Question 1

Coastal marshes contribute little to no methane to the atmosphere due to high levels of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Nitrogen 
B)  Carbon 
C)  Sulfate 
D)  None of the above 
A)  Nitrogen 
B)  Carbon 
C)  Sulfate 
D)  None of the above

Question 2

Which of the following are natural sources of methane?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oceans 
B)  Wetlands and lakes 
C)  Ancient geological formations 
D)  Bacteria that oxidize organic carbon to carbon dioxide 
A)  Oceans 
B)  Wetlands and lakes 
C)  Ancient geological formations 
D)  Bacteria that oxidize organic carbon to carbon dioxide

Question 3

In recent years (1993-2013)the global rate of increase in carbon dioxide concentrations has leveled off.True or False

Accepted Answer

A)  True 
B)  False 
A)  True 
B)  False

Question 4

Methane produced in the late 20th and early 21st centuries is distinguishable from ancient sources of methane by using _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Molecular markers to detect SNPs from ancient microorganisms 
B)  An Isotope that is associated with radiation that has a half life of more than 5,000 years 
C)  Testing remains of decaying animals 
D)  None of the above 
A)  Molecular markers to detect SNPs from ancient microorganisms 
B)  An Isotope that is associated with radiation that has a half life of more than 5,000 years 
C)  Testing remains of decaying animals 
D)  None of the above

Question 5

As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased,the higher concentration should increase the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the oceans.However,there is a reduced net rate of carbon dioxide uptake by oceans.Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  This is due to supersaturation of the oceans and the inability of any more carbon dioxide to be assimilated. 
B)  This is due to decreased atmospheric temperatures that decrease the solubility of carbon dioxide. 
C)  This is the result of increased atmospheric temperatures that increase the solubility of carbon dioxide. 
D)  The reduced net rate of carbon dioxide uptake is due to increased surface ocean temperatures that lower the solubility of carbon dioxide. 
A)  This is due to supersaturation of the oceans and the inability of any more carbon dioxide to be assimilated. 
B)  This is due to decreased atmospheric temperatures that decrease the solubility of carbon dioxide. 
C)  This is the result of increased atmospheric temperatures that increase the solubility of carbon dioxide. 
D)  The reduced net rate of carbon dioxide uptake is due to increased surface ocean temperatures that lower the solubility of carbon dioxide.

Question 6

One outcome of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is that more carbon dioxide is taken up by the ocean which resulted in?

Accepted Answer

A)  Acidification of the ocean and a disruption of organisms with carbonate shells 
B)  An increase in ocean pH that could result in a crash of fish populations 
C)  The collapse of the life surrounding deep sea vents 
D)  An absence of available carbon dioxide for terrestrial systems 
A)  Acidification of the ocean and a disruption of organisms with carbonate shells 
B)  An increase in ocean pH that could result in a crash of fish populations 
C)  The collapse of the life surrounding deep sea vents 
D)  An absence of available carbon dioxide for terrestrial systems

Question 7

What action by humans has most accelerated the phosphorus cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Using cleaning agents that contain phosphorus compounds 
B)  Clear cutting forests 
C)  Mining phosphorus for fertilizer 
D)  Ocean acidification that has increased the proportion of phosphorus bound to sediments 
A)  Using cleaning agents that contain phosphorus compounds 
B)  Clear cutting forests 
C)  Mining phosphorus for fertilizer 
D)  Ocean acidification that has increased the proportion of phosphorus bound to sediments

Question 8

How is it possible for scientists to know how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientists actually do not know how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans. There are only crude estimates based off of models. 
B)  Scientists use ice cores to estimate how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans. 
C)  Scientists track this by using carbon in decayed and fossilized organisms from the deep sea. 
D)  Scientists can estimate how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by oceans with moderate precision because radioactive carbon dioxide from nuclear bombs can be tracked. 
A)  Scientists actually do not know how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans. There are only crude estimates based off of models. 
B)  Scientists use ice cores to estimate how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans. 
C)  Scientists track this by using carbon in decayed and fossilized organisms from the deep sea. 
D)  Scientists can estimate how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by oceans with moderate precision because radioactive carbon dioxide from nuclear bombs can be tracked.

