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1. Why do atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase when humans turn ra

ID: 288359 • Letter: 1

Question

1.

Why do atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase when humans turn rainforests into agricultural lands?

Rainforests fix more carbon in the soil than agricultural lands.

Rainforests have smaller respiration rates than agricultural lands.

Rainforests fix less nitrogen in the soil than agricultural lands.

Rainforests are faster at photosynthesis than agricultural lands.

2.  

Which of the following would NOT be considered part of the biological pump?

upwelling of nutrients

oxygen production in the surface ocean

photosynthesis in the surface ocean

settling of organic matter into the deep ocean

oxygen production in the deep ocean

3.  

What best describes what happens to the surface ocean when atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase?

Surface ocean carbon dioxide concentrations decrease because less carbon dioxide can dissolve in a colder ocean.

Surface ocean carbon dioxide concentrations increase because of diffusion of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean.

Surface ocean carbon dioxide concentrations increase because more carbon dioxide can dissolve into a warmer ocean.

Surface ocean carbon dioxide concentrations decrease because of diffusion of carbon dioxide from the ocean to the atmosphere.

4.  

Satellite measures of chlorophyll pigment show where high concentrations of primary productivity can be found near the ocean surface.

5.  

What happens to ocean pH when atmospheric CO2 increases?

Ocean pH decreases

Ocean pH does not change

Ocean pH increases

A

Rainforests fix more carbon in the soil than agricultural lands.

B

Rainforests have smaller respiration rates than agricultural lands.

C

Rainforests fix less nitrogen in the soil than agricultural lands.

D

Rainforests are faster at photosynthesis than agricultural lands.

Explanation / Answer

1) Rainforest plays a significant role in the conversion of atmospheric Co2 into oxygen through photosynthesis. In case of massive deforestation, the rate of photosynthesis gets reduced due to lack of trees which lead to the increase of Co2 concentration in the atmosphere. Therefore, D is the correct answer.

2) Oxygen produuction in the deep ocean is not a part of ocean biological pump. It only takes place due to vertical mixing. Therefore E is the correct answer.

3) Dissolved Co2 in the ocean creates carbonic acid which increases the acidity of ocean water. the increase in acidity will enhance the dissolution of excess Co2. Therefore, B is the correct answer.

4) True, because of the fact that chlorophyll bearing phytoplanktons drift along the ocean surface. And primary productivity is maximum at the sea surface because of availability of sunlight. Therefore A is the correct answer

5) As ocean water becomes more and more acidic, the pH of ocean decreases. Therefore, A is the correct answer.