Reading Quiz 12

Arsenic is
a. found naturally in groundwater.
b. often discovered due to its rapid health effects.
c. inexpensive to remove from drinking water.
d. primarily found in water in North America.

A

Which is NOT true of acid deposition?
a. It is primarily due to the burning of coal.
b. It is treated using limestone.
c. It can occur as a result of mining.
d. It causes increased solubility of many ions.

C

What caused the eggshells of some birds to become thin and break?a. heavy metal concentrations in prey species
b. an inert ingredient in herbicides
c. an insecticide ingested by prey species
d. a pesticide used to control pest birds such as crows

C

Mercury
a. is harmless once converted into methylmercury.
b. exposure often occurs through shellfish.
c. is most concentrated in herbivores.
d. can be safely trapped during the production of concrete.

B

Which hazardous material is known to cause cancer?
a. lead
b. mercury
c. perchlorates
d. PCBs

D

The Exxon Valdez oil spill
a. was cleaned up within 2 years of the spill.
b. led to new regulations for oil tankers.
c. was larger than the Deepwater Horizon spill.
d. has not significantly changed the ecosystem 20 years later.

b

Approximately what percent of the oil in marine waters worldwide is due to natural causes?
a. 20 percent
b. 35 percent
c. 45 percent
d. 60 percent

c

Which is NOT used in the cleanup of oil spills?
a. clumping agents applied to underwater plumes
b. chemical dispersants
c. large vacuums
d. absorbent materials along the coast

a

Solid waste
a. sinks to the ocean floor.
b. dumping in the ocean is prohibited worldwide.
c. can include coal-burning byproducts.
d. is rarely toxic to humans.

D

Sediments in water
a. decreases the solubility of oxygen.
b. clogs the gills of some aquatic animals.
c. results in decreased nutrient availability.
d. is primarily due to industrialization.

B

Thermal pollution
a. is primarily a problem in the winter.
b. is rarely lethal.
c. is not regulated in the United States.
d. has been reduced by the use of cooling towers.

D

The use of sonar
a. can reduce the productivity of some algae.
b. has little effect on aquatic ecosystems.
c. has a positive effect on some fish species.
d. disrupts communication among whales.

D

Which statement about nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is NOT correct?
a. NPS results from rain or snowmelt moving over or permeating through the ground.
b. NPS is more difficult to control, measure, and regulate than point source pollution.
c. NPS includes sediment from improperly managed construction sites as a pollutant.
d. NPS is water pollution that originates from a distinct source such as a pipe or tank.

D

Human wastewater results in which water-pollution problem?
I. Decomposition of organic matter reduces dissolved oxygenlevels.
II. Decomposition of organic matter releases great quantities ofnutrients.
III. Pathogenic organisms are carried to surface waters.
a. I only
b. II only
c. I and III
d. I, II, and III

D

Which indicates that a body of water is contaminated by human wastewater?
a. low BOD and a fecal coliform bacteria count of zero
b. high levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and high BOD
c. low BOD and low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus
d. low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and a fecal coliform bacteria count of zero

B

Both septic systems and sewage treatment plants utilize bacteria to break down organic matter. Where in each system does this process occur?
a. septic tank and leach field; primary treatment and secondary treatment
b. septic tank only; primary treatment and chlorination
c. leach field only; secondary treatment only
d. septic tank and leach field; secondary treatment only

A

Under which circumstance is a sewage treatment plant legally permitted to bypass normal treatment protocol and discharge large amounts of sewage directly into a lake or river?
a. when the population of the surrounding community surpasses the plant's capacity
b. when combined volumes of storm water and wastewater exceed the capacity of an older plant
c. when a permit to modernize the plant is denied by the Environmental Protection Agency
d. when an extended period of drought restricts water flow in a lake or river

b

Tertiary treatment of wastewater
a. removes pathogens.
b. reduces sediment.
c. reduces eutrophication.
d. reduces the amount of sludge.

c

Which inorganic substance is naturally occurring in rocks, soluble in groundwater, and toxic at low concentrations?
a. mercury
b. lead
c. PCBs
d. arsenic

d

Acid mine drainage occurs when acidic water formed below ground makes its way to the surface; the acidic water is formed in flooded abandoned mines where the underground water
a. reacts with a type of rock, pyrite, which releases iron and hydrogen ions.
b. reacts with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
c. flushes out the chemicals used in the mining process.
d. permeates a limestone layer that lowers the pH.

