BIOL385 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Scientific evidence for anthropogenic climate change
-keeling curve to measure CO2 (consistently increasing)
-greater intensity and frequency of natural disasters
Mechanisms of CO2 acting as a greenhouse gas
-burning fossil fuels are combustion reactions
-gasoline is hydrocarbon
-methane produced by burning
-greenhouse gasses trapped in atmosphere and trap heat
Plants as mitigation tools for CO2
-photosynthesis reverses respiration and combustion reactions
-carbon sink
-old growths store more carbon (replanting trees after deforestation is not carbon
neutral)
Pala Band of Mission Indians & Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (2021),
Southern California Tribal Listening Session Summary
Impacts of climate change observed by Native Americans
-decreased water availability and quality (groundwater depletion / contamination)
-coastal resource depletion (loss of marine life abundance, sea level rise, ocean
acidification)
,-vegetation disappearances (plant species migration, basketry)
-increased wildfires and smoke (air quality issues / health concerns)
-extreme weather (flooding, drought, heatwaves)
How, why, and who diverted water from Owens Valley to LA
-giant aquifer (largest ever made)
-created to combat the dry wells and LA growing population
-William Mulholland
Where does LA water come from?
-Owens Valley, Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake reservoir
-controversial because it took water from other areas and left scare resources / raised
water taxes
Consequences of drought for underprepared cities
-loss in crops
-shortage of drinking water
-emergency imports from other cities
-economic costs
-death
William L. Kahrl (1976), "The Politics of California Water: Owens Valley and the
Los Angeles Aqueduct, 1900-1927"
-Owens Valley identified as water source for growing LA
-William Mulholland secures rights, in conflict with private interests
-Mulholland got federal interest to withdraw request in favor of LA
, -aqueduct built to benefit private investors
-exposure to this problems blacklisted reporter
Ronayne and Taxin (2023), "Federal officials say plan for water cuts from 3
Western states is enough to protect Colorado River"
Colorado River
-critically low water elevations in two key reservoirs
-serves 7 states, Native American tribes, 2 states in Mexico (agriculture / hydropower)
-biden admin forces cuts from Arizona, California, Nevada which they agree on
-might not address long-term challenges
Parks et al. (2019), "Experiences and Lessons from Managing Water in Cape
Town"
-severe water crisis 2015-2018
management tactics
-water restrictions **(fines / 50 L per person)
-tariffs **
-water management devices
-behavioral campaigns
-supply augmentation (desalination, groundwater extraction, wastewater recycle)
** more effective measures
Wastewater to recycled water
1. bar screening (remove solid chunks like feces, wipes, condoms)
2. primary sedimentation (separate solids left behind from bar)
3. digester - anaerobic bacteria/microorganisms digest residual solids --> release N20
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Scientific evidence for anthropogenic climate change
-keeling curve to measure CO2 (consistently increasing)
-greater intensity and frequency of natural disasters
Mechanisms of CO2 acting as a greenhouse gas
-burning fossil fuels are combustion reactions
-gasoline is hydrocarbon
-methane produced by burning
-greenhouse gasses trapped in atmosphere and trap heat
Plants as mitigation tools for CO2
-photosynthesis reverses respiration and combustion reactions
-carbon sink
-old growths store more carbon (replanting trees after deforestation is not carbon
neutral)
Pala Band of Mission Indians & Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (2021),
Southern California Tribal Listening Session Summary
Impacts of climate change observed by Native Americans
-decreased water availability and quality (groundwater depletion / contamination)
-coastal resource depletion (loss of marine life abundance, sea level rise, ocean
acidification)
,-vegetation disappearances (plant species migration, basketry)
-increased wildfires and smoke (air quality issues / health concerns)
-extreme weather (flooding, drought, heatwaves)
How, why, and who diverted water from Owens Valley to LA
-giant aquifer (largest ever made)
-created to combat the dry wells and LA growing population
-William Mulholland
Where does LA water come from?
-Owens Valley, Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake reservoir
-controversial because it took water from other areas and left scare resources / raised
water taxes
Consequences of drought for underprepared cities
-loss in crops
-shortage of drinking water
-emergency imports from other cities
-economic costs
-death
William L. Kahrl (1976), "The Politics of California Water: Owens Valley and the
Los Angeles Aqueduct, 1900-1927"
-Owens Valley identified as water source for growing LA
-William Mulholland secures rights, in conflict with private interests
-Mulholland got federal interest to withdraw request in favor of LA
, -aqueduct built to benefit private investors
-exposure to this problems blacklisted reporter
Ronayne and Taxin (2023), "Federal officials say plan for water cuts from 3
Western states is enough to protect Colorado River"
Colorado River
-critically low water elevations in two key reservoirs
-serves 7 states, Native American tribes, 2 states in Mexico (agriculture / hydropower)
-biden admin forces cuts from Arizona, California, Nevada which they agree on
-might not address long-term challenges
Parks et al. (2019), "Experiences and Lessons from Managing Water in Cape
Town"
-severe water crisis 2015-2018
management tactics
-water restrictions **(fines / 50 L per person)
-tariffs **
-water management devices
-behavioral campaigns
-supply augmentation (desalination, groundwater extraction, wastewater recycle)
** more effective measures
Wastewater to recycled water
1. bar screening (remove solid chunks like feces, wipes, condoms)
2. primary sedimentation (separate solids left behind from bar)
3. digester - anaerobic bacteria/microorganisms digest residual solids --> release N20
