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Environmental Science - Water Pollution& Cycles of Matter/Energy

Total questions: 131

Worksheet time: 1hrs 26mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the main thing that carries out Nitrogen Fixation?

a)

Lightning

b)

Bacteria

c)

Plants

d)

Humans

2.

How do non-human living things participate in the nitrogen cycle? (fill in the blank/short answer)

a)

Bacteria decompose organic matter (decomposition)

b)

animals move nitrogen during consumption

c)

Bacteria convert waste into ammonia (ammonification)

d)

All of the above

3.

How does nitrogen get replenished in the atmosphere from the ground?

a)

nitrification

b)

denitrification

c)

nitrogen assimilation

d)

nitrogen fixation

4.

What role do humans and other living things play in the nitrogen cycle?

a)

they burn fossil fuels releasing nitrogen into the atmosphere

b)

they store nitrogen in their bodies and release it into the ground when they die

c)

they consume large amounts of nitrogen, preventing it from reacting with other atoms in the atmosphere

d)

animals play no role in the nitrogen cycle

5.

Why are autotrophs important factors in the carbon cycle?

a)

they consume large amounts of producers and trap carbon

b)

they hold carbon in their cells as glucose, preventing it from entering the atmosphere

c)

they burn fossil fuels, releasing carbon into the atmosphere

d)

autotrophs play no role in the carbon cycle

6.

The release of water vapor from plants is called

a)

combustion

b)

transpiration

c)

evaporation

d)

condensation

7.

The remains of ancient plants and animals that have been pressurized and buried for millions of years can be mined as

a)

limestone.

b)

calcium carbonate.

c)

wood.

d)

fossil fuels.

8.

Which processes help to cycle carbon through ecosystems?

a)

cellular respiration and photosynthesis

b)

photosynthesis and transpiration

c)

transpiration and the calvin cycle

d)

calvin cycle and krebs cycle

9.

Denitrifying bacteria are responsible for changing

a)

N2 gas into ammonia

b)

N2 gas into nitrates

c)

proteins and DNA into ammonia

d)

ammonia and nitrates into N2 gas

10.

Phosphorus is important in living cells to make

a)

carbohydrates

b)

proteins

c)

DNA and RNA

d)

storage vacuoles

11.

Phosphorus is found in all of the following except

a)

soil and rocks.

b)

fertilizer and matches.

c)

the air.

d)

human cells.

12.

Clouds are formed from

a)

precipitation and evaporation.

b)

evaporation and condensation.

c)

transpiration and evaporation.

d)

infiltration and condensation.

13.

Water flowing over the land, carrying nutrients and pollution as it drains into larger rivers and the ocean is called

a)

condensation.

b)

evaporation.

c)

runoff.

d)

percolation.

14.

The process that involves bacteria and fungi breaking down large compounds to return smaller molecules to the environment is called

a)

nitrification.

b)

decomposition.

c)

erosion.

d)

photosynthesis.

15.

The process where bacteria that convert nitrogen gas into ammonia and nitrites & nitrates compounds is called

a)

nitrogen fixation.

b)

denitrification.

c)

infiltration.

d)

nodule formation.

16.

All of the nutrient cycles contain a pathway where molecules enter the atmosphere EXCEPT the

a)

nitrogen cycle.

b)

phosphorus cycle.

c)

carbon cycle.

d)

water cycle.

17.

The hydrologic cycle is also known as the

a)

nitrogen cycle.

b)

water cycle.

c)

carbon cycle.

d)

phosphorus cycle.

18.
In the carbon cycle, producers take in the gas __
a)
carbon dioxide
b)
oxygen
c)
nitrogen
d)
carbon monoxide
19.

What happens when there is more water than the air can hold?

a)

The water turns into vapor and rises up.

b)

The water falls to the ground as precipitation.

c)

The water evaporates and turns into clouds.

20.

Photosynthesizing plants affect the carbon cycle by...

a)

Creating more carbon atoms

b)

Reducing the amount of carbon in the soil

c)

Absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, lowering atmospheric levels of carbon

d)

None of the above; plants do not affect the carbon cycle

21.

The burning of fossil fuels contributes to the carbon cycle in what way?

a)

Increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

b)

Increases the amount of O2 in the atmosphere

c)

Decreases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

d)

Decreases the amount of O2 in the atmosphere

22.

Decomposers contribute to the carbon cycle in what way?

a)

They turn oxygen into CO2.

b)

They take carbon from living organisms and return it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

c)

They turn CO2 into organic, living carbon molecules.

d)

They create organic carbon and keep it stored in the earth forever.

