APES-Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

-Review -AP Classroom MCQ -Test -Knowt Flashcards

which of the following would be an example of point source water pollution

factory effluent

when sewage contaminates a body of water, it can lead to a lower dissolbed oxygen level in the water. this is because

the sewage has put a high BOD on the water

the world health organization estimates that ___of the world's population does not have access to sufficient supplies of safe drinking water

1 out of every 6

match the following steps in the sewage treatment process:
1-biological
2-chemical
3-mechanical

1-bacteria break down 85-90% of organic matter
2-chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light are used
3-solid waste materials settle out

all fo the following are examples of primary pollutants

carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds

which of the following is a corrosive gas that comes primarily from burning coal

sulfur dioxide

which of the following chemical(s) cause acid deposition

sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides

a coal burnign power plant that uses an electrostatic precipitator is designed to remove

particulate matter

a thermal inversion causes severe pollution events thermal inversions-

occur when a warm inversion layer traps emissions that then accumulate beneath it

which of the following statements about stratospheric ozone depletion is correct

ozone depletion allows more ultraviolet waves to pass through to the troposhpere

which of the following chemicals is responsible for destroying the stratospheric ozone layer

chlorine

which greenhouse gas traps the majority of outgoing infrared radiation

water vapor

the greenhouse effect happens when

the ozone layer is decreased

which of the following chemicals has the greatest greenhouse warming potential

CFCs

which greenhouse gas comes from automobiles

nitrous oxide

which of the following are anthropogenic causes of greenhouse gasses

coal burning power plants

which of the following is not an anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases

asbestos

which source produces greenhouse gases and can also increase levels of mercury in the environment

coal

all of the following sources can produce methane

livestock, sewage treatment plants, wetlands, termites

which country produces the most carbon emissions

China

why do levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere have seasonal variations

photosynthesis varies each season

all of the following are impacts that warmer temperatures can have on the environment

melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, heat waves, increased storms

what is the name of the agreement that worked to control the emissions that contribute to global warming

kyoto protocol

storing carbon in agricultural soils to return atmospheric carbon to longer-term storage in the form of plant biomass is known as

carbon sequestration

Antarctica

________ has a nearly constant temperature inversion.

Air pollution

It occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are introduced into Earths atmosphere

Parts per million (ppm)

The most common form of expressing air pollutants

Primary Pollutants

Emitted directly into the air

Secondary Pollutants

Result from primary air pollutants reacting together and forming new pollutants

Point source air pollution

It occurs when the contaminant comes from an obvious source

Non-point source air pollution

It occurs when the contaminant comes from a source that is not easily identifiable or from a number of sources spread over a large, widespread area

Criteria air pollutants

These are a set of eight air pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other health hazards and are typically emitted from many sources in the industry, mining, transportation, power generation, and agriculture

Industrial smog

Trends to be sulfur-based and is also called gray smog

Carbon monoxide

It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air and is produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing compounds

Lead

It is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries for vehicles, bullets and shot fishing weights, solder, and shields for radiation

Nitrogen Oxide

A generic term for nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air

Nitrous oxide

It is a major air pollutant, with levels of N2O having increased by more than 15% since 1750

Ozone

It is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3, and tropospheric (ground-level) ozone is a secondary air pollutant

Tropospheric ozone

It does not have strong global effects, but instead is more influential in its effects on smaller, more localized areas

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs)

These are secondary pollutants

Sulfuric Dioxide

A colorless gas with a penetrating, choking odor that readily dissolves in water to form an acidic solution

Suspended particulate matter (PMx)

It is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in Earths atmosphere

Volcanic Organic Compounds (VOCs)

These are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure (easily evaporate) at ordinary room temperature

Photochemical smog

It is catalyzed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tends to be nitrogen-based, and is referred to as brown smog

Thermal inversions

These occur when air temperature rises with height instead of falling

"Sick building" syndrome (SBS)

It is a term used to describe a combination of ailments associated with an individuals place of work or residence

Asbestos

It is inexpensive, durable, and flexible and naturally acts as an insulating and fireproofing agent

Carbon monoxide poisoning

It is the most common type of fatal indoor air poisoning in many countries because it easily combines with hemoglobin to block the bloods oxygen-carrying capacity