Question 9

The sulfur cycle is important for many reasons,including ecological processes.Sulfate is critical to the decomposition process.Why else is the sulfur cycle so critical to life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are no other reasons 
B)  Because sulfate is an essential component of several amino acids 
C)  Because sulfur is always limiting to primary productivity 
D)  Sulfur gases are essential to global atmosphere 
A)  There are no other reasons 
B)  Because sulfate is an essential component of several amino acids 
C)  Because sulfur is always limiting to primary productivity 
D)  Sulfur gases are essential to global atmosphere

Question 10

While some carbon accumulates in the atmosphere the rest is taken up by

Accepted Answer

A)  Oceans 
B)  Oceans and terrestrial systems 
C)  Terrestrial systems 
D)  Frozen tundra 
A)  Oceans 
B)  Oceans and terrestrial systems 
C)  Terrestrial systems 
D)  Frozen tundra

Question 11

Which factors most influence the sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A)  The nitrogen cycle being altered by human activities 
B)  The phosphorus cycle being altered by animals 
C)  The increased frequency of fires in the tundra biome 
D)  The loss of biodiversity 
A)  The nitrogen cycle being altered by human activities 
B)  The phosphorus cycle being altered by animals 
C)  The increased frequency of fires in the tundra biome 
D)  The loss of biodiversity

Question 12

Which of the following is a reason why the rate of phosphorus flow through the global environment is approximately three times greater than preindustrial and pre-agricultural revolutions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phosphorus from rock beds 
B)  Decaying plant matter 
C)  Deforestation 
D)  Phosphorus cleaning agents and fertilizer usage 
A)  Phosphorus from rock beds 
B)  Decaying plant matter 
C)  Deforestation 
D)  Phosphorus cleaning agents and fertilizer usage

Question 13

Acid rain that results from sulfur pollution can cause which of the following problems?

Accepted Answer

A)  Eutrophication 
B)  Loss of fish from lakes 
C)  Dieback of forests 
D)  Declines of plant species richness 
A)  Eutrophication 
B)  Loss of fish from lakes 
C)  Dieback of forests 
D)  Declines of plant species richness

Question 14

The use of fertilizer has produced mixed environmental outcomes.Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because it has promoted more crop growth but also an increase in plant diseases 
B)  Because it has promoted more food and less starvation but has also led to aquatic dead zones and amphibian deformities 
C)  Because it has led to less hunger and more biodiverse oceans 
D)  Because it has produced less hunger and fewer human related cancers 
A)  Because it has promoted more crop growth but also an increase in plant diseases 
B)  Because it has promoted more food and less starvation but has also led to aquatic dead zones and amphibian deformities 
C)  Because it has led to less hunger and more biodiverse oceans 
D)  Because it has produced less hunger and fewer human related cancers

Question 15

Which researcher(s)proposed the idea that there are ten planetary life-sustaining biophysical systems that are essential for life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The IPCC 
B)  Svante Arrhenius 
C)  Charles Keeling 
D)  Rockstrom et al. 
A)  The IPCC 
B)  Svante Arrhenius 
C)  Charles Keeling 
D)  Rockstrom et al.

Question 16

Using Figure 12.24,it appears that ________________ has used the most synthetic nitrogen fertilizer between 2001 and 2011?

Accepted Answer

A)  Africa 
B)  East Asia 
C)  Australia 
D)  Latin America 
A)  Africa 
B)  East Asia 
C)  Australia 
D)  Latin America

Question 17

Why does the flux of methane to the atmosphere from coastal marshes drop (relative to freshwater)to near zero?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because salinity and sulfate increase which prevent methane formation 
B)  Because methanogenesis dominates 
C)  Because decrease in salinity is due to the increased concentration of sulfates in sea water 
D)  Because sulfate reduction is the dominant decomposition process in coastal marshes 
A)  Because salinity and sulfate increase which prevent methane formation 
B)  Because methanogenesis dominates 
C)  Because decrease in salinity is due to the increased concentration of sulfates in sea water 
D)  Because sulfate reduction is the dominant decomposition process in coastal marshes

Question 18

The greatest contribution to the total human input of nitrogen per year in is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Fossil fuels burning 
B)  Nitrogen fixation associate with agricultural crops 
C)  Manufacturing of synthetic fertilizer 
D)  Deforestation 
A)  Fossil fuels burning 
B)  Nitrogen fixation associate with agricultural crops 
C)  Manufacturing of synthetic fertilizer 
D)  Deforestation

Question 19

The slowing of the great oceanic conveyor belts and the increased frequency of burn events in the tundra biome are evidence that __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  The world is increasing its risk towards reaching some tipping point in the global climate system 
B)  The flux of methane has decreased 
C)  Solar radiation is warming the planet 
D)  There is nothing to worry about because these events have happened historically and are a part of Earth's natural climatic fluctuations 
A)  The world is increasing its risk towards reaching some tipping point in the global climate system 
B)  The flux of methane has decreased 
C)  Solar radiation is warming the planet 
D)  There is nothing to worry about because these events have happened historically and are a part of Earth's natural climatic fluctuations

Question 20

Since the late 19th century,which resource has shown the greatest overall increase in consumption?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oil 
B)  Coal 
C)  Nuclear 
D)  Hydro 
A)  Oil 
B)  Coal 
C)  Nuclear 
D)  Hydro

Coastal marshes contribute little to no methane to the atmosphere due to high levels of ________.

