Biogeochemical cycles and Human impact

Which of the following is not an example of a biological process in a biogeochemical cycle?

• Transpiration

• Nitrogen fixation by bacteria

• Erosion

• Birds eliminating waste

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Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere primarily by

• Consumption of animals

• Combustion and cellular respiration

• Elimination of waste by animals

• Photosynthesis by producers

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Carbon cycles through the biosphere in all of the following EXCEPT

• Photosynthesis

• Transpiration

• Burning of fossil fuels

• Decomposition of plants and animals

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Nitrogen fixation is carried out mainly by _______.

• Humans

• Plants

• Bacteria

• Animals

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Which of the following steps of the water cycle is the only step that has to have living organisms in order to happen?

• Transpiration

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Precipitation

According to the food web, which food chain is correct?

• phytoplankton → krill → fish → penguins → elephant seal

• phytoplankton → other herbivorous zooplankton → fish → leopard seal → toothed whales

• phytoplankton → other herbivorous zooplankton → squid → penguins → leopard seal

• phytoplankton → krill → carnivorous zooplankton → seals → toothed whales

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Environmental researchers analyzing soil samples from multiple areas near an industrial development find significant levels of uranium in a few of the samples. What is the most likely reason for this finding?

• Uranium enters the atmosphere and is deposited back into the soil.

• The grass has developed a mutation in its active transport proteins.

• Uranium is an essential nutrient for these grasses.

• Uranium is substituting for other missing essential nutrients.

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In most developed countries, large fish kills and contamination of drinking water may be caused by all of the following except

• malfunctioning sewage treatment plants.

• accidental release of toxic industrial chemicals.

• pesticides and plant nutrients from agricultural sources.

• accidental release of predatory exotic species.

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What is the only effective way to protect groundwater?

• prevent contamination

• use advanced sewage treatment

• cover all wells carefully

• treat all water from underground sources

DDT was a common pesticide used in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Although it was tested in mice for safety by scientists who produced it, other environmental scientists observed that the shells of many predator birds, such as eagles, were becoming fragile and breaking before the chicks hatched. This was causing a significant decrease in eagle populations. The DDT story is an example of how scientists who work in one area (pesticides) caused harm in another (environment) without meaning to do so. How can this be avoided in the future?

• Scientists must communicate their data publicly so that other scientists see them.

• Less experimentation must be done before pesticides are released.

• Scientists should not try to improve products due to potential harm.

• Only the government should develop potentially harmful pesticides.

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