C6.3: Interpreting And Interacting With Earth Systems

Question 1

How does the pollutant Carbon Dioxide contribute in the environment?

Answer 1

Increasing greenhouse effect
Glibal warming and climate change

Question 2

How does the pollutant Carbon Monoxide contribute in the environment?

Answer 2

Toxic gas, colourless and odorless which makes it hard ti detect
Prevents oxygen from binding to haemoglobin in body

Question 3

How does the pollutant Particulates contribute in the environment?

Answer 3

Cause respiratory problems
Global dimming
Lung disease, breathing problems

Question 4

How does the pollutant Sulfur Dioxide contribute in the environment?

Question 5

What are the main gases in the air today?

Answer 5

Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon

Question 6

What did the early composition of the atmosphere contain?

Answer 6

Little or no oxygen
A large amount of carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Small amounts of other gases

Question 7

What did volcanic activity cause to happen in the early atmosphere?

Answer 7

Releeased CO2, nitrogen and water vapour

Question 8

Where did bodies of water come from in the early atmosphere?

Answer 8

Condensation of water vapour

Question 9

Why did carbon dioxide decrease overtime?

Answer 9

Dissolved into water
Carbon locked into rocks

Question 10

What caused for a rise in nitrogen?

Answer 10

Volcanic activity

Question 11

What were the statistical balances of the early atm?

Answer 11

4% water vapour
95% CO2
Traces of nitrogen, ammonia and methane
Average temp above 400 degrees C

Question 12

What were the statistical balances of the current atm?

Answer 12

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
Traces of carbon dioxide, water vapour, ammonia
Average temp 20 degrees C

Question 13

How did oxygen increase in the atmosphere?

Answer 13

Plants made it as a product of respiration

Question 14

Why is sulfur dioxide a pollutant?

Answer 14

Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water in clouds and falls from clouds in acid rain

Question 15

What are the effects of acid rain?

Answer 15

Reacts with metals - weakening and damaging buildings/statues
Damages te waxy layer on the leaves of trees: more difficult for trees to absorb minerals needed for healthy growth
Makes bodies of water too acidic for aquatic life to survive, changes pH of water

Question 16

What do greenhouse gases do?

Answer 16

Absorb energy transferred as infrared radiation from earths ruface
Release infrared radiations in all directions

Question 17

Why is carbon dioxide unhealthy?

Answer 17

Increases greenhouse effect
Contributes to global warming and climate change

Question 18

Why is carbon monoxide unhealthy?

Answer 18

Toxic gas

Question 19

Why is particulates unhealthy?

Answer 19

Cause respiratory problems
Global dimming
Lung disease
Breathing problems

Question 20

What is sulfur dioxide a problem of?

Answer 20

Combustion of fuels

Question 21

Why is nitrogen oxides unhealthy?

Answer 21

Acid rain

Question 22

What are the main greenhouse gases?

Answer 22

Methane
Carbon dioxide
Water vapour

Question 23

What is the sun radiation?

Answer 23

UV

Question 24

What human activities increase the emission of CO2?

Answer 24

Burning fossil fuels, Creates CO2 when burnt
Deforestation, prevents photosynthesis

Question 25

What human activities increase the emission of methane?

Answer 25

Landfill - the microorganisms decaying waste release methane Cows digestive processes release methane

Question 26

What are consequences of climate change?

Answer 26

Melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, increased flooding Damage to coral reefs Changes to animal migration patterns Difficulty growing crops Extreme weather patterns

Question 27

How can we reduce the impact of Climate Change?

Answer 27

Replanting trees Limit cattle farming Use less electricity Promote recycling

Question 28

What is potable water

Answer 28

Water safe to drink

Question 29

What does pure water consist of?

Answer 29

Only one type of substance - water molecules

Question 30

What should potable water have?

Answer 30

Sufficiently low levels of dissolved salts and microbes

Question 31

What may water in lakes/reservoirs or aquifiers contain?

Answer 31

Insoluble materials - leaves, rocks, soil Soluble subtances - salts, pollutants, pesticides, fertilisers

Question 32

What is desalination?

Answer 32

Removing high concentrations of dissolved salts from water

Question 33

What does chlorine do to water?

Answer 33

Kill bacteria but DOES NOT clean

Question 34

What happens in stage 1 in the transformation of water to become potable?

Answer 34

Water passes through a metal screen, removes large objects like leaves/twigs

Question 35

What happens in stage 2 in the transformation of water to become potable?

Answer 35

The water is sat for a long time so all sand and soil particles sink to the bottom, then water is run off from the top

Question 36

What happens in stage 3 in the transformation of water to become potable?

Answer 36

Aluminium sulfate and line added to the water to clump dirt so they sink to the bottom

Question 37

What happens to the sludge formed when making water potable?

Answer 37

Dumped in a landfill site where it forms mud

Question 38

What happens in stage 4 in the transformation of water to become potable?

Answer 38

Water is passed through a filter made of fine sant which removes remaining particles of mud so the water is clear

Question 39

What happens in stage 5 in the transformation of water to become potable?

Answer 39

Water may look clean but may contain harmful bacteria Small amount of chlorine added The pH is checked and made sure it is neutral Pumped into homes/schools/offices etc.