Air and Water Pollution - Final Exam

Difference Between PM2.5 and PM10?

PM10 does not enter the bloodstream, but PM2.5 does

PM10 is inhalable, PM2.5 is respirable

Following Statements are True:

air pollution estimated to kill as many as 10 million people annually

The sun emits radio and microwave photons

surfaces with a high albedo reflect more energy

regarding alveoli: distance between outside air/bloodstream is two cells

CAPs

SOx

particulate matter

ozone

NOx

carbon monoxide

lead

Associated with NOx Gases?

pm

secondary pollutants

acid rain

Category of Photon for Red Light?

visible light

Correctly and Fully Functioning Catalytic Converter:

oxidizes co to co2

reduces nox to n2

Why do CFCs Persist in Atmosphere?

bacteria cannot degrade CFCs

they are inert

uv-a photons not strong enough to break bonds

Which of following is Sequestered Form of Chlorine in Stratosphere?

HCl

ClONO2

Why did HCFCs replace CFCs?

because they are more reactive in troposphere

Components of Photochemical (Tropospheric) Ozone Production?

NOx gases

sunlight

VOCs

Required Characteristics for a Gas to be Considered a GHG?

it must absorb IR

Which GHG Currently Contributes Most to Greenhouse Effect?

CO2

Which is Strongest GHG?

CFCs

Components of AQI

SOx gases

ozone

carbon monoxide

NOx gases

particulates

Contributes to Global Distillation Effect:

evaporation

condensation

rotation of earth

tropospheric winds

how resistant a compound is to degradation

Which Months Hamilton County not Required to Monitor Ozone?

Jan/Feb, Nov/Dec

Western US States are:

VOC limited

Attainment is:

three year history of meeting standard

Current EPA CAA Standard for Tropospheric Ozone Concentration:

70ppb

Examples of Exceptional Events:

dust storms in Africa

wildfires in Canada

Two Specific Factors to Estimate Cancer Risk:

exposure

toxicity

EPA Assessment Timeline of getting Cancer from Exposure to Pollutants from Facility?

70 years

Source of Contaminant in Chattanooga Creek Superfund Site?

coke

Why Phase I before Phase II?

exposure risk greater for phase I

phase I was time critical

True Statements (PF’s):

PFOA is/was used to make teflon

PFOS is/was used in scotchguard

weekly ocean fish consumption would impact serum levels approximately half as much as single freshwater fish serving per year

US EPA drinking water guidelines for pfos and pfoa is below 1 ppt

What Type of Pollution does RCRA Provide a Framework for?

on-going hazardous waste

on-going non-hazardous solid waste

In Response to Dan River Coal Ash Spill:

Coal COmbustion Residuals (CCR) Act implemented

several new monitoring wells were installed

Name of Liquid Collected from Bottom of Landfill:

Leachate

in Groundwater, What is a Good Indicator of Coal Ash Pollution:

boron

Following is True about Hazardous Waste?

it must have at least one of the following: flammable, corrosive, reactive, toxic

Under CERCLA, sites characterized via HRS and listed on NPL if…

score is >28.5

Assuming 1 in 4 People will Develop Cancer, which of the following is a Superfund Cleanup Goal?

reduce exposure

reduce risk of cancer from 70 years of superfund exposure after cleanup to 25.0001 or less

Which of the Following Statements True about CAA?

NAAQS are established for CAPs

title III pertains to HAPs

title IV pertains to acid rain

4 Parameters Must be Monitored/Maintained in Wetland Mitigation Bank

trees

invasive species

hydrology

diversity

Public Data Bases Specific Pollution Released by Specific Businesses?

TRI

ECHO

Sample Bottle Filled with Pure Water placed with Empty Bottles, Remained Unopened, Returned to Lab for Analysis

trip blank

Which of the Following is True?

when developing a wetland mitigation bank, owner can sell up to 20% of credits after all approvals/permits obtained

at federal level, classification of wetland that requires permitting partially depends on presence of “navigable waterway”

at the federal level, classification of a wetland requires permitting to alter often hinges on how “significant nexus” is defined

after 7 years of successful (legal, approved, and permitted) wetland restoration, one may sell all of the wetland mitigation bank credits

Biorecon Scoring Measurements:

taxa richness

EPT richness

intolerant taxa

SQSH Required:

biorecon score is ambiguous

when attempting to de-list a stream

during permitting process

How Many Habitats Sampled During a Biorecon?

4

Exceptional Tennessee Waters

state scenic rivers

state or federally listened threatened or endangered

waters within state or national parks

waters with naturally reproducing trout

waters with exceptional biological diversity

303d List Published:

every even year

What is Contained in 305b Report?

information about water quality

information about the assessment

information about the causes and sources of pollution

information about the water bodies posted due to human health risks

PM10

include pollen and soil

are inhalable

may affect the alveoli

NOX gases include

NO2

NO

N2O

Ozone Damaging to Lungs and Leaves Because:

oxidizing agents

• removes electrons

What Events/Factors Contribute to Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere over Antarctica?

circumpolar cortex

polar stratospheric cloud

use of CFC as refrigerants

Which of the following is capable of directly destroying stratospheric ozone?

