Studied by 12 people
Nitrate ions and nitrite ions are converted into nitrous oxide gas and nitrogen gas (N2).
A
Nitrification
B
Denitrification
C
Assimilation
D
Ammonification
E
Nitrogen fixation
B
Which of the following problems is best addressed with contour plowing?
A
Eutrophication
B
Denitrification
C
The pesticide treadmill
D
Soil erosion
E
Soil salinization
D
Location 1 is most likely located in which of the following terrestrial biomes?
A
Taiga
B
Tundra
C
Tropical rain forest
D
Temperate grassland
C
Based on the graph, which of the following can be concluded about the latitudes of the two locations?
A
Both locations are at the same latitude.
B
Location 1 is close to the equator, and Location 2 is in the Northern Hemisphere.
C
Location 1 is in the Northern Hemisphere, and Location 2 is in the Southern Hemisphere.
D
Location 1 is in the Southern Hemisphere, and Location 2 is close to the equator.
B
Many environmentalists consider Egypt's Aswan High Dam on the Nile River to be an ecological disaster. Which of the following is the best evidence to support this viewpoint?
A
Creation of the dam flooded important archaeological sites.
B
Sardine populations near the Nile delta increased exponentially as a result of decreased annual rates of water flow.
C
The Aswan High Dam supplies one-third of the electrical power used in Egypt.
D
Some countries upstream from the dam have diverted Nile River water for their own projects.
E
Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam.
E
Particulates can be removed from smokestack emissions by which of the following methods?
A
Irradiation by UV light
B
Electrostatic precipitators
C
Catalytic converters
D
Liquid chromatography
E
Exhaust-stream aeration
B
Consumers who get their electricity from coal-fired power plants are not paying the true cost of energy production in their monthly utility bills. Which of the following is true about utility bills for these consumers?
A
The bills do not include public health costs, such as those associated with air pollution.
B
The bills do not include the cost of power distribution.
C
The bills do not include the cost of marketing electricity.
D
The bills include the cost of environmental damage associated with transporting coal.
E
The bills include the cost of cleaning up acid mine damage.
A
Which of the age structure diagrams would best correspond to a rapidly growing country?
A
One that starts large and wanes over time in a curve
B
One that starts flat for the first 10 years, then goes straight to a point by 80
C
One that has a large base but goes straight to a point by 80
D
One that bulges in the middle before curving into 80
C (one that starts large and comes to a point at the end)
Which of the following best describes how ocean acidification affects coral formation?
A
The increase in hydrogen ions dissolved in the ocean water erodes the skeleton of corals, making them weak and vulnerable to damage or death.
B
The increase in calcium carbonate ions dissolved in the ocean water leads to an increase in the formation of coral reefs and increases the number of algae species that inhabit the reef systems.
C
The increase in hydrogen ions dissolved in the ocean water sequesters available carbonate ions, preventing the use of calcium carbonate for coral skeleton formation.
D
The increase in carbonic acid dissolved in the ocean water leads to increased deposition of calcium carbonate by coral species, leading to a bleaching of coral.
C
Which of the following best explains why the lower portion of the troposphere is warmer than the upper portion?
A
The lower portion of the troposphere is separated by the ozone layer from the upper portion, so the lower portion absorbs more sunlight, increasing the temperature.
B
The air in the lower portion of the troposphere is less dense than the air in the upper portion, leading to a higher temperature in the lower portion.
C
The surface of Earth absorbs sunlight, heating the lower portion of the troposphere more than the upper part.
D
The troposphere is the highest layer of the atmosphere, so the lower portion is warmed more than the upper part by rising air.
C
Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with the genetic modification of crops?
A
Genetically modified crops have a decreased resistance to drought.
B
Genetically modified crops have a shorter shelf life and are more difficult to transport long distances.
C
Genetically modifications can decrease the genetic diversity of crop species.
D
Genetic modifications decrease nutritional content in foods.
C
Which of the following is an example of an external cost?
A
Individuals pay for medical treatment of lung disease aggravated by pollution from a coal- fired power plant.
B
A gas station goes out of business when gasoline prices go so high that drivers drastically decrease their use of gasoline.
C
A fish-packing company pays unemployment compensation to workers displaced by automation.
D
A company that manufactures x-ray machines triples its profits when a new law mandates increased airport security.
E
A landfill owner buys more land to increase the size and profitability of the landfill.
A
Which of the following best describes a transform boundary?
A
An area where two tectonic plates move away from each other
B
An area where two tectonic plates slide past one another
C
An area where two or more tectonic plates collide
D
An area where two or more tectonic plates fuse together at a suture zone
B
Which of the following best characterizes a population that is growing exponentially with time?
