Ch. 16 APES review questions and answers
On average, how much municipal solid waste is generated per person each day in the United States
2 kg (4.4 pounds)
Percent of earth's water that is fresh
3%
Approximately how much MSW is recovered before it enters a landfill or incinerator
35%
The EPA estimates that approximately ________ percent of municipal solid waste comes from residences and ______ comes from commercial and institutional facilities
60/40
Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following would result in the largest reduction in volume of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills? A Introduce composting programs for yard trimmings and food waste B Increase programs to recycle glass and metals C Promote reusing plastics and wood products D Increase funding to clothing donation programs
A Introduce composting programs for yard trimmings and food waste
Which of the following solutions would help decrease flood frequencies and flood sizes that are caused by urbanization? A Using new, more permeable materials for roads and sidewalks B Filling nearby wetlands to reduce the amount of water in an area C Encouraging construction of housing developments outward into nearby suburban and rural areas D Installing new, more energy-efficient appliances in existing apartment buildings
A Using new, more permeable materials for roads and sidewalks
Industrial logging threatens many forested ecosystems. Which of the following environmental consequences will most likely result from clear-cutting deciduous forests for logging? A More carbon dioxide will be added to the atmosphere and increase anthropogenic climate change. B Farmers will be able to utilize more land, resulting in a decrease in the number of floods. C Less oxygen will be used by the trees, so more oxygen will be in the atmosphere for humans and other animals to use. D The regulating services of the area, such as nutrient cycling and water regulation, would increase with fewer trees in the landscape.
A More carbon dioxide will be added to the atmosphere and increase anthropogenic climate change.
NIMBY describes
A attitude about the placement of landfills (the wealthy don't want landfills near them) (NIMBY= Not in my Backyard)
Aqueduct
A canal or ditched used to carry water from one location to another Pros- large cities depend on aqueducts to meet daily water needs Aqueducts can distribute water to areas that are used for agriculture Cons- older aqueducts can lose as much as 55% of the water they carry due to evaporation Construction is expensive and fragments habitats Water diversion can lead to decreased flow of rivers and drain surface lakes
Aquifer
A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains ground wate
Waste to energy
A system in which heat generated by incineration is used as an energy source rather than released into the atmosphere.
Life cycle analysis
A systems tool that looks at the materials used and released throughout the lifetime of a product -from the procurement of raw materials through their manufacture, use, and disposal. Also known as cradle-to-grave analysis.
Which statement about aqueducts is correct? A.) Aqueducts designed to open canals can lose a lot of water through evaporation B.) aqueducts are a modern invention C.) aqueducts do not effect the amount of water remaining in rivers D.) aqueducts move from a land where water location is high.
A.) aqueducts deigned to open canals can lose a lot of water through evaporation.
Of the following, which contributes most to the weight of MSW? A.) packaging B.) E-waste C.) Plastics D.) Yard waste E.) metals
A.) packaging
For several decades, managers of a forest in West Virginia have selectively logged oak trees. After logging, they reseeded cleared areas with shade- tolerant tree species. However, recently the survival of seedlings in cleared areas has been greatly reduced. Which of the following activities is likely to increase seedling survival? (a) Prescribed burns around logged areas (b) Clear-cutting the forest (c) Planting shade-intolerant seeds (d) Attracting a greater diversity of bird species to the forest (e) Stopping all logging practices
A.) prescribed burns around logged areas
Why are land uses outside of National Parks impacting the inside of the park?
Air and water pollution from distant sources can reduce biodiversity, recreational biodiversity, recreational value, and economic opportunities.
Which material usually uses closed-loop recycling
Aluminum
Which material, when placed in a landfill, is most likely to cause problems as a result of leaching
Aluminum
Suburb
An area surrounding a metropolitan center, with a comparatively low population density.
Define externality
An externality is the cost or benefit of a good or service that is not included in the purchase price. The company of those goods pays for those extra costs.
Why is urban blight often a destructive positive feedback loop?
As the property, sales, and taxes shrink when people move out of a city, costs, crime and commuting traffic begin to increase.
