Chapter 20 APES Test
Colorless, odorless gas that is a naturally occurring decay product of uranium A Asbestos B Radon C Lead D Carbon monoxide E Formaldehyde
B
Integrated waste management employs all of the following EXCEPT A using refillable soft-drink bottles B using disposable diapers instead of cloth diapers C using reusable canvas bags instead of plastic or paper bags D using tires for the construction of artificial reefs E redesigning automobiles to replace steel parts with aluminum and plastic parts
B
True statements about ozone include which of the following? It is a pollutant in the troposphere. It filters out most of the UVC radiation in the stratosphere. Most of it is formed in the stratosphere by reaction between carbon dioxide and free oxygen atoms. A I only B II only C III only D I and II only E I, II, and III
D
A large forested area is fragmented into small forest tracts separated by agricultural areas. This change will most likely lead to A an increase in the population of top carnivores B an improvement in the dispersal mechanisms of forest species C a more stable regional climate D a decrease in the amount of edge habitat E a decrease in the gene flow within species of the original forest
E
Which of the following would be the strongest evidence in support of a scientist's contention that a local area was experiencing acid deposition? A A sudden die-off of all the fish in a local stream B A gradual increase in the temperature of a local lake C An increase in the rate of photosynthesis of aquatic plants in a local lake D A long-term increase in the pH of a local pond E An increase in the concentrations of soluble heavy metals in a local pond
E
Acid deposition would most likely result in which of the following? A The release of aluminum ions from soil B An increase in populations of mollusks C The death of species tolerant of low pH levels D An increase in buffering of lake water by sulfates E An increase in the pH of unbuffered water
A
An advantage of recycling aluminum rather than disposing of it in landfills is that aluminum can be A produced from recycled metal using much less energy than is required for its production from aluminum ore B produced from ore that is chemically reactive and dangerous to transport, store, and process C produced from ore that is scarce and found primarily in remote, inhospitable regions at high latitudes D absorbed by plants and then biomagnified in both terrestrial and aquatic food chains E leached from landfills in the form of Al3+ ions that could increase the pH of lakes and streams
A
Fragmenting one large park or preserve into many small parks with human habitation in between them is most likely to lead to which of the following? A Reduction in species diversity B Stabilization of microclimates C Decreases in the proportion of edge habitat D Increase in gene flow within species E Increase in population size of top carnivores
A
Most often cited as the causative factor for acid deposition A Sulfur dioxide B Lead C Ozone D Hydrocarbons E Particulates
A
Of the following, which is the best example of reclamation of disturbed lands? A Restoring vegetation to an area that has been mined B Constructing a new wetland to compensate for the loss of wetlands C Growing crops on land formerly used for grazing D Reintroducing an endangered species into an area from which it has disappeared E Regulating the use of a natural resource in order for it to renew itself
A
Regulations that deal directly with the disposal of hazardous materials in the United States include which of the following? RCRA Clean Water Act Clean Air Act A I only B II only C III only D I and II only E I, II, and III
A
The drop in stratospheric ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere (the "ozone hole") is most evident during which season? A Antarctic spring (October) B Antarctic autumn (April) C Antarctic summer only (January) D Antarctic winter only (July) E Both Antarctic summer and Antarctic winter (January and July)
A
The major human health problem related to radon accumulation is A lung cancer B heart disease C pancreatic cancer D cataracts E malignant melanoma
A
Which of the following best exemplifies global collaboration for a sustainable environment? A The Montreal Protocol B The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 C The Clean Air Act of 1972 D CERCLA (Superfund) E NAFTA
A
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is also a by-product of anaerobic respiration? A Methane, CH4 B Nitrogen, N2 C Oxygen, O2 D Nitrogen dioxide, NO2 E Hydrogen sulfide, H2S
A
Why do introduced species often become pests? A They displace native species. B They increase biodiversity. C They do not adapt well to local habitats. D They contribute to habitat fragmentation. E They have low biotic potential.