A
Equal increases in number over equal increments of time
B
Controlled growth over a finite time
C
Doubling in size over equal increments of time
D
Reaching a maximum then experiencing a rapid decline
E
Growing at a rate proportional to the square root of time
C
A series of experiments was designed to test the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the productivity of polar phytoplankton. Samples of these single-celled organisms were placed in four tanks, which were exposed to ambient natural solar radiation and to three modifications of ambient radiation. The design of the experiments is shown in the table below, along with measurements of photosynthesis in each tank.
Tank 1 had no added treatment for 22mg/m^2/hr in CO2 uptake
Tank 2 had all UV removed for 720mg/m^2/hr in CO2 uptake
Tank 3 had filters to remove 33% of UV for 31mg/m^2/hr in CO2 uptake
Tank 4 had UV amplified by 16% for 12mg/m^2/hr in CO2 uptake
Which of the following inferences is supported by the results of this series of experiments?
A
The atmosphere over Antarctica still contains some ozone.
B
Doubling of UV radiation will suppress photosynthesis completely.
C
The ozone hole over Antarctica is being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
D
Increased UV penetration through the Antarctic ozone hole would further depress productivity of phytoplankton.
E
Higher levels of UV radiation will eventually occur over Antarctica.
D
Based on the data provided, which of the following descriptions best identifies the types of farms that are being compared?
A
Farm A is a free-pasture farm for cattle, whereas Farm B is a free-range farm for poultry.
B
Farm A is a concentrated animal feedlot for beef production, whereas Farm B is a cage-free farm for poultry.
C
Farm A is a grass-fed pasture for beef production, whereas Farm B is a traditional concentrated animal feedlot for cattle.
D
Farm A is a cage-free farm for poultry, whereas Farm B is an industrial poultry farm.
C
All of the following are likely consequences of indoor air pollution EXCEPT an increase in
A
the development and exacerbation of asthma
B
the risk of developing lung cancer
C
the risk of developing skin cancer
D
flulike symptoms, chronic fatigue, and nausea
E
respiratory diseases leading to premature death
C
Which of the following is the best example of gray water?
A
Water that is high in calcium, magnesium, and iron
B
Water that has been used for bathing and for washing clothes
C
Water from toilets and garbage disposals
D
Runoff from parking lots
E
Rainwater collected from roofs
B
A laboratory experiment was done to show the effects of organic waste on the dissolved oxygen (DO) content in water. Five tanks were set up, each containing fresh water and a small amount of single-celled green algae. Specified amounts of organic waste were added to the tanks. The results below show the amount of DO in each tank after a period of one week.
Chart: Tanks 1-5 started with 10ppm of DO. Then, organic waste was added. Then, the effect on DO after one week is shown.
Tank 1: +0g = 10ppm
Tank 2: +10g = 10ppm
Tank 3: +20g = 8ppm
Tank 4: +30g = 5ppm
Tank 5 +40g = 0ppm
What is the main purpose for the experiment?
A
To determine how much O2 the algae can produce
B
To show how much CO2 is consumed by decomposition
C
To collect data to determine how waste in water can be useful
D
To demonstrate that initial DO is not important
E
To observe the effect of organic waste on DO
E
Which of the following best explains why decomposers in soils and water are important to ecosystems?
A
They remove heavy metals.
B
They store carbon dioxide.
C
They recycle nutrients.
D
They neutralize acid deposition.
E
They produce more oxygen than they consume.
C
Which of the following negative consequences is most often associated with using biomass for energy production?
A
Using biomass for energy production requires long-term storage for radioactive waste.
B
Using biomass for energy production can increase salinization in agricultural fields.
C
Using biomass for energy production releases carbon sequestered in fossil fuels into the atmosphere.
D
Using biomass for energy production can result in local deforestation.
D
The graph above shows the effect of sewage on biological oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) in a flowing stream. The smallest fish populations will most probably be found at point
A
B
C
D
E
C
Which of the following human activities is most closely associated with depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer?
A
Mining of coal
B
Disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners
C
Heating of homes and factories
D
Generation of electricity
E
Agricultural irrigation
B
Which of the following best explains why DDT has been found in penguin eggs in the Antarctic?
A
Chemicals used in one region of Earth can circulate in the biosphere and affect organisms in a distant region.
B
The large number of penguins in Antarctica has resulted in a depletion of their preferred foods.
C
Although DDT is toxic to adult birds, it has no effect on developing embryos.
D
Chemicals like DDT are volatile and eventually make their way to the ozone layer.
E
Because penguins incubate their eggs on land, the eggs are exposed to DDT.