Formaldehyde

It is an organic chemical that is prevalent in the indoor environment and is a carcinogen that is linked to lung cancer

Radon

It is an invisible radioactive gas that results from the radioactive decay of radium, which can be found in rock formations beneath buildings

Cigarette smoke

It contains almost 5,000 chemical compounds, including 60 known carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), one of which is dioxin

Catalytic converter

It is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic chemicals in the exhaust of an internal-combustion engine into less harmful substances

Catalyst

It stimulates a chemical reaction in which by-products of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by way of catalyzed chemical reactions

Acid deposition

It occurs when atmospheric chemical processes transform sulfur and nitrogen compounds and other substances into wet or dry deposits on Earth

Dry Deposition

In dry areas, acidic chemicals in the air may become dust or smoke and stick to the ground, buildings, homes, cars, and trees, which rainstorms wash away, increasing acidic runoff

Wet Deposition

Acid rain, fog, and snow

Acid rain

It causes acidification of lakes and streams

Acid shock

Caused by rapid melting of snow pack with dry acidic particles, raises lake and stream acid concentrations five to ten times higher than acidic rainfall

Urban heat islands

It occur in metropolitan areas that are significantly warmer than their surroundings

Street Canyon

A place where the street is flanked by buildings on both sides, creating a canyon-like environment

Noise pollution

It is an unwanted human-created sound that disrupts the environment

Sensory hearing loss

it is caused by damage to the inner ear and is the most common form associated with noise pollution.

sulfur dioxide

Acid deposition due to ______ begins with sulfur dioxide being introduced into the atmosphere by burning coal and oil, smelting metals, organic decay, and ocean spray.

6 A.M.–9 A.M.

As people drive to work, concentrations of nitrogen oxides and VOCs increase

9 A.M.–11 A.M.

As traffic begins to decrease, nitrogen oxides and VOCs begin to react, forming nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

11 P.M.–4 P.M.

As the sunlight becomes more intense, nitrogen dioxide is broken down and the concentration of ozone (O3) increases:

4 P.M.–Sunset

As the sun goes down, the production of ozone is halted.

three way

Most present-day vehicles that run on gasoline are fitted with a “______” converter, since it converts the three main pollutants:

Dust and soot are examples of this type of pollutant

Particulate Matter

Photochemical smog forms when primary pollutants and secondary pollutants react in the presence of this.

Sunlight

These two pollutants contribute the most to acid deposition

nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide

This occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air below it and commonly occurs in this west coast city

thermal inversion of Los Angeles

The pollutants commonly targeted by electrostatic precipitators and scrubbers respectively

particulate matter, and sulfur oxides

This pollutant reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen, causing headaches, dizziness, and even death

carbon monoxide

Furniture stuffing, paneling, and foam insulation are all sources of this pollutant

Formaldehyde

The four most dangerous indoor air pollutants according to the EPA.

asbestos, radon, cigarette smoke, and formaldehyde

The criteria for determining if a building is sick

20%1 or more people complaining of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and coughing2 while in a building3 but feeling better when they leave4

This pollutant comes from the radioactive decay of uranium and its remediation technique

radon and proper ventilation

The layer of the atmosphere that contains this helpful ozone

the stratosphere

The thinning of the ozone layer is occurring primarily over this continent at this time of year

Antarctica in October/spring

Much of the ozone thinning has been caused by this chemical and specifically this element

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and the chlorine molecule

Less ozone means increased exposure to this radiation which causes

UVB radiation which causes skin cancer

The first meeting to reduce CFC emissions was held in this location and established this agreement

Montreal and the Montreal Protocol

The most abundant and variable nonanthropogenic greenhouse gas

water vapor

The percent increase in carbon dioxide from 283 ppm in 1790 to 383 ppm in 2007

30-38%

The greenhouse gas that is a product of anaerobic respiration, livestock gas, and landfills

Methane

This makes a greenhouse gas more potent than CO2

GHG's ability to absorb more heat energy

The type of radiation that is absorbed by Earth's surfaces that is re-emitted as this type of radiation

visible light and infrared

The region of Earth that will experience the most significant changes in temperature as warming continues

the poles

A possible effect of the rapid ice loss in the arctic is the shutdown of this process because of the inundation of melting freshwater

the oceanic conveyor belt

Since 1900, the Earth's temperature has risen by about this amount

0.6-0.8°C? (1°C or 1.5°F is acceptable)