Causes of urban sprawl
Automobiles and highway construction, living costs, urban blight, government policies
A group of students want to increase the amount of water infiltration around the property of their urban high school by replacing all the existing impermeable walkway pavers with permeable ones. The school board will not move forward with any property changes unless the students conduct an experiment and collect evidence to help prove that their proposed suggestion to increase water infiltration will be effective. The students create two identical pallets using soil taken from the school's property and install impermeable pavers similar to those found on the school's property in one of the pallets. They install permeable pavers in the other pallet. The students pour exactly the same amount of water over both sets of pavers, leave both pallets in exactly the same environmental conditions, and after one hour measure the amount of water that infiltrated the soil. Which of the following identifies and describes the equipment needed to best determine the amount of water that infiltrated the soil? A A scale should be used to measure the mass of both pallets immediately after pouring the water over the pavers and immediately after the one-hour wait time. B A ruler should be used to measure th
B A ruler should be used to measure the level of water above the pavers in both pallets immediately after pouring the water over the pavers and immediately after the one-hour wait time.
Which of the following changes to the local hydrologic cycle will result if large areas of land experienced clear-cutting? A Transpiration of water from vegetation will increase. B Evaporation of water from the soil will increase. C Runoff from watersheds will decrease. D Siltation of local streams will decrease.
B Evaporation of water from the soil will increase.
Green roofs offer many environmental advantages, including the removal of some pollutants from rainwater. The parameters in the table above were measured in water samples collected after rainfall had passed through green roofs and over traditional roofs ( N = 5 ) in New York City. Mean levels of pH and pollutants in precipitation are shown in the table. Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the table? A Passage of rainwater through the green roofs increased the acidity of the water from the increased formation of carbonic acid. B Green roofs reduced levels of ammonium because the vegetation absorbed the pollutant. C Green roofs are effective at removing all pollutants from rainwater because the plants can absorb the toxins from the precipitation. D Green roofs do little to improve rainwater runoff quality as most pollutants are not significantly different from the control roofs.
B Green roofs reduced levels of ammonium because the vegetation absorbed the pollutant.
Which played a role in the development of the "throw-away society"
B) Objects made of many materials
Which is NOT a reason to keep household batteries out of landfills? A.) They can leach toxic metals B.) Their decomposition can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions C.) They can be recycled, which would reduce the need for new raw materials D.) They can be recycled, which would reduce the need for additional energy E.) They take up space in landfills and we have a finite supply of landfill space.
B.) Their decomposition can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
Increasing tipping can cause... A.)decreased rates of recycling B.) increases in illegal dumping C.) incentives for proper waste disposal D.) Reduced use of hazardous material
B.) increases in illegal dumping
Desalination by reverse osmosis A._ is less efficient than distillation B.) produces a brine that is saltier than seawater C.) has less effect on local wildlife than other methods of desalination D.) is primarily a chemical process E.) can be accomplished without any harmful by products
B.) produces a brine that is saltier than seawater
Water diversion has significantly reduced the size of A.) Lake Erie B.) the Aral Sea C.) the Nile D.) lake Baykal E.) Baltic Sea
B.) the aral sea
The Environmental Protection Agency's principles of smart growth are designed to alleviate the problems associated with (a) urban blight. (b) urban sprawl. (c) improper zoning. (d) city planning. (e) "Main Street" development.
B.) urban sprawl
Why might hazardous waste disposal in the United States be an international issue
Because companies and industries often look at developing countries as places where they can dump the toxic wastes (toxic ash dumped in Haiti)
Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following strategies would best increase the total volume of municipal solid waste being recycled? A Free or low-cost pickup of grass trimmings by municipal waste haulers B Increased use of plastic packaging for consumer products C Enacting a single-stream recycling program and providing bins to residential homes D Digitization of news and use of e-mail for communication
C Enacting a single-stream recycling program and providing bins to residential homes
A group of students want to increase the amount of water infiltration around the property of their urban high school by replacing all the existing impermeable walkway pavers with permeable ones. The school board will not move forward with any property changes unless the students conduct an experiment and collect evidence to help prove that their proposed suggestion to increase water infiltration will be effective. The students create two identical pallets using soil taken from the school's property and install impermeable pavers similar to those found on the school's property in one of the pallets. They install permeable pavers in the other pallet. The students pour exactly the same amount of water over both sets of pavers, leave both pallets in exactly the same environmental conditions, and after one hour measure the amount of water that infiltrated the soil. Which of the following is the dependent variable in the study? A The type of soil used in the pallets B The type of pavers used in the pallets C The infiltration rate of the water D The temperature of the room that the pallets were left in
C The infiltration rate of the water
The material that makes up the highest proportion of MSW is
C) paper and paperboard
Which is an example of a positive externality? a) Individual farmers exploit a common grazing area, (b) Deforestation causes the loss of valuable ecosystem services. (c) A change in local zoning cau es a rise in property value. Id) Selective logging occurs in a nationally managed forest. (e) Industrial activities cause an increase in air pollution.
