APES Unit 5 Test
Of the following organisms, what is the group that is least likely to cause disease? a. bacteria b. protozoa c. algae d. viruses e. parasitic worms
c
Malaria is spread by ____. a. snails b. flies c. certain types of mosquitoes d. contaminated feces e. bacteria
c
A body of water can be depleted of its oxygen by ____. a. organic wastes b. organic compounds such as oil, plastics, solvents, and detergents c. viruses and parasitic worms d. inorganic wastes e. sediments and suspended matter
a
A complex network of glands that release tiny amounts of hormones into the bloodstream of humans and other vertebrate animals is the ____. a. endocrine system b. immune system c. digestive system d. excretory system e. circulatory system
a
A complex network of glands that release tiny amounts of hormones into the bloodstream of humans and other vertebrate animals is the ____. a. endocrine system b. immune system c. circulatory system d. excretory system e. digestive system
a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are closely correlated with temperatures. How does the timing of CO2 changes correspond to temperature changes? a. CO2 levels change first, and temperatures lag behind. b. Temperatures change first, and CO2 levels lag behind. c. As CO2 levels decrease, temperatures increase. d. CO2 levels and temperatures always change at exactly the same time. e. Temperatures are relatively stable despite fluctuating CO2 levels.
a
Dead zones are characterized by a lack of ____. a. oxygen b. chlorine c. phosphorus d. nitrogen e. fecal material
a
Greenland's glaciers contain what percentage of the world's freshwater? a. 10% b. 12% c. 5% d. 2% e. 3%
a
Groundwater is primarily stored in underground ____. a. aquifers b. wells c. basins d. water tables e. rivers
a
In the U.S., drinking water quality is primarily regulated under the ____. a. Safe Drinking Water Act b. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act c. Groundwater Purification Act d. Water Quality Act e. Clean Water Act
a
It would be ineffective to prevent lead poisoning by ____. a. banning the use of lead pencils in schools b. banning the use of lead solder c. banning lead glazing on ceramic ware used to serve food d. phasing out waste incineration e. banning candles with lead cores
a
Major climate models predict ____. a. a 2- to 4.5-degree centigrade rise in earth's mean surface temperature by 2100 b. the falling of global sea levels c. humans do not play a role in the changes in global temperature d. sea level rise of 10 meters is most likely e. lower temperature rises are only possible with drastic greenhouse gas increases
a
Most of earth's climate occurs in the ____. a. troposphere b. tropopause c. mesosphere d. thermosphere e. stratosphere
a
Photochemical smog is formed when primary pollutants interact with ____. a. sunlight b. sulfur dioxide c. carbon d. water vapor e. oxygen
a
Respiratory illnesses in developing countries are most likely to be caused by ____. a. particulate matter b. formaldehyde c. asbestos d. cigarette smoke e. chloroform
a
Sick Building Syndrome is not correlated with ____. a. lung cancer b. depression c. chronic fatigue d. headaches e. coughing and sneezing
a
Since 1980, Arctic Sea Ice has ____. a. decreased in volume and surface area b. decreased in volume, but increased in surface area c. not changed in volume or surface area d. not changed in volume, but decreased in surface area e. decreased in volume but not changed in surface area.
a
The Clean Water Act could be strengthened by ____. a. allowing citizens to bring lawsuits to ensure that water pollution laws are enforced b. giving responsibility of monitoring and enforcing water pollution laws to private companies c. establishing national pollutant standards d. focusing on end-of-pipe pollution removal e. requiring septic tank permits
a
The Lyme disease bacterium is passed onto humans directly from ____. a. ticks b. foxes c. deer d. white mice e. field mice
a
The biggest air pollution threat to poor people is ____. a. indoor air pollution b. badly maintained automobiles c. dust blown into the air d. smoke from burning forests e. pollutants from industry
a
The minimum period of time for measuring climate, rather than weather, is which of the following? a. 30 years b. 2 weeks c. 6 months d. 1 year e. 10 years
a
Tuberculosis is caused by ____. a. bacteria b. viruses c. protozoa d. flies e. mosquitoes
a
Water vapor is a greenhouse gas and has higher concentrations in the atmosphere than CO2. Why then is CO2 considered to be the primary greenhouse gas? a. Additions of CO2 increase the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold which amplifies warming. b. Lower levels of water vapor drive increases in CO2 concentrations. c. Water vapor has a much longer residence time in the atmosphere than CO2. d. Additions of CO2 decrease the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold which amplifies warming. e. Water vapor concentrations are decreasing while CO2 concentrations rise.
