Ozone Depletion and CFCs Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are the principal greenhouse gases?

Arsenic, Ammonia, and Ethanol

Sulfur dioxide, Ozone, and Carbon monoxide

Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen

Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous oxide (correct)

What is an HCFC and why is it considered a suitable replacement for a CFC?

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons that are harmless to all living organisms

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons used exclusively in refrigeration

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons with a lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs (correct)

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons that have no ozone depletion potential

How does ocean warming lead to coral bleaching?

Higher temperatures disrupt the symbiotic relationship between corals and algae (correct)

Increased salinity kills coral polyps directly

Increased sedimentation blocks sunlight to corals

Ocean warming causes more frequent storms that damage coral reefs

What gases are noted for having the highest global warming potential?

Sulfur hexafluoride and Perfluorocarbons Signup and view all the answers

What effect does increased exposure to UV light have on humans?

It may lead to skin cancer and immune system suppression Signup and view all the answers

Why is ocean acidification harmful to organisms that have shells?

It reduces carbonate ions needed for shell formation Signup and view all the answers

What human activities contribute to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an invasive species?

A non-native species that spreads widely and causes ecological harm Signup and view all the answers

What are some intrinsic characteristics of endangered species that impede their recovery in changed environments?

Specialized habitat requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential violation when importing rare tropical hardwood?

The Clean Water Act Signup and view all the answers

Which method is commonly used to protect endangered species?

Habitat restoration Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'H' in HIPPCO stand for, concerning human impacts on biodiversity?

Habitat alteration Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to habitat fragmentation?

Wildlife corridors Signup and view all the answers

Why is the California condor recovery program still not considered successful despite the current population?

High mortality rates in the wild Signup and view all the answers

What are two important characteristics of endangered species that slow their recovery?

Long lifespan and low reproductive rate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arguments is NOT typically made in favor of protecting endangered species?

Economic exploitation of habitats Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

They trap heat released by the Earth, preventing it from escaping. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic that typically slows the recovery of endangered species?

Specific habitat requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fossil fuels is a solid form?

Coal Signup and view all the answers

What is one major human activity that can lead to species becoming endangered?

Habitat destruction Signup and view all the answers

How is methane primarily produced?

Through natural decay of organic matter. Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is considered the most abundant?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'C' in HIPPCO stand for regarding human impacts on biodiversity?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when excessive greenhouse gases accumulate and lead to an increase in Earth's temperature?

Global Warming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following endangered species is considered a success story in conservation efforts?

American whooping crane Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes habitat fragmentation?

It divides habitats into smaller, isolated patches. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a greenhouse gas?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential human health impacts of ozone found near the surface of the Earth?

Health problems by acting as a pollutant Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible economic argument against protecting endangered species?

It may cost considerable funds without immediate benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the temperature of the Earth when greenhouse gases are trapped in the atmosphere?

The temperature gradually warms. Signup and view all the answers

Which law or regulation may be violated when a company imports rare tropical hardwood?

Endangered Species Act Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an intrinsic characteristic that makes some endangered species vulnerable?

Limited reproductive strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is the molecular formula for ozone?

O3 Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issue is primarily caused by the depletion of stratospheric ozone?

Increased UV radiation exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the greenhouse effect?

It allows solar radiation to enter but traps some heat. Signup and view all the answers

Increased temperatures due to global climate change can lead to which of the following problems?

Reduced biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

How does increased ocean temperature contribute to changes in marine species?

It can disrupt the reproductive processes of marine organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of melting permafrost due to global warming?

It leads to increased methane emissions into the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes albedo?

The measure of reflectivity of a surface. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere play in ocean acidification?

It decreases pH levels in ocean water. Signup and view all the answers

What does adaptation refer to in the context of climate change?

Human actions that respond to climate change to minimize its effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes mitigation in the context of climate change?

Implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is an individual's carbon footprint primarily composed of?

Both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a renewable resource?

Fossil fuels. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a period of unusually dry weather that impacts water supplies?

Drought. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an invasive species?

An organism introduced to a new environment causing ecological harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pollutant?

A substance that contaminates the air or water. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is a trigger for an asthma attack?

Air pollution and allergens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes climate from weather?

Climate is the average atmospheric conditions over a long period. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor contributing to climate change?

Fossil fuel combustion and greenhouse gas emissions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines an ecosystem?

A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of Earth's atmosphere?

Nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a change in climate over an extended period?

Climate change. Signup and view all the answers

How do fossil fuels contribute to global climate change?

Their combustion leads to the release of carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

What role does habitat play in the life of an organism?

It serves as the environment where organisms live and interact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of biodiversity in ecosystems?

