Test 3 – Energy, Water Resources, and Air Pollution

Impact of global warming on lake stratification

The stratification becomes stronger and lasts longer, reducing mixing.

Most effective way to mitigate water shortages

Water conservation and efficient water use.

Term for gradual sinking of Earth's surface due to underground material movement

Subsidence.

Main impact of water temperature on water quality

It affects dissolved oxygen levels.

Consequence of water being most dense at 39.2°F

Lakes freeze from the top down, allowing aquatic life to survive under ice.

Contaminants from stormwater runoff on non-permeable surfaces

Oil, gasoline, road salt, and pollutants.

Water from a well is associated with

Groundwater.

Municipal and industrial discharge pipes are examples of

Point-source pollution.

Source of dissolved oxygen in water

Photosynthesis and aeration.

Turbidity of water can be affected by

Sediments, algae, suspended particles.

Saltwater intrusion most likely occurs

In coastal areas where groundwater is over-pumped.

Water is cleaned during which parts of water cycle

Evaporation and infiltration.

Definition of an algae bloom

Rapid algae growth due to excess nutrients.

Percent of Earth covered by water

71%.

Correct statement about freshwater

Only a small amount of Earth's water is freshwater (<3%).

Percent of Earth’s water that is saltwater

97%.

Greatest source of water consumption

Agriculture/irrigation.

Most of the world's freshwater is located

In glaciers and ice caps.

Meaning of potable

Safe to drink.

Main source of sediment runoff

Soil erosion.

Why lakes are more easily polluted than rivers

Water moves slowly, so pollutants remain longer.

Two federal laws protecting U.S. water quality

Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

Hydrofracking concern NOT included

Increased ecotourism.

Term for reducing energy usage by using less energy service

Energy conservation.

Process of converting sunlight directly into electricity

Photovoltaics (solar cells).

Example of energy conservation

Turning off lights when not in a room.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Energy conversions when gasoline burns in a car

Chemical → thermal → mechanical.

Energy transformation waterfall → home heating

Potential → kinetic → electrical → thermal.

Most common method of commercial electricity production

Turbines powered by steam.

Original source of fossil fuels

Ancient plants and animals.

Orienting houses southward in the Northern Hemisphere is

Passive solar design.

Not a way to improve energy efficiency

Leaving appliances plugged in when not in use.

Example of passive solar design

Large south-facing windows.

Energy source that is not renewable

Fossil fuels.

System affected by heavy metals

Nervous system.

Gas mainly causing acid rain

Sulfur dioxide.

Average pH of rain

About 5.6.

Main effect of carbon monoxide

Interferes with oxygen transport in blood.

Largest human source of carbon monoxide

Vehicle emissions.

Air quality in the U.S. has over 30 years

Improved.

Heat is radiation

Infrared.

Meaning of intermittent solar energy

Not constant; varies with weather and time of day.

Not an effect of air pollution

Increased biodiversity.

Two natural sources of air pollutants

Volcanoes and wildfires.

Main human source of sulfur dioxide

Burning coal.

Two criteria pollutants that cause acid rain

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Rain is acid rain when pH is below

5.6.