a
Wetlands, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs are examples of ____. a. coastal environments b. pelagic zones c. deltaic deposits. d. ocean habitats e. groundwater reservoirs
a
What term refers to harmful chemicals emitted directly into the air from natural processes and human activities? a. primary pollutants b. secondary pollutants c. tertiary pollutants d. direct smog e. photochemical smog
a
Which of the following countries intends to become the first carbon neutral country by cutting its net carbon emissions to zero by 2030? a. Costa Rica b. Canada c. Mexico d. United States e. Nicaragua
a
Which of the following ecosystems is least likely to suffer disruption and species loss from climate change? a. temperate oak-pine and oak-hickory forests b. high elevation mountaintops c. coral reefs d. coastal wetlands e. alpine and Arctic tundra
a
Which of the following is a non point source of water pollution? a. a logged forest b. a factory c. a sewage treatment plant d. an active or inactive coal mine e. an electric power plant
a
Which of the following is a transmissible disease? a. tuberculosis b. heart disease c. asthma d. malnutrition e. cancer
a
Which statement about ozone thinning is true? a. Ozone levels fluctuate seasonally, with the lowest levels occurring in September and October. b. Ozone thinning was addressed by countries around the world at the 2010 Montreal Accords. c. Ozone thinning is irreversible since there are no substitutes for CFCs. d. Ozone thinning only affects organisms living in polar regions. e. Ozone thinning is confined to the atmosphere over Antarctica.
a
A global outbreak of an infectious disease is called a(n) ____. a. epidemic b. pandemic c. parademic d. threat e. outbreak
b
A warmer world is least likely to result in ____. a. decreased food production b. increased moderate weather c. spread of tropical diseases d. a rise in sea level e. reductions in biodiversity
b
Acid deposition is best classified as a(n) ____. a. national problem b. regional problem c. state problem d. international problem e. local problem
b
Before the 1980s, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were primarily used as ____. a. buoyancy gas in blimps b. coolants in air conditioners and propellants in aerosol cans c. ingredients in fire extinguishers and propellants in aerosol cans d. ingredients in bleach and propellants in aerosol cans e. coolants in air conditioners and industrial solvents
b
Burning coal will produce pollutants such as ____. a. carbon monoxide, ozone and water vapor b. carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and soot c. carbon dioxide, soot and ozone d. carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water vapor e. sulfur dioxide, soot and water vapor.
b
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) molecules can stay in the stratosphere for ____. a. 1-5 years b. 65-385 years c. 500-1,000 years d. 50-75 years e. 10-20 years
b
Governments can promote solutions to climate disruption by ____. a. strictly regulating water vapor and sulfur dioxide as air pollutants b. placing a cap on total human-generated carbon dioxide and methane emissions c. increasing taxes on businesses that encourage energy efficient technologies d. curbing economic growth e. phasing in carbon subsidies
b
In the sewage treatment process, the purpose of chlorination involves ____. a. reacting with organic materials to form chlorinated hydrocarbons b. removing discoloration and kill bacteria c. helping large particles settle d. preserving pipes in the sewage facility e. adding essential nutrients to drinking water
b
Major air pollutants include ____. a. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, argon, excess water vapor, and suspended particulate matter b. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, sulfur compounds, VOCs, and suspended particulate matter c. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, excess water vapor, VOCs, and suspended particulate matter d. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, argon, VOCs, and suspended particulate matter e. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, sulfur compounds, excess water vapor, and suspended particulate matter
b
Natural and anthropogenic sources of ____ contaminated groundwater are a global problem that results in hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. a. lead b. arsenic c. cadmium d. manganese e. magnesium
b
Outdoor air pollution is increased when ____. a. particles that are heavier than air settle out of the atmosphere b. temperature inversions form over cities surrounded by mountains c. winds sweep pollutants away d. chemical reactions form acid precipitation that falls out of the atmosphere e. rain and snow wash pollutants out of the atmosphere
b
Radon-222 is a colorless, odorless gas that forms ____. a. from contaminated groundwater seeping through fractures in rocks b. from underground rock and mineral deposits of uranium, shale, and granite c. when smokers don't open windows d. from coal-burning power plants e. when primary pollutants interact with ozone
b
Scientists have attempted to measure historical temperatures by collecting data from various means. What is not one of these? a. tree rings b. photos of glaciers c. radioisotopes in rocks and sediments d. pollen grains e. air bubbles in ice cores
b
Scientists studying climate change estimate the average global sea level rise by the year 2100 may be as much as ____ or higher. a. 6 inches b. 39 inches c. 3 inches d. 24 inches e. 50 inches
b
Storing drinking water in a reservoir is beneficial because it ____. a. increases populations of healthy coliform bacteria. b. allows suspended matter to settle. c. reduces the dissolved oxygen level. d. allows the water to be ionized by the atmosphere. e. makes water treatment unnecessary.
