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WorksheetsAP Environmental Pollutants
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Which is NOT a criteria pollutant?
Sulfur dioxide
Lead
Carbon dioxide
Particulate matter
Tropospheric ozone
A secondary pollutant
forms in the stratosphere.
is transformed by sunlight or water.
cannot be directly tracked.
does not directly harm humans.
forms primarily from incomplete combustion.
Which is a source of sulfur dioxide found in nature?
Forest fires
Lightning strikes
Plant emissions
Volcanoes
Soil
Which size of particulate matter causes the greatest health concerns?
PM2.5
PM10
PM100
PM30
PM15
Carbon monoxide
increases lung cancer rates.
leads to the formation of photochemical smog.
is most problematic in rural areas
does not directly cause deaths.
is produced by incomplete combustion.
High levels of photochemical smog are due to
I. nitrogen dioxide.
II. sulfur dioxide.
III. VOCs
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I and III only
I, II, and III
Recent increases in acid deposition in the western United States are due to
increased emissions in the United States.
decreased precipitation due to climate change.
increased emissions in China.
increased precipitation due to climate change.
increased emissions in Europe.
Thermal inversions
increase the rate of smog formation.
trap high concentrations of pollution at ground level.
result in increased levels of acid deposition.
are caused by high levels of precipitation.
reduce the negative effects of VOCs.
Acid deposition forms as a result of
nitrogen oxides and photochemical smog.
carbon monoxide and VOCs.
sulfur dioxide and VOCs.
nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
carbon monoxide and photochemical smog.
The effects of acid deposition include
increased cancer rates in aquatic organisms.
decreased aquatic biodiversity.
decreased mobilization of metals.
increased pH of lake water.
decreased human health in impacted areas.
Which method is used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions?
Installation of catalytic converters
Increased temperature of combustion
The addition of oxygen to combustion processes
The use of fluidized bed combustion
The use of calcium carbonate to absorb emissions
Which is NOT used to prevent the emission of particulate matter?
Gravitational settling
Fabric filters
Electrostatic preciptators
Catalytic convertors
Scrubbers
Which pollution control method was proposed by an amendment of the Clean Air Act?
Allowing tolls to limit the use of automobiles
A market for sulfur emissions
The regulation of radon emissions
The use of catalytic converters
Chemicals developed to prevent the formation of ozone.
If carbon monoxide emissions decreased from 145 million tons annually to 80 million tons annually, by what percentage have emissions been reduced?
41 percent
45 percent
47 percent
52 percent
55 percent
The formation of ozone begins when an 02 molecule is split by
UV-A radiation.
UV-B radiation.
UV-C radiation.
UV-A or UV-B radiation.
UV-B or UV-C radiation.
How many ozone atoms can a single chlorine atom break down?
5,000
10,000
50,000
100,000
500,000
Which is NOT a result of the reduction in stratospheric ozone?
Reduced photosynthetic activity
Increased skin cancer
Increased eye problems
Increased birth defects
Suppressed immune systems
Through international cooperation, the concentration of chlorine in the atmosphere
has already decreased below 3 ppb.
will stabilize around 3 ppb by 2030.
has stabilized at 5 ppb.
is expected to stabilize at 5 ppb by 2100.
is expected to fall below 3 ppb by 2020.
When is the Antarctic ozone hole largest?
Early spring
Late summer
Mid-summer
Late fall
Early winter
What percentage of worldwide deaths due to indoor pollution occurs in developing countries?
30 percent
50 percent
60 percent
70 percent
90 percent
Which outdoor air pollutant is also a significant indoor air pollutant?
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Carbon monoxide
Lead
Ozone
The primary source of radon is
electronics.
indoor fires.
household chemical fumes.
rocks and soils.
construction materials
Sick building syndrome
occurs most often in old buildings.
is a primary cause of lung cancer.
is a result of off-gassing.
can be prevented by renovations.
occurs most often in wet tropical areas.
Asbestos
is used for insulation.
can be easily removed and treated.
can be a problem in new construction.
causes skin irritation, nausea, and fatigue.
is commonly used in furniture.
Anthropogenic ozone is formed and located in which layer?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Greenhouse gases change the composition of this layer?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Nitrogen accounts for what percentage of the atmosphere?
less than 1%
7%
21%
52%
78%
Which of the following would be the best description secondary pollutants?
They only harm a small vulnerable percentage of a population.
They become harmful after reacting in the atmosphere.
They are produced in lesser quantities than primary pollutants.
They are less environmentally damaging than other pollutants.
They are classified by the EPA as the second most dangerous and abundant.
Which of the following would be classified as a volatile organic compound air pollutants? (Mark all that apply)
benzene
methane
formaldehyde
chlorofluorocarbons
terpene
Which of the following is the most likely route for mercury to enter the food web?
Municipal waste → landfill → groundwater→ plants and vegetation
Coal-burning emissions → deposition→ ocean → plankton → fishes
Organic fertilizers →soil →groundwater→ lake → trout
Medical waste incinerators → stratosphere→ grass → cows
Mining waste → acid deposition → surface runoff → plants and vegetation
