Unit 4 Test Review - Environmental Science

As part of a study of the effects of urbanization, local scientists have taken many data samples over the course of 20 years. The scientists detected increases in local soil erosion, carbon dioxide levels, and air temperatures. What most likely caused these changes?

• deforestation of woodlands

• decreased water quality

• altered water flow

• erosion of topsoil

Which of the following is one way that humans can protect biodiversity?

• understanding and protecting habitats

• using large-scale single-crop agriculture

• encouraging deforestation in fire-prone areas

• introducing nonnative plants to an ecosystem

I. Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable source of energy.

II. Burning fossil fuels is decreasing the amount of helpful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

III. Fossil fuels are becoming more expensive.

Which of the above statements accurately describes why humans should move away from greenhouse gas use?

• I only

• II only

• II and III only

• I and III only

What is a Non-Point source Pollution?

• Soil from farms
• Acid rain
• Damaged Sewer Pipe or system 
• Salts from irrigation of farm fields

What is algal bloom?

• Plants bloom early down stream
• Water becomes cloudy
• Too much of nutrients
• Extremely rapid growth of algea

What is a point-source pollution?

• Oil spilling from supertanker
• Drainpipe spilling waste into river
• Toxic Chemicals
• Single sites of waste

In 2005, the government of Brazil released information showing that over 10,000 square miles of the Amazon rain forest had been destroyed. Cattle ranching is the leading cause of deforestation reported by the Brazilian government. What will most likely be the immediate result of deforestation in the Amazon rain forest?

• a decrease in the use of alternative energy

• an increase in biodiversity in the region

• an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

• a decrease in the rate of soil erosion

What is soil erosion?

• A naturally occurring process that affects all land forms

• Type of soil

• A time period

• The wearing away of top soil

Why are construction sites considered major sources of water pollution?

• They introduce high levels of salt into local water sources.

• Soil erosion rates accelerate dramatically, impacting water quality in streams and rivers

• They cause sinkholes to form, which pollute local water sources.

• Sawdust leaches into the soil, causing the water that runs into rivers and streams to be cloudy and full of particles.

Some residents of a neighborhood noticed lots of dead fish in a local creek. They traced the problem to a leaky tank of gasoline that had developed a leak. This is an example of...

• nonpoint source pollution

• thermal pollution

• groundwater pollution

• point source pollution