CAP Environmental Science Fundamentals 5

Question 1

Which of the following is a direct consequence of permafrost thaw in the context of greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

Release of previously frozen organic carbon as CO₂ and CH₄

Answer

As permafrost thaws, ancient organic matter decomposes and releases stored carbon as CO₂ (aerobic) and CH₄ (anaerobic), creating a significant positive feedback to climate warming.

Question 2

What is the 'missing carbon sink' problem in global carbon budget accounting?

Accepted Answer

A discrepancy where calculated emissions exceed measured atmospheric increases, implying unidentified uptake

Answer

Global carbon budgets show that known atmospheric increase plus ocean uptake does not fully account for anthropogenic emissions, suggesting terrestrial ecosystems (likely northern forests and soils) absorb the residual 'missing' carbon.

Question 3

Which human land-use activity is currently the second-largest source of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions globally?

Accepted Answer

Deforestation and land-use change

Answer

Land-use change, primarily tropical deforestation, is the second-largest source of anthropogenic CO₂, accounting for roughly 10-15% of global emissions after fossil fuel combustion.

Question 4

What does the Keeling Curve measure and why is it significant for carbon auditing?

Accepted Answer

Continuous atmospheric CO₂ concentration at Mauna Loa since 1958

Answer

The Keeling Curve is the longest continuous record of atmospheric CO₂ concentration, measured at Mauna Loa since 1958, providing the definitive evidence of rising CO₂ and its seasonal variation.

Question 5

In environmental science, 'tipping points' in the climate system refer to what?

Accepted Answer

Thresholds beyond which a system shifts abruptly and potentially irreversibly to a new state

Answer

Climate tipping points are critical thresholds where small perturbations can trigger self-reinforcing changes leading to rapid, large-scale, and potentially irreversible shifts in Earth system components.

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

CAP Environmental Science Fundamentals 5