GE 15 8-9week Flashcards
(86 cards)
1
Q
What is the atmosphere?
A
The atmosphere is a layer or set of layers of gases surrounding a planet, held in place by the planet’s gravity.
2
Q
What conditions are more likely to retain an atmosphere?
A
An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if the gravity is high and the temperature is low.
3
Q
How is temperature defined?
A
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses hot and cold.
4
Q
What is the source of heat related to temperature?
A
Temperature is the manifestation of thermal energy present in all matter, which is the source of heat when a body is in contact with another that is colder.
5
Q
Define pressure.
A
Pressure is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.
6
Q
What is gauge pressure?
A
Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to the ambient pressure.
7
Q
What is the greenhouse effect?
A
The greenhouse effect is the process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the planet’s surface to a temperature above what it would be without this atmosphere.
8
Q
What are greenhouse gases?
A
Greenhouse gases are gases that absorb and emit radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect on planets.
9
Q
What is climate change?
A
Climate change refers to a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, often specifically referring to the rise in global temperatures from the mid-20th century to the present.
10
Q
Define weather.
A
Weather is the state of the atmosphere that describes how hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy it is.
11
Q
What is climate?
A
Climate is the long-term average of weather, typically averaged over 30 years.
12
Q
What is wastewater?
A
Wastewater is water that has been contaminated by human use, which can include domestic, industrial, commercial, or agricultural activities.
13
Q
Define scarcity.
A
Scarcity is the limited availability of a commodity that is in demand in the market or by the commons, often related to a lack of resources to buy products.
14
Q
What is eutrophication?
A
Eutrophication occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.
15
Q
What is urban runoff?
A
Urban runoff is the surface runoff of precipitation created by urbanization, often causing flooding and water pollution.
16
Q
What is sewage?
A
Sewage is a type of wastewater produced by a community of people.
17
Q
What does environmental law encompass?
A
Environmental law encompasses aspects of the law that protect the environment and includes regulatory regimes related to the management of specific natural resources.
18
Q
What is the troposphere?
A
The troposphere is the layer of air immediately adjacent to the Earth’s surface, where most weather phenomena occur.
19
Q
What is the stratosphere known for?
A
The stratosphere contains ozone, which absorbs UV radiation and helps warm the atmosphere.
20
Q
What is the mesosphere, and what is unique about it?
A
The mesosphere is the layer below the thermosphere, and it has temperatures that decrease with increasing altitude, reaching extremely cold temperatures.
21
Q
What happens in the thermosphere?
A
The thermosphere is a highly ionized region with charged gases, and it is responsible for phenomena like the aurora borealis and aurora australis.
22
Q
What is atmospheric pressure?
A
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area caused by the weight of overlying atmospheric gases on those below, and it decreases with altitude.
23
Q
How does high atmospheric pressure affect weather?
A
High-pressure systems are associated with clear and sunny weather as air descends, warming and causing condensed water drops in clouds to vaporize.
24
Q
What is temperature, and what does it measure?
A
Temperature is a measure of thermal energy, which is the kinetic energy (motion) of atoms and molecules in a substance.
25
How does water vapor content vary in the lower atmosphere?
Water vapor content in the lower atmosphere varies from less than 1% to about 4% by volume, depending on factors like air temperature, pressure, and water vapor availability.
26
Explain the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth by trapping heat from the sun in the atmosphere, making it suitable for life. It's named for its similarity to a greenhouse's glass, which lets in sunlight but traps heat.
27
What causes the greenhouse effect to intensify?
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which intensifies the greenhouse effect.
28
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to the short-term conditions in the atmosphere, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, while climate refers to the long-term average of weather patterns over longer periods, typically decades.
29
How are climates classified?
Climates are primarily classified by latitude (tropical, subtropical, mid-latitudinal, sub-Arctic, Arctic) and also by wetness/dryness (e.g., humid continental, Mediterranean, monsoon, desert, tropical wet-dry).
30
What are the main sources of climate data?
Climate data come from three main sources: the Instrumental Record (measuring climate since 1860), the Historical Record, and the Paleo-Proxy Record (using data like tree rings, sediments, ice cores, and corals to study past climates).
31
How do ice cores provide climate data?
Ice cores contain small bubbles of air that can be analyzed for atmospheric gases, including CO2 and CH4, making them valuable for understanding climate change over the past million years.
32
How do tree rings provide climate data?
Tree-ring patterns, known as dendrochronology, reveal climate variability by reflecting growth conditions. Wider rings indicate favorable conditions, while narrower rings indicate poorer conditions.
33
What do sediments and pollen provide in terms of climate data?