b
Teratogens ____. a. cause infections b. cause harm or birth defects to a fetus or embryo c. cause allergic reactions d. are harmful because they are irritating to skin or lungs e. are fatal to humans in low doses
b
The UV filtering effect of the ozone layer is beneficial because it ____. a. prevents the formation of photochemical ozone in the stratosphere b. allows humans and other forms of life to exist on land c. counteracts global warming d. reduces the amount of water vapor in the troposphere e. prevents low energy radiation from reaching the earth's surface
b
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by ____. a. physical contact b. mosquitoes c. coughing and sneezing d. birds e. houseflies
b
The biggest threat to water quality in the Great Lakes is from ____. a. poor air quality b. increased runoff caused by urban sprawl c. industrial pollution d. the presence of toxic hot spots e. the introduction of invasive species
b
The oil company responsible for the oil spill of the Valdez was ____. a. Texaco b. Exxon c. Gulf d. Alaska e. Sunoco
b
The predicted rise in sea levels during the 21st Century is least likely to cause ____. a. flooding of low-lying barrier islands and gently sloping coastlines b. replenishment of many coastal fisheries c. saltwater contamination of coastal freshwater aquifers d. destruction of many coastal estuaries, wetlands, and coral reefs e. flooding of some of the world's largest coastal cities, including New York
b
The probability of suffering harm from a hazard that can cause injury, disease, death, economic loss, or damage is referred to as ____. a. negligence b. risk c. exposure d. dangerous e. peril
b
What is an immediate or rapid harmful reaction to exposure to a chemical, ranging from dizziness to death? a. chronic response b. acute response c. dose d. persistence e. bioaccumulation
b
What term that is given to the health damage that occurs from exposure to a chemical or other agent? a. biomagnification b. response c. toxicity d. dose e. persistence
b
Which action would contribute to increased global warming? a. Slow population growth. b. Increase beef production to strengthen public health. c. Shift from coal to natural gas d. Reduce deforestation e. Improve energy efficiency.
b
Which greenhouse gases are found in the earth's lower atmosphere? a. water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, argon b. water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide c. ozone, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide d. ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide e. ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane
b
Which of the following is a non-transmissible disease? a. tuberculosis b. diabetes c. hepatitis B d. HIV e. influenza
b
Which of the following is a nonpoint source of water pollution? a. a sewage treatment plant b. a logged forest c. a factory d. an active or inactive coal mine e. an electric power plant
b
Which statement describes an advantage of carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques? a. CCS promotes continued use of coal. b. CCS operates on the precautionary principle. c. CCS requires stored CO2 to remain sealed away from the atmosphere forever. d. CCS requires large inputs of energy to accomplish. e. CCS does nothing to reduce greenhouse gases coming from motor vehicles.
b
Which statement is true? a. Synthetic chemicals are deadly, and natural chemicals are safe. b. Some chemicals, whether synthetic or natural, are safe and others are deadly. c. All chemicals are safe except those that cause cancer. d. All chemicals are unsafe. e. Natural chemicals are safe, and synthetic chemicals are deadly.