The reason that the melting of Earth's ice (glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps) will cause to the further increase in Earth's temperature

the lower albedeo of water compared to ice

The reason that infectious tropical diseases are likely to spread to higher latitudes as Earth's average temperature increases

rising temperatures allow disease-carrying mosquitoes to move into new areas

Scientists have discovered that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from trees can contribute to photochemical smog formation. Data in the table above were collected in 2006 and 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Isoprene is a VOC released by some tree species. Impact factor refers to the percentage of ozone attributed to the isoprene.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between variables in the data table?
A). Impact factor causes a change in temperature maximum.
B). Isoprene levels vary depending on traffic and urbanization.
C). Ozone maximum is correlated to average and maximum temperature.
D). Changes in average temperature are linked to changes in land use in Berlin.

C). Ozone maximum is correlated to average and maximum temperature.

Scientists have discovered that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from trees can contribute to photochemical smog formation. Data in the table above were collected in 2006 and 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Isoprene is a VOC released by some tree species. Impact factor refers to the percentage of ozone attributed to the isoprene.
Which of the following claims is best supported by the data shown in the table?
A). Ozone levels are not a serious air quality concern in Berlin.
B). Ozone levels in Berlin were consistently higher in 2014 than in 2006.
C). Isoprene's contribution to ozone levels in Berlin was greatest in July of both years.
D). Isoprene levels were negatively correlated with maximum temperature.

C). Isoprene's contribution to ozone levels in Berlin was greatest in July of both years.

Which of the following best describes the process shown in the diagram above?
A). Less-dense, cool air rises up and mixes with the denser warm air above it, increasing the amount of thermal pollution in the atmosphere.
B). Less-dense, warm air creates a temperature inversion between more-dense layers, trapping pollutants near the ground.
C). Dense, warm air from the mountains on the right pushes into the less-dense, cool air mass, causing an inversion layer.
D). Movement of air currents over urban areas decreases the amount of photochemical smog during summer months.

B). Less-dense, warm air creates a temperature inversion between more-dense layers, trapping pollutants near the ground.

In addition to a nearby mountain range, which of the following environmental conditions would be required for the process in the diagram to occur?
A). A cool sea breeze and a high pressure system
B). A warm mountain breeze and a low pressure system
C). A cool sea breeze and a low pressure system
D). A cool mountain breeze and a high pressure system

A). A cool sea breeze and a high pressure system

Which of the following is the most likely reason for the trend shown in the graph of fluctuating indoor radon levels over the course of a year?
A). Home windows are often closed during summer months, causing the levels of radon in the house to build up.
B). Barometric pressure changes from summer storms can cause radon levels to increase.
C). Radon levels tend to increase in the colder months because of the difference in temperature inside and outside the home, which creates a vacuum pulling radon into the home at a higher rate.
D). Increased levels of radon are linked to burning biomass indoors, which increases in winter months when more biomass is burned for cooking and heating.

C). Radon levels tend to increase in the colder months because of the difference in temperature inside and outside the home, which creates a vacuum pulling radon into the home at a higher rate.

Which of the following is most likely responsible for the indoor air pollutant shown in the graph?
A). Cracks in the basement foundation
B). Synthetic fiber in carpets and furniture
C). Leaking water
D). Pet hair

A). Cracks in the basement foundation

An experiment to evaluate the efficiency of wet and dry scrubber networks that filter particulate gas at different flow rates was conducted under different flow rate conditions. The results are shown below.
Which of the following best describes the efficiency of dry scrubbers at removing particles that are less than 2 micrometers in diameter?
A). Dry scrubbers are less than 20% efficient at removing particles less than 1μm1μm and increase to over 50% efficiency at removing particles between 1 and 2μm.
B). Dry scrubbers are between 50% and 90% efficient at removing particles less than 2μm, depending on the flow rate.
C). Dry scrubbers are between 5% and 40% efficient at removing particles less than 2μm in size.
D). Dry scrubbers are less than 10% efficient at removing particles less than 1μm in size.

D). Dry scrubbers are less than 10% efficient at removing particles less than 1μm in size.