Ap Enviro Unit 4 Exam Expectations

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he atmospheric layer where weather occurs is the troposphere.

Most deserts are found near 30 degrees north and south latitude.

Loams with less than 20% clay are ideal for agriculture.

Concentrations of gases that make up the atmosphere are approximately:

Nitrogen (N₂): 78%

Oxygen (O₂): 21%

Argon (Ar): 0.9%

Carbon dioxide (CO₂): about 0.04%

Trace gases: remaining percentage

Permeability is the ability of soil or rock to transmit fluids (water or air).

Manure is organic matter used as fertilizer, consisting of animal feces and urine.

Temperature inversions occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface, often leading to pollution buildup.

Water recharge is the process by which groundwater is replenished, typically through precipitation infiltrating the soil.

Soil horizons:

O horizon: Organic matter (leaf litter)

A horizon: Topsoil, rich in minerals and organic material

E horizon: Eluviation layer, leaching occurs here

B horizon: Subsoil, accumulation of leached materials

C horizon: Weathered parent material

R horizon: Unweathered bedrock

The amount of solar energy received at a given latitude varies with the angle of the sun and season; equator receives more consistent energy year-round, while poles receive less and have seasonal variation.

El Niño affects South American countries on the Pacific side by disrupting weather patterns, causing droughts or heavy rains, and impacting agriculture and fisheries.

A Hadley Cell is a large-scale atmospheric convection current that transports heat from the equator toward the subtropics, creating dry deserts at around 30° latitude.

Deepwater upwellings are currents where cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface, supporting high productivity and fisheries.

Loams are soils with a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, ideal for agriculture due to good drainage and fertility.

Air circulation on Earth involves large-scale patterns driven by temperature differences, Coriolis effect, and Earth's rotation, forming cells like Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells.

Primary succession is the gradual development of an ecosystem from barren land, starting with pioneer species.

The hours of daylight vary with latitude and time of year, with poles experiencing 24 hours of daylight or darkness during solstices.

Physical properties of soil include texture, porosity, permeability, and color; chemical properties include pH, nutrient content, and cation exchange capacity, all influencing soil fertility and health.

Pros of sand soils: excellent drainage; cons: low nutrient retention.

Pros of clay soils: high nutrient content; cons: poor drainage.

A transform boundary is where two plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

A convergent boundary involves plates colliding, leading to mountain building or subduction zones.

A divergent boundary is where plates move apart, forming new crust, like mid-ocean ridges.

El Niño’s effect on the fishing industry off South America is a decline in fish populations due to changing ocean temperatures and currents.

Solar radiation is distributed unevenly around Earth due to the curvature of the planet and axial tilt, causing seasons.

To calculate water runoff volume, multiply the runoff coefficient by the rainfall volume over the area.

Soil horizons are O, A, E, B, C, R layers.

Latitudes experiencing 24 hours of daylight (midnight sun) are around the Arctic and Antarctic circles, approximately 66.5° N and S during solstices.

Factors affecting Earth’s climate include latitude, altitude, proximity to water, ocean currents, and atmospheric composition; factors like volcanic eruptions can influence climate temporarily.

Factors increasing erosion include deforestation, overgrazing, poor land management, and heavy rainfall.

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere.

Soil particles are ordered from smallest to largest: clay, silt, sand.

The scientific questions after an experiment may include: "What is the effect of X on Y?" or "Does variable A influence outcome B?"

One chemical soil test is pH testing.

One physical soil test is particle size analysis (sieve test).

Dependent variable: outcome measured; independent variable: factor changed.

Natural causes of erosion include water, wind, ice, and gravity.

Agricultural practices like excessive fertilizer application can increase groundwater nitrate levels, leading to water pollution.

Using the soil pyramid helps determine soil texture and suitability for plants or construction.

Air density decreases with altitude; it is highest at sea level and lowest in the upper atmosphere.

A farmer can improve problematic soil by adding organic matter, adjusting pH, or improving drainage.

To reduce sediment runoff, practices include vegetative buffer strips and contour farming.

Changing Earth's axial tilt greater than 23.5° would exaggerate seasonal differences; less would lessen them.

A clay soil with low permeability would be ideal for lining landfills to prevent leachate seepage.

To reduce stormwater runoff: install rain gardens and permeable pavements.

Tsunamis cause severe destruction, flooding, and loss of life in coastal communities.

El Niño causes droughts and wildfires in Australia, disrupts agriculture, and impacts water resources.