It enhances ecosystem resilience and functionality. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we need ozone in the stratosphere?

The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Signup and view all the answers

CFC stands for ____, which are:

chlorofluorocarbons Signup and view all the answers

An HCFC is a suitable replacement for a CFC.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does increased exposure to UV light do to humans and the environment? Select all that apply.

Impaired crop growth Signup and view all the answers

Fossil fuel use releases ______, which causes the greenhouse effect.

carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What are the principal greenhouse gases? Select all that apply.

Water vapor Signup and view all the answers

Which of these gases has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?

Sulfur hexafluoride Signup and view all the answers

How would global climate change lead to more emissions of methane in the atmosphere? Select all that apply.

Increased decomposition of organic matter in wetlands releases methane Signup and view all the answers

Why is ocean acidification harmful to organisms that have shells in the ocean?

Ocean acidification makes it difficult for marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells, such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton, to build and maintain their shells, which are essential for their survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is an invasive species? Why are they harmful?

An invasive species is a non-native organism that has been introduced into a new environment, often by human activities. These species can spread rapidly and cause harm to native species, ecosystems, and human livelihoods. Signup and view all the answers

Compare threatened to endangered to extinct. Select all that apply.

Endangered species are at a very high risk of extinction Signup and view all the answers

Fill in the table with HIPPCO. For each letter, describe what it stands for and give an example.

H = Habitat Loss and Degradation I = Invasive Species P = Population Growth C = Climate Change O = Overexploitation Signup and view all the answers

HCFCs are a suitable replacement for CFCs.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are two effects of increased UV exposure to humans?

Increased risk of skin cancer and cataracts. Signup and view all the answers

What are two effects of increased UV exposure to the environment?

Damage to plant life and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What are the principal greenhouse gases? Why is water not a significant greenhouse gas?

The principal greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Water is not a significant greenhouse gas because it has a short residence time in the atmosphere, meaning it does not stay there long enough to trap significant amounts of heat. Signup and view all the answers

What gas has the highest global warming potential? Which has the lowest?

The gas with the highest global warming potential is sulfur hexafluoride. The gas with the lowest GWP is water. Signup and view all the answers

What is albedo? How will albedo be affected by a change in global temperatures?

Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected back into space by a surface. Surfaces with higher albedo, such as snow and ice, reflect more sunlight than surfaces with low albedo, such as dark forests and asphalt. As global temperatures rise, snow and ice melt, decreasing albedo and further increasing global warming. Signup and view all the answers

How would global climate change lead to more emissions of methane into the atmosphere?

Melting permafrost caused by global climate change releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, exacerbating global warming. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ozone Depletion

Ozone's molecular formula is O₃.
Ozone depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, allowing harmful UV radiation to reach Earth's surface.
Chemical Equations (illustrating ozone destruction): (Note: Specific equations can vary depending on the exact CFCs and steps.)
- CFCs are broken down by UV radiation.
- Cl atoms (from the breakdown of CFCs) react with ozone (O₃) molecules, converting them to oxygen (O₂).
- Free chlorine atoms are regenerated in the reaction cycle.
Stratospheric ozone is crucial as it absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.

CFCs and HCFCs

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are ozone-depleting substances.
HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are substitutes for CFCs, but they also have some ozone-depleting potential, albeit less than CFCs.
HCFCs are not entirely suitable replacements for CFCs because they still contribute to ozone depletion, albeit at a lessened rate.

UV Radiation Exposure Impacts

Humans: Increased UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, decreased visibility (especially with clouds), and weaken the immune system.
Environment: Damage to phytoplankton populations (important in the ocean food web) and disruption of plant growth.

The Greenhouse Effect

Strengthened Statement: Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and other industrial activities release greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, trapping heat, driving the greenhouse effect, and intensifying global warming trends.
Principal Greenhouse Gases: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapor (H₂O), and others. (Note: water vapor's concentration is strongly correlated with temperature, thus significantly impacting the greenhouse effect.)
Why Water Vapor isn't a significant concern: While water vapor is a potent greenhouse gas, its concentration is heavily influenced by temperature. Increased temperature leads to increased evaporation, which in turn, leads to increased water vapor concentrations in the atmosphere. This feedback loop is a critical aspect of the greenhouse effect.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Highest GWP: Methane, some fluorinated gases.
Lowest GWP: Carbon dioxide.

How the Greenhouse Effect Works

Greenhouse gases trap heat radiating from Earth's surface, increasing the average global temperature.
This process is a natural phenomenon that allows for life on Earth, but human activities are intensifying the effect.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trends

Global greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased since the Industrial Revolution, largely due to increased fossil fuel use. The trend is still increasing despite intermittent dips, as depicted in the graph provided in the text.