b
Although temperatures have fluctuated throughout the earth's history, scientists are greatly concerned about the current warming because ____. a. wildfires are more severe and occur with greater frequency b. the Sun is getting warmer which amplifies warming on the earth c. it is occurring at a more rapid rate than in the past d. clouds are not reflecting as much radiation now as in the past e. the ozone hole is allowing more radiation to enter the atmosphere
c
An interglacial period is characterized by ____. a. falling levels of CO2 b. long periods of colder climate c. periods of warmer, stable climate d. rapidly fluctuating temperatures e. extensive glaciation
c
Climate models predict that global warming will be most severe in which regions? a. Euro-Asia b. Australia c. Polar regions d. North America e. Africa
c
One key component to a successful strategy to reduce the threat of projected climate disruption involves which of the following? a. increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers b. scattering iron particles in the oceans c. starting a global energy efficiency revolution d. reducing cattle belching e. harnessing the power of nuclear fission
c
Oxygen sag curves occur when ____. a. when water is cool or cold b. water levels are high c. bacteria break down biodegradable wastes d. when water flows quickly e. salt and fresh water mix
c
Photochemical smog is characteristic of urban areas with many vehicles and a climate that is ____. a. cool, dry, and sunny b. warm, wet, and cloudy c. warm, dry, and sunny d. cool, wet, and cloudy e. warm, wet, and sunny
c
Research indicates that the BPA in plastics can leach into water or food when the plastic is ____. a. older than five years b. at room temperature c. heated to high temperatures d. exposed to basic solutions e. chilled below freezing temperatures
c
Teratogens ____. a. cause allergic reactions b. cause infections c. cause harm or birth defects to a fetus or embryo d. are fatal to humans in low doses e. are harmful because they are irritating to skin or lungs
c
The "No-Regrets strategy" calls for ____. a. focusing on reducing the burning of fossils fuels to eliminate climate change b. maintaining the status quo until more data is gathered c. implementing preventative measures immediately that will benefit society regardless of climate change d. ignoring the effects of climate change since they will not immediately impact daily life e. building consensus among world nation's to address climate change
c
The 1997 Kyoto Protocol went into effect in 2005 with only seven of the world's 194 nations not ratifying the agreement. Which of the following countries did not ratify it? a. Netherlands b. Germany c. United States d. Switzerland e. Canada
c
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates how many people on the earth do not have access to clean drinking water? a. 1 out of 10 b. 1 out of 50 c. 1 out of 7 d. 1 out of 100 e. 1 out of 20
c
The grasshopper effect is a result of ____. a. the mixing of warm and cold air b. warm air sitting on top of cool, stagnant air c. air pollutants being transferred from warmer areas to polar areas by evaporation and wind d. pollutants being transferred from warmer areas to polar areas by ocean currents e. precipitation exceeding evaporation
c
The majority of the oil pollution of the ocean comes from ____. a. tanker accidents b. blowouts (rupture of a borehole of an oil rig in the ocean) c. runoff from land d. normal operation of offshore wells e. environmental terrorism
c
The most dangerous activity that individuals might do on a regular basis is to ____. a. fly on airplanes b. smoke cigarettes c. drive or ride in cars d. drink coffee e. drink alcohol
c
The primary cause of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was ____. a. the oil rig crashing into a underwater reef b. a lack of federal oversight c. faulty equipment and poor decision-making d. leakage from old, rusty pipes e. an explosion on the oil rig
c
There are several possible climate change tipping points. Which one of the following is not one of these points? a. massive release of methane from Arctic permafrost b. atmospheric level of 350 ppm c. expansion of Amazon rainforest d. collapse and melting of Greenland ice sheet e. sharp drop in the ability of oceans to absorb CO2
c
What are chemicals used to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic found in a variety of products, such as detergents, cosmetics, body lotions, soft vinyl toys, and shower curtains? a. carcinogens b. androgens c. phthalates d. estrogens e. BPAs
c
What do all volatile organic compounds have in common? a. All are colorless, odorless reactive gases. b. All are produced from manmade sources. c. All are gasses in the atmosphere. d. All are emitted for processing and/or burning fossil fuels. e. All are naturally occurring colorless and odorless gases found in rocks and vegetation
c
What is by far the leading cause of water pollution? a. ocean-going shipping b. factories c. agriculture activities d. sewage treatment plants e. mining
c
What is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and other organisms? a. epidemiology b. toxicity c. toxicology d. biological accumulation e. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
c
What term refers to a substance's resistance to breakdown? a. dose b. toxicity c. persistence d. biomagnification e. response
c
Which statement about acid deposition is false? a. Mountaintop forests are the hardest hit regions. b. Crops are harmed by low pH. c. Low pH increases plant nutrients in forest soils. d. Several thousand lakes in Norway and Sweden contain few fish. e. Forty-five U.S. states have issued warnings to not eat fish.
