Test 3 (Environmental Science)

Which fishing gear type is generally considered to cause the greatest damage to seafloor habitats?

Bottom Trawling

What is not an advantage of nuclear power?

Nuclear energy needs long-term radioactive waste storage

What is the main goal of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in fisheries management?

To harvest the largest amount of fish without causing long-term population decline

In the USA, geothermal energy resources are most common in which region?

The western United States

EROI is calculated by:

Comparing energy obtained to the energy invested in obtaining it

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions while climate describes long-term atmospheric patterns

What does the term commercial extinction mean in fisheries science?

A species becomes too rare to fish profitably

Sit particles, generally cause _____ of Earth’s atmosphere by ____ solar energy

Warming; Absorbing

Keelings reports from Mauna Loa demonstrate:

An increase in tropospheric Carbon Dioxide from the 1950’s to present

Rising sea levels do not result in:

Ocean acidification

What is the greatest environmental impact associated with burning fossil fuels?

Increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere

What is a convection cell in earths atmosphere?

A circular pattern of rising warm air and sinking cool air that transfers heat

Which pollutant is commonly produced by vehicles and contributes to smog formation?

Nitrogen oxides

Why is depletion of the ozone layer harmful to humans and ecosystems?

It increases harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching Earth surface

Why is fisheries bycatch considered an environmental problem?

It can reduce populations of non-target species

What is one major challenge limiting the widespread use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies?

CCS is currently too costly and energy intensive for widespread implementation

Acid rain can harm aquatic ecosystems by:

Lowering the pH of lakes and streams, making them unsuitable for some organisms

Fossil fuels, such as crude oil are considered non-renewable because they:

Take millions of years to form natural naturally

Which layer of earths atmosphere contains most of the ozone that protects life from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation?

Stratosphere

When uranium-235 atoms undergo fission, _____ are produced.

Smaller atoms (fission fragments), free neutrons, and energy

What renewable energy source generally has the highest EROI?

Geothermal energy

What is not a concern associated with nuclear power?

Direct release of large amounts of sulfur dioxide during operation

Title power stations are most effective in areas where:

There is a large difference between high and low tide levels

In a geothermal power plant, what is used to spin the electric electrical generating turbine?

Hot water or steam from underground

What management strategy can help prevent commercial extinction?

Sustainable catch limits and protected areas

Many modern wind farms are being built offshore because:

Offshore wins are generally stronger and more consistent

Nuclear energy in power plant is created via:

Fission of uranium atoms by bombarding them with neutrons

Compared to fossil fuel power plants, wind energy:

Produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation

What does a high energy return on investment (EROI) indicate about an energy source?

The energy source produces much more energy than is required to obtain it

What is the greenhouse effect?

The warming of Earth’s atmosphere caused by gases trapping heat that would otherwise escape into space

Crude oil is:

Refined to produce gasoline, lubricant, plastics, and other products

Biomass energy is best described as energy produce from:

Organic materials, such as wood, crops, and waste

Which fossil fuel has the largest known reserves worldwide?

Coal

Which fossil fuel burns the cleanest and produces the least air pollution?

Natural gas

What gas is mainly produced when fossil fuels burn completely?

Carbon dioxide

What acid forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater?

Carbonic acid

Name two types of marine organisms that can be harmed by ocean acidification:

Algae and Coral