23.

Choose the answer that best describes what this graph is showing.

a)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been steadily decreasing since 1960.

b)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels do not show a change over time.

c)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were at their lowest levels in 1980.

d)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been steadily increasing since 1960.

24.

Climate change is due primarily to what?

a)

Increase in O2 and CO2 in our atmosphere.

b)

Increase in ocean water temperatures.

c)

Increase CO2 in the atmosphere.

d)

Increase in nitrogen and phosphorous in our lakes and estuaries.

25.

Eutrophication is caused by what?

a)

Increase in CO2 in the atmosphere.

b)

Increase of nitrogen and phosphorous in lakes and estuaries.

c)

Driving our cars and using too many electronics.

d)

Increasing air and water temperatures on earth.

26.

Nitrogen is part what important molecule(s)?

a)

DNA

b)

Proteins

c)

All of these

d)

ATP

27.

Denitrification is the process by which...

a)

bacteria convert nitrates into N gas, releasing it into the atmosphere

b)

animals convert N gas into nitrates, releasing it into the atmosphere

c)

dead organisms break down and return carbon to the soil and atmosphere

d)

organic N is converted into oxygen during photosynthesis

28.

Phosphorous is the primary make-up of what cell part?

a)

Chloroplasts

b)

Mitochondria

c)

Cell membrane

d)

Ribosomes

29.

Which nutrient(s) are what we call "limiting nutrients"?

a)

Phosphorous because of long process of the rock cycle

b)

Carbon because its always available

c)

Glucose its in plants

d)

Nitrogen because it relies on bacteria to "fix"it

30.
What is the only process that removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
combustion
b)
cellular respiration
c)
photosynthesis
d)
decomposition
31.

What is the largest reservoir for nitrogen?

a)

the ocean

b)

rocks and minerals

c)

the atmosphere

d)

bacteria

32.

An organism that breaks down the remains of dead plants or animals without the need for internal digestion

a)

Decomposer

b)

Consumer

c)

Sun

d)

Producer

33.

An organism that gets energy from eating plants or animals (or both)

a)

Producer

b)

Consumer

c)

Decomposer

d)

Sun

34.

An organism that uses sunlight to make its own food or energy

a)

Producer

b)

Consumer

c)

Decomposer

d)

Sun

35.

The source of all energy is

(a)  

36.

Fill in the blank: Sun -> __________ -> Consumer -> Decomposer

a)

Producer

b)

Herbivore

c)

Omnivore

d)

Rain

37.

Decomposers give energy and nutrients back to...

a)

The Sun

b)

The Soil

c)

Consumers

d)

Herbivores

38.

If the hawk population decreases, what will happen to the snakes and rabbits?

a)

Snakes and rabbits will increase

b)

Snakes and rabbits will decrease

c)

Snakes will decrease, rabbits will increase

d)

Snakes will increase, rabbits will decrease

39.

Choose the MOST ACCURATE term for:

Organism that feeds itself by making food using energy from the sun

a)

Plant

b)

Autotroph

c)

Decomposer

d)

Heterotroph

40.

Choose the MOST ACCURATE term for:

Consumers that break down dead organisms into smaller compounds that can be absorbed by autotrophs

a)

Decomposers

b)

Scavengers

c)

Predators

d)

Tertiary Consumers

41.

What does the flow of energy through an ecosystem always begin with?

a)

Primary Producers

b)

Primary Consumers

c)

Heterotrophs

d)

Grass

42.
All energy transformations in an ecosystem begin with
a)
a scavenger
b)
the sun
c)
a decomposer
d)
a herbivore
43.
What does a Secondary Consumer eat?
a)
Tertiary Consumers
b)
Primary Consumers
c)
Producers
d)
Secondary Consumers
44.
A connection of food chains with many food energy paths in an ecosystem is a ____________.
a)
ecosystem
b)
food web
c)
environment
d)
population
45.

Who is the producer?

a)

lettuce

b)

greenfly

c)

ladybird

d)

thrush

46.

Arrows in a food web show

a)

eating

b)

sunlight

c)

energy flow

d)

matter

47.

This microscopic organism is an example of a decomposer.

a)

algae

b)

bacteria

c)

dinosaurs

d)

amoeba

48.