c
Which statement about lakes is true? a. Stratification increases levels of dissolved oxygen, especially in the bottom layer. b. Changing of water in lakes takes days to weeks. c. Lakes are more vulnerable than streams to contamination by plant nutrients, and toxic substances d. Stratified layers of lakes are characterized by vertical mixing. e. Lakes have more flushing than streams.
c
"Methane time bombs" is a phrase associated with which of the following? a. methane released from glaciers b. methane released by cattle c. methane released by decaying manure d. methane released from permafrost e. methane released from sewage treatment plants
d
About one-third of the toxic metal, mercury (Hg), is released into the air from natural sources, such as rocks, soil, volcanoes, and the ocean. The remaining two-thirds comes from ____. a. airplane exhaust b. automobile exhaust c. mercury-rich plants d. human activities e. waste from livestock
d
According to the EPA, what are the four most dangerous indoor air pollutants? a. tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, radon-222, and methane b. tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and methane c. tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and ultrafine particles d. tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, radon-222, and ultrafine particles e. tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, radon-222, and sulfur dioxide
d
Acidic rain, snow, fog, and cloud vapor typically has a pH of ____ or less. a. 7.6 b. 4.6 c. 6.6 d. 5.6 e. 3.6
d
Approximately how much of the air we breathe is composed of nitrogen and oxygen? a. 77% b. 63% c. 33% d. 99% e. 54%
d
Ecological medicine is a new interdisciplinary field devoted to ____. a. wildlife disease connections b. finding ecologically based medicines for diseases c. tracking down disease connections between insects d. tracking down disease connections between animals and humans e. tracking down disease connections between animals and insects
d
Human inputs of outdoor air pollutants occur mostly ____. a. in rural areas b. along the oceans c. in the deserts d. in urban areas e. in the mountains
d
If the earth were an apple, the lower layer of the atmosphere would be the thickness of ____. a. the core b. a seed c. the whole apple d. the skin e. the part of the apple we eat
d
In a septic tank system, which of the following is false? a. Wastewater is pumped into a settling tank. b. Solids are decomposed by bacteria. c. Bacteria-treated waste is discharged in an absorption field. d. After leaving the absorption field, wastewater is cleaned and can be used again for human consumption e. Grease and oil rise to the top in the tank.
d
Natural and synthetic chemicals in the environment that can harm the human nervous system are called ____. a. chemotoxins b. herbicides c. antibodies d. neurotoxins e. insecticides
d
Nitrous oxide (N20) levels are rising. Each nitrous oxide molecule has how much stronger a warming potential than does a molecule of carbon dioxide? a. 56 b. 25 c. 83 d. 300 e. 118
d
Outdoor air pollution is reduced when ____. a. high temperatures promote formation of photochemical smog b. hills and mountains reduce the flow of air in valleys c. buildings slow wind speed and reduce dilution of pollutants d. chemical reactions form acid precipitation which falls out of the atmosphere e. temperature inversions form over cities surrounded by mountains
d
Research going back three decades shows that ____ causes people to overestimate risks and to worry more about unusual risks than they do about common everyday risks. a. degree of optimism b. evaluation c. optimism bias d. fear e. instant gratification
d
Since 1970, the occurrence of malaria has come roaring back in prevalence. Why? a. Swamplands and marshes have been drained. b. More vaccines exist. c. The use of insecticides in most countries has declined. d. Malaria-carrying species of mosquitoes have become resistant to insecticides. e. Fewer vaccines exist.