C.) a change in local zoning causes a rise in property value
Which of the following is likely to have the greatest environmental impact? (a) Population movement into suburbs (b) Condensation of a population into cities (e) Population movement into exurbs (d) Development of rapid transit between cities and suburbs (e) Zoning an urban park for business development
C.) population movement into exurbs
Which is true of desalination? A.) the technique of distillation requires less energy than reverse osmosis B.) desalination is primarily used in North Africa C.) the technique of osmosis leaves brine D.) desalination plants are common in developing nations
C.) the technique of osmosis leaves brine
Which legislation imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries to generate funds to pay for the cleanup of hazardous substances
CERCLA
How do modern sanitary landfills compare to the open dumps of the past?
Construction of a modern sanitary landfill begins with a clay or plastic liner being placed along the bottom of the landfill that impedes the flow of water and can retained positively charged metals. A system of pipes are constructed to collect leachate, which is sometimes recycled back into the landfill.
Brown fields
Contaminated industrial or commercial sites that may require Environmental cleanup before they can be redeveloped or expanded. Brown fields lack legal legislation to compel polluters to rehabilitate their properties.
Composting
Creation of organic matter (humus) by decomposition and under controlled conditions to produce an organic-rich material that enhances soil structure, cation exchange capacity, and fertility. Normally, meat and dairy products are not composted because they do not decompose as easily, produce foul odors and are more likely to attract unwanted pests.
A group of students want to increase the amount of water infiltration around the property of their urban high school by replacing all the existing impermeable walkway pavers with permeable ones. The school board will not move forward with any property changes unless the students conduct an experiment and collect evidence to help prove that their proposed suggestion to increase water infiltration will be effective. The students create two identical pallets using soil taken from the school's property and install impermeable pavers similar to those found on the school's property in one of the pallets. They install permeable pavers in the other pallet. The students pour exactly the same amount of water over both sets of pavers, leave both pallets in exactly the same environmental conditions, and after one hour measure the amount of water that infiltrated the soil. Which of the following is the independent variable in the study? A The type of soil used in the pallets B The type of pavers used in the pallets C The infiltration rate of the water D Temp of the room the pellets were left in
D
Which of the following best describes an environmental advantage of urbanization? A Individuals living in cities have more varied employment opportunities than individuals living in rural areas. B Individuals living in cities have greater access to health care than individuals living in rural areas. C Individuals living in cities usually have greater access to fresh, local agricultural products than individuals living in rural areas. D Individuals living in cities usually have a lower transportation carbon footprint than individuals living in rural areas.
D Individuals living in cities usually have a lower transportation carbon footprint than individuals living in rural areas.
Which of the following is the most likely result from clearing mature, forested land and converting it into agricultural land that would be used for cattle grazing? A There will be a decrease in the amount of runoff into nearby streams. B There will be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. C There will be an increase in the diversity and size of primary producers. D There will be a reduction in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
D There will be a reduction in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Green roofs offer many environmental advantages, including the removal of some pollutants from rainwater. The parameters in the table above were measured in water samples collected after rainfall had passed through green roofs and over traditional roofs ( N = 5 ) in New York City. Mean levels of pH and pollutants in precipitation are shown in the table. The data in the table show mean concentrations ( mg/L ) of pollutants in rainwater leaving either green or conventional roofs. Which of the following data would be needed to calculate the total amount of a pollutant leaving the roof during and following a rainstorm? A Distance from street level to roof B Duration of the rain event C Total number of plants on the roof D Total volume of rainfall
D Total volume of rainfall
Many communities experience the tragedy of the commons. One way a local community might regulate a shared and limited resource and reduce the tragedy of the commons is to A eliminate ownership of the resources and make them available to all B reduce the cost of access to the resources C offer subsides to users of the resources in the form of tax breaks D divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individuals
D divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individuals
The EPA estimates that approximately ___ percent of municipal solid waste comes from residences and ___ percent comes from commercial and institutional facilities. A.) 30/70 B.)40/60 C.)50/50 D.) 60/40 E.) 70/30
D.) 70/30
Which of the following statements about surface water is incorrect? A.) Historically, most rivers regularly spilled over their banks B.) The largest river in the world is the Amazon river C.) Levees are used to make reservoirs D.) Dikes are human-made structures that keep ocean water from moving inland. E.) Wetlands play an important role in reducing the likelihood of flooding.