Global Climate Change Impacts

Melting Permafrost and Rising Sea Levels: Loss of habitat, displacement of people, increased risk of coastal flooding.
Flooding: More frequent and intense extreme weather events (heavy rainfall) and rising sea levels lead to coastal flooding.
Winds: Changes in wind patterns can impact weather patterns, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Oceanic Currents: Ocean currents become destabilized and reconfigured, impacting global weather patterns and marine ecosystems.
Erosion: Increased storm intensity and rising sea levels exacerbate coastal erosion and coastal damage.
Albedo: Albedo (reflectivity of a surface) is influenced by global temperatures: Decreasing ice and snow leads to less reflection of solar radiation, which further warms the planet.
Methane Emissions: Thawing permafrost can release significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbating warming.

Actions to Decrease Global Climate Change Contribution

Reduce energy consumption: Adopt energy-efficient practices, reduce reliance on personal vehicles, favor renewable energy sources, and support sustainable energy policies.
Reduce waste and recycle effectively.
Support policies and technologies promoting sustainable practices.

Ocean Warming Impacts

Coral Bleaching: Warmer waters cause corals to expel the algae living inside them, causing them to turn white and die.
Marine Metabolic and Reproductive Processes: Warmer temperatures can disrupt marine metabolic processes (like photosynthesis and respiration) and alter spawning patterns and other reproductive cycles.

Ocean Acidification

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, lowering the pH of the ocean and impacting marine organisms that use calcium carbonate for shells and skeletons.

Human Contributions to Atmospheric CO₂

Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) is the primary source of increased atmospheric CO₂. Deforestation also plays a substantial role.

Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Organisms

Organisms with calcium carbonate shells, like corals, shellfish, and some plankton, have difficulty building and maintaining their shells in increasingly acidic waters, hampering their survival and reproduction.

Invasive Species

Definition: Invasive species are organisms that are not native to an area and whose introduction can cause harm to the ecosystem.
Why Harmful: They often outcompete native species for resources, prey on them, introduce new diseases, or alter the habitat.
R/K-selection: Invasive species tend to be r-selected species (high reproductive rates with little parental care).
Examples of Invasive Species (Note: Specific species depend on your class material): (Include examples. Note: Include examples directly stated in the text if present)

Endangered Species

Threatened: Species are vulnerable to endangerment.
Endangered: Species are at risk of extinction on the brink of extinction.
Extinct: Species no longer exist.
Examples (US): (Include specifics from source)

Human Activities and Endangered Species

Habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, climate change, and introduction of invasive species all contribute to endangered species issues

Intrinsic Characteristics of Endangered Species

Low reproductive rates, specialized diets, limited geographic ranges, and slow growth rates; all contributing factors to their vulnerability to extinction.

Laws Regulating Import of Endangered Species

Laws to stop the importing and selling of valuable species (like rare tropical hardwood) include the CITES treaty, Lacey Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Protection Methods

Habitat preservation and restoration, captive breeding programs, and legislation to regulate species trade and exploitation; including efforts to mitigate human activities causing endangerment.

Strengthening Weak Statements

"Protecting endangered species like the Giant Panda costs too much and should be stopped" becomes: "Conservation efforts for endangered species such as the Giant Panda require significant resources, but the long-term ecological and economic benefits – including the preservation of biodiversity, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and mitigating risks to human communities – frequently outweigh the short-term costs."

Human Impacts on Biodiversity (HIPPCO)

H: Habitat destruction/fragmentation.
I: Invasive species.
P: Pollution.
P: Population growth.
C: Climate change.
O: Overexploitation.

Habitat Fragmentation Impacts

Habitat fragmentation divides habitats into smaller, isolated patches, reducing available resources and increasing vulnerability to predators or other threats, drastically decreasing biodiversity.

Sample FRQ Analysis: American Whooping Crane and California Condor

Part (a) Causes of decline: (Include specific, detailed causes from the text relating to each species.)
Part (b) Protection measures: (Specific actions from text relating to each species.)
Part (c) Important characteristics slowing recovery: (Specific characteristics from text relating to each species.)
Part (d) Economic/Ecological Arguments for/against protection: (Detailed arguments from text including examples relating to each species.)

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Description

This quiz explores the critical topic of ozone depletion, detailing the mechanisms by which chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere. It emphasizes the importance of stratospheric ozone in protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation and discusses the role of HCFCs as substitutes for CFCs. Test your knowledge on the chemical reactions involved and their implications for environmental protection.