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Extra Credit Test #1 (5 points) 1. What is the relationship between the emission of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), and global warming? (1 point) These gasses trap the heat that is
bounced off the surface of the earth, so an increase in the amount of these
gases increases the amount of heat trapped in the troposphere, thereby
leading to global warming. 2. List two ways in which human activities have disrupted the nitrogen cycle. (1 point) use of fertilizers 3. Explain one of the harmful effects of adding too much nitrogen to aquatic ecosystems. (0.5 point) Excess nitrogen
increases the growth of algae and when these algae die, the increased
decomposition uses up the oxygen in the water and causes the death of other
aquatic animals. 4. Explain one of the harmful effects of adding too much nitrogen to the atmosphere. (0.5 point) Nitrogen containing compounds in the
atmosphere lead to acid rain and a reduction in the ozone layer. They also
contribute to global warming. 5. What is groundwater and why is it considered a non-renewable resource? (1 point) Groundwater is water that is stored
underground and it is non-renewable because the renewal rate is very long
(200-10,00 years). It is currently being used up at a faster rate than it
can be replenished. 6. What is believed to be the sequence of events that allowed the spread of the West Nile virus in New York City in 1999? (1 point) An unusually warm winter led to increased survival of mosquitoes. That summer, the weather was very hot and dry, which caused a reduction in the number of water supplies and led to the congregation of bird populations at the limited ponds/lakes. Birds ate the mosquito predators, so mosquito survival increased even more. The warm weather also led to a higher rate of development of the West Nile virus and an incidental infection of humans by mosquitoes spread it to the human population. |
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©2003-2004 Dilek Sanver-Wang, MS
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