envrionmental science exam 4

Question 1

freshwater

Answer 1

Only 2.5% of total water present on Earth is freshwater
Of that, most (about 75%) is tied up in glaciers, so not available for human use

Question 2

surface water

Answer 2

Located on Earth’s surface (lakes, ponds, rivers, etc). Only 1% of Earth’s freshwater

Question 3

ground water

Answer 3

Located beneath Earth’s top layers of ground/soil. 1/5th of Earth’s freshwater

Question 4

Tributary:

Answer 4

small rivers flow into a larger one

Question 5

Watershed (Drainage basin):

Answer 5

Area of land where rain and runoff flow into tributaries and major rivers

Question 6

natural environments

Answer 6

where soils are saturated, have shallow waters, and ample vegetation
Provide many ecosystem services like slowing runoff, reducing flooding, recharging aquifers, and filtering pollutants
Many wetlands have been lost or degraded by agriculture and diverting/withdrawing water

Question 7

oceans

Answer 7

Many currents present throughout ocean. Are vast flows of water that move over great distances due to differences in density in layers of water, heating and cooling, wind, and the Coriolis effect (movement of water due to rotation of Earth).

Question 8

up welling

Answer 8

Rising of deep, cold, nutrient dense water towards the surface. Responsible for lots of primary production, because it supplies high amounts of nutrients.

Question 9

downwelling

Answer 9

Warm surface water rich in dissolved gasses brings oxygen to deeper waters and helps bury CO2 in sediments

Question 10

Estuaries:

Answer 10

Where rivers meet oceans and salt and freshwater meet. Biologically productive, especially for sea grasses, shorebirds, and shellfish

Question 11

Salt marshes:

Answer 11

Where tides wash in and become trapped at higher elevation. Habitat for shorebirds, shellfish, grasses, etc and also filter pollution and help protect against storm surges

Question 12

Mangroves:

Answer 12

Near coasts in tropical and subtropical regions (like Florida). Home to many species, protect from storm surges, filter pollutants, and help protect coral reefs by capturing eroded soils

Question 13

Kelp forests:

Answer 13

Large, brown algae. Provide food and shelter for fish and invertebrates. Also absorb wave energy, protecting coasts

Question 14

coral reefs

Answer 14

Mass of calcium carbonate composed of tiny marine animals known as corals. Protect shores and are homes for great biodiversity

Question 15

Corals

Answer 15

are tiny invertebrate animals that attach to rocks and collect passing food with stinging tentacles

Question 16

Zooxanthellae:

Answer 16

Symbiotic algae that live with the corals and produce food through photosynthesis

Question 17

coral bleeching

Answer 17

When zooxanthellae die or abandon coral. Have occurred due to rising temperatures and pollutants

Question 18

ocean Acidification

Answer 18

Ocean absorbing excess CO2 makes it more acidic, which degrades the shells of organisms like coral, snails, and muscles

Question 19

water withdraw

Answer 19

Withdraw 70% more water today for agriculture irrigation compared to 50 years ago. About 15-35% of withdrawals worldwide are unsustainable.

Question 20

Consumptive use:

Answer 20

Withdrawal of water without returning. Largest is agriculture for irrigation

Question 21

noncommutative use

Answer 21

temporarily removes water, but returns it (hydroelectric dam)
Aquifers are also being over-withdrawn. Can create sinkholes as aquifers lose structural integrity underneath the ground

Question 22

bottled water

Answer 22

1000-2000 greater energy
In U.S., 3 out of 4 bottles thrown away, not recycled
30 to 40 billion water bottles, 1.5 tons of plastic waste, created every year
No difference between tap water in taste tests nor chemical tests

Question 23

desalination

Answer 23

Removal of salt from seawater to create freshwater

Question 24

cons

Answer 24

Expensive, uses fossil fuels, kills aquatic life, and generates highly concentrated (salty) wastes
Conserving water through demand-based approaches rather than supply (like desalination), typically more effective in long-term

Question 25

agriculture

Answer 25

Using drip irrigation rather than flooding. More targeted. Drops waste from ~ 60% to 10%

Question 26

household

Answer 26

Installation of low flow faucets, toilets, shower heads, etc. Use native plants instead of watering grasses

Question 27

Industry:

Answer 27

Patching of leaky pipes and recycling wastewater

Question 28

Point source:

Answer 28

Pollution from discrete locations like factories, pipes, oil tanker, etc

Question 29

nonpoint source

Answer 29

Cumulative pollution from multiple inputs from large areas like farms, cities, houses, and lawns. Toxic chemicals: pesticides, petroleum products, and other synthetic chemicals. Pathogens: Disease-causing organisms (viruses, bacteria, protists) can get into drinking water from human or animal wastes. Cause the most widespread health problems

Question 30

nutrient pollution

Answer 30

Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous. Can cause eutrophication, algal blooms, red tide, etc Other pollutants include sediment runoffs, oil pollution (spills), nets and plastic debris (Great Pacific Garbage Patch), and thermal pollution (heated water from power plant)

