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AP Environmental Science Unit 9: Global Change

Practice AP Environmental Science Unit 9 questions on ozone, greenhouse gases, climate change, ocean warming, acidification, invasives, and biodiversity.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Environmental Science

Unit 9: Global Change question 1

[Maximum number: 7]

Ozone (O3)\left(\mathrm{O}_{3}\right) is an atmospheric trace gas that occurs naturally in the stratosphere. It is also formed as a consequence of human activity in the troposphere, immediately above Earth's surface. The location of ozone in the atmosphere determines whether the gas protects or damages the environment.

Question (a)

(a)

Identify the type of solar radiation that is absorbed by stratospheric ozone, and describe one human health benefit that results from the absorption of this solar energy.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The absorption of solar energy by stratospheric ozone causes ozone molecules to undergo chemical decomposition and formation. Describe the chemical processes that lead to this natural balance between decomposition and formation of stratospheric ozone (you may use chemical equations in your answer).

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 provided a global framework to phase out chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) production and use. Although the Montreal Protocol has led to a dramatic decrease in CFCs released into the atmosphere, stratospheric ozone destruction has decreased only slightly.

Explain the process by which CFC lead to the destruction of stratospheric ozone. (You may use chemical equations in your answer.)

Explain why the rapid decrease in CFC emissions has not led to a similarly rapid decrease in the destruction of stratospheric ozone.

[ 3 ]

Unit 9: Global Change question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement to phase out which of the following chemicals with the goal of reducing stratospheric ozone depletion?

A

Carbon dioxide

B

Organophosphates

C

Volatile organic compounds

D

Chlorofluorocarbons

Unit 9: Global Change question 3

[Maximum number: 10]

The graph shows measurements of atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide ( CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} ) at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, and the measurements of pH levels in the ocean nearby at Station ALOHA. Measurements of pH began in 1992.

ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE AT MAUNA LOA AND OCEANIC pH AT STATION ALOHA, HAWAII

ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE AT MAUNA LOA AND OCEANIC pH AT STATION ALOHA, HAWAII

Question (a)

(a)

Use the graph above to answer the following questions.

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Determine the concentration of CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} (in ppm) recorded at Mauna Loa in 2005.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Determine the pH recorded at Station ALOHA in 2005.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide affect Earth's oceans.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Predict the effect of increased concentration of atmospheric CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} on the concentration of CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} in the ocean.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Based on the data, identify the relationship between the concentration of atmospheric CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} and the pH of ocean water.

[ 1 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Provide the complete chemical equation that represents the reaction between oceanic carbon dioxide (CO2)\left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right) and water (H2O)\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right).

[ 1 ]

Question (iv)

(iv)

Identify the specific environmental problem that directly results from the decrease in pH of Earth's oceans.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Changes in pH in the world's oceans pose a risk to many marine organisms.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Explain why certain organisms, in particular those with calcium carbonate shells or exoskeletons, are threatened by the decreasing pH levels measured in seawater.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Other than threats posed by decreasing pH, identify an additional anthropogenic threat to the world's coral reef ecosystems and describe how the threat damages the coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems.

[ 2 ]

Unit 9: Global Change question 4

[Maximum number: 3]

Human activities generate large amounts of solid waste, including organic waste. The decomposition of organic waste in landfills can result in the release of methane into the atmosphere.

Question (a)

(a)

Describe one environmental problem associated with the release of methane into the atmosphere.

There are biological and physical factors that can affect the decomposition of the solid waste in a landfill and the release of methane in the atmosphere.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The average cow releases 150 liters of methane per day. Calculate the amount of methane that was released by all beef cattle raised in the United States in 2021. Show your work.

Another environmental concern with raising beef cattle for food is that it is not as efficient as growing crops for food.

[ 2 ]
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