D4.3 Climate change

Question 1

Greenhouse gases

Answer 1

Natural process where certain gases trap heat and warms the planet

Question 2

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 2

Warming of earth’s surface due to increase in concentration of greenhouse gases

Question 3

Steps of greenhouse effect

Answer 3

1. Short wave radiation (UV) passes through atmosphere, warms the surface
2. Heat energy is radiated into atmosphere, most heat lost to space
3. Some heat energy absorbed by molecules of greenhouse gases in atmosphere, then re-emitted
4. Re-emitted heat energy warms the atmosphere and surface

Question 4

Positive feedback cycle

Answer 4

A cycle where the product of a reaction leads to increase in that reaction

Question 5

Release of CO2 from deep ocean

Answer 5

Marine organisms die -> sink to benthic zone -> broken down by decomposers -> release of CO2
Ocean surface warms -> more phytoplankton -> more food -> up biomass -> more dead matter

Question 6

Increase in absorption of solar radiation

Answer 6

Increasing temp -> melting snow -> more dark surface -> higher absorption of light -> increasing temp

Question 7

Albedo

Answer 7

Ability of surface to reflect light

Question 8

Accelerating rates of decomposition in permafrost

Answer 8

Higher temp -> higher rates of decomposition -> higher CO2

Question 9

Peat bog

Answer 9

Stores of partially decomposed organic material

Question 10

Release of methane from melting permafrost

Answer 10

Higher temp -> permafrost melt -> decomposition -> higher methane

Question 11

Permafrost

Answer 11

Ground that remains frozen year round

Question 12

Increase in droughts and fires

Answer 12

Higher temp -> lower rainfall -> drier areas, more fires -> release of CO2 -> loss of vegetation -> lower photosynthesis -> higher CO2

Question 13

Boreal forest net carbon accumulation to net loss

Answer 13

Higher temp -> shorter winter -> lower snowfall -> less snowmelt -> less water available -> conifers turn brown and fall off -> fuel for fires

Question 14

Legacy carbon combustion

Answer 14

Large amounts of ancient carbon burns and releases CO2 into atmosphere

Question 15

Carbon sink

Answer 15

More carbon absorbed than released

Question 16

Carbon source

Answer 16

More carbon released than absorbed

Question 17

Land fast sea ice

Answer 17

Ice fastened to the shore and does not move

Question 18

Nutrient upwelling

Answer 18

Natural process where current bring deep water to surface

Question 19

Range migration

Answer 19

Higher global temperatures and shorter winters allowing tree population to spread towards the poles

Question 20

Carbon sequestration

Answer 20

Capture and storage of carbon

Question 21

Coral reef feedback cycle

Answer 21

Higher CO2 -> ocean acidification -> suppression of calcification in corals
Higher water temp -> coral bleaching

Question 22

Forest regeneration

Answer 22

Replanting trees

Question 23

Afforestation

Answer 23

Planting trees where no forests previously were

Question 24

Phenology

Answer 24

Study of timing of periodical events in biology

Question 25

Photoperiod

Answer 25

Period of time in a day that an organism is exposed to light