D.) Dikes are human-made structures that keep ocean water from moving inland.
Which is NOT a primary use of dams? A.) recreation B.) electricity generation C.) flood control D.) habitat restoration E.) agricultural uses
D.) habitat restoration
Which of these is not a problem in range-land management? A.) fires B.) overgrazing C.) poor soil conditions D.) the high cost of grazing permits E.) inconsistent management standards and guidelines
D.) high cost of grazing permits
All of the following may be consequences of dam construction except: A.) reduced upstream migration of fish B.) reduced downstream migration of fish C.) less frequent and less severe inundation of downstream floodplains D.) higher risk of levee failure downstream of the dam E.) lower fertility of floodplains downstream
D.) higher risk of levee failure downstream of the dam
¿. Determination of a maximum sustainable yield of plant harvest is most likely to be useful for which classification of land? (a) National park (b) Protected seascape (c) Nature reserve (d) Habitat management area (e) National monument
D.) hábitat Management area
Which cannot reduce the effects of flooding? A.) levees B.) dams C.) freshwater wetlands D.) impermeable surface E.) dikes
D.) impermeable surface
All of the following are desired outcomes of MSW incineration except... A.) extracting energy B.) reducing volume C.) prolonging the life of landfills D.) increasing air pollution E.) generating electricity
D.) increasing air pollution
Which is NOT true of levees? A.) they limit the benefits of floodplains B.) they are very similar in function to dikes C.) they can lead to increased flooding downstream D.) they discourage the use of floodplains E.) they increase sediment deposition in the ocean
D.) they discourage the use of floodplains
National park
Description: historically important or scenic area of land Managed by- NPS Primary uses- creation and conservation Major Environmental Impacts: Habitat fragmentation makes preserves vital
Rangeland
Dry open grassland, overgrazing is common
Which type of protected area is least likely to support tourism and recreation? (a) Protected landscapes and seascapes (b) National parks Managed resource protected areas National monuments (e) Habitat/species management areas
E. Hábitat and species management areas
12.Open-loop recycling refers (a) the recycling of a pronuat into the same product. b) the recycling of a product into a product that will enter a different watte stream. (c) the recycling of a product into compost. (d) a process where only part of the waste is ultimately recycled. (e) a process where one product is recycled into a ditterent product.
E.) a process where one product is recycled into a different product
Which of the following statements about dams is FALSE? A.) dams are used to reduce the risk of flooding B.) dams can cause increased water temperatures C.) the water held back by a fish is called a reservoir D.) fish ladders allow migrating fish to move past dams. E.) most dams are built to generate electricity
E.) most dams are built to generate electricity
What would be one method to reduce the rate of urban blight in a city? (a) Increase the taxes of individuals living in cities (b) Subsidize failing businesses within the city (c) Reduce police resources in low-income areas (d) Increase public transportation within the city (e) Reduce funding for highway construction
E.) reduced funding for highway construction
In the last 15 years, MSW per capita in the United States has... a.) increased dramatically B.) decreased, then increased dramatically C.) decreased dramatically D.) increased moderately, then decreased drastically E.) stayed the same
E.) stayed the same
The issue of water ownership is complicated by.. I.) the irregularity of precipitation II.) the distance rivers can travel III.) increased demand for water
E.. I, II, III
Recycle
Effect on solid waste management: Fewer raw materials must be extracted, which reduces pollution, Enviornmental degration, and energy use. Potential economic benefits: recycling cuts the cost of extracting or harvesting raw materials, which can save money in the production process. Potential disadvantages: Recycling materials requires time for processing, cleaning, transporting, and possible modification before material is usable.