A
The CITES treaty has been helpful in protecting endangered animals and plants by
A
listing all species that can be hunted, traded, and used commercially
B
listing those species and products whose international trade is controlled
C
funding projects for breeding endangered plants and animals
D
preventing the hunting of whales and dolphins
E
specifying prices for certain plant and animal products
B
A research team monitoring a local freshwater ecosystem noticed that over the past few years the otter population had declined significantly, while the populations of other species remained fairly constant. After running tests, the research team determined that mercury levels in invertebrates and small fish in the ecosystem were very high. In this ecosystem, what role did the otters occupy?
A
Pioneer species
B
Indicator species
C
Primary consumer
D
r-selected species
B
During which stage of the demographic transition shown above does a population begin to experience an explosive increase in growth?
A
Stage 1
B
Stage 2
C
Stage 3
D
Stage 4
E
After stage 4
B
Economic benefits of building large dams include which of the following?
I. Storage of water for agriculture and domestic use
II. Controlling floods upstream
III. Production of renewable energy
A
I only
B
II only
C
I and III only
D
II and III only
E
I, II, and III
C (I & III)
Which of the following best describes acid mine drainage?
A
Reclamation of mines by removing excess water
B
The leakage of water containing toxic materials from coal and metal mines
C
The use of acids to leach minerals from rocks to increase smelting efficiency
D
Increased water pollution from acid rain entering copper mines
E
Acid production by anaerobic bacteria in coal mines
B
Vegetarianism is often cited as a partial solution to the growing problem of deforestation and other types of habitat destruction as the human population continues to grow. The reason for this is
A
vegetarians are healthier due to a lack of animal fat in their diets
B
more people can be fed using less agricultural land because vegetarians eat at a lower trophic level
C
vegetarians consume fewer calories per person and therefore require fewer acres of farmland
D
vegetarian diets often recommend consuming large amounts of tree nuts as a source of protein, which preserves forest habitats
E
vegetarians often support conservation efforts that promote forest conservation
B
Which of the following best describes an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking?
A
Fracking has led to an increase in the production of oil and natural gas, lowering energy prices.
B
Fractures in the shale will close up once the fracking fluid is removed unless fine particles, like sand, are introduced to hold them open.
C
The products of fracking release more carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels.
D
Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.
D
The land on a 100-acre farm is equally suited for grazing cattle and growing corn. Of the following ways of distributing land use, which would produce the greatest number of calories of human consumption?
(Answers are represented as ratios, side one being “Acres for Grazing Cattle” and side two being “Acres for Growing Corn. Answer choices represented as Cattle:Corn.)
A
100:0
B
80:20
C
50:50
D
20:80
E
0:100
E
In 1950 the pH of the pond water was 8.2, but by 2000 the pH had decreased to 5.2.
Which of the following changes would also be expected in the pond over the same time period?
Increased levels of dissolved oxygen
Increased levels of heavy metals
Increased number of fish species
A
I only
B
II only
C
III only
D
II and III
E
I, II, and III
B
The primary cause of Earth's seasons is the
A
constant tilt of Earth's rotational axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun
B
changing distance of Earth from the Sun at different times of the year
C
periodic wobbling of Earth on its axis of rotation
D
changing relative positions of Earth, its Moon, and the Sun
E
periodic changes in solar energy output
A
Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. In addition to tracking changes in the wolf population, scientists were interested in how the wolves would affect other parts of the Yellowstone ecosystem. In particular, they were interested in changes to the population of elk, the wolves’ primary prey. The graph below shows the population size of the wolf and elk populations over time.
(the graph literally does not matter)
Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone?
A
The wolves are causing a trophic cascade that could further increase the number of beavers and tree species such as willows and aspens.
B
Wolves leaving the park may prey on livestock in grazing land outside the park.
C
Wolves are extremely fast breeders and may become an invasive species if they get outside the park.
D
The ecosystem could collapse because wolves were never in Yellowstone before 1995.
B
Which of the following is a measure of the biodiversity of an ecosystem?
A
The total number of individuals of a single animal species
B
The density of individuals in a hectare
C
The total number of different plant species
D
The soil depth at which burrowing insects are located
C
Which of the following methods of agricultural irrigation results in the loss of the least amount of water by evaporation?
A
Conventional center-pivot irrigation
B
Drip irrigation
C
Laser-level irrigation
D
Flood irrigation
E
Gravity-flow irrigation
B
A small developing country with negligible rates of immigration and emigration is going through a demographic change. Thirty years ago the crude birth rate was 44 per thousand per year and the crude death rate was 17 per thousand per year. Now the crude birth rate is 16 thousand per year and the crude death rate is 5 per thousand per year. Which of the following statements about the country now is most likely to be true?