A field mouse eats seeds,

a snake eats the field mouse, & a hawk eats

a snake

This is called a...

a)

food web

b)

food link

c)

energy chains

d)

food chain

49.
What does a food web represent?
a)
All connections of energy flow throughout all organisms in a habitat.
b)
The specific ways that mutualism is carried out.
c)
A single pathway or energy flow between organisms. 
d)
How carnivores get their food. 
50.

Which animal is the top predator?

a)

hawk

b)

lizard

c)

snake

d)

grass

51.

Which of the following correctly shows an energy pyramid?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

52.

How much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an energy pyramid?

a)

1%

b)

10%

c)

100%

d)

90%

53.

What is 10% of 55,000?

a)

55,000

b)

5,500

c)

550

d)

55

54.

Kilocalories (kCal) is a measure of energy. If there are 1000 kCal available for the producers in trophic level #1, how much energy is available for the secondary consumers trophic level #3? (Hint: use the Rule of 10s)

a)

10 kCal

b)

1 kCal

c)

100 kCal

d)

1000 kCal

55.
In the energy pyramid here, which organisms have the most energy available?
a)
Producers
b)
Carnivores
c)
Herbivores
d)
Top Predator
56.
Use the diagram answer the question.
What is a fitting description for this diagram?
a)
A Food Chain
b)
An Ecosystem
c)
A Food Web
d)
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
57.
Use the diagram to answer the question.
The Mayfly is a food source for which 3 organisms?
a)
Frog, Dragon Fly and snake
b)
Frog, trout and dragon fly
c)
Frog, salamander and trout
d)
Frog and phytoplankton
58.
Use the diagram to answer the question.
The trout is a source of food for the human and the eagle. When there are more than one organism vying for the same source we call this____?
a)
Population
b)
Resources
c)
Community
d)
Competition
59.
In Australia the farmers had a problem with beetles eating the sugar cane. So they introduced the cane toad to control that population. Instead of eating the beetles, they ate the source of food and other organisms. What would be a possible consequence of this?
a)
The other organisms attacks the toad population
b)
The ecosystem would be destroyed
c)
The cane toads would get too much food and die
d)
The food web was changed by this one organism
60.
If the grasshopper were to be removed completely from the food web, what organism would be most effected?
a)
The squirrel
b)
The shrew
c)
The deer
d)
The rabbit
61.
Which organism recieves the least amount of energy from the producer?
a)
Owl
b)
Grasshopper
c)
Lilypad
d)
Mouse
62.
Which organism in this food chain is a tertiary consumer?
a)
Fish
b)
Grass
c)
Grasshopper
d)
Hawk
63.
an organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis
a)
consumer
b)
heterotroph
c)
autotroph
d)
herbivore
64.
An organism that eats the secondary consumer.
a)
Primary Consumer
b)
Secondary Consumer
c)
Tertiary Consumer
d)
Consumer
65.

A rapid growth of algae could lead to... (Check all that apply.)

a)

A reduction of oxygen levels in the water.

b)

Water that can support more life.

c)

Waters that are devoid of life.

d)

An increase in oxygen levels.

66.

Source of pollution that can be traced to back to a single source.

a)

runoff

b)

sediment

c)

point source pollution

d)

nonpoint source pollution

67.

Pollution source that cannot be traced to a single point because comes from many sources

a)

thermal

b)

toxic

c)

nonpoint source pollution

d)

point source pollution

68.

Farmers increase their use of pesticides and herbicides. What type of pollution would this cause?

a)

Sediment

b)

Nutrient

c)

Toxic

d)

Bacterial

e)

Thermal

69.

Someone drains used car oil and anti-freeze onto the ground. What type of pollution would this cause?

a)

Toxic

b)

Bacterial

c)

Thermal

d)

Nutrient

e)

Sediment

70.

Untreated sewage is released into the environment. What type of pollution would this cause?

a)

Nutrient

b)

Bacterial

c)

Toxic

d)

Thermal

e)

Sediment

71.

A parking lot is build near a stream. Cars in the parking sometimes leak oil and anti-freeze onto the parking lot. What source of pollution is this?

a)

Point source

b)

Nonpoint source

72.

In order to grow a nice, green lawn, Kahkwa uses a lot of fertilizers. What type of pollution would this cause?

a)

Toxic

b)

Nutrient

c)

Bacterial

d)

Thermal

e)

Sediment

73.

Which of the following is the best example of a source of Point Source Pollution?

a)

Pet owners leaving waste on the ground.

b)

Runoff from farms that brings animal waste into a stream.

c)

Home owners washing cars near a storm drain.

d)

A fabric company that pours extra dye into a nearby stream

74.