A

In the northeastern United States, during what time(s) of the year are lakes located near agricultural fields in temperate ecosystems most likely to experience the highest biochemical oxygen demand?
a. throughout the entire growing season
b. primarily during the spring
c. primarily during the summer
d. during the fall

c

You want to conduct a natural experiment to test whether leakage from a manure lagoon has an adverse effect on a nearby stream. What is an appropriate null hypothesis for your experiment?
a. There will be a higher abundance of an indicator species in the stream before the lagoon began leaking than after it began leaking.
b. There will be a lower abundance of an indicator species in the stream before the lagoon began leaking than after it began leaking.
c. There will be no difference in the abundance of phytoplankton in the stream before the lagoon began leaking and after it began leaking.
d. There will be no difference in the abundance of an indicator species in the stream before the lagoon began leaking and after it began leaking.

d

Which mineral is ultimately responsible for the yellow color of streams that drain from abandoned mines?
a. pyrite rock
b. aluminum
c. coal
d. sulfur

a

Which is NOT an example of a consequence of biomagnification?
a. incidences of human cancer associated with spraying crops with pesticides
b. suffocation of fish as a result of inert pesticide ingredients
c. thinning of bird egg shells
d. increasing concentrations of iron at higher levels of a food chain

b

A group of researchers monitored the health of all streams in a single watershed. Several streams in one region of the watershed had a high silt content, large boulders, and a low diversity of insects and fish. What would be the most direct inference from this description?
a. Most of the sediment load in the stream is probably from a natural source.
b. The surrounding area probably has a high amount of impervious surface.
c. There is probably a high biochemical oxygen demand in the benthos of the stream.
d. The streams have very low resilience.

b

What made the cleanup of Chesapeake Bay difficult?
I. The companies that polluted it were no longer in business.
II. The bay's watershed is large and encompasses several states.
III. Tides and currents impeded the cleanup work.
a. I only
b. II only
c. III only
d. I and II

b

A forest surrounding a stream is cleared to create pasture for cattle grazing. Which is likely to occur in the stream?
a. lower productivity due to increased erosion and sedimentation
b. thermal shock as water temperature rises due to reduced vegetative cover
c. eutrophication caused by increased availability of sunlight
d. dead zones caused by increasing heavy metal concentrations

a

The graph plots variable Y as it changes over the course of a stream. The arrow indicates an area where wastewater from a sewage treatment plant is released into the stream. Which does Y most likely represent?
a. BOD
b. pH
c. dissolved oxygen
d. fecal coliform bacteria

C

Which is NOT a criteria air pollutant?
a. sulfur dioxide
b. lead
c. carbon dioxide
d. particulate matter

C

A secondary pollutant
a. forms in the stratosphere.
b. is transformed by sunlight or water.
c. cannot be directly tracked.
d. does not directly harm humans.

b

Which is a source of sulfur dioxide found in nature?
a. forest fires
b. lightning strikes
c. plant emissions
d. volcanoes

d

Which size of particulate matter causes the greatest health concern?
a. PM2.5
b. PM10
c. PM100
d. PM30

a

Carbon monoxide
a. increases lung cancer rates.
b. leads to the formation of photochemical smog.
c. is most problematic in rural areas.
d. is produced by incomplete combustion.

d

High levels of photochemical smog are due to
I. nitrogen dioxide.
II. sulfur dioxide.
III. VOCs.
a. I only
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. I and III

D

Recent increases in acid deposition in the western United States are due to
a. increased emissions in the United States.
b. decreased precipitation due to climate change.
c. increased emissions in China.
d. increased precipitation due to climate change.