Question 31

industrial fishing

Answer 31

Employ large vessels with massive nets. Methods include purse seining, driftnetting, longlining, and bottom-trawling

Question 32

Bycatch

Answer 32

Accidental capture of non-target species like whales, sharks, turtles, dolphins, etc More than half of world’s fish populations are fully exploited: Cannot harvest more without depleting About 1/3rd of species are overexploited and being driven towards extinction All seafood species predicted to collapse by 2048 if things do not change

Question 33

climate

Answer 33

Area’s long-term atmospheric conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind, etc) over years, decades, or centuries

Question 34

weather

Answer 34

Atmospheric conditions over hours or days

Question 35

climate change

Answer 35

An array of changes in Earth’s climate, such as temperature, precipitation, and the frequency and intensity of storms

Question 36

global warming

Answer 36

: Is a part of climate change, but they are not the same. Is just the increase in average surface temperature

Question 37

3 Main factors that impact climate:

Answer 37

sun, atmosphere ,oceans

Question 38

greenhouse gas

Answer 38

: atmospheric gasses that tend to have 3 or more molecules in their structure and absorb solar radiation

Question 39

greenhouse effect

Answer 39

The re-emitted solar radiation from greenhouse gasses that travel back down into the lower atmosphere and the earth’s surface

Question 40

Global warming potential (GWP):

Answer 40

Greenhouse gasses relative strength or ability to capture and re-emit solar radiation (heat). Table below shows GWPs over 20 and 100 years.

Question 41

result

Answer 41

we have much more carbon being released with less of it being sequestered and stored

Question 42

radiative forcing

Answer 42

Change in thermal energy a factor causes

Question 43

positive forcing

Answer 43

warms the Earth’s surface

Question 44

negative forcing

Answer 44

Cools the surface Currently, Earth is experiencing slightly positive forcing

Question 45

temperature rise

Answer 45

Average surface temperatures have risen 1.1 degree Celsius over the past century By 2100: Expected to be 1 to 3.7 degrees C (1.8 to 6.7 degrees F) higher than today’s temp.

Question 46

Precipitation

Answer 46

Warmer atmosphere holds and deposits more water. Rainfall has increased by 2% over past century, but greater variation between regions Dry regions expected to have more droughts while wet regions expected to have more flooding

Question 47

extreme weather

Answer 47

Droughts, floods, hurricanes, snow storms, etc becoming more frequent Since 1980: Extreme weather events causing losses have 2x in Europe, 2.5X in Africa, 4x in Asia, and 5x in North America

Question 48

melting ice

Answer 48

Glaciers and polar regions are melting more and more every year Glacier national park: Only 25 of 150 glaciers remain, may be completely gone by 2030

Question 49

positive feedback

Answer 49

Melting ice results in less solar radiation being reflected, more heat being absorbed, and more ice melting. Also, melting of ice and permafrost underneath can release large amounts of methane (a potent GHG), which will contribute to further heat absorption, and further melting of ice

Question 50

rising sea levels

Answer 50

As ice melts, sea levels rise Many island nations at risk of going under. Drinking supplies are contaminated, beaches are eroding, coral reefs are being damaged, people are evacuating

Question 51

ocean acidification

Answer 51

Oceans are absorbing excess CO2 and this is causing the water to become more acidic Calcium carbonate ions become less abundant as they dissolve in more acidic conditions, impacting corals, crabs, mussels, etc who rely upon carbonate ions

Question 52

impacts to the ecosystems and wildlife

Answer 52

Changes in seasonal variations impact things like spring blooms, insect cycles, and bird migrations Plants and animals also may have to move in order to adapt to changing climate. May not be able to adjust quickly enough or may run out of room and ability to do so

Question 53

crop damages

Answer 53

Intensified droughts and floods, along with spread of pests and diseases can reduce yields over time

Question 54

Mitigation:

Answer 54

Actions that reduce climate change Reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency, more renewable energies, restoring forests, shifting diets to more plant-based

Question 55

adaption

Answer 55

Actions that respond to impacts of climate change Installing pump systems for flooding, erecting seawalls, changing water management to better deal with droughts

Question 56

transportation

Answer 56

Drive less, use more efficient vehicle, and/or take public transportation like buses, trains, trolleys, etc

Question 57

save energy

Answer 57

Use more energy efficient appliances, LED lightbulbs, switch to renewable energy like solar

Question 58

food

Answer 58

Eating more plant-based (vegetarian or vegan) reduces myriad of impacts associated with animal agriculture Eating local and reducing food waste also help greatly Cut back on consumption and waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle

Question 59

carbon pricing

Answer 59

Incentivizes reduction of carbon emissions through financial benefits. Intended to compensate the public for external costs.