Reduce
Effect on solid waste management: If inputs are increased, then output will also decrease. Economic benefits: Companies can save money when they use less packaging; people can manage on a smaller budget if they use less. Potential disadvantages: Sometimes using less can be considered a lower standard of living.
Reuse
Effect on solid waste management: Materials cycle within a system for a longer time with no additional energy or resources needed. Potential economic benefits: Money can be saved by reusing an item rather than purchasing a new one; used items can be acquired at reduced prices. Potential disadvantages: Energy may be required to clean and transport an item for reuse; water may be required to clean an item for reuse and wastewater may be generated.
Life cycle analysis
Examines the material and energy associated with an object from extraction of materials to disposal
When we purchase an item, we are charged for the labor and supply costs of producing that item. However, we are not charged for the costs of any environmental damage that occurred in manu- facturing that item. Those costs are known as (a) externalities. (b) environmental mitigation. (c) infill. (d) (d) marginal costs. (e) induced demand.
Externalities
RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
Goal- to protect human health and natural environment by reducing or eliminating the generation of hazardous waste. Authoritizes- EPA maintains lists of hazardous waste from generation through disposal.
It may be present in emissions from waste incinerators
Hydrochloric acid
A cone of depression in an unconfined aquifer can be caused by I.) excessive water pumping from a well II.) low rainfall 3.) saltwater intrusion
I only
10. Which of the following are environmental impacis of urban sprawl? I. Greater reliance on the automobile and increa-tat fossil fuel consumption Il. Increased consumption of land for housing and highway construction III. Loss of valuable farmlands (a) I only (b) II only (c) I and II only (d) II and III only E.) i,II, III
I, II, III
2 Which of the following are possible methods to prevent the tragedy of the commons? Private ownership of land I. Government regulation of public land IM. Self-regulation by communities and stakeholders (a) lonly b) Il only (c) Ill only Id) Il and ITI (e) L,I and III
I, II, III
Hazardous Waste
Includes many household items such as certain paints and oils
Which is NOT a detriment of waste incineration compared with landfills
Increased space taken up by solid waste
Which is NOT part of the cradle to cradle concept proposed by William McDonough
Increased use of composite material (I think)
Increasing Tipping fees can cause
Increases in illegal dumping
All of the following are desired outcomes of MSW incineration except
Increasing air pollution
The Brownfields Program
Is managed primarily by state and local governments
Electronic Waste
Is more expensive to recycle than to put in a landfill
Organic matter in landfills is a problem primarily because
It produces methane gas
Landfill pros and cons
Landfill Pros- engineered to hold large amounts of MSW with little contamination of the surrounding environment, less expensive to build and maintain Cons- Sites may lead to Environmental disadvantage issues, leachate can contaminate underlying adjacent waterways. Anaerobic decomposition leads to the production of the greenhouse gasses methane and carbon dioxide.
What are some Environmental impacts of urban sprawl?
Light pollution, noise pollution, interferes with animal navigation, interferes with the feeding patterns and behavior of nocturnal animals
Leachate
Liquid that contains elevated levels of pollutants as a result of having passed through municipal solid waste (MSW) or contaminated soil.
What are some economic reasons to move outside of an urban center?
Living in the suburbs is relatively less expensive. It is less crowded and less polluted.
Why is it hard for the USFS to manage forests?
Managing production of timber and biodiversity is impossible. They have many different objectives to manage.