C

Thermal inversion
a. increase the rate of smog formation.
b. trap high concentrations of pollution at ground level
c. result in increased levels of acid deposition.
d. are caused by high levels of precipitation.

B

Acid deposition forms as a result of
a. nitrogen oxides and photochemical smog.
b. carbon monoxide and VOCs.
c. sulfur dioxide and VOCs.
d. nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

D

The effects of acid deposition include
a. increased cancer rates in aquatic organisms.
b. decreased aquatic biodiversity.
c. decreased mobilization of metals.
d. increased pH of lake water.

B

The formation of ozone begins when an oxygen molecule is split by
a. UV-A radiation.
b. UV-B radiation.
c. UV-C radiation.
d. UV-A or UV-B radiation.

C

How many ozone atoms can a single chlorine atom break down?
a. 5,000
b. 10,000
c. 50,000
d. 100,000

D

Which is NOT a result of the reduction in stratospheric ozone?
a. reduced photosynthetic activity
b. increased skin cancer
c. increased eye problems
d. increased birth defects

D

Through international cooperation, the concentration of chlorine in the atmosphere
a. will never change.
b. has continued to increase.
c. has stabilized and is now decreasing.
d. goes through a cyclical change each year depending on industrial activity.

C

In what season in the Antarctic is the ozone hole largest?
a. early spring
b. late summer
c. mid-summer
d. late fall

A

What percentage of worldwide deaths due to indoor air pollution occurs in developing nations?
a. 50 percent
b. 60 percent
c. 70 percent
d. 90 percent

D

Which outdoor air pollutant is also a significant indoor airpollutant?
a. sulfur dioxide
b. nitrogen oxides
c. carbon monoxide
d. lead

C

The primary source of radon is
a. electronics.
b. indoor fires.
c. household chemical fumes.
d. rocks and soils.

D

Sick building syndrome
a. occurs most often in old buildings.
b. is a primary cause of lung cancer.
c. is a result of off-gassing.
d. results from too much ventilation.

C

Asbestos
a. causes respiratory ailments and cancer.
b. can be easily removed and treated.
c. can be a problem in new construction.
d. causes skin irritation, nausea, and fatigue.

A

a pungent reddish-brown gas often associated with photo chemical smog
a. CO
b. NO2
c. SO2
d. PM10

b

a corrosive gas from burning coal often associated with industrial smog
a. CO
b. NO2
c. SO2
d. PM10

c

a dangerous indoor air pollutant
a. CO
b. NO2
c. SO2
d. PM10

a

emitted from both diesel and burning wood
a. CO
b. NO2
c. SO2
d. PM10

d

All of the following are examples of primary air pollutants except
a. sulfur dioxide.
b. carbon dioxide.
c. tropospheric ozone.
d. nitrogen oxide.

C

The greatest emission of sulfur dioxide comes from
a. on-road vehicles.
b. biofuels.
c. industrial processes.
d. power plants.

D

The largest amount of nitrogen oxide emissions comes from
a. vehicles.
b. fossil fuel combustion.
c. industrial processes.
d. electricity generation.

A

The accumulation of tropospheric ozone during the middle of the day depends mainly upon the atmospheric concentration of nitrogen oxides and
a. carbon dioxide.
b. volatile organic compounds.
c. chlorofluorocarbons.
d. sulfates and nitrates.

B

Air pollution generally refers to pollution in the
a. stratosphere.
b. troposphere.
c. lithosphere.d
. mesosphere.

B

The effects of acid deposition include all of the following EXCEPT
a. mobilization of metal ions from the soil into surface water.
b. increased numbers of salamanders in ponds and streams.
c. reduced food sources for aquatic organisms.
d. erosion of marble buildings and statues.

b

The World Health Organization estimates that 4 million deaths from indoor air pollution are mostly due to:
a. developed world inner-city poor air quality.
b. developing world cooking exposure.
c. workers exposed in office buildings.
d. developing world workers in the automotive industry.