A
Has a stronger affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen has A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Methane D Radon E Sulfur dioxide
B
If mean global temperature keeps on increasing as predicted by contemporary scientists, which of the following is most likely? A There will be fewer insects pests and disease-carrying organisms. B Specialist species living in fragile ecosystems will risk extinction. C There will be an increase in sulfate concentrations in wetlands. D There will be an increase in the reproductive rate of mammals. E The geographical range of many plants will move toward the equator.
B
Implicated in human neurological damage A Sulfur dioxide B Lead C Ozone D Hydrocarbons E Particulates
B
In general, which of the following is the best long-term method of preventing extinctions? A Breeding endangered species in captivity B Protecting the habitats of endangered species C Paying people not to kill endangered species D Providing food to endangered species in the wild E Removing predators from areas that contain endangered species
B
In the United States, the largest single component of municipal solid waste is A glass B paper C food scraps D wood and other construction debris E plastic
B
Of the following cities, which regularly experiences the worst levels of photochemical smog that is enhanced by thermal inversions? A New York City, New York B Los Angeles, California C Portland, Oregon D Atlanta, Georgia E Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
B
Of the following, which is the most serious immediate problem associated with sanitary landfills? A Generation of gas B Leachate contamination of groundwater C Release of disease organisms D Incomplete degradation of wastes E Compaction and settling
B
Ozone in the stratosphere is important to organisms at Earth's surface because ozone molecules are very strong absorbers of A infrared rays B ultraviolet rays C microwaves D visible light rays E x-rays
B
Smoke from forest fires is most likely to affect air quality over larger areas for many days when A smog is produced due to chemical reactions in the atmosphere B a persistent atmospheric inversion exists in the region C oak trees are burned, releasing terpenes into the atmosphere D primary, rather than secondary, forests are burned E vegetation in the region is green and burns more slowly
B
The major source of radon in houses in the United States is A furniture and carpets B the underlying bedrock C the troposphere D nuclear power plants E fossil-fuel combustion
B
The polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive from the Sun in the course of a year. However, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year primarily by the A absorption of ultraviolet radiation by snow B transport of heat through the atmosphere and oceans C concentration of Earth's magnetic field lines at the poles D release of latent heat to the atmosphere when the polar ice caps melt E generation of heat by glacial movement
B
Which method reduces the volume of waste but could release toxic emissions into the atmosphere? A Sanitary landfill B Incineration C Discharge to sewers, streams, and rivers D Chemical treatment E Biological treatment
B
Which of the following actions would be the most effective in decreasing acid rain and acid deposition problems? A Using higher smokestacks B Reducing use of fossil fuels C Developing acid-resistant crops D Adding lime to acidified lakes E Relocating power plants to areas of lower population density
B
Which of the following best explains why it is predicted that ozone depletion over the poles will be at its worst between 2010 and 2019? A Projected global warming from carbon dioxide emissions is expected to reach a peak during those years. B Ozone-depleting chemicals produced before their use was banned will take that long to reach peak concentrations in the stratosphere. C Deforestation in tropical regions is expected to reach a peak during the second decade of the twenty-first century. D Increased global population will lead to an increase in per capita CO2 production. E Acid deposition will continue to increase, reaching a peak in approximately 2015.