Cl radicals

Br radicals

Pollutants Decreased through Cap and Trade?

sulfates

What type of pesticide is applied in greatest amount?

herbicides

What type of insecticide is DDT?

organochlorine (OC)

What compound is touted by WHO as human health benefit in some parts of the world?

DDT

What Advantages do OCs have over OPs?

lower mammalian toxicity

What class of pesticides is currently under investigation for killing bees?

neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids are extremely toxic to:

birds

International Agreement to Phase out CFCs

Montreal Protocol

What types of insecticides are used in flea collars and flea shampoo?

pyrethrin

What compounds made Agent Orange Carcinogenic?

Dioxins

TCDD

What role do VOCs play in photochemical tropospheric ozone production?

made it possible for sunlight to break oxygen from NOx gases

convert NO to NO2

True Statements (energy)

a “pro” of solar is that silent

the electricity industry has consistently reduced their CO2 emissions since 2000

a kWh can power a house for 50 minutes

majority of states in US have a Renewable Portfolio Standard

a con of wind power is the remote location of wind turbines

at one point, US thought we should not use natural gas for electricity production because we running out of natural gas

texas leads nation in wind produced electricity

Why do CFCs persist in troposphere?

bacteria cannot degrade CFCs

UV-A protons are not strong enough to break bonds

they are inert

Sequestered Form of Chlorine on Stratosphere?

ClONO2

HOCl

HCl

Associated with NOx gases:

acid rain

secondary pollutants

PM

Category of Photon for Red Light:

visible light

T/F: Freshwater Fish contain less PFAS than saltwater fish?

false

T/F: Silt Fences are a form of erosion control

false

T/F: ARAPs are not required for private property

false

T/F: Moratorium on new homes applied by DWR when specific amount of manhole overflow occurs in specific time period

true

T/F: If flowing body of water determined to be wet weather conveyance, ARAP must be obtained prior to altering wet weather conveyance

false

T/F: DNAPL sinks in water

true

T/F: Sanitary Landfills (Class D) do not contain Hazardous Waste (or are not supposed to)

true

Tennessee Water Quality Control Act oversees permits for alteration of the _____ properties of any waters of the state

physical

nutrients

chemical

temperature

radiological

Responsibilities of TDEC DWR:

enforcement of the SDWA

monitoring operation of public water works systems

monitoring construction of public water works systems

subsurface sewage disposal systems

Activities Requiring ARAP

utility line crossing streams/wetlands

stream or wetland restoration

stream relocation

bank stabilization

road or driveway crossing over streams

culverting of streams

Primary Indicators of a Stream

spring fed

fish

aquatic invertebrates

Class of Molecules for Products of Incomplete Combustion:

PAH

BaP is:

product of incomplete combustion

type of PAH

probable human carcinogen

FRAC Tank used for:

separating LNAPL and DNAPL

PRP for Chattanooga Creek

US Department of Defense

Chattanooga Coke and Chemical

Southern Wood Piedmont

Mead Westvaco

Industrial Stormwater Permit for storing different types of raw materials outside and uncovered:

TMSP

Concrete Released to Waters of the State COnsequences:

increases in TSS

increases in turbidity

increase in pH

discoloration

Regulatory Role of SDWA:

drinking water quality monitoring

drinking water quality info reporting

supervision over construction and operation of public water works

Consequences of Sediment Loading in Waters of State

increased water temperature

negative effects on aquatic invertebrates

increased TSS

discoloration

Why is Reducing I&I Priority for WWTP?

potentially increases amount of untreated wastewater released into river

increases volume of wastewater

NPDES Permits:

oversee stormwater regulation for large municipalities

contain specific details on TMDLs

are required for construction projects 1-5 acres

PFOS:

extremely persistent

both water and oil repellant

contaminates rovers and lakes

PFAS:

extremely persistent

contaminate rovers

lipophilic and hydrophilic

include PFOA and PFOS

Reasons for Listing a Stream:

e. coli

nutrients

TDS

Field Parameter Recorded when Surveying a Stream:

EPT richness

DO

taxa richness

observed human disturbance

True Statements about Consent Decrees?

one was against hamilton county

in total, approx $500 million spent to reduce pollution

In groundwater, what is good indicator of coal ash pollution?

boron

Benefit if Biorecon over SQSH

cheaper

quicker

can be conducted by people with less expertise in macroinvertebrate identification

Regarding EPT, which of following in common name with the T in EPT?

caddisfly

T/F: to be considered non supporting, a stream could fail just one parameter

true

Ratios of Wetland Mitigation Banks

minimum 1:2 in primary service area

minimum 1:4 in secondary service area

Agencies with some jurisdiction over Wetland Mitigation Banks:

USFWS

USACE

EPA

TWRA

SSCL being Remediated:

foundry sand contaminated with lead

Regarding SSCLS, most likely contaminant exposure pathway?

ingestion

Addressed through QA/QC Protocols?

sample id, receipts, log books

calibration procedures

calibration procedures

analytical procedures

sampling procedures

sample chain of custody