B

Two major factors involved in the conversion of primary pollutants into secondary pollutants are
a. sunlight and water.
b. sulfates and sunlight.
c. water and volatile organics.
d. nitrogen oxides and sulfates.

a

The pollutant least likely to be emitted from a smokestack would be
a. carbon monoxide.
b. carbon dioxide.
c. ozone.
d. sulfur dioxide.

c

All of the following are sources of particulate matter EXCEPT
a. combustion of biofuels.
b. incomplete natural gas combustion.
c. road construction.
d. volcanoes.

b

The EPA identifies all of the following as reasons for sickbuilding syndrome EXCEPT
a. faulty ventilation systems.
b. emissions from carpets and furniture.
c. contamination from molds and pollen.
d. high levels of radon in the basement.

D

Which statement regarding the decreased concentrations of stratospheric ozone is correct?
a. Increased photosynthetic activity has been measured in phytoplankton around Antarctica.
b. Significant increases in skin cancers have already occurred.
c. Although the Montreal Protocol led to a reduction in the use of CFCs, it will have little effect on stratospheric ozone concentrations in the long term.
d. There is no correlation between the incidence of suppressed immune systems and the lower concentrations of stratospheric ozone

B

Which of these acts is a catalyst and repeatedly breaks down ozone molecules?
a. bromine
b. chlorine
c. fluorine
d. serpentine

B

Pollutants can be categorized as primary or secondary. Which pairing is NOT correct?
a. secondary: ozone
b. primary: sulfate
c. secondary: nitrate
d. primary: carbon monoxide

B

A thermal inversion
a. occurs when cool and warm air are intermixed throughout the year.
b. occurs when air pollution from China reaches the West Coast of the United States.
c. occurs when cool air is present through the troposphere.
d. occurs when a warm air layer overlies a cooler layer.

D

Which played an important role in the development of the "throw-away" society?
a. the increased use of glass and metals
b. objects made of many materials
c. attitude changes after World War I
d. the shift in manufacturing to developing nations

B

On average, how much municipal solid waste is generated per person each day in the United States?
a. 0.5 kg
b. 1 kg
c. 2 kg
d. 4 kg

C

The material that makes up the highest proportion of MSW is
a. plastic.
b. rubber, leather, and textiles.
c. paper and paperboard.
d. food.

C

Electronic waste
a. accounts for over 10 percent of the waste stream.
b. is almost always recycled.
c. contains few toxic components.
d. is more expensive to recycle than to put in a landfill.

D

Approximately how much MSW is recovered before it enters alandfill or incinerator?
a. 15 percent
b. 20 percent
c. 35 percent
d. 45 percent

C

The correct order of the three Rs is
a. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.
b. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
c. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce.
d. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.

b

Which is NOT a form of source reduction?
a. printing pages double-sided instead of single-sided
b. purchasing digital versions of music instead of CDs
c. replacing plastic mugs with disposable paper cups
d. substituting a nontoxic material for something toxic

c

Which material usually uses closed-loop recycling?
a. aluminum
b. glass
c. paper
d. cardboard

a

Organic matter in landfills is a problem primarily because
a. it contains bacteria that spreads disease.
b. as it breaks down it can dissolve the containment.
c. it creates excessive heat.
d. it produces methane gas.

d

For composting to work effectively, the compost
a. must be kept very wet.
b. must be mixed.
c. must be anaerobic.
d. must be protected from high temperatures.

b

Which material, when placed in a landfill, is most likely to cause problems as a result of leaching?
a. paper
b. food matter
c. glass
d. aluminum

d

A m^2 landfill experiences 150 mm of rain each year and 60 percent of the rain is runoff. If the landfill has a 90 percent effective leachate collection system, how much leachate escapes each year?
a. 3m^3
b. 5m^3
c. 16m^3
d. 27 m^3

a

Incineration of waste is primarily used
a. to generate heat or electricity.
b. to reduce waste volume and mass.
c. to eliminate heavy metals.
d. when there is no other option.

