Human Impact on Environmental Systems

How do the industrial, agricultural and residential activities of humans most likely affect the groundwater in this area?

• The activities prevent most of the water from evaporating into the atmosphere

• Pollutants from the activities percolate through the soil and enter the water table.

• The activities replace the groundwater used.

• All of the above

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A student sets up the investigation shown to the left. The movement of colored water through the gravel best models -

• condensation of water vapor

• surface runoff of precipitation

• conservation of water

• pollution of groundwater

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A coastal area that once supported a thriving fishing industry is overfished.  The number of species found living in the marine ecosystem decreases.  Which of these activities is most likely to increase the natural biodiversity in the area?

• Building artificial reefs and limiting fishing activities

• Introducing non-native species to fill unoccupied habitats and banning fishing

• Building artificial reefs and increasing fishing activities

• Eliminating non-native species and encouraging fishing from large predatory fish

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Which of these human activities is most likely to cause the excessive growth of phytoplankton in the world's oceans?

• The use of chemical fertilizers that are carried by runoff into rivers

• The logging of old-growth forests, which results in erosion

• The spraying of chemical herbicides that reduce carbon dioxide in the air

• The mining of fossil fuels, which requires digging underground tunnels

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More of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans than by dry land. Why are oceans so important to humans? 

• Ocean water is used for most drinking water.  

• Ocean water is the main water source for the water cycle. 

• Oceans are the primary food source for most humans. 

• Oceans prevent the formation of hurricanes. 

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Cod is a popular fish that many people like to eat. Because of overfishing, some cod populations have declined sharply. The diagram shows a maritime food web. Based on the information given in the food web, which three populations will be the first to increase when cod are overfished?

(CHOOSE 3 CORRECT ANSWERS)

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The more than 300 miles of Texas coastline includes numerous estuaries. Changes in the estuaries cause many other changes that affect marine organisms and land-dwelling organisms including humans. The diagrams show one estuary before and after changes in the area. Which cause and effect are most likely due to the change in this estuary?

• A decrease in breeding fish and shrimp caused by an increase in water clarity 

• A decrease in crabs and clams caused by an increase in water clarity

• An increase in flooding caused by a decrease in habitat complexity

• An increase in large open-water fish caused by a decrease in habitat complexity

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Texas cities and towns maintain storm drains and drainage ditches to help reduce flooding of streets. Where does most of the water from the storm drains go?

• Into the Gulf of Mexico

• Into Local fishing ponds

• Into yards of homes

• Into sewage disposal plants

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Trawling is one method of commercial fishing. A large net is dragged behind a boat to catch fish. The net is held down and open by a pair of very heavy steel otter boards and by floats on the front top part of the trawl net. Which of these would be most harmed by this type of trawling?

• Animals like many jellyfish, float near the surface.

• Fish that live in the middle of the ocean.

• Large whale species that feed in open water.

• Marine animals that are bottom dwellers.

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Long ago people would leave trash in remote areas. Some of these old trash dumps are still producing pollutants. The diagram shows rock layers, aquifers, and wells near an old trash dump. Which 2 areas are most likely to become contaminated with pollutants from the trash dump? ( CHOOSE 2 CORRECT ANSWERS)

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