week 10
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Questions and Answers

What effect does increased atmospheric carbon have on ocean pH levels?

  • It has no effect on ocean pH levels.
  • It stabilizes pH levels at a neutral point.
  • It raises pH levels, making the ocean less acidic.
  • It lowers pH levels, making the ocean more acidic. (correct)

How does increased ocean temperature affect ocean currents?

  • It increases the strength of ocean currents.
  • It disrupts the natural pattern of cold water sinking. (correct)
  • It has no significant impact on ocean currents.
  • It enhances the temperature differences between surface and deep water.

Which of the following methods is not a suggested approach for addressing growing levels of atmospheric carbon?

  • Carbon mineralization
  • Reforestation
  • Ocean acidification (correct)
  • Direct air capture

What is the outcome of decreased temperature differences in the ocean?

<p>Disrupted ocean currents. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the method of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) primarily aim to do?

<p>Sequester carbon from the atmosphere. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ecosystem is referred to as a blue carbon ecosystem?

<p>Mangrove forests. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does increased CO2 release have on carbon absorption by the ocean?

<p>It increases carbon absorption. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method focuses on enhancing carbon storage in marine ecosystems?

<p>Coastal blue carbon and seaweed cultivation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in climate change associated with human activity?

<p>Enhanced greenhouse effect (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes positive feedback loops in climate change?

<p>Mechanisms that exacerbate climate change (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sector is likely to contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions?

<p>Educational institutions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the biological carbon cycle in the context of climate change?

<p>It plays a critical role in mitigating carbon emissions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy affecting Earth's energy budget?

<p>Solar radiation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities is essential in reducing atmospheric carbon?

<p>Afforestation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which gas is NOT typically identified as a greenhouse gas?

<p>Oxygen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of increased greenhouse gas emissions?

<p>Increased ocean acidity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of melting permafrost in relation to climate change?

<p>Release of stored carbon into the atmosphere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do ocean currents influence carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

<p>Cold water absorbs more CO2 than warm water. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feedback loop involves healthy plants and nutrient-rich soil?

<p>Positive feedback loop (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does deforestation have on atmospheric carbon levels?

<p>Increases atmospheric carbon levels (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the albedo effect in the context of climate change?

<p>The reflectiveness of Earth's surface (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the ocean's role in carbon exchange?

<p>Photosynthetic organisms contribute to both absorption and release of CO2. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact could climate change have on global agriculture within the next decade?

<p>Negative impact due to changing weather patterns (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do abundant bacteria play in the carbon cycle as described?

<p>They decompose organic matter, enriching the soil. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Carbon Cycle

The continuous exchange of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

The intensified greenhouse effect caused by human activities, leading to global warming.

Positive Feedback Loops

Processes where a change in one factor causes a further change in the same direction.

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Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

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Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect

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Biological Carbon Cycle

The cycling of Carbon through living organisms between atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

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Carbon Emissions by Sector

Tracking the different sources of carbon emissions on earth (e.g., industry, transportation, agriculture).

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Ocean Acidification

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean, lowering its pH and making it more acidic. This disrupts marine ecosystems, especially organisms with shells or skeletons.

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Disrupted Ocean Currents

Warmer ocean temperatures disrupt the natural circulation of ocean currents, as the difference in temperature between surface and deep water decreases. This can affect nutrient distribution and climate patterns.

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BECCS: Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage

A technology that combines burning biomass for energy with capturing and storing the released carbon dioxide underground, aiming to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

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Direct Air Capture

A technology that directly removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using specialized filters and chemical processes.

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Carbon Mineralization

A process that converts carbon dioxide into stable, solid forms like minerals, effectively locking it away for thousands of years.

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Coastal Blue Carbon

The carbon stored in coastal ecosystems like mangroves, seagrass, and salt marshes. They act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon.

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Seaweed Cultivation

Growing seaweed for various purposes, including food, biofuel, and carbon sequestration. Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

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Reforestation

Planting trees to restore forests and increase carbon absorption. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

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What is the impact of CFCs on the atmosphere?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

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What is reduced albedo effect?

Reduced albedo means less sunlight is reflected back into space, leading to more heat absorption by the Earth's surface. This contributes to warming.

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How does melting permafrost affect climate?

Melting permafrost releases large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

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Explain the positive feedback loop of warming wetland peat.

Warming wetlands accelerate the decomposition of peat, releasing more greenhouse gases and contributing to further warming, creating a vicious cycle.

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How does the ocean absorb carbon?

The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through various processes, including photosynthesis by marine organisms and physical absorption.

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What is the impact of ocean currents on carbon absorption?

Ocean currents play a crucial role in transporting heat and carbon around the globe. Cold water absorbs more CO2 than warm water, influencing the carbon cycle.

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What is the role of wind patterns in ocean currents?

Wind patterns drive surface ocean currents, creating upwelling and downwelling, which affect the distribution of nutrients and carbon in the ocean.

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How can deforestation contribute to increased atmospheric carbon?