Which of the following are natural sources of methane?

In recent years (1993-2013)the global rate of increase in carbon dioxide concentrations has leveled off.True or False

Methane produced in the late 20th and early 21st centuries is distinguishable from ancient sources of methane by using _________.

As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased,the higher concentration should increase the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the oceans.However,there is a reduced net rate of carbon dioxide uptake by oceans.Why?

One outcome of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is that more carbon dioxide is taken up by the ocean which resulted in?

What action by humans has most accelerated the phosphorus cycle?

How is it possible for scientists to know how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans?

The sulfur cycle is important for many reasons,including ecological processes.Sulfate is critical to the decomposition process.Why else is the sulfur cycle so critical to life on Earth?

While some carbon accumulates in the atmosphere the rest is taken up by

Which factors most influence the sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Which of the following is a reason why the rate of phosphorus flow through the global environment is approximately three times greater than preindustrial and pre-agricultural revolutions?

Acid rain that results from sulfur pollution can cause which of the following problems?

The use of fertilizer has produced mixed environmental outcomes.Why?

Which researcher(s)proposed the idea that there are ten planetary life-sustaining biophysical systems that are essential for life on Earth?

Using Figure 12.24,it appears that ________________ has used the most synthetic nitrogen fertilizer between 2001 and 2011?

Why does the flux of methane to the atmosphere from coastal marshes drop (relative to freshwater)to near zero?

The greatest contribution to the total human input of nitrogen per year in is __________.

The slowing of the great oceanic conveyor belts and the increased frequency of burn events in the tundra biome are evidence that __________.

Since the late 19th century,which resource has shown the greatest overall increase in consumption?

Ecology and How to Do It

Ecology’s Evolutionary Backdrop

Physical Conditions and the Availability of Resources

Climate and the World’s Biomes

Birth, Death and Movement

Interspecific Competition

Predation, Grazing and Disease

Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology

From Populations to Communities

Patterns in Species Richness

The Flux of Energy and Matter Through Ecosystems

Conservation Ecology

The Ecology of Human Population Growth, Disease, and Food Supply

Filters

Exam 12: Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Their Alteration by Humans

Coastal marshes contribute little to no methane to the atmosphere due to high levels of ________.

Which of the following are natural sources of methane?

In recent years (1993-2013)the global rate of increase in carbon dioxide concentrations has leveled off.True or False

Methane produced in the late 20th and early 21st centuries is distinguishable from ancient sources of methane by using _________.

As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased,the higher concentration should increase the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the oceans.However,there is a reduced net rate of carbon dioxide uptake by oceans.Why?

One outcome of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is that more carbon dioxide is taken up by the ocean which resulted in?

What action by humans has most accelerated the phosphorus cycle?

How is it possible for scientists to know how much carbon dioxide is assimilated by the oceans?

The sulfur cycle is important for many reasons,including ecological processes.Sulfate is critical to the decomposition process.Why else is the sulfur cycle so critical to life on Earth?

While some carbon accumulates in the atmosphere the rest is taken up by

Which factors most influence the sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Which of the following is a reason why the rate of phosphorus flow through the global environment is approximately three times greater than preindustrial and pre-agricultural revolutions?

Acid rain that results from sulfur pollution can cause which of the following problems?

The use of fertilizer has produced mixed environmental outcomes.Why?

Which researcher(s)proposed the idea that there are ten planetary life-sustaining biophysical systems that are essential for life on Earth?

Using Figure 12.24,it appears that ________________ has used the most synthetic nitrogen fertilizer between 2001 and 2011?

Why does the flux of methane to the atmosphere from coastal marshes drop (relative to freshwater)to near zero?

The greatest contribution to the total human input of nitrogen per year in is __________.

The slowing of the great oceanic conveyor belts and the increased frequency of burn events in the tundra biome are evidence that __________.

Since the late 19th century,which resource has shown the greatest overall increase in consumption?

Ecology and How to Do It

Ecology’s Evolutionary Backdrop

Physical Conditions and the Availability of Resources

Climate and the World’s Biomes

Birth, Death and Movement

Interspecific Competition

Predation, Grazing and Disease

Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology

From Populations to Communities

Patterns in Species Richness

The Flux of Energy and Matter Through Ecosystems

Conservation Ecology

The Ecology of Human Population Growth, Disease, and Food Supply

Filters