Case Study and Textbook Notes

Wetlands and Ozone Depletion Textbook Notes, Ragnarok Case Study

“Dust Veil”

occurred around 536 AD, decreased sunlight and agriculture output, harsh winter

What are some threats to wetlands?

drainage for agriculture and mosquito control along with water manipulation such as dams

Where is the greatest decline in wetlands occurring in the United States?

agriculture states like Ohio, California, and Iowa

Shortcoming of Clean Water Act for wetlands

protected coastal wetlands, but not inland wetlands

Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (1986)

mapped wetlands to figure out how to protect them

List two complications in wetlands policy.

1. confusion on definition of wetlands

   1. who owns the wetlands?

Wetlands Reserve Program

financial incentives for private wetland owners to help restore and preserve wetlands

Ozone hole

increased thinning of stratospheric ozone

What are the two primary chemicals responsible for ozone depletion?

chlorine and bromine

What chemicals breakdown to release bromine into the atmosphere?

halons and methyl bromine

Danger of polar stratospheric clouds

they form ice crystals which chlorine and bromine can adhere to which allows them to destroy ozone; when the clouds break up this is released and there is more ozone depletion

What can UV radiation cause (effect to humans)?

cataracts, skin cancer, decreased immunity

What replaced CFCs?

HFCs, not as destructive but is a greenhouse asW

What two chemicals are still a threat to stratospheric ozone?

CFC-12 (sometimes leaks from discarded fridges) and halon-1211