Env Sci - Pollution Quiz

Why is the natural greenhouse effect of Earth a cause for concern now?

• Greenhouse gases act as natural insulators and prevent the heat of the Sun from reaching Earth.

• Greenhouse gases destroy the ozone layer, which acts as natural insulation against ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

• The rise in the amount of greenhouse gases has resulted in global warming, because more heat gets trapped in the atmosphere.

• The rise in the amount of greenhouse gases has reduced the amount of oxygen in the air, decreasing the breathable air on Earth.

Prior to the Industrial Era, pre-1780, ____________ affected Earth's climate because they emitted both aerosols and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• sunspots

• volcanoes

• fossil fuels

• meteorite impacts

After a chemical spill in a nearby lake, residents began to notice a large number of dead turtles washing up on the shore.

What is the likely cause of the turtle deaths?

• Overfishing of the turtles by the local fishermen.

• Someone has introduced a new turtle predator to the lake's ecosystem.

• The lake water mixed with the spilled chemical and created a toxic pollutant.

• The elimination of the insects and plants that make up most of the turtle's diet.

Volcanoes play an important role in determining climate change. When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of ______________ gas and ash into the atmosphere which can influence climatic patterns for years.

• nitrogen

• oxygen

• sulfur dioxide

• carbon monoxide

The overgrowth of algae on the surface of this water is caused by

• a decrease in the oxygen levels in the water

• not enough primary consumers in the ecosystem

• an increase in nitrogen levels in the water from fertilizer runoff

• an excess of carbon dioxide in the water due to an increase in the number of fish

I. oil and gas production

II. agricultural production

III. manure management at feedlots

IV. municipal solid waste landfills

V. gas seepage gas from underground deposits

VI. decay of plant material in wetlands

One of the greenhouse gases, methane has a particular molecular structure that enables it to trap more heat than carbon dioxide. However, methane does not exist as long as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Methane occurs both naturally and as a result of man's activities on earth. Identify all the sources of naturally occurring methane.

• V and VI

• II and III

• II, V, and VI

• III, IV, and V

Ocean acidification is of considerable concern to environmental scientists as it could impact ocean biodiversity significantly. Human actions may directly contribute to the acidification of the ocean. Of these scenarios, which does NOT directly contribute to ocean acidification?

• Humans are increasingly burning fossil fuels, which directly releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• Humans are increasingly raising livestock that produce methane as a byproduct, creating decrease in ocean pH.

• Humans are increasingly using automobiles with vehicle emissions that directly contribute to atmospheric gases that cause ocean acidification.

• Humans are increasingly removing forested areas from Earth, causing a decrease in carbon sequestration and an increase in carbon dioxide atmospheric levels.

If sustainable and practical irrigation methods are not followed, what negative consequence can occur in and around the soils of agricultural land?

• Decreased nitrogen in the soil can occur as fertilizers are not often injected in the irrigation water.

• Increased salinization of the soil can occur when salts in the irrigation water are left behind after evaporation.

• Increased porosity of the soil can occur as water from irrigation systems further weather the rocks within the soil.

• Increased organic matter can occur as the water can promote the breakdown of remaining plants parts in and around the agricultural field.

The formation of photochemical smog is a result of a series of reactions between chemicals in the atmosphere and light. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) interact with nitric oxide to form ozone and other secondary pollutants. What is the most likely source of VOCs?

• evaporation from gasoline

• emissions from volcanic activity

• sublimation from decaying animal waste

• evaporation from volatile compounds inside walks

Sulfur dioxide is considered a serious air pollutant. SO2

emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO2

in the air generally also lead to the formation of other sulfur oxides(SOx). SOx

can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. and these particles contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution. Small particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and in sufficient quantity can contribute to health problems. Which of these is NOT a source of SO2

pollution?

• manufacture of cement

• extracting metal from ore

• burning fossil fuels by power plants

• trains, ships and heavy equipment that burn high sulfur content fuel