It is produced by anaerobic decomposition in landfills
Methane
For composting to work effectively, the compost
Must be mixed
Which factor is least likely to influence the placement of a landfill? (a) NIMBY politics (b) Distance of landfill from homes (c) Local hydrology (d) Major type of consumer waste' (E) NPP of habitat
NPP of habitat
National forest (primary uses, major enviornmental impacts, managed by)
National Forest- Land dominated by trees, managed by USFS Primary uses: commercial logging, grazing, harvesting Major Environmental impacts: increased erosion, changes in local climate due to less transpiration, slash left behind provides fuel for fires, loss of biodiversity
Green roofs offer many environmental advantages, including the removal of some pollutants from rainwater. The parameters in the table above were measured in water samples collected after rainfall had passed through green roofs and over traditional roofs ( N = 5 ) in New York City. Mean levels of pH and pollutants in precipitation are shown in the table. Assume that the rainwater from one of the green roofs ran off directly into a nearby lake. Water quality results from which of the following parameters show that the green roof would likely improve water quality in the lake? A Total phosphorus B Magnesium C Boron D Nitrate
Nitrate
What problems do organic waste like food waste cause in landfills?
Organic materials such as food and yard waste take up space, and they are unstable. The absence of oxygen in landfills causes organic material to decompose anaerobically, which produces methane gas, a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Which material constituted the largest part of MSW
Paper
Consequences of pavement in cities
Pavement impacts the water cycle Pavement impacts the water cycle Impervious surface do not absorb water meaning less infiltrartion and more runoff Reduces groundwater recharge and increases flooding Pavement= no/less vegetation, so less evapotranspiration
What are two ways to prevent the Tragedy of the Commons?
Private ownership of land- allows for not overgrazing common land. Regulation enables governments to get involved and pass ordinances to limit amounts of resources used.
Incineration problems
Problems with incineration- expensive, may release air pollutants, produce ash that is more toxic than MSW, communities that use incinerators are less likely to encourage recycling.
From an environmental waste perspective, which of the following is the most desirable
Recycle
The correct order of the three R's is
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
3 rs
Reduce, reuse, recycle is a popular idea promoting the idea of diverting materials from the waste stream. Reducing means to generate less. In terms of reducing energy use, using less is the most desirable option. Reusing something is the next most desirable option. Recycling uses the most energy of the three but it is more efficient than throwing an object away
Municipal solid waste
Refuse collected by municipalities from households, small businesses, and institutions such as restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Paper, organic waste, with yard waste and food scraps being the majority of MSW
Select cutting
Removal of only some trees, but leave others in place Pros- still have some old growth trees, less erosion Cons- still disturbs habitats significantly, habitats fragmentation and soil compaction
Clear cutting
Remove everything and then sort out the useful and not useful material Pros- easy and cheap, faster, benefits fast growing trees, money Cons- increased erosion, destruction, disruption in the water cycle, MORE HARMFUL TO THE ECOSYSTEM
Which is NOT a form of source reduction
Replacing plastic mugs with disposable paper cups
Which legislation calls for listing hazardous waste to use in cradle-to-grave tracking
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
In the United States how much of generated waste ends up being recycled
Roughly 1/3
In the last 15 years, MSW per capita in the United States has
Stayed the same
Integrated waste management
Suggests that communities should have multiple options for waste disposal
Superfund Act (CERCLA)
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), a 1980 U.S. federal act that imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries, funds the cleanup of abandoned and nonoperating hazardous waste sites, and authorizes the federal government to respond directly to the release or threatened release of substances that may pose a threat to human health or the environment.
Waste stream
The flow of solid waste that is recycled, incinerated, placed in a solid waste landfill, or disposed in another way. inputs: raw materials, energy; use and reuse of a product; outputs are material that can be recycled or disposed of, waste energy
Desalinization
The process of removing the salt water.
Which is NOT a reason to keep household batteries out of landfills
They take up space in landfills and we have a finite supply of landfill space
A 500m^2 landfill experiences 150mm of rain each year and 60% of the rain is runoff. If he landfill has a 90% effective leachate collection system, how much leachate escapes each year
This problem makes no sense.
Incineration of waste is primarily used
To reduce waste volume and mass
How does the Tragedy of the Commons apply to the ocean?
Tragedy of the commons applies to the ocean because global fishing has rapidly decreased harvested fish populations, which destroys the marine ecosystem.
Tragedy of the commons
Tragedy of the commons- the tendency of a shared, limited resource to become depleted because people act from self-interest for short-term gain.
Heat island effect
Urban regions that become warmer than rural surroundings forming an "island" of warmer temperatures in the landscape Impact is much greater at night because surfaces absorb and store heat all day, then release it at night
How can we reduce the Urban Heat Island effect?
