Environmental Science Quiz Unit 8

What is a Point Source of pollution?

• A measure of relative clarity of a liquid

• A natural process that results in the accumulation of nutrients in bodies of water

• Any single identifiable source from which pollutants are discharged

• A broad, diffuse area from which pollutants enter bodies of water

What does the term 'Homeostasis' refer to?

• A substance capable of causing cancer

• The tendency to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment

• The release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment

• Low oxygen areas in the world’s oceans and lakes

What are Oceanic dead zones characterized by?

• High levels of dissolved oxygen

• Low oxygen, or hypoxic, areas

• An abundance of plant nutrients

• Clear and unpolluted water

What is Eutrophication?

• A process that removes pollutants from water using chemicals

• The accumulation of persistent organic pollutants in an organism

• A natural process resulting from the accumulation of nutrients in bodies of water

• The process of burning waste materials

What does 'Bioaccumulation' refer to?

• The increase of a substance in the tissues of organisms at higher levels in a food chain

• The process of recycling organic materials into soil

• The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism

• The addition of nutrients to water bodies

What is the primary concern with Endocrine disruptors?

• They may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones

• They are used to increase crop productivity

• They increase oxygen levels in water

• They cause eutrophication in lakes

What is the main effect of Thermal pollution on water quality?

• Increases the clarity of the water

• Decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen

• Changes ambient water temperature

• Reduces the amount of pollutants

What are Nitrates in water primarily a form of?

• A measure of water clarity

• A type of endocrine disruptor

• A type of persistent organic pollutant

• A form of nitrogen

What is the main purpose of Secondary Treatment in wastewater treatment?

• To remove large particles through filtration

• A biological process to reduce organic matter

• To disinfect water using chemicals

• To remove material that will float or readily settle out by gravity

What does the term 'Anoxic' refer to?

• Water with low but not zero levels of oxygen

• Water with high levels of oxygen

• Water that does not contain dissolved oxygen

• Water with artificially increased oxygen levels