B
Which of the following human activities is most closely associated with depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer? A Mining of coal B Disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners C Heating of homes and factories D Generation of electricity E Agricultural irrigation
B
Which of the following is a major goal of the program begun in 1995 to reintroduce the gray wolf into Yellowstone National Park? A Decrease the number of grizzly bears, because they were becoming a nuisance B Enable the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list C Increase the dwindling numbers of tourists that visit the park each year D Upset the natural predator-prey balance between coyotes and elk E Decrease the number of sheep and cattle that wander into the park and overgraze the vegetation
B
Considered harmful in the troposphere but beneficial in the stratosphere A Sulfur dioxide B Lead C Ozone D Hydrocarbons E Particulates
C
Found in old plumbing pipes and fixtures and some ceramic glazes A Asbestos B Radon C Lead D Carbon monoxide E Formaldehyde
C
Global warming is most likely to directly cause which of the following? A Shifting of grain belts toward the equator B Falling sea levels in the Southern Hemisphere C Coastal flooding and submersion of low-lying areas D A decrease in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere E An increase in the number and size of glaciers
C
High rates of species extinction caused by human activity have taken place at which of the following times in Earth's history? At the end of the Permian period At the end of the Cretaceous period During recent times A I only B II only C III only D I and II only E I, II, and III
C
Is a flammable gas produced by landfills A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Methane D Radon E Sulfur dioxide
C
Ozone in the stratosphere is most important to life at Earth's surface because it absorbs A gamma rays B microwaves C ultraviolet light D visible light E x-rays
C
Stratospheric ozone depletion is most likely to result in which of the following? A Increased growth of food crops due to increasing amounts of ultraviolet radiation B Extended grazing season for cattle C Disruption of photosynthesis in plants D Increased movement of the human population toward equatorial regions E A higher percentage of cloudless days
C
The data in the graph can be useful in explaining the greenhouse effects when they are compared with A volcanic activity B sunspot activity C mean global temperatures D annual nitrous oxide production E cycles of flooding and drought
C
Which of the following best describes the mechanism of the greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere? A Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is absorbed by ozone gas in the stratosphere. B Gamma radiation from the Sun is absorbed at ground level by dust particles in the atmosphere. C Infrared radiation from Earth's surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. D Cosmic radiation from deep space is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. E Alpha radiation from the Sun is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere.
C
Which of the following greenhouse gases has the greatest heat-trapping ability per molecule? A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Chlorofluorocarbon D Methane E Nitrous oxide
C
Which of the following substances is released by CFC's and catalyzes a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in the upper atmosphere? A Carbon monoxide B Carbon dioxide C Chlorine D Sulfur dioxide E Methane
C
Acid rain is associated with which of the following? A Formation of the antarctic ozone hole B Release of PCBs into the atmosphere C Damage to tropical rain forests D The burning of fossil fuels E The increasing pH of lake waters
D
Critics of incineration of municipal solid waste suggests that it may not be the best solution for the future, for which of the following reasons? A Incineration produces ash that increases landfill volume. B Incineration generates methane. C Incineration involves advanced technology. D Incineration contributes to air pollution. E Incineration requires large energy input.
D
Establishes cradle-to-grave tracking of hazardous waste A Safe Drinking Water Act B Clean Water Act C Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) D Resource Conservation and Recovery Act E Toxic Substances Control Act
D
Has been implicated as the cause of as much as 15 percent of lung cancer cases A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Methane D Radon E Sulfur dioxide
D
If Earth had no atmosphere, the mean surface temperature would be approximately -15°C. With our present atmosphere, Earth's mean surface temperature is approximately +15°C. Which of the following is the best explanation for this difference? A Reflection of incident solar radiation by clouds B Scattering of visible radiation by aerosols C Absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer D Absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases E The breakdown of oxygen molecules in the thermosphere
D
Many scientists maintain that a rise in sea level has occurred in the last hundred years as a result of global warming. If this is true, which of the following factors best explains such a rise? A Increased precipitation B Increased cloud cover C Increased evapotranspiration D Thermal expansion of the ocean E Melting of permafrost
D
Most data indicate that, during the past 100 years, mean global annual temperature has A decreased by 5°C B decreased by 0.5°C C stayed the same D increased by 0.5°C E increased by 5°C
D
Road construction, logging, and mining are banned in which of the following federal lands? A National parks B National wildlife refuges C National forests D National wilderness preservation areas E National resource lands
D
The graph above shows how seed production in a plant species varied with population density in an unfragmented habitat (site A) and in a fragmented habitat (site B). Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the data? A There is no relationship between seed production and habitat fragmentation. B Seed production is higher in dense populations. C Seed production is lower in dense populations. D Habitat fragmentation has more effect on seed production than does population density. E Pollinators are either less abundant or less effective in small populations.