Use less AC, plant more greenery, and use lighter colors
Incineration is one solution to reduce the volume of municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste can be used to produce energy at waste-to-energy plants. Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following materials would be best suited for incineration to reduce total volume, produce energy, and have minimal release of air pollutants? A Glass B Wood C Metals D Plastics
Wood
Of the following, which contributes the most to the weight of MSW
Yard waste
For many years, forest fires were suppressed to protect lives and property. This policy has led to (a) a buildup of dead biomass that can fuel larger fires. (b) many forest species being able to live without having their habitats destroyed. (c) increased solar radiation in most ecosystems. (d) soil erosion on steep slopes. (e) economic instability.
a buildup of dead biomass that can fuel larger fires
Prescribed burn
a fire set intentionally in order to fuel reduction to prevent disease spread, expose mineral soil for seedbeds, control of insects, and improvement of natural ecosystems
Reverse osmosis
a process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure.
Distillation
a process of desalinization in which water is boiled and the resulting stream is captured and condensed to pure yield water.
Green roofing
a roof covered with vegetation, absorbes transpiration
Multi-use zoning
allows retail and high density residential development to exist in the same area
Sanitary landfill
am engineered ground facility designed to hold municipal solid waste (MSW) with as little contamination of the surrounding environment as possible.
Integrated waste management
an approach to waste disposal that employs several waste reduction, management, and disposal strategies in order to reduce the Environmental impact of MSW.
Unconfined
an aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow
Confined
an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow
cone of depression
an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well
Exurb
an area similar to a suburb, but unconnected to any central city or densely populated area (college station).
Saltwater intrusion
an infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from the extensive drilling of wells
Wildlife refuge
area set aside to preserve a wildlife and landscapes Managed by- SFS, FWS, BLM Primary Uses- wildlife conservation, hunting, recreation Major Environmental Impacts: preservation of biodiversity
It contaminated the land and water near the housing development Love Canal in New York.
benzene
9. Which of the following is NOT an environmea consequence of clear-cutting? (a) Increased soil erosion and sedimentaron in nearby streams (b) Decreased biodiversity due to habitat fragmentation (c) Increased fish populations due to the infix of nutrients into streams (d) Decreased tree species diversity due to the loss of shade-tolerant species (e) Stands of same-aged trees
c) Increased fish populations due to the infix of nutrients into streams
11. Which of the tollowing has contributed to urban sprawl over the past 50 years? (a) Migration of people from suburban areas to mural areas (b) Increased availability of public transportation (c) Lower property taxes in urban areas (d) Use of the federal gasoline tax to construct and maintain highways (e) Improved infrastructure and reduced crime rates in urban areas
d) Use of the federal gasoline tax to construct and maintain highways
which of the following is NOT an example of the tragedy of the commons? (a) Overgrazing by sheep on community-owned pastures (b) Depletion of fish stocks in international waters (c) Automobile congestion in Yellowstone National Park (d) Depletion of soil minerals by farmers on private land (e) Tropical deforestation due to clearing public land for agriculture and then moving on to agriculture
d) Depletion of soil minerals by farmers on private land
16. Which of the following is an example of an integrated waste management strategy? (a) Integrating the waste management goals of several small townships into a regional waste management plan. (b) Developing a nationwide program to handle hazardous waste materials. (c) Training waste management workers on how to sort recyclables from nonrecyclables. (d) Simultaneously developing several waste man- agement strategies to reduce the amount of waste that must be incinerated or placed in landfills. (e) Collecting state taxes to fund the development of more landfills.
d) Simultaneously developing several waste man- agement strategies to reduce the amount of waste that must be incinerated or placed in landfills.
Maximum sustainable yield
maximum amount of a renewable resource; difficult to manage and determine
Impermeable surface
pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration.
Urban blight
the degradation of the built and social environments of the city that often accompanies and accelerates migration to the suburbs.
Recharge zone
those areas where water infiltrates through the permeable rock and sediment but the saturated zone is at a depth where surface ecosystems (e.g. palustrine, lacustrine and riverine wetlands, riverine water bodies and terrestrial vegetation) are unable to access the groundwater.
Urban sprawl
urbanized areas that spread into rural areas, removing clear boundaries between the two.