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10 votes
10 votes
What causes the "heat island" effect?

a. heat produced from a large number of people
b. the materials used in building cities retain heat
C. the large amount of reflected light from glass windows
d. all of the above
Please select the best answer from the choices provided
A
B
C
D

User Henry Navarro
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1 Answer

21 votes
21 votes

Answer:

B. The materials used in building cities retain heat

Step-by-step explanation:

The metropolitan region where the heat island effect is most pronounced is much warmer than the surrounding, natural, rural lands. The materials used in building, along with energy emissions from industry and transportation (cars), are to blame for the effect. For instance, because asphalt is impermeable, heat is reflected back into the air rather of being transferred to the ground like it does by flora and trees. Typically, heat islands are 2 to 6 degrees F warmer. Urban areas stay warm in the nights while the nearby rural regions drop down; the difference can be as high as 20 degrees F.

Communities may experience a rise in heat-related sickness and death, air pollution, air conditioning expenses, and water quality during the summer months due to heat islands.

User Lsoliveira
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2.5k points