Which of the following statements best explains why nonpoint pollution is so difficult to prevent?

a)

Because nonpoint pollution can be traced to only one source.

b)

Because the source of nonpoint pollution is difficult to identify.

c)

Because the source of nonpoint pollution may be a factory that can afford large fines.

d)

Because nonpoint pollution is mainly from high temperature, which is impossible for us to affect.

75.

What element was the biggest problem in Lake Erie's issues? (Especially in the 1950s-1970s.)

a)

Hydrogen

b)

Nitrogen

c)

Phosphorus

d)

Sulfur

76.

Eutrophication has been controlled in Lake Erie.

a)

True

b)

False

77.

Which of the following is NOT a problem that Lake Erie continues to struggle with?

a)

Invasive Species

b)

Toxic, point source pollution

c)

Contaminated sediments

d)

Bacterial pollution that closes beaches

78.

What is the most common type of pollution?

a)

Toxic

b)

Bacterial

c)

Thermal

d)

Nutrient

e)

Sediment

79.

causes algal blooms in lakes

a)

sulfur dioxide

b)

nitrous oxide

c)

carbon dioxide

d)

ammonia

80.
What is algal bloom?
a)
Plants bloom early down stream
b)
Water becomes cloudy
c)
Too much of nutrients
d)
Extremely rapid growth of algea
81.

Sewage leaking from a pipe.

a)

Point Source Pollution

b)

Non-point source pollution

82.

Chemicals dumped into a river from an unknown source.

a)

Point Source Pollution

b)

Non-point source pollution

83.

Fertilizer farm runoff

a)

Point Source Pollution

b)

Non-point source pollution

84.

Leaking fuel tank: Point source or Nonpoint source?

a)

Point source

b)

Nonpoint source

c)

Both of them

85.

Check all that apply. What are the two types of pollution sources?

a)

Nonpoint-source

b)

Direct source

c)

Point-source

d)

Water

86.

Which of the following is NOT a source of nitrates and phosphates into a river?

a)

Fertilizers

b)

Animal waste

c)

Wastewater

d)

Burning fossil fuels

87.

True or False: Fertilizers used for growing crops always stay within the boundaries of the farm.

a)

True

b)

False

88.

In a dead zone, _________ levels are really low such that living organisms are not able survive.

a)

nitrogen

b)

oxygen

c)

fertilizer

d)

carbon dioxide

89.

The long term effects of a dead zone includes all of the following except for

a)

Fisherman may struggle to catch any fish.

b)

The crops of farmers stop growing.

c)

The health of the fish population declines.

d)

There is an increase in the population of decomposers such as bacteria.

90.

The natural process of eutrophication is accelerated when you add...

a)

phosphates and nitrates

b)

nitrates and oxygen

c)

biodiversity

d)

oil and heat

91.

A new mall and movie theatre are being built on the outskirts of suburbia. Trees and brush are cleared away, the land is bulldozed, and a silt fence is installed across part of the development. However, construction is delayed for a year, leaving the land exposed to the elements.

a)

Toxic

b)

Sediment

c)

Nutrient

d)

Bacterial

92.

What is called when an industry removes water from a source and then returns the heated water to its source?

a)

Water pollution

b)

Soil pollution

c)

Air pollution

d)

Thermal pollution

93.

A ship carrying gasoline runs into shore and spills large amount of gasoline.

a)

Point

b)

Non-Point

94.

Acid Rain

a)

Point

b)

Non-Point

95.

Construction sites sediments wash away into a stream.

a)

Point

b)

Non-Point

96.

An abandoned mine leaking minerals into groundwater

a)

Point

b)

Non-Point

97.

Water that seeps into soil and enters through aquifers is called _____?

a)

Reservoir

b)

Standing Water

c)

Running Water

d)

Groundwater

98.

An underground layer of rock or soil that has connected pores, or holes, that water can pass through.

a)

aquifer

b)

reservoir

c)

lake

d)

pond

99.

There is only _________ percent of freshwater on earth.

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

5

100.

What is the driving force of the water cycle?

a)

wind

b)

sun

c)

soil

d)

clouds

101.

When the sun warms plants, it causes water to evaporate out of the leaves through the small openings. This process is called

a)

collection

b)

transpiration

c)

absorption

d)

run off

102.

