Quiz on Soil Pollution

What is soil formed from?

• Chemicals

• Air and water

• Plants and animals

• Parent material by physical and chemical weathering of rocks

What is the primary cause of soil erosion?

• Overgrazing by livestock

• Deforestation

• All of the above

• Burning of grass cover

What is a common source of soil contaminants being spilled onto the surface?

• Accidents involving vehicles transporting waste material

• Natural weathering

• Industrial waste

• Air pollution

What is a primary source of pollution on or near the ground surface?

• Industrial waste

• Air pollution

• Excess sunlight exposure

• Excess use of irrigation water

What is the foremost effect of losing topsoil?

• Increase in food production

• Decrease in water pollution

• Food shortage

• Desertification

What is a method to minimize the loss of topsoil?

• Pollution

• Increase use of fertilizers

• Proper soil conservation measures

• Deforestation

What is bioremediation?

• Process using microorganisms to return the environment to its original condition

• Burning of contaminated soil

• Use of chemicals to clean soil

• Mechanical removal of contaminants

What is an example of a bioremediation technology?

• Land farming

• Deforestation

• Oil drilling

• Mining

What type of contaminants are not easily treated by bioremediation using microorganisms?

• Organic waste

• Heavy metals

• Plastic waste

• Radioactive waste

What is a condition that favors bioremediation?

• Low oxygen levels in the soil

• Low nutrient availability

• Lack of water

• High temperature