Practice Test Geeks(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test
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Environmental Science Fundamentals Flashcards

7 cards from real CAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Environmental Science Fundamentals flashcards as text

  1. Which greenhouse gas has the highest 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) among those commonly tracked in carbon inventories?

    Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)

    SF₆ has a 100-year GWP of approximately 23,500, far exceeding CO₂ (1), CH₄ (28-36), and N₂O (265-298).

  2. What is 'albedo' in the context of Earth's energy balance?

    Answer: The reflectivity of a surface to incoming solar radiation

    Albedo is the fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface; high-albedo surfaces (like ice) reflect more energy, while low-albedo surfaces (like oceans) absorb more.

  3. The concept of 'planetary boundaries' primarily helps scientists understand what?

    Answer: Safe operating limits for Earth systems beyond which risks increase sharply

    Planetary boundaries define the safe operating space for humanity by identifying Earth system thresholds; crossing them risks abrupt or irreversible environmental changes.

  4. Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants, supporting ecosystem productivity?

    Answer: Biological nitrogen fixation

    Biological nitrogen fixation by bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium) converts inert N₂ gas into ammonia (NH₃), which plants can incorporate into amino acids and proteins.

  5. In ecosystem science, what does 'net primary productivity' (NPP) measure?

    Answer: Carbon fixed by plants minus carbon lost through plant respiration

    NPP represents the net carbon gain by vegetation — gross photosynthesis minus autotrophic (plant) respiration — and indicates how much carbon is available to the food web.

  6. Which phenomenon explains why Arctic regions are warming approximately 2-4 times faster than the global average?

    Answer: Ice-albedo feedback amplifying warming

    As Arctic sea ice melts, it exposes darker ocean water with lower albedo, which absorbs more solar energy and accelerates further warming — a powerful positive feedback loop.

  7. What is the approximate pre-industrial baseline concentration of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere?

    Answer: 280 ppm

    Pre-industrial CO₂ concentration was approximately 280 ppm; current levels have exceeded 420 ppm, representing a roughly 50% increase driven by human activities.