CLIMATE CHANGE
What scientific term describes the overall increase in Earth's average temperature?
A. Albedo Effect
B. Global Warming
C. Stratospheric Cooling
D. Thermal Expansion
B. Global Warming because it is referring to the overall increase in heat cussed by trapped greenhouse gases.
Identify one mitigation strategy and one adaptation strategy related to climate change. Briefly explain how each addresses climate change.
Answer:
Mitigation: Switching to renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptation: Building sea walls helps protect coastal areas from rising sea levels.
1. Which of the following best explains why methane (CH₄) is considered a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
A. Methane is more abundant in the atmosphere
B. Methane absorbs a broader range of infrared radiation
C. Methane remains in the atmosphere longer than CO₂
D. Methane reflects incoming solar radiation more effectively
Answer: B
Methane traps more heat per molecule because it absorbs a wider range of infrared radiation.
1. Which of the following best describes the process of eutrophication?
A. The accumulation of heavy metals in organisms over time
B. The enrichment of a water body with nutrients, leading to excessive plant growth
C. The movement of water through soil and rock layers
D. The evaporation of water from plant leaves
Answer: B
Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus) enter a water body, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
The increase in atmospheric CO₂ since the Industrial Revolution is primarily due to:
A. Increased volcanic activity
B. Ocean outgassing
C. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
D. Decomposition of organic matter
Answer: C
Human activities, especially fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, are the main drivers of rising CO₂ levels.
Which of the following is the most significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in urban air pollution?
A. Volcanic eruptions
B. Automobile exhaust
C. Lightning strikes
D. Ocean emissions
Answer: B
Burning fossil fuels in vehicles is the primary source of NOₓ in cities.
Which feedback loop is associated with the melting of Arctic sea ice?
A. Positive feedback due to decreased albedo
B. Negative feedback due to increased cloud cover
C. Positive feedback due to increased salinity
D. Negative feedback due to ocean cooling
Answer: A
Melting ice reduces albedo, causing more heat absorption and further warming.
What is the main purpose of a buffer zone around a wetland?
A. To increase recreational access
B. To reduce pollution runoff into the wetland
C. To encourage urban development
D. To increase water temperature
Answer: B
Buffer zones filter pollutants and sediments before they enter sensitive wetland ecosystems.
Describe one way that climate change can impact ocean systems, and explain the mechanism behind it.
Climate change can cause ocean acidification. Increased atmospheric CO₂ dissolves into ocean water, forming carbonic acid. This lowers pH and reduces carbonate ions needed by marine organisms like corals.
Which of the following best explains biomagnification?
A. The decrease in toxin concentration at higher trophic levels
B. The increase in organism size over time
C. The increase in toxin concentration at higher trophic levels
D. The breakdown of toxins in the environment
Answer: C
Biomagnification causes toxins to become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.