Cycles of Life: Understanding Earth's Biogeochemical Systems

Explain how deforestation could affect the carbon cycle and potentially impact global climate.

• It increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by reducing photosynthesis.

• It decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by increasing soil carbon storage.

• It has no significant impact on the carbon cycle or global climate.

• It increases the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, which cools the Earth's climate.

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Describe a scenario in which the nitrogen cycle could be disrupted by human activities.

• The overuse of fossil fuels leading to increased nitrogen in the atmosphere.

• The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers causing eutrophication in water bodies.

• The planting of nitrogen-fixing crops which decreases the nitrogen available in the soil.

• The construction of dams which increases the amount of nitrogen in the water.

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How does urbanization impact the water cycle, particularly in relation to groundwater recharge?

• Urbanization increases groundwater recharge due to increased surface runoff.

• Urbanization has no significant impact on groundwater recharge.

• Urbanization decreases groundwater recharge due to the increase in impervious surfaces.

• Urbanization increases groundwater recharge due to more efficient water use.

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Analyze how the removal of a wetland ecosystem could alter the phosphorus cycle.

• It would increase phosphorus in the ecosystem due to reduced plant uptake.

• It would decrease the rate of phosphorus cycling to the atmosphere.

• It would lead to an accumulation of phosphorus in the soil, reducing its availability for plants.

• It would reduce the sedimentation process that removes phosphorus from the water column.

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How do forest fires play a role in the carbon cycle, and what is the long-term effect on carbon storage?

• Forest fires release carbon dioxide immediately but can lead to increased carbon storage as forests regrow.

• Forest fires have no effect on the carbon cycle since the carbon is quickly reabsorbed by the soil.

• Forest fires permanently reduce carbon storage because they prevent forests from regrowing.

• Forest fires decrease carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by burning biomass.

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Explain how the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers can disrupt the balance of the nitrogen cycle and affect other organisms in the ecosystem.

• They can lead to an overabundance of nitrogen, which promotes plant growth and benefits all organisms.

• They can cause nitrogen saturation in the soil, leading to decreased plant diversity and affecting the food web.

• They can increase the amount of nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, which is harmless to most organisms.

• They can lead to a deficiency of nitrogen in the soil, which stunts plant growth and affects the entire ecosystem.

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Discuss the role of evapotranspiration in the water cycle and its significance in regulating climate.

• Evapotranspiration has no significant role in the water cycle and does not affect climate.

• Evapotranspiration contributes to cloud formation and can influence local and regional climate patterns.

• Evapotranspiration primarily affects the water cycle by decreasing the amount of water in the soil.

• Evapotranspiration cools the climate by converting water into ice crystals in the atmosphere.

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How does the over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture affect the phosphorus cycle?

• It increases phosphorus availability in the soil, leading to eutrophication.

• It has no impact on the phosphorus cycle as phosphorus is not soluble in water.

• It can lead to the depletion of phosphorus in the soil, affecting crop yields.

• It causes an increase in phosphorus in water bodies, leading to algal blooms.

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Analyze the impact of climate change on the nitrogen cycle, particularly in relation to nitrogen availability in ecosystems.

• Climate change has no impact on the nitrogen cycle as nitrogen is a stable element.

• Climate change can lead to increased nitrogen availability due to warmer temperatures accelerating decomposition.

• Climate change reduces nitrogen availability because of increased rainfall diluting nitrogen in the soil.

• Climate change increases nitrogen fixation rates, leading to an excess of nitrogen in all ecosystems.

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Consider the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle. How would their absence affect carbon storage in an ecosystem?

• Their absence would increase carbon storage as dead organic matter would not be broken down.

• Their absence would have no effect on carbon storage as other processes would compensate.

• Their absence would decrease carbon storage as plants would have less carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

• Their absence would lead to a buildup of organic matter, eventually releasing more carbon dioxide through abiotic processes.

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