Increases in Greenhouse Gases - AP Environmental Science
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Which international agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Which international agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
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Paris Agreement. International treaty commits countries to limit global warming to below 2°C.
Paris Agreement. International treaty commits countries to limit global warming to below 2°C.
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Identify a technological solution to capture and store $CO_2$ emissions.
Identify a technological solution to capture and store $CO_2$ emissions.
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Carbon capture and storage. Technology captures $CO_2$ from emissions sources and stores it underground.
Carbon capture and storage. Technology captures $CO_2$ from emissions sources and stores it underground.
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Identify the greenhouse gas released from the burning of coal.
Identify the greenhouse gas released from the burning of coal.
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Coal combustion releases stored carbon as $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Coal combustion releases stored carbon as $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.
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What is the chemical formula for methane?
What is the chemical formula for methane?
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$CH_4$. Methane contains one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
$CH_4$. Methane contains one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
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What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?
What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?
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Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.
Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.
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What is the effect of increasing greenhouse gases on ocean pH levels?
What is the effect of increasing greenhouse gases on ocean pH levels?
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Ocean acidification. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering pH.
Ocean acidification. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering pH.
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Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.
Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.
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Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.
Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.
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What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?
What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?
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Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.
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What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?
What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?
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Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.
Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.
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Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.
Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.
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Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.
Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.
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Identify a natural source of methane emissions.
Identify a natural source of methane emissions.
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Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.
Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.
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Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.
Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.
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Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.
Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.
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What is the effect of $CO_2$ on ocean acidity?
What is the effect of $CO_2$ on ocean acidity?
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Increases ocean acidity. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, making oceans more acidic over time.
Increases ocean acidity. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, making oceans more acidic over time.
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What term describes the trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases?
What term describes the trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases?
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Greenhouse effect. Natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat to warm Earth's surface.
Greenhouse effect. Natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat to warm Earth's surface.
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Which greenhouse gas results from both natural and human sources like wetlands and fossil fuel extraction?
Which greenhouse gas results from both natural and human sources like wetlands and fossil fuel extraction?
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Methane ($CH_4$). Wetlands produce methane naturally; humans add more through agriculture and energy.
Methane ($CH_4$). Wetlands produce methane naturally; humans add more through agriculture and energy.
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State the effect of increased greenhouse gases on weather patterns.
State the effect of increased greenhouse gases on weather patterns.
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More extreme weather events. Higher temperatures intensify storms, droughts, and precipitation patterns.
More extreme weather events. Higher temperatures intensify storms, droughts, and precipitation patterns.
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Which sector is a major contributor to $CO_2$ emissions?
Which sector is a major contributor to $CO_2$ emissions?
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Transportation. Cars, trucks, ships, and planes burn fossil fuels, releasing substantial $CO_2$.
Transportation. Cars, trucks, ships, and planes burn fossil fuels, releasing substantial $CO_2$.
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Which human activity is the largest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide?
Which human activity is the largest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide?
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Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases the most anthropogenic $CO_2$ annually.
Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases the most anthropogenic $CO_2$ annually.
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Identify a natural source of methane emissions.
Identify a natural source of methane emissions.
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Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.
Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.
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What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere?
What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere?
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Water vapor. Though $CO_2$ gets more attention, water vapor naturally dominates atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Water vapor. Though $CO_2$ gets more attention, water vapor naturally dominates atmospheric greenhouse gases.
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Identify a major source of methane emissions.
Identify a major source of methane emissions.
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Agriculture (e.g., livestock). Livestock digestion and manure decomposition release significant methane quantities.
Agriculture (e.g., livestock). Livestock digestion and manure decomposition release significant methane quantities.
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Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.
Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.
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Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.
Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.
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What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?
What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?
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Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere.
Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere.
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What is the main anthropogenic source of atmospheric $CO_2$?
What is the main anthropogenic source of atmospheric $CO_2$?
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Fossil fuel combustion. Human burning of fossil fuels dominates global $CO_2$ emissions.
Fossil fuel combustion. Human burning of fossil fuels dominates global $CO_2$ emissions.
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Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with aerosols?
Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with aerosols?
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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs were commonly used as propellants in spray cans and foam products.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs were commonly used as propellants in spray cans and foam products.
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What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?
What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?
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Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.
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Which human activity is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?
Which human activity is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?
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Fertilizer application. Nitrogen fertilizers break down in soil, releasing $N_2O$ through bacterial processes.
Fertilizer application. Nitrogen fertilizers break down in soil, releasing $N_2O$ through bacterial processes.
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Identify the process by which plants convert $CO_2$ and sunlight into energy.
Identify the process by which plants convert $CO_2$ and sunlight into energy.
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Photosynthesis. Plants use $CO_2$, water, and sunlight to create glucose and release oxygen.
Photosynthesis. Plants use $CO_2$, water, and sunlight to create glucose and release oxygen.
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What is the relationship between deforestation and $CO_2$ levels?
What is the relationship between deforestation and $CO_2$ levels?
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Increases $CO_2$ levels. Fewer trees mean less $CO_2$ absorption and more carbon released from soil.
Increases $CO_2$ levels. Fewer trees mean less $CO_2$ absorption and more carbon released from soil.
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Which gas is a significant component of smog and also acts as a greenhouse gas?
Which gas is a significant component of smog and also acts as a greenhouse gas?
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Ozone ($O_3$). Ground-level ozone forms from pollutants and acts as a potent greenhouse gas.
Ozone ($O_3$). Ground-level ozone forms from pollutants and acts as a potent greenhouse gas.
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