d
The Asian Brown Cloud is approximately the size of ____. a. China and India b. Tibet c. Shanghai d. the Continental U.S. e. India
d
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the troposphere at the start of the Industrial Revolution was approximately ____. a. 300 ppm b. 320 ppm c. 310 ppm d. 280 ppm e. 290 ppm
d
The majority of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere via ____. a. deforestation b. plant respiration c. volcanic outgassing d. burning fossil fuels e. wildfires
d
The most effective way to protect groundwater is to ____. a. use advanced sewage treatment b. cover all wells carefully c. use monitoring wells d. prevent contamination e. treat all water from underground sources
d
What is the ability of a substance to cause injury, illness, or death to a living system? a. response b. dose c. persistent d. toxicity e. biomagnification
d
What strategy would increase the threat of climate change? a. Shift from fossil fuels to a mix of carbon-free energy resources. b. Improve energy efficiency. c. Stop cutting down tropical forests. d. Continue with current practices. e. Capture and store as much carbon dioxide as possible.
d
What term refers to the amount of a substance a person ingests, inhales, or absorbs through the skin? a. biomagnification b. toxicity c. response d. dose e. persistence
d
Which of the following is considered a cultural hazard? a. earthquakes b. having unsafe sex c. smoking cigarettes d. unsafe working conditions e. contagious viruses
d
Which of the following is considered a natural hazard? a. poverty b. poor nutrition c. driving d. earthquakes e. infectious diseases
d
Which one of the following is one of the top five toxic substances in terms of human and environmental health? a. nitrous acid b. tobacco smoke c. formaldehyde d. lead e. DDT
d
Which viral disease is the biggest killer? a. West Nile b. hepatitis B c. tuberculosis d. influenza e. AIDS
d
A rise in sea level is least likely to ____. a. contaminate coastal aquifers b. accelerate coastal erosion c. flood areas where one-third of the world's human population lives d. disrupt coastal fisheries e. save the coral reefs
e
About half of the people with active tuberculosis will die from destruction of their ____. a. nervous system b. brain c. heart d. lymph nodes e. lung tissue
e
According to environmental scientists, U.S. air pollution control laws would be weakened if ____. a. stricter air pollution regulations on airports and ocean going ships were enacted b. there was a greater emphasis on preventing air pollution. c. fuel efficiency standards on motor vehicles were improved d. emissions from older coal-burning power plants were sharply reduced e. controls on petroleum refineries were relaxed
e
Contaminated groundwater cannot cleanse itself. Why? a. Groundwater does not move at all and cold temperatures usually slow down reactions. b. Contaminants are diluted easily, but not dispersed effectively. c. Groundwater does not move at all and lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen exist for decomposition. d. Groundwater does not move at all and contaminants are not dispersed effectively. e. Contaminants are not dispersed effectively and lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen exist for decomposition.
e
DDT, PCBs, atrazine, bisphenol-A, and phthalates are all examples of ____. a. plastic additives b. estrogens c. androgens d. insecticides e. hormonally active agents
e
Drinking water for about ____ of the U.S. population and ____ of the rural populations comes from groundwater. a. 50%; 50% b. 10%; 95% c. 10%; 50% d. 75%; 75% e. 50%; 95%
e
Geoengineering methods to control global warming are criticized because ____. a. geoengineering protects only affect a local area b. they are vulnerable to cheating c. taxes on energy consumption are not popular d. they don't go far enough in reducing CO2 levels e. the results are unpredictable and could have negative impacts on the climate and atmosphere
e
In 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed that in determining any risk, regulators should assume children have ____ times the exposure risk of adults to cancer-causing chemicals. a. 100 b. 5 c. 15 d. 25 e. 10
e
In cultural eutrophication, fish die from ____. a. increased sediment reducing habitats b. loss of space c. acid deposition d. toxic substances in the water e. depletion of oxygen
e
In terms of number of premature deaths per year and reduced life span, what is by far the greatest risk? a. malaria b. smoking c. AIDS d. industrial chemicals e. poverty
e
Individuals add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere directly and indirectly based on their lifestyle choices. This is called ____. a. carbon trail b. carbon stamp c. carbon track d. carbon fingerprint e. carbon footprint
