Environmental Impact and Pollution Concepts

What is the definition of pollution?

• Any substance that is man-made.

• Any substance found in the wrong place or in the wrong concentration.

• Only visible trash in the environment.

• Chemicals that are only synthetic.

How do human activities primarily disrupt the carbon cycle?

• By planting too many trees.

• By digging up and burning fossil fuels.

• By increasing the amount of carbon in rocks.

• By reducing the carbon in the oceans.

What is a "dead zone" in a body of water, and what causes it?

• An area with too much oxygen, caused by excessive plant growth.

• An area with very low oxygen, caused by the decomposition of algal blooms.

• A region where all marine life thrives due to nutrient-rich waters.

• A place where synthetic chemicals are dumped, directly killing fish.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a natural source of cyanide?

• Almonds

• Spinach

• Apple seeds

• Oranges

What is the main byproduct of the cyanide process used to extract precious metals from ore?

• Pure metal

• Less toxic cyanate

• Hazardous waste

• Water

How does mercury primarily enter the environment and food chain after coal is burned for electricity?

• It stays underground

• It is released into the air and falls onto land and water

• It is converted into a harmless substance

• It is absorbed by plants

What two compounds, released from burning fossil fuels, react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain?

• Carbon dioxide and oxygen

• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide

• Methane and carbon monoxide

• Hydrogen and helium

Which group of chemicals can interfere with an organism's hormones and has been linked to male fish developing female reproductive traits?

• Neurotoxins

• Cyanides

• Endocrine disruptors

• Sulfuric acids