Question

1. what environmental process is disrupted by the melting of polar ice, leading to more sunlight absorption?

a. photoperiodism
b. albedo effect
c. blubber insulation
d. camouflage

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Photoperiodism is about organisms' responses to day length, not related to ice melting and sunlight absorption.
• Option b: The Albedo Effect refers to the reflectivity of a surface. Polar ice has high albedo (reflects sunlight). When it melts, darker surfaces (like ocean water) are exposed, which have lower albedo and absorb more sunlight. This matches the described process.
• Option c: Blubber insulation is about marine mammals' fat for warmth, irrelevant here.
• Option d: Camouflage is about organisms blending into their environment, not an environmental process related to ice and sunlight.

Answer:

b. Albedo Effect