Question 60

carbon tax

Answer 60

(a type of green tax): Discourages carbon emissions by making companies pay a fee per amount emitted

Question 61

free and divided

Answer 61

Funds government receives from taxing polluters goes back to taxpayers as tax cut or refund. Helps consumers if costs get passed onto them from polluter companies

Question 62

carbon trading

Answer 62

Permits to emit GHGs are created by governments and then purchased and traded between polluter companies

Question 63

Municipal solid waste:

Answer 63

nonliquid wastes from homes, institutions, and small businesses

Question 64

industrial solid waste

Answer 64

Wastes from production of goods, mining, agriculture, petroleum extraction, etc

Question 65

hazardous waste

Answer 65

solid or liquid waste that is toxic, chemically reactive, flammable, or corrosive

Question 66

Three main components of waste management:

Answer 66

Minimizing waste generated Recovering and recycling waste material Disposing of waste safely and effectively

Question 67

since 1960s

Answer 67

In the U.S., waste generation has nearly tripled. Per capita, wastes have risen by 66% U.S. has appropriately been named the “Throwaway Society” due to our mass amounts of waste (~4.4 lbs of trash per person per day) Have improved some in recent years, mainly by removing recoverable and recyclable materials from waste

Question 68

Best strategies for minimizing wastes, in order from most to least effective, are as follows

Answer 68

Reduce: Preventing wastes from entering the waste stream in the first place. Avoids costs of disposal and recycling, conserves resources, minimizes pollution and can save money Reuse: Saving or repurposing items, or substituting disposable items with durable ones Examples: Using reusable water bottles or shopping bags Recycle: Breaking down wastes into materials that can be used to create new items 3 steps: Collect, sort and process Manufacture into new goods Consumers buy labeled recycled products

Question 69

industrial ecology

Answer 69

Seeks to redesign industrial systems in order to minimize inputs and waste. To make more efficient and more of a circular, rather than linear, system

Question 70

cradle to cradle

Answer 70

rather than cradle-to-grave approach Example: Used plastic containers turned into furniture rather than ending up in landfill

Question 71

life cycle analysis

Answer 71

Analysis of a product’s lifespan, specifically the resources extracted and utilized in its creation, and the environmental impacts associated with the products use and disposal. Can be used to increase efficiency and reduce impacts

Question 72

household

Answer 72

Paints, batteries, oils, solvents, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, etc Electronic Waste (e-waste): Wastes consisting of technologies like computers, phones, tablets, game systems, televisions, etc. Fastest growing type of waste. Every year, over 3 million devices get thrown away in the U.S. alone, with 2/3 of them still in working order. Can release heavy metals when placed in landfills Watch video below for test:

Question 73

contributes to climate change

Answer 73

Most food is wrapped in plastic or is in trash bags, not allowing for proper decomposition, resulting in mass amounts of methane (potent GHG) being produced

Question 74

sprawl

Answer 74

Spread of low density development outward from urban center Takes much more land per capita due to lower density

Question 75

environmental impact of sprawl

Answer 75

Transportation: Typically requires vehicle and more driving, more emissions and pollution. More inefficient than public transport Health: Less walking as people drive more out of necessity and habit Land use: More land is developed due to less density and greater expansion per capita. Less room for forests and natural areas Economic: Drains tax dollars as more money has to be spent on more roads, water and power lines, etc along with maintenance

Question 76

zoning

Answer 76

Classifying areas for different types of development Example: Keeping residential, recreational, and businesses like restaurants near one another while keeping industry in another area

Question 77

Urban growth boundaries

Answer 77

Seek to limit sprawl by revitalizing downtown areas, making the city more walkable and livable, and preserving parks and recreational areas for citizens

Question 78

Gentrification:

Answer 78

Downside of improving cities, where those of lower incomes can no longer afford to remain as city attracts wealthier people and becomes to expensive to live in.

Question 79

traffic jams

Answer 79

Cost estimated $74 billion annually in fuel and lost productivity Alleviate by providing multiple public transport options like more friendly biking lanes and racks, along with trains, buses, subways, etc Public transport, compared to cars is: Cheaper More efficient Less polluting

Question 80

green space

Answer 80

Provide scenic beauty, stress relief, and recreational areas to city residents Also help purify air and water, regulate the local climate, and provide small sanctuaries for wildlife Also alleviate urban heat islands: Surfaces in cities like pavement and buildings capture and re-emit heat. Minimal vegetation and water bodies create loss of natural climate regulating effects

Question 81

green building

Answer 81

Built from more sustainable materials, limit their energy and water use, limit pollution and wastes, and improve health impacts on occupants Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Certification program for green and sustainable buildings

Question 82

sustainable city

Answer 82

View and treat the city more like an ecological system. Minimize environmental impacts like pollution, GHGs, and waste as much as possible Living in more highly-dense areas combined with smarter urban planning and sustainable design can reduce pollution, conserve land, and promote healthier, more attractive, and more enjoyable spaces