a day?
2.7-1.5 = 1.2 gallons/flush
1.2 gallons/flush x 5 flush/person/day x 4 people = 24 gallons/day
24 gallons/day
What is 1 positive impact of the biosphere on the hydrosphere?
Ex: Plants help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere & ocean, and provide oxygen
Explain how humans decreasing their use of fertilizer would impact dissolved oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems.
With less fertilizer, there would be less nitrates that make their way to local aquatic ecosystems. This would decrease the amount of algae blooms, and increase the level of dissolved oxygen in the ecosystems.