DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

Outline the evidence that CO₂ acts as a greenhouse gas.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

Explain how the global climate functions as a system.

Atmospheric and plate activity have affected the distribution and diversity of systems within the biosphere.

Explain the role that the atmosphere has in the distribution of biomes.

With reference to processes occurring within the atmospheric system identify two transformations of matter.

With reference to processes occurring within the atmospheric system identify two transfers of energy.

Climate can both influence, and be influenced by, terrestrial food production systems.

To what extent can terrestrial food production strategies contribute to a sustainable equilibrium in this relationship?

Explain how changes in the concentration of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere can affect global biodiversity.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

Distinguish between the causes of recent global warming and those of ozone depletion.

Explain the impact of global warming and ozone depletion on coastal ecosystems.

Human activities affect the concentration of both stratospheric and tropospheric ozone.

Outline the differences in these two effects by completing the following table.

Images from space and measurements have allowed scientists to estimate changes in the ozone hole.

Figure 7: Changes in the ozone hole from 1979 to 2008.

Figure 7:

[Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EarthPerspectives/page3.php] Images and data courtesy NASA Ozone Hole Watch.]

Including reference to this data, evaluate the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol (1987) in managing ozone depletion.

Describe the role of stratospheric ozone.

Identify one method to reduce ozone-depleting substances.

Identify two possible consequences for life on Earth resulting from the depletion of stratospheric ozone.

Outline why the Montreal Protocol may be considered the world’s most successful environmental treaty.

Outline why a high concentration of ozone in the troposphere is a direct problem for humans, while in the stratosphere it is a benefit to humans.

Explain how changes in the concentration of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere can affect global biodiversity.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

With reference to named examples, distinguish between a primary and secondary pollutant.

Human activities affect the concentration of both stratospheric and tropospheric ozone.

Outline the differences in these two effects by completing the following table.

Describe the formation of tropospheric ozone.

Evaluate one management strategy for urban air pollution.

Outline the conditions and processes that lead to the formation of photochemical smog.

Identify one human factor that contributes to photochemical smog.

Explain why the formation of photochemical smog may have harmful effects on the environment of cities such as Santiago (Chile).

Urban air pollution can become a problem as human populations develop. Evaluate urban air pollution management strategies at the three levels of intervention.

With reference to Figure 3, calculate the difference between the highest concentration and lowest concentration of tropospheric ozone.

State two factors necessary for the chemical formation of ozone in the troposphere.

Outline why a high concentration of ozone in the troposphere is a direct problem for humans, while in the stratosphere it is a benefit to humans.

Suggest possible reasons for the overall trends of tropospheric ozone levels in Figure 3.

Outline, using examples, the differences between primary and secondary pollution.

To what extent is pollution impacting human food production systems?

Pollution management strategies may be aimed at either preventing the production of pollutants or limiting their release into ecosystems.

With reference to either acid deposition or eutrophication, evaluate the relative efficiency of these two approaches to management.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

With reference to named examples, distinguish between a primary and secondary pollutant.

The impacts of acid rain on terrestrial ecosystems may include acidified soils, leaching of nutrients, release of toxins and damage to vegetation. The impacts of global warming on these systems may include desertification, flooding, loss of species and shifting of biomes.

For terrestrial ecosystems, discuss the difficulty of managing the impacts of acid rain compared to that of managing the impacts of global warming.

Apart from global warming and ozone-depletion, state one pollution problem that may affect a number of countries.

Pollution management strategies may be applied at any of the three levels identified in the diagram below:

With reference to acid deposition, evaluate the political and economic advantages of applying management strategies at the levels of production and impact of the pollutant.

Urban air pollution can become a problem as human populations develop. Evaluate urban air pollution management strategies at the three levels of intervention.

Outline, using examples, the differences between primary and secondary pollution.

Explain the causes and effects of acid deposition on natural ecosystems.

To what extent is pollution impacting human food production systems?