Sediments, including pollen from plants, provide insights into past climates by studying biological material preserved in lake, bog, pond sediments, and ocean deposits.
34
How do corals contribute to climate data?
Corals have skeletons containing isotopes that can be used to determine past water temperatures, offering insights into historical climate variations.
35
What is global warming?
Global warming is the rise in Earth's average temperature caused by the release of greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities like burning fossil fuels.
36
How do rising global temperatures affect ice sheets and glaciers?
Rising global temperatures lead to accelerated melting of ice sheets and glaciers in polar regions, contributing to rising sea levels and increased flooding and erosion.
37
What are the primary human activities contributing to climate change?
The burning of fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, coal) and deforestation are the primary human activities releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and causing global warming.
38
How does climate change impact weather patterns and extreme weather events?
Climate change can lead to unpredictable and more intense weather events, including hurricanes, floods, downpours, and winter storms, making them more frequent and severe.
39
What is emissions trading, and how does it combat climate change?
Emissions trading promotes cost-effective emissions reductions by allowing the buying and selling of emission allowances, encouraging industries to reduce their emissions.
40
How does technology sharing contribute to climate change mitigation?
Technology sharing doubles research investment in clean energy technology and accelerates its spread to developing countries, aiding in emissions reduction.
41
What is the importance of reducing deforestation in combating climate change?
Reducing deforestation is a quick and cost-effective way to lower emissions, as trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
42
How can wealthier countries help combat climate change in poorer nations?
Wealthier countries can honor development assistance pledges to help poorer nations adapt to climate change impacts.
43
What is air pollution, and why is it a significant environmental concern?
Air pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the atmosphere. It is a widespread environmental issue with severe consequences.
44
What are some natural sources of air pollution?
Natural sources include volcanic eruptions, which release ash, acid mists, and toxic gases into the atmosphere.
45
Describe the two major categories of pollution sources.
Stationary sources are fixed, like power plant smokestacks. Mobile sources include vehicles like trucks and buses.
46
What are primary pollutants?
Primary pollutants are emitted directly into the air and include substances like particulates, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.
47
Explain secondary pollutants.
Secondary pollutants are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere, involving primary pollutants and standard atmospheric compounds. Examples include photochemical oxidants and atmospheric acids.
48
What are the six criteria pollutants regulated by the EPA?
The six criteria pollutants are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulates, and lead.
49
Describe the primary source of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Sulfur dioxide primarily comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil.
50
How are nitrogen oxides (NOx) generated, and why are they a concern?
Nitrogen oxides are highly reactive gases formed during high-temperature combustion processes and can contribute to photochemical smog and acid rain.
51
Why is carbon monoxide (CO) considered toxic?
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and extremely toxic to humans and animals. It binds to hemoglobin, inhibiting oxygen transport in the bloodstream.
52
What are ozone and other photochemical oxidants, and how are they formed?
Ozone is a form of oxygen with three atoms, and photochemical oxidants are secondary pollutants formed by interactions between nitrogen dioxide and sunlight.
53
What are particulate matter and its categories?
Particulate matter consists of tiny particles suspended in the air. It is categorized as PM10 (up to 10 micrometers), PM2.5 (2.5 to 0.18 microns), and ultra-fine particles (smaller than 0.18 micrometers).
54
How does lead enter the atmosphere, and what are its environmental impacts?
Lead is emitted into the air, primarily from leaded gasoline, and spreads through exhaust. It poses health risks to humans and ecosystems.
55
What is the significance of water as a resource, and how does it circulate in the environment?
Water is essential and cycles endlessly through the environment, driven by solar energy, resulting in varied water distribution worldwide.
56
What factors control global water deficits and surpluses?
Atmospheric circulation, proximity to water sources, and topography determine global water deficits and surpluses.
57
What are the major compartments where water resides in the environment?
Water resides in oceans, glaciers, groundwater, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and the atmosphere, with varying residence times.
58
: Explain the role of oceans in the Earth's water cycle.
Oceans hold 97% of the Earth's water, regulate temperature, and support diverse ecosystems.
59
What are glaciers, and how do they contribute to freshwater reserves?
Glaciers are slow-moving ice formations that store freshwater, and they contribute to freshwater reserves as they melt.
60
Describe the groundwater system and its components.
Groundwater is freshwater stored beneath the Earth's surface in permeable rock layers called aquifers, with the water table marking the top of the saturated zone.
61
How do rivers, lakes, and wetlands play a crucial role in the hydrologic cycle?
Rivers and lakes store and transport freshwater, while wetlands act as natural filters and flood buffers.
62
What is the significance of the atmosphere in the water cycle?