e
Of the 80,000 registered synthetic chemicals in commercial use, only ____ have been adequately tested to determine whether they are carcinogens, teratogens, or mutagens. a. 12% b. 10% c. 15% d. 4% e. 2%
e
Of the 80,000 registered synthetic chemicals in commercial use, only ____ have been adequately tested to determine whether they are carcinogens, teratogens, or mutagens. a. 10% b. 12% c. 4% d. 15% e. 2%
e
Ozone depletion is caused by ____. a. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the troposphere b. global warming c. the greenhouse effect d. cold air in the polar regions e. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the stratosphere
e
Radioactive ____ is a product of uranium decay. a. lead b. plutonium c. radium d. hydrogen e. radon
e
Some people believe the sun has become hotter and is responsible for global warming. Data about which of the following disputes that claim? a. projected surface temperature of the sun b. air currents at low altitude c. air currents at high altitude d. ocean currents e. the stratosphere being cooler than the troposphere
e
The Asian Brown Cloud is a(n) ____. a. area of pollution that only affects Asia b. cloud of dust, smoke, and toxic metals that is unable to be cleaned up c. data storage system in China d. slow moving cloud of dust, smoke, and toxic metals in the stratosphere e. large thick cloud of dust, smoke, and toxic metals in the troposphere
e
The Great Lakes possess ____% of all the surface fresh water in the United States. a. 75 b. 35 c. 55 d. 95 e. 45
e
The Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone" is caused by high levels of ____ in the Mississippi River. a. cyanobacteria b. coliform bacteria c. algae d. phytoplankton e. plant fertilizers
e
The WHO and the World Bank call indoor air pollution ____. a. an important air pollution problem b. a serious problem only for poor people c. a serious problem only for developed nations d. not a serious air pollution problem e. the world's most serious air pollution problem
e
The atmospheric layer containing 75% of the mass of earth's air is the ____. a. mesosphere b. tropopause c. stratosphere d. thermosphere e. troposphere
e
The earth's climate will not change in response to ____. a. plate tectonics b. shifting ocean currents c. increases and decreases in volcanic emissions d. variations in atmospheric gas concentrations e. magnetic pole reversals
e
The greenhouse effect is ____. a. a blanket of warm air in the troposphere that makes the earth habitable b. accelerating the warming of the earth's atmosphere c. caused by solar radiation warming the earth's atmosphere d. the primary cause of global warming e. when energy absorbed by the earth radiates into the atmosphere to cause warming
e
The natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary, or slow moving stream is called ____. a. upwellings b. oligotrophy c. spring/fall overturn d. red tides e. eutrophication
e
The oceans absorb CO2 from the lower atmosphere, which in turn creates carbonic acid. Should humans be concerned about greater ocean acidification? a. No. The carbonic acid gets consumed by organisms in the ocean before it can do harm. b. No. The oceans have such a large volume, that increases in carbonic acid don't have a major affect. c. Yes. The increasing acidification means oceans will be unsafe for humans to swim in. d. No. Carbonic acid is an ingredient in soft drinks. It's not dangerous. e. Yes. Carbonic acid inhibits the growth of shelled organisms and decreases phytoplankton populations.
e
The oceans absorb between 25-30% of the CO2 in the lower atmosphere. As the oceans heat up, this absorption ____. a. increases dramatically b. stops c. increases somewhat d. stays relatively stable e. decreases
e
The primary drawback of waterless, odorless composting toilet systems is that they ____. a. become clogged very easily b. save large amounts of water c. are not feasible for large-scale projects d. convert human fecal material to soil-like fertilizer supplement e. involve expensive upfront installation costs
e
The stratosphere ____. a. has more water vapor than the troposphere b. is where the Asian Brown Cloud forms c. is where weather occurs d. is characterized by temperatures that decrease with altitude e. contains the ozone layer
e
What is a transmissible disease? a. A disease caused by something other than a living organism b. A disease that does not spread from one person to another c. A disease caused by cancer d. A disease that will always lead to death e. A disease that can be passed from one person to another
e
Which of the following is a point source of water pollution? a. urban lands b. croplands c. parking lots d. livestock feedlots e. offshore oil wells
e