D
The three main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants in the United States are A soil erosion, volcanoes, and forest fires B soil erosion, volcanoes, and energy production C industry, construction, and agriculture D industry, transportation, and energy production E industry, transportation, and agriculture
D
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be an effect of global warming? A Loss of fertile delta regions for agriculture B Change in global patterns of precipitation C Extinction of some species that have narrow temperature requirements D Decreased rate of photosynthesis in vegetation E Increased frequency of hurricanes
D
Which of the following would encourage recycling? A Decreasing government purchases of recycled materials B Decreasing subsidies for recycling C Decreasing taxes on resource-extracting industries D Decreasing taxes on recycled material E Decreasing fees for using landfills
D
Which of the following would likely reduce the threats posed by exotic species to native species? I Increasing inspections of goods coming into a country II Mandating that bilgewater from vessels be emptied in ports instead of in the open ocean III Enforcing legislation that restricts imported materials such as untreated wooden packing crates A I only B II only C III only D I and III only E I, II, and III
D
Which type of electricity-generating power plant releases radioactive materials as well as toxic metals such as lead and arsenic under normal operating conditions? A Nuclear B Hydroelectric C Solar D Coal-burning E Geothermal
D
Characteristics that tend to increase the risk of a species becoming endangered include which of the following? Having a very limited distribution Being a specialist at the end of a long food chain Having a small population size A I only B II only C III only D II and III only E I, II, and III
E
Composed of fibers known to cause lung disease A Asbestos B Radon C Lead D Carbon monoxide E Formaldehyde
E
Ground-level ozone in most major United States cities results primarily from A burning coal B burning fuel for cooking C producing electric power D industrial emissions E motor-vehicle exhaust
E
In the United States, most municipal solid waste is disposed of by A composting B recycling C incineration D ocean dumping E landfilling
E
Is the major pollutant that electrostatic precipitators are designed to remove from power-plant smokestack emissions A Sulfur dioxide B Lead C Ozone D Hydrocarbons E Particulates
E
Of the following, which is true of noise pollution? A Noise pollution is an insignificant occupational hazard. B Noise at 100 decibels has twice the energy of noise at 50 decibels. C Hearing damage occurs most quickly when the intensity level of the sound is low. D In urban areas, few individuals are exposed to noise pollution. E Sudden or persistent noise may lead to permanent hearing loss.
E
Possible effects of a warmer atmosphere include which of the following? Expanded ranges of tropical diseases More intense hurricanes and typhoons Increased crop damage from pests and diseases A I only B II only C I and III only D II and III only E I, II, and III
E
The factor that likely poses the greatest threat of extinction of species worldwide is A weakening of environmental legislation B increase in hunting and fishing C aggressive collecting of specimens by museums and zoos D black-market trade in endangered species E increasing loss of habitat
E
Which of the following is an important contributor to both global warming and ozone depletion? A An increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide to higher-than-preindustrial levels B A buildup of methane in the stratosphere to higher-than-preindustrial levels C An increase in the levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth's surface D An increase in the amount of infrared solar radiation absorbed in the troposphere E A release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere
E
Which of the following not only results from greenhouse warming but also contributes to additional warming of Earth (i.e., is a positive feedback process)? A Increased emissions of particulates and aerosols from industrial activity B Increased volcanic activity C Decreased air temperature and subsequent formation of clouds D Decreased incidence of sunspot activity E Decreased size of snowpack
E
Which of the following would most likely have the greatest positive impact on the quality of the natural environment worldwide? A Discovery of new reserves of fossil fuel in coastal areas B Increased agricultural production on marginal desert lands C Increased life expectancy in more developed nations D Increased reliance on food from ocean ecosystems E Stabilization or reduction of the size of the human population
E
All of the following gases have been implicated in contributing to the increase in global temperature via the greenhouse effect EXCEPT (type this one)
O2
Which of the following correctly orders the methods of solid-waste management in terms of energy required? Type this one out (commas in between words)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