The land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake is called...

a)

conservation

b)

land form

c)

runoff

d)

watershed

103.
In order to grow a nice, green lawn, LFHS uses a lot of fertilizers. What type of pollution would this cause?
a)
Toxic
b)
Nutrient
104.
The Harrison's decided to cut down the trees and the brushes that were obstructing their view. This left an open area with no vegetation between the house and the lake. What type of pollution would this cause?
a)
Sediment
b)
Nutrient
105.
What is the relationship between groundwater and surface water?
a)
Surface water percolates (moves) through the soil to form groundwater.
b)
There is no relationship between surface and groundwater.
c)
Groundwater filters through the soil to form surface water.
d)
Surface water is found in lakes directly above underground water sources.
106.

If a well is over-pumped... what could happen?

a)

there will be more groundwater

b)

less groundwater + aquifers will dry out

c)

the water table does not change

107.

All bodies of fresh water, salt water, ice, and snow that are found above ground

a)

Groundwater

b)

Surface water

c)

Runoff

d)

Swimming pool

108.

A _________________ source of pollution is a water pollution source that happens in a specific area, such as a spot where chemicals are being directly dumped in the water.

a)

point

b)

nonpoint

c)

aquifer

d)

gravity

109.

A __________________ source of water pollution is water pollution over a larger area, such as roadways, agricultural areas, and industrial sites.

a)

point

b)

nonpoint

c)

aquifer

d)

gravity

110.

What is the original, and primary reservoir of inorganic phosphate (PO43-)in terrestrial ecosystems?

a)

live plants and animals

b)

groundwater

c)

the atmosphere

d)

rocks

111.
Phosphorous is passed from plants to ____ who eat them
a)
plants
b)
animals
c)
scavengers
112.
What role do decomposers play in the phosphorous cycle?
a)
absorb phosphorous 
b)
release phosphorous into atmosphere
c)
return phosphorous into the soil
d)
combustion
113.

In general, algal blooms occur when

a)

toxins accumulate in shellfish.

b)

nutrients decrease in the water.

c)

nutrients increase in the water.

114.
How much of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen gas?
a)
87%
b)
38%
c)
78%
d)
21%
115.
Plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly from the air.
a)
True
b)
False
116.
After plants and animals contain nitrogen, what puts it back into atmosphere and soil?
a)
decomposition
b)
precipitation
c)
condensation
d)
bacteria
117.
What happens when organisms die and decay? 
a)
Their bodies are lifted up
b)
Their nitrogen returns to the soil
c)
they keep their nitrogen
d)
They stay on earth forever
118.
Nitrification happens in the ______
a)
Air 
b)
Soil 
c)
Ground Water 
d)
Plants 
119.

What converts nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants and animals?

a)

bacteria

b)

rain

c)

fungi

d)

car exhaust

120.

How do animals get the nitrogen they need?

a)

From the air they breathe

b)

From the water they drink

c)

From the food they eat

d)

From the sun

121.

What process occurs when dead plant and animal matter decomposes and nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere?

a)

Assimilation

b)

Fixation

c)

Ammonification

d)

Denitrification

122.

A correct path that nitrogen could take would be

a)

air -> animals -> plants -> bacteria

b)

animals -> air -> bacteria -> plants

c)

bacteria -> air -> plants -> animals

d)

air -> bacteria -> plants -> animals

123.

The physical and chemical breakdown of rocks causes phosphate ions to be released.

a)

Decomposition

b)

Sedimentation

c)

Uplift

d)

Weathering

124.

Why do living things need nitrogen?

a)

To get energy

b)

To make amino acids

c)

To make proteins

d)

To make proteins and DNA /RNA

125.
What is the only process that removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
combustion
b)
cellular respiration
c)
photosynthesis
d)
decomposition
126.

What cycle are fossil fuels part of ?

a)

carbon

b)

oxygen

c)

nitrogen

d)

phosphorus

127.

What is the largest reservoir for nitrogen?

a)

the ocean

b)

rocks and minerals

c)

the atmosphere

d)

bacteria

128.

Nitrogen fixation is the process in which certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas into

a)

liquid nitrogen

b)

nitrates

c)

nitrites

d)

ammonia and then Nitrates

129.

Plant roots directly obtain water from

a)

Water vapor

b)

Groundwater stored below the soil

c)

Precipitation

d)

Water runoff from rivers and streams

130.

Decomposition is part of all cycles except _______

a)

the carbon cycle

b)

the nitrogen cycle

c)

the water cycle

d)

the phosphorus cycle

131.

The only ways to fix atmospheric nitrogen into useable chemical compounds are what?

a)

virus

b)

bacteria and lightening

c)

carbon

d)

none of these

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