Greenhouse Effect and Albedo

1. Unrestricted logging may contribute to a greater greenhouse effect because it will result in

a. Increased levels of oxygen in the atmosphereb. Decreased levels of oxygen in the atmospherec. Decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphered. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Use the following to answer the next 2 questions

According to scientists, the surface ice melt on the ice sheet covering Greenland was the highest in recorded history in 2003, and the amount of Artic Sea ice also reached a record low. While some of the accelerated melting appears to be linked to natural atmospheric fluctuations, human influence could not be ruled out.

Measurements of the Greenland ice sheet taken from passive microwave satellite sensors show 685 oookm2 of melt, an area that is more than double that of 1992. Such melting encourages further ice loss. The excess water weight pushes down on the glacier at the same time that water seeps through cracks to the underside. This combination accelerates the glacier’s flow to the sea.

It has been calculated that warming has produced a roughly 20% loss in the Artic Sea ice since 1978. Likely not all warming is a result of natural factors.

Polar sea ice has an important function in moderating the global energy balance. Sea ice has an albedo of 0; that is, it reflects 80% of the solar radiation it receives. Sea water has an albedo of 0.2

2. Which of the following statements about the given information is true?

a. the melting of Greenland ice will result in cooler climateb. the rate of the melting of Greenland ice has been increasingc. the ice sheet on Greenland has been melting for a long timed. the sea ice around Greenland has been melting, but the land ice has not

3. According to the information, natural factors do not account for all the warming on Greenland. Human factors that may be linked to warming on Greenland would most likely include

a. A change in the ocean currentsb. A change in Greenland’s latitudec. An increase in atmospheric carbon gasesd. An increase in the population of Greenland

4. A farmer cuts trees and shrubs around a small pond with a white sand bottom. Topsoil then flows into the pond, which darkens the bottom and changes the pond by:

a. Increasing the albedo in the pond thus increasing the temperatureb. Decreasing the albedo in the pond thus increasing the temperaturec. Allowing for greater absorption of Greenhouse gases thus increasing the ponds

temperatured. Allowing more shaded areas, thus decreasing the ponds temperature

5. Circle all the following that significantly increase the melting of glaciers, such as the one in Greenland. (there are 6 answers)

a. Addition of greater amounts of methane in the atmosphere due to increase cattle production

b. The increase of forestry programs to replant cut down treesc. The increase use of motor vehicles that burn fossil fuelsd. Increased global energy consumptione. Atmospheric pollutants like carbon (soot) which are carried by winds and deposit on

the ground and snow.f. Increase in the average global ocean temperatureg. Increased tourism in Glacial regionsh. The use of clear cutting to create farmland in the Amazon forest

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