LAVC Greenhouse Gases Sources and Effects Worksheet

Module 3 Assignment: Keeling, GHGs & AQI (80pts)Submit by: 11:59pm AZ Time by the deadline posted in D2L. Nole that this is a combined
assignment so there is only 1 submission folder under “Assignments” on D2L.
Submit to: D2L/Assignments/Mod3Assignment using file name “lastname_Atmo”
There are 3 distinct sections of this Mod3 Assignment; each section builds on content from the
module and adds context to the connections between anthropogenic drivers of climate change,
atmospherics and air quality. Please complete Parts 1,2 and 3 in the given order to ensure you
complete all required steps for this learning activity. Please answer all questions in dark blue
text to delineate your responses from the template text.
Mod3 Assignment Learning Outcomes:
Mod3 Assignment Part 1. Keeling Curves (14pts)
1.
2.
Interpret atmospheric CO2 information presented in graphs and charts
Explain the relationship between emission reductions and atmospheric CO2
concentrations
Mod3 Assignment: Part 2. Greenhouse Gases – It’s Not Just CO2! (26pts)
1. Identify the natural and anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gasses
2. Differentiate between the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect
3. Describe the interaction between greenhouse gasses and infrared and ultraviolet
radiation.
Mod3 Assignment: Part 3: Air Quality (40pts)
1.
2.
3.
List and characterize the primary air pollutants measured in the Air Quality Index
Assess air quality in different regions using the Air Quality Index
Explain the relationship between climate change, air quality and public health
concerns
Mod3Assignment | Part 1 of this activity: Keeling Curves (14pts)
Visit the Scripps Institute site to view the current CO2 readings from the Mauna Loa Hawaii
observatory; the data and graphics presented on this site will inform your answers for this
exercise and you will need to spend a few minutes exploring the site before answering the
questions. Please type your answers to the questions on this document using a blue font color
so that your answers are recognizable and do not blend in with the prompts/questions.
Q1.1. (2pts) What is the most current “daily” CO2 reading?
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Q1.2. (4pts) Add a print screen image of the most current daily ppm reading from the Scripps
site here for credit for this question:
Q1.3. (4pts) Change the graphical display by choosing increasing times, i.e. month, year, two
years, full record, etc. After exploring this site, explain why the “full record” starts in 1958:
Q1.4 (4pts) In your own words explain the reason we see small annual variations (the up and
down zig zag pattern), as well as a long term multidecadal trend (increase) in atmospheric
CO2? In other words what specifically causes these short-term variations and long-term trends
in atmospheric C02 concentrations?
Mod3 Assignment | Part 2 of this activity: Greenhouse Gasses – It’s
not just CO2! (26pts)
Q2.1. (8pts) Research the natural and anthropogenic sources of each of the
greenhouse gasses using .gov or .edu sources – then complete the table as shown. The
first row has been completed for you as an example.
Greenhouse Gas
Molecule
Natural Source
Anthropogenic (Human
Activity Source)
Water Vapor
H2O
Water vapor is a naturally
occurring greenhouse gas that
acts as a heat amplifier, water
vapor occurs naturally as part of
processes such as
evapotranspiration
Water vapor is released
through a variety of human
driven changes such as
agricultural and industrial
activities, land use change,
melting of sea ice and glaciers,
water pumped up from
aquifers, fracking and other
extractions, poor irrigation
practices, and retention ponds.
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide
Ozone
Carbon Monoxide
CFCs
Q2.2 (6pts) Define the “natural” and the “enhanced” greenhouse effects and explain
how they differ.
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Q2.3. (12pts) Watch the video by Scott Denning from the University of Colorado linked
below, then answer parts A through C::
https://arizona.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d4258dd7-9757-40c29290-acbe017afcf1
A. The top five gasses in the atmosphere by composition are Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon,
Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide. Which of these are actually “greenhouse gasses”,
and why specifically do we classify them as “greenhouse gasses”?
B. Scott Denning discusses how additional CO2 added to the atmosphere increases the
ability of the atmosphere to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation (IR) back to the
Earth. What specifically is the source of the additional CO2 he is referring to?
C. If you drive a flex-fuel car and you fill it with E85 (85% ethanol biofuel from corn) do
you still contribute CO2 to the atmosphere? Why or why not?
Mod3 Assignment | Part 3 Air Quality (40pts)
Go to the Air Now website at https://www.airnow.gov/ and explore the website – you need to
explore the toolbars, maps and enter the zipcode you are in if residing in the U.S. – if you are
currently outside of the U.S. – use UofA zipcode 85721 for this exercise.
Q3.1. (6pts) Describe in 2-3 sentences your observations of the air quality from the website data
of where you live or in zipcode 85721:
Q3.2. (8pts) Go to the “Air Compare” site – scroll down to the U.S. map. Use the info you find to
answer parts A and B:
■
■
Explore the trends and seasons menus, and
Hover over various counties in the U.S. states to see the average number of days of
unhealthy air quality per year for the last 10 years
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A. Where specifically is air quality poor in the U.S.? Please give as much detail as possible
to demonstrate your understanding of the information presented:
B. Using the “trends” and “seasons” menu for 3 separate locations and describe what you
are noticing about the data presented (in other words after looking at each option under
trends and seasons what are 3 observations you can connect to specific places)?
Q3.3. (6pts) Go to World Air Quality Index to explore the data and answer parts A and B
A. Where in the world do you see the greatest concentration of poor air quality?
B. Why do you think the numbers are missing on great areas of the map?
Q3.4. (12pts) Using the World Air Quality Index www.waqi.info select 3 cities in different
locations around the globe and record the information you find. Select a country that has data
as you want to explore the data set and dive into what is happening in various cities to expand
your own understanding of these global issues to complete the data summary table.
For each location, record the following in the table below – you may use the
return key on your keyboard to increase space in the table cells for your answers:
■ The air quality rating (moderate, good, unhealthy, etc.),
■ The numerical AQI value, and the pollutant of greatest concern for that location
(PM2.5, PM10, O3 or NO2).
■ The changes you expect to see day to day, month to month in that location
■ Explanations for the air quality ratings/why the air quality is the way it is in that
location
Data & Variables
Name of Location
Air Quality Rating
PM2.5 Value
PM10 Value
O3 Value
NO2 Value
Changes (1-2 sentences)
Use blue font and add
space to type as needed
Location 1
Location 2
Location 3
Explanations/Observations
(1-2 sentences) Use blue
font and add space to type
as needed
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Q3.5 (8pts) In one paragraph (Target is 150-180 words) explain the connections between
human activities, atmospheric measurements of greenhouse gasses and public health and list
examples to support these connections.
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