Deforestation reduces the amount of trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This leads to more carbon remaining in the atmosphere, contributing to warming.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course title: SC253: Ecology and Environmental Problems
  • Date of lecture: November 4, 2024
  • Instructor: Amy L. Frick

Agenda

  • Lecture topic: Carbon cycle, greenhouse effect, positive feedback loops contributing to climate change
  • Group Activity: Methods to reduce atmospheric carbon

Housekeeping

  • Panel presentation: Students will present on November 18th or 25th. Randomly assigned topics.
  • Peer review: Students who are not presenting will review a classmate's presentation.
  • No-show policy: Missing a presentation results in a zero and no makeup opportunity
  • Optional extra credit: An extra credit assignment is available through Brightspace on HumanProgress.org commentary.

Schedule

  • October 28: Evolution, biological magnification, mesocyclops
  • November 4: Carbon, climate change
  • November 11: Water, nitrogen
  • November 18: Presentations - Day 1
  • November 25: Presentations - Day 2
  • December 2: Final exam
  • December 9: Last day to submit late assignments

Climate Change

  • Readings: "New York Times - climate change" article and MIT's Climate Primer

Global Average Temperature

  • Graph showing global average temperature compared to the middle of the 20th century, depicting warming trends since 1880.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

  • Graph showing carbon dioxide emissions worldwide from 1850-2017, highlighting contributions from various sectors and countries.

Earth's Energy Budget

  • Diagram illustrating incoming solar radiation, reflected radiation, absorbed radiation, and outgoing radiation, highlighting the role of greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Effect (Natural)

  • Diagram illustrating the natural greenhouse effect with the amount of solar radiation reflected and re-radiated back to space.

Greenhouse Effect (Enhanced)

  • Diagram showing the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Pie chart highlighting the percentages of various greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (by sector)

  • Circular graph showing the relative contributions of various sectors (agriculture, forestry & land use, energy, industry, and transport) to global greenhouse gas emissions in 2016.

The Biological Carbon Cycle

  • Diagram illustrating the carbon cycle, showing photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and fossil fuel combustion as key processes.

How Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Affect the Atmosphere

  • Diagram explaining how CFCs deplete the ozone layer, allowing harmful UV radiation to reach Earth's surface.

Climate Change Risks to Humans

  • Set of maps showing enhanced human risk to heat stress from higher temperatures for different global regions

Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture

  • Set of maps depicting predicted yield changes for barley, corn, cotton, rice, soybeans, and wheat in the US.

Climate Change = Positive Feedback Loops

  • Diagram for a positive feedback loop illustrating healthy, abundant plant growth, lots of organic matter, and abundant bacteria.

Climate Change = Positive Feedback Loops (Vanishing Arctic Ice, Warming Peat, Melting Permafrost)

  • Diagrams explaining how the loss of arctic ice, peat and permafrost are all positive feedback loops, leading to accelerated climate change.

Reduced Albedo Effect

  • Diagram illustrating the reduced albedo effect as ice melts (replacing reflective ice with darker ocean water) and contributing to rising temperatures

Melting Permafrost

  • Diagrams illustrating the impact of melting permafrost on the environment and climate change

Warming Wetland Peat

  • Diagrams illustrating the warming wetland peat and the release of GHGs

Melting Permafrost & Warming Wetland Peat - Positive Feedback Loop

  • Diagram illustrating the feedback loop between melting permafrost, warming wetland bogs, and atmospheric increases of CO2

Climate Change = Positive Feedback Loops (Amazon Rainforest Die-Off, Ocean Sink, Subsea Floor Methane Hydrate)

  • Diagrams illustrating the impact of amazon rainforest die-off, reduced ocean carbon uptake, and rising methane levels on climate change.

Amazon Rainforest Die-Off

  • Diagrams illustrating the effects of rainforest die-off on the Amazon, particularly rainfall, fires, CO2 emission, and ocean carbon uptake

Deforestation -> Increased Atmospheric Carbon

  • Diagram illustrating the relationship between deforestation, organic soil decomposition, and increased atmospheric carbon.

Ocean Currents

  • Description & diagram of ocean currents (surface and deep currents) role in carbon uptake and transport.

Ocean Carbon Uptake

  • Diagram showing the interplay of solubility, mixed layer dynamics, upwelling, and biological factors affecting ocean carbon uptake.

Ocean Acidification

  • Diagram explaining the process of ocean acidification, highlighting the role of CO2 absorption and the impact on carbonate ions.

Methods of Addressing Growing levels of Atmospheric Carbon

  • List of methods, including bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture, carbon mineralization, coastal blue carbon and seaweed cultivation, and reforestation

Group Activity Instructions

  • Instructions for a group activity on addressing growing levels of atmospheric carbon (three parts: describe, create a slide, upload slide).

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)

  • Diagram explaining the principle of BECCS, showing the use of biomass for energy production with carbon capture.

Direct Air Capture

  • Diagram explaining the principle of direct air capture, showing capture of CO2 from the atmosphere

Carbon Mineralization

  • Diagram explaining the principle of carbon mineralization, showing the reaction of olivine minerals with CO2

Blue Carbon and Seaweed Cultivation

  • Diagram showing how kelp and other seaweed can capture CO2 and sequester it in deep ocean sediments

Reforestation

  • Diagram illustrating the importance of reforestation for carbon sequestration

Housekeeping (Recap)

  • Reminder of panel presentation, peer review, and no-show policy.
  • Reminder of optional extra credit assignment.
  • Web links provided for additional information on topics discussed: Human Progress, Inside the Megafire, Climate feedback loops, Achieving net zero.

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