The atmosphere plays a crucial role in distributing freshwater and replenishing terrestrial reservoirs through processes like evaporation and precipitation.
63
What is water scarcity, and when does it occur?
Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds available amounts or when water quality restricts its use.
64
How does water stress differ from water scarcity?
Water stress occurs when renewable water supplies are insufficient for essential needs, leading to increased competition among users.
65
What are some causes of water stress and scarcity?
Factors include low per capita water supply, periodic droughts, and disruption of natural adaptations to low moisture levels due to human activities.
66
What is the difference between withdrawal and consumption of water?
Withdrawal refers to the total amount of water taken from a source.
Consumption is the portion of withdrawn water that is not returned to the source.
67
Define water pollution and name some common water pollutants.
Water pollution is the degradation of water quality due to harmful substances.
Common water pollutants include heavy metals, sediment, heat, bacteria, nutrients, and chemicals.
68
What does Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measure, and why is it important?
BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they break down organic matter in water.
It's important because low oxygen levels can harm aquatic life.
69
How do fecal coliform bacteria relate to water pollution, and why are they used as indicators?
Fecal coliform bacteria indicate the presence of fecal material and potential water contamination.
They are used as indicators because their presence suggests the possibility of waterborne diseases.
70
What are the main sources of nutrient pollution in water, and what is eutrophication?
Nutrient pollution often comes from agricultural runoff and includes phosphorus and nitrogen.
Eutrophication is the process where excess nutrients lead to harmful algae blooms and oxygen depletion.
71
Explain the primary and secondary treatments in wastewater treatment.
Primary treatment removes large solids and organic matter.
Secondary treatment uses bacteria to further reduce organic pollutants.
72
How does direct water reuse differ from inadvertent water reuse?
Inadvertent reuse occurs when treated water re-enters the environment and is used downstream.
Direct reuse involves using treated wastewater for specific purposes like industrial or agricultural use.
73
What are environmental protection laws, and how do political processes influence environmental policies?
Environmental protection laws govern resource conservation and pollution control.
Political processes shape environmental policies through power struggles among interest groups.
74
What is the definition of laws, and how are they established?
Laws are rules set by authority, society, or custom. Government laws are established by federal, state, or local legislative bodies or administrative agencies.
75
What are the different sources of environmental law?
Environmental law derives from statute law (formal documents or decrees enacted by the government's legislative branch), case law (court decisions), and administrative law (executive orders, administrative rules, and regulations).
76
What were the key outcomes of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio "Earth Summit"?
At the 1992 Earth Summit, three major treaties addressing climate change, biological diversity, and desertification were agreed upon. These treaties aimed to address global environmental challenges.
77
What are some of the global environmental agreements that have been established since the 1972 Stockholm Conference?
Global environmental agreements can be categorized into treaties aimed at protecting the global atmosphere, conserving wildlife and biodiversity, managing the oceans and marine environment, and regulating the global movement of chemicals, wastes, and hazardous substances.
78
Can you provide examples of re
Some examples of global environmental agreements include the Montreal Protocol, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity, and many others. The number of state parties varies for each agreement.
79
What is the most serious environmental challenge of our time, and how has international environmental law addressed it?
Climate change is the most serious environmental challenge. International environmental law, particularly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, aims to address climate change and its impacts.
80
How have international environmental laws contributed to reversing ozone depletion?
The Montreal Protocol, established in response to warnings about ozone depletion, phased out the use of ozone-depleting substances. It has led to a reduction in these substances and a gradual recovery of the ozone layer.
81
What are some global treaties for conserving nature, and what are their goals?
The Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, and the Convention on Migratory Species are key treaties for conserving nature. They aim to conserve biodiversity, regulate international trade in endangered species, and protect the entire life cycle of migratory species, respectively.
82
How does international law regulate the marine environment?
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea sets rules for managing the oceans and coastal areas. Coastal states are responsible for protecting the marine environment within 200 miles of their coasts, while flag states control their ships' activities in the high seas.
83
What are some international treaties that regulate hazardous chemicals and wastes?
International treaties such as the Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent Convention, Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and Minamata Mercury Convention regulate hazardous chemicals and wastes.
84
How have international environmental laws contributed to addressing various environmental issues globally?
International environmental laws have successfully controlled harmful chemicals, aided in the recovery of the ozone layer, and increased populations of important wildlife species through conservation efforts.
85
What are some of the Philippine Environmental Laws and their objectives?
Philippine Environmental Laws include PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement System), Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances, Hazardous, and Nuclear Waste Control Act), Republic Act 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act), Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act), Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act), and Republic Act 9729 (The Philippine Climate Change Act). These laws aim to address various environmental concerns and protect public health.
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