Sustainability And Environmental Problems
What are the three principles of sustainability?
Has unique set of properties and cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
Element
Layers of the geosphere from superficial to deep.
The biogeochemical cycle that does not include the atmosphere.
Phosphorus cycle
Name each component and the format of the IPAT equation.
I(Environmental impact) = P(Population) + A(Affluence) + T(Technological impact per unit of consumption)
The four macromolecules of life are?
Glucose, Protein, Lipids, DNA
What is the difference between decomposers and detritivores?
Decomposers break down dead matter while using it minimally for nutrients but detritivores feed on dead matter and get a majority of their nutrients from it.
Describe how water molecules bond to each other.
Negatively charged oxygens are drawn to positively charged hydrogens of other water molecules and vice versa.
What is the equation for Earth's natural capital? Name one example for each component of this equation.
Natural Capital = Natural resources + Natural services
Natural resources: Land, air, water, soil, life
Natural services: Answers will vary.
Name the greenhouse gas that is considered an organic compound.
Methane (CH4)
Name three biotic factors and three abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
Biotic factors: Anything that's living
Abiotic factors: Water, temperature, sunlight, soil, pH, oxygen, atmosphere, etc.
Name two ways human impact nitrous oxide levels in the atmosphere.
- High temperature from burning fuel causes nitrogen and oxygen to fuse into NOx
- Inorganic fertilizer use containing nitrogen
- Deforestation causes nitrogen in soil to escape as nitrogen gas
The four main causes of environmental problems are?
Population growth, unsustainable resource, poverty, excluding environmental costs from market prices
Define law of conservation of matter.
When matter undergoes chemical/physical change, no atoms are created or destroyed.
What does NPP stand for and what is its definition?
Net primary productivity - Rate at which producers use photosynthesis to produce chemical energy minus how much they use for aerobic respiration (How much is left for consumers)
Name four ways humans are causing surplus of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Deforestation, forest fires, transportation, factories (fossil fuel burning)
More developed countries have _____ of the world's population and uses _____ of all resources on Earth.
19%; 88%
Define positive and negative feedback loop. Give one example of each pertaining to the environment.
Answers will vary.
Indicate the nitrogen, oxygen, and greenhouse gas percentages in the troposphere. Then give two examples of greenhouse gases.
78%; 21%; 1%
Greenhouse gases: Water vapor, CO2, CH4, NOx, ozone)
State the path of nitrogen through the nitrogen cycle starting from the atmosphere including all ions involved.
N2 gas --> nitrogen fixing bacteria produces ammonia (NH3) + ammonification by decomposers producing ammonium (NH4+) --> nitrifying bacteria produces nitrate (NO3) --> nitrogen fixing bacteria converts nitrate (NO3) back into N2 gas