Environmental science

for the upcoming exam

List the earth’s four chemical spheres

The biosphere, the hydrosphere, the geosphere and the atmosphere

What gas is found at 21% concentration in earth’s atmosphere?

oxygen

List the 5 layers of earth’s atmosphere

Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere

Recall the roles of the stratosphere

contains the ozone layer, planes fly there, stops most harmful uv rays

What atmospheric layer does the most weather occur

the troposphere

What atmospheric layer is most important to humans

the troposphere contains oxygen and weather

What is the hydrosphere composed of

All water on earth and the atmosphere, including water, ice and water vapor

Fish are part of the hydrosphere true or false (justify)

False, the hydrosphere is all water on earth, fish are not water, they live in water

Where do the most volcanos and earthquakes occur

Where the tectonic plates meet, on the lithosphere

What is the lithosphere composed of

The entire crust and uppermost solid part of the mantle

Name the cycle that results in constant movement of matter within the geosphere

The rock cycle and tectonic cycle

Describe an example of a transfer of matter from the biosphere to the atmosphere

Plant transpiration, where trees and plants release water vapor into the air. Through photosynthesis plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere

Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is when the concentration of a substance inside a living organism increases as the intake of the substance exceeds excretion.

Troposphere

Majority of weather occurs, contains majority of earth’s oxygen. It also contains 90% of all mass in the atmosphere. 0-16km

Stratosphere

Where the ozone layer is, high in O3 (ozone gas). Important because it stops harmful UV rays from reaching earth, it also traps heat. Some commercial airlines fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere is where meteoroids usually go, it acts as a shield from the meteors to earth as they usually burn up in this area before they hit earth.

Thermosphere

The thermosphere is where satellites and the auroa are. It is also where the karman line is which is the start of outer space.

Exosphere

The exosphere is where the exobase is and also where spaceships fly. It serves as a transition zone between earth and the vacuum of outer space.

What is the equation for photosynthesis

carbon dioxide+water+sunlight————> oxygen+gluclose+energy

Equation for reparation

oxygen+gluclose+energy——→carbon dioxide+water

Define a sustainable ecosystem

A sustainable ecosystem is an ecosystem that can sustain itself without outside interference

State the form carbon takes in the hydrosphere

When carbon dissolves in the hydrosphere carbonic acid is formed. But carbon dioxide dissolves into salicylic acid when it meets water

Why is the carbon cycle important

It is important for sustaining life on earth, regulating global climate, and driving ecosystems.

What form is carbon dioxide converted to during photosynthesis

Oxygen and glucose

How do animals obtain carbon in the carbon cycle

By consuming other living organisms

What are 2 waste products produced during respiration

Water and carbon dioxide

How can animals increase carbon content in soil

Dying and decomposition

What is the source of short wave radiation

The sun

What is the natural greenhouse effect

The natural greenhouse effect is when greenhouse gases are naturally released unlike the greenhouse effect where we are burning more and more fossil fuels and enhancing the greenhouse effect

What is photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is where plants take in the carbon dioxide and water and turn it into glucose and oxygen.