Earth & Human Activity ESS8.3

Which factors would tell scientists that a local stream is safe and healthy?

• The nitrates are high and the turbidity is low.

• The pH is high and the dissolved oxygen is high.

• The dissolved oxygen is low and the turbidity is high.

• The dissolved oxygen is high and the temperature is low.

Which explains how the dissolved oxygen in a body of water would change?

• If bacteria in the body of water increased, the dissolved oxygen level would increase.

• If drought near the body of water increased, the dissolved oxygen level would increase.

• If the temperature of the body of water decreased, the dissolved oxygen level would increase.

• If the movement of the body of water decreased, the dissolved oxygen level would increase.

Which happens when there is a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem?

• The turbidity increases.

• The type of sediment changes.

• The temperature of the water decreases.

• The type and number of aquatic bioindicators changes.

A local lake is experiencing above average algae growth on its surface. Which could be a cause of this increased algae?

• fertilizer runoff from a local farm

• high turbidity due to stormy weather

• acid rain due to emissions from a nearby factory

• hot water returned to the lake from a local factory

Which best explains why conservation is needed when using wind for energy production?

• A. Energy production releases CO₂ into the atmosphere.

• B. Energy production causes the formation of acid rain.

• C. Energy production is limited by the weather.

• D. Energy production is affected by the tides.

Which statement best describes a disadvantage of using wind power to generate electricity?

• The technology used to generate electricity from wind is expensive.

• Much of the energy in wind power is lost when it is converted to electricity.

• The source of wind needed to generate electricity is variable and unpredictable.

• The amount of electrical energy produced from wind power is too great for power lines to withstand.

Which best describes a negative consequence of mining the coal near the site of a power plant?

• Mining of coal near the plant increases the risk that coal will fall on the ground as it is transported to the power plant.

• Mining of coal produces coal dust in the region around the power plant, which will increase the pollution in the atmosphere.

• Mining of coal makes the land near the power plant more unstable, which increases the risk of an accident occurring at the power plant.

• Mining of coal increases erosion of the land near the river, which increases the leaching of toxic chemicals into the river and other nearby water supplies.

Which most likely explains an environmental consequence of transforming wind into usable energy?

• A. Windmills are expensive to build and maintain.

• B. Windmills’ energy will spread litter throughout an area.

• C. Windmills can destroy birds that get caught in the turbine.

• D. Windmills will change local airflow and interrupt the carbon cycle.

How would new techniques designed to obtain gas and oil affect the supply of these nonrenewable energy resources over time?

• The supply would increase at first, but with continued population growth, the supply would eventually decrease more quickly.

• The supply would decrease at first, but with continued population growth, the supply would eventually decrease more quickly.

• The supply would increase at first, and with continued population growth, the supply would increase to accommodate the need.

• The supply would decrease at first, and with continued population decline, the supply would be used more slowly and last much longer.

Which is a result of a decline in the use of hydroelectric energy?

• Water quality would increase.

• Particle pollution would decrease.

• Damage to ecosystems would decrease.

• Reservoir water flooding would increase.