A
The population is decreasing.
B
The growth rate of the population is increasing.
C
The country is at the preindustrial stage of the demographic transition.
D
The country is at the industrial stage of the demographic transition.
E
The country is at the postindustrial stage of the demographic transition.
D
The many finch species of the Galápagos Islands evolved from a single species that immigrated to the islands from the coast of South America. These species differ primarily in beak shape, which is closely related to the type of food each species specializes in eating.
Which of the following best explains why each of the finch species on the Galápagos Islands evolved to be specialists?
A
Islands have limited food resources, forcing species to feed on a small range of food items.
B
Climate on islands tends to be less variable than on the mainland, minimizing seasonal absences of food.
C
Reduced competition from other bird species allows finch species to focus on specific food resources.
D
Food resources on islands are more plentiful and nutrient rich than on the mainland, leading to specialist behaviors in feeding.
A
(A) Heat flow
(B) Kinetic energy
(C) Potential energy
(D) First law of thermodynamics
(E) Second law of thermodynamics
An energy transformation occurs and results in increased disorder.
A
Heat flow
B
Kinetic energy
C
Potential energy
D
First law of thermodynamics
E
Second law of thermodynamics
E
The graph below shows the experimental data from an investigation testing how carbon monoxide levels in the ambient air alter the amount of oxygen hemoglobin can carry. The experiment was performed with five different laboratory mice. Each mouse was kept in its own habitat under constant conditions of water, food, light, and temperature. Each mouse was exposed to a different concentration of carbon monoxide, and the oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin was measured.
Based on the data from the graph, which of the following indicates how much more effective oxygen transport is at the 20 percent carbon monoxide level than the 60 percent carbon monoxide level?
A
0.33 times more effective
B
0.53 times more effective
C
1.9 times more effective
D
3 times more effective
C
Endocrine disruptors directly affect which of the following in an organism?
A
White blood cells
B
Hormones
C
Iron content
D
Oxygen levels
B
Which of the following statements about genetic diversity is true?
A
Genetic uniformity of a crop increases the crop's overall resistance to pests and disease.
B
Genetic resistance to pests and diseases can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties.
C
Genetic engineering technology is used to increase genetic diversity by creating new species with synthetic genes.
D
Genetic diversity within populations of common crop species such as corn is typically high.
E
Genetic diversity is usually high in endangered species.
B
The danger from radon gas would most likely be greatest in
A
airplanes at high altitudes
B
areas with a high density of automobiles
C
crop-dusted agricultural fields
D
high-rise office buildings
E
well-insulated homes
E
The diagram shows how a patch of habitat could possibly be altered.
Which of the following would be the most likely explanation for the changes shown in Scenario 3 ?
A
Native species were replanted in the areas, which led to fewer niches.
B
Roads and electric power lines subdivided the landscape into smaller pieces and decreased the amount of available habitat.
C
The increased edge-to-interior ratio resulted in habitat fragmentation and the formation of smaller, more manageable parcels of land.
D
Habitat corridors were built to allow individuals between populations to mate, which helped to prevent inbreeding and reduce the genetic diversity often found in isolated populations.
B
Many scientists maintain that a rise in sea level has occurred in the last hundred years as a result of global warming. If this is true, which of the following factors best explains such a rise?
A
Increased precipitation
B
Increased cloud cover
C
Increased evapotranspiration
D
Thermal expansion of the ocean
E
Melting of permafrost
D
Most of the Earth's deserts are at approximately 30° latitude, north and south, because these latitudes are characterized by
A
generally warm ocean currents
B
predominantly low atmospheric pressure
C
descending dry air currents
D
slow-moving jet streams
E
enhanced solar radiation
C
Two questions
Of these, which is a source that is not renewable?
Which produces hazardous wastes?
A
Biomass
B
Wind
C
Tidal energy
D
Nuclear fission
E
Sunlight
D (for both)
El Niño, a periodic warming of ocean surface waters, occurs in which of the following regions?
A
Tropical East Pacific
B
Gulf of Mexico
C
Arctic North Pacific
D
Temperate West Atlantic
E
Tropical Indian Ocean
A
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following questions(s) refer to the following list of United States and international environmental regulations and treaties.
(A) Endangered Species Act
(B) Kyoto Protocol
(C) Montreal Protocol
(D) National Environmental Policy Act
(E) Wilderness Act
Addressed the issue of stratospheric ozone depletion
A
Endangered Species Act
B
Kyoto Protocol
C
Montreal Protocol
D
National Environmental Policy Act
E
Wilderness Act
C
Note 
Flashcard (47)