b

NIMBY describes
a. the costs associated with the use of incinerators.
b. factors contributing to leaching from landfills.
c. attempts to develop better landfills.
d. an attitude about the placement of landfills.

d

Which is NOT a detriment of waste incineration compared with landfills?
a. increased toxicity of waste
b. increased cost to dispose of waste
c. increased space taken up by solid waste
d. increased air pollution

c

Which is NOT a reason to keep household batteries out of landfills?
a. They can leach toxic metals.
b. Their decomposition can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
c. They can be recycled, which would reduce the need for new raw materials.
d. They can be recycled, which would reduce the need for additional energy.

B

All of the following are desired outcomes of MSW incineration EXCEPT
a. extracting energy.
b. reducing volume.
c. prolonging the life of landfills.
d. increasing air pollution.

D

In the last 15 years, MSW per capita in the United States has
a. decreased drastically.
b. decreased, then increased drastically.
c. increased drastically.
d. stayed the same.

D

The EPA estimates that approximately percent of municipal solid waste comes from residences and percent comes from commercial and institutional facilities.
a. 30; 70
b. 40; 60
c. 50; 50
d. 60; 40

D

Which material constitutes the largest component of municipal solid waste?
a. metals
b. yard waste
c. food scraps
d. paper

D

Increasing tipping fees can cause
a. decreased rates of recycling
b. increases in illegal dumping.
c. incentives for proper waste disposal.
d. reduced use of hazardous material.

B

From an environmental waste perspective, which of the following is the most desirable?
a. reduce
b. reuse
c. recycle
d. compost

A

In the United States, how much of generated waste ends up being recycled?
a. approximately one quarter
b. approximately one third
c. roughly half
d. more than three-quarters

B

Which legislation imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries to generate funds to pay for the cleanup of hazardous substances?
a. RCRA
b. Cradle-to-Grave Act
c. HSWA
d. CERCLA

D

Of the following, which contributes most to the production of methane?
a. packaging
b. e-waste
c. plastics
d. yard waste

D

It may be present in the emissions from waste incinerators.
a. benzene
b. calcium carbonate
c. methane
d. hydrochloric acid

D

It contaminated the land and water near the housing development Love Canal in New York.
a. benzene
b. calcium carbonate
c. methane
d. hydrochloric acid

A

It is potentially a source of energy.
a. benzene
b. calcium carbonate
c. methane
d. hydrochloric acid

C

Roughly half of the material in the solid waste stream that is recovered before ending up in a landfill or incinerator is
a. yard waste.
b. paper products.
c. plastic products.
d. glass products.

B

Which statement regarding composting is NOT true?
a. Composting can be a method for diverting material from the landfill.
b. In order for compost to be made in a reasonable amount of time, the material must be mixed frequently.
c. Composting results in the release of carbon dioxide.
d. Efficient composting requires an abundance of anaerobic bacteria.

D

Which statement best describes the difference between the Superfund and Brownfield programs?
a. Superfund sites are currently hazardous to human health whereas Brownfields are potentially hazardous to humans in the future.
b. The Superfund program only funds the cleanup of wastes deemed hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, whereas the Brownfield program funds the cleanup of all hazardous wastes.
c. Superfund sites are generally reclaimed for human uses (e.g.,recreation) whereas Brownfields are cleaned but never reclaimed.
d. Superfund site designation is reserved for sites that are the highest risk to public health whereas Brownfields are characterized as less dangerous.

D

Waste products from petroleum operations are harmful when ingested and can catch on fire. The EPA would therefore designate them as
I. ignitable.
II. toxic.
III. hazardous.
a. II only
b. III only
c. I and II
d. I, II and III

D

Which of the following activities would CERCLA, or the Superfund Act, help fund?
a. the creation of a new regional landfill
b. the creation of an e-waste recycling site
c. the cleanup of a Brownfields sited. the cleanup of an abandoned waste disposal plant

D