FS II REVIEW QUESTIONS

Which of the following statements about biological wastewater treatment is correct?

• Biological treatment uses only physical processes to remove contaminants

• Biological treatment uses catabolic reactions of microorganisms to decompose organic compounds

• Biological treatment is always more expensive than chemical treatment

• Biological treatment does not produce any biomass

What is the primary purpose of the screening step in preliminary wastewater treatment?

• To remove dissolved organic matter

• To remove materials that could damage equipment or interfere with downstream processes

• To oxidize ammonia to nitrate

• To disinfect the water

Scientists estimate the age of the Earth to be:

• 4.5 billion years old

• 3 thousand years old

• 4.5 million years old

• 3 million years old

The “Great Oxidation Event,” marked by the rise of atmospheric oxygen, occurred during which eon?

• Hadean Eon

• Archean Eon

• Proterozoic Eon

• Phanerozoic Eon

Which principle states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom?

• Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships

• Law of Superposition

• Principle of Original Horizontality

• Principle of Inclusion

Absolute dating differs from relative dating because it:

• Determines the sequence of events

• Provides the exact age in years

• Uses fossil comparison

• Relies on rock layer position

A radioactive element has a half-life of 5730 years. If 12.5% of the parent isotope remains, the sample’s age is:

• 13,559 years

• 17,190 years

• 16,743 years

• 1.66 billion years

Which method is best for dating a volcanic ash layer in sedimentary rock?

• Carbon-14

• Potassium-Argon

• Uranium-Lead

• Relative dating

After 7 half-lives, what percentage of the parent isotope remains?

• 6.25%

• 1.56%

• 0.78%

• 0.39%

The Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships states that:

• Fossils define rock layers

• A fault is younger than the rock it cuts through.

• Sedimentary layers form horizontally

• Inclusions are older than the host rock