ENVS 1126 Final

Entering a new job at a small medical testing facility, Ben is cautioned to handle certain chemicals carefully. Wondering what harm some of these chemicals can potentially cause, Ben asks a coworker. The coworker says, "Well, I think they can cause cancer if you breathe the fumes." Ben wants to know for sure. According to the OSHA guidelines, Ben should A. search the internet for medical articles related to these compounds B. check the information on the HAZMAT signs in his workplace C. read the relevant material data safety sheets D. ask the supervisors about the dangers of the substances he handles

C. read the relevant material data safety sheets

CFCs

(chlorofluorocarbons) halogenated carbons; nonreactive, nonflammable, nontoxic organic molecules

LUSTs

(leaking underground fuel storage tanks) at service stations and other facilities

**Which of these figures is the author of the book Silent Spring, which is credited with the starting of the modern environmental movement? A. Rachel Carson B. Rick Perry C. Judi Berri D. John Edwards

A. Rachel Carson

ozone levels can increase in the troposphere when A. VOCs are present B. PANs react with atmospheric nitrogen to form ozone C. VOCs release ozone when they are broken apart by solar energy D. more carbon dioxide is available to contribute additional oxygen for ozone formation

A. VOCs are present

which of the following has the smallest particle size? A. clay B. silt C. sand D. gravel

A. clay

the main categories of biomes are based on differences in A. climatic conditions B. the ratio of plants and animals in the biome C. the particular continent on which they are found D. the density of the plants in the biome

A. climatic conditions

within soil, a natural cycle of A. decomposers break down detritus to release nutrients used by producers B. detritus breaks down decomposers to release nutrients used by producers C. decomposers break down nutrients to release detritus used by producers D. decomposers break down detritus to release nutrients used by consumers

A. decomposers break down detritus to release nutrients used by producers

which of the following are processes that generally reverse each other? A. evaporation and precipitation B. transpiration and evaporation C. precipitation and infiltration D. condensation and infiltration

A. evaporation and precipitation

the common definition of pest A. is based on the negative impacts of an organism on human activities B. varies depending upon whether the organism is an herbivore or carnivore C. varies widely in the world depending upon the particular culture D. is limited to organisms that are plants

A. is based on the negative impacts of an organism on human activities

insecticides would be most useful in combating A. mosquitoes that spread malaria B. weeds that infect our agricultural fields C. bacteria., such as Salmonella, which sometimes contaminate meat D. fungi that contribute to molds and mildew that lead to respiratory infections

A. mosquitoes that spread malaria

in order to make a rapid transition to renewable energies, such as the United States will have to: A. reduce subsidies to the fossil fuel industry B. reduce subsidies to renewable energy development to create economic parity C. manufacture smaller, more fuel efficient cars and trucks D. strengthen its ties and involvement with the Middle East

A. reduce subsidies to the fossil fuel industry

which of the following is a good example of a biological agent or action that is a hazard to public health? A. rotavirus infections lead to deadly diarrhea in more than a million children each year B. chewing tobacco is known to greatly increase the chances of cancer of the mouth a throat C. for people living deep in a forest, the drought increased the chances of a deadly forest fire D. the use of air bags and safety belts has greatly reduced accidental deaths in moving vehicles

A. rotavirus infections lead to deadly diarrhea in more than a million children each year

which of the following is more related to water quality than quantity? A. sewage treatment facilities B. crop irrigation C. depletion of aquifers D. construction of dams

A. sewage treatment facilities

increasing the kinetic energy of liquid water enough to permit water molecules to break completely away from each other occurs as A. steam forms B. ice freezes C. water flows in a stream D. rain flows

A. steam forms

**The half-life of Uranium 283 is in billions of years. What is a half-life? A. the time for half of the radioactive isotope to become stable B. the time for half of the Uranium to disappear C. the time to ship the Uranium to somewhere safe D. the time to find more Uranium

A. the time for half of the radioactive isotope to become stable

as a cold front moves into an area of warm, moist air, we would expect to see cloud formation as A. the warm air rises and condenses B. the cold air rises and condenses C. evaporation and transpiration increase D. high altitude air masses fall and condense

A. the warm air rises and condenses

**Cap and trade could correctly be defined as: "If you are a big company that pollutes a lot you can buy pollution credits from a company that pollutes less and has credits to sell." A. true B. false

A. true

**During evaporation and transpiration, the water rises to the atmosphere and condensation and precipitation the water returns to the land and oceans A. true B. false

A. true

**The term pesticide includes fungicides, herbicides, rodentacides, and insecticides A. true B. false

A. true

population growth and fertility rates are lowest in A. upper-income countries B. upper-and-middle-income countries C. middle-and-low-income countries D. lower-income countries

A. upper-income countries

detritus feeders and decomposers are most likely found in the A. E and B horizon B. A and O horizon C. B and C horizon D. C and E horizon

B. A and O horizon

which GMO helps reduce pesticide use? A. Roundup ready crops B. Bt corn/soy C. Vitamin A enriched rice D. none of the above

B. Bt corn/soy

**Your neighbor who owns a vacant lot is allowing people to dispose of items such as old refrigerators, brown-down cars, and discarded batteries in his lot. Your neighbor has no license to operate a solid waste disposal facility. He could be prosecuted under which one of the following pieces of federal legislation? A. CERCLA B. RCRA C. SDWA D. CWA

B. RCRA

in preparation, for the construction of a new large subdivision, over 500 acres of hilly forest are cleared. in this cleared region, we will expect that: A. more species of birds and insects will inhabit the region B. a drainage system and landscaping will need to be designed to limit erosion C. the overall productivity of the region will increase D. the levels of carbon dioxide in the air will sharply decline

B. a drainage system and landscaping will need to be designed to limit erosion

the Industrial Revolution has greatly impacted global agriculture such that A. the need for fertilizers and herbicides has nearly been eliminated B. agricultural productivity has more than doubled C. soil degredation has been nearly eliminated D. the cost of world agriculture has dropped significantly

B. agricultural productivity has more than doubled

**The five main revolutions of human history have all resulted in A. a greater reliance upon fossil fuels B. an increase in human carrying capacity C. a reduction in the spread of disease D. increased need for transportation

B. an increase in human carrying capacity

which of the following methods would be the most effective at the cleanup of soils at hazardous waste sites eligible for LUST funds? A. phytoremediation B. bioremediation C. hydroponic intervention D. reverse osmosis refinement

B. bioremediation

using its authority from a new rule issued under the Clean Air Act in 2011, the EPA A. can permit chromium, tin and arsenic in fungicides dispensed with fertilizers B. can require a 90% reduction of mercury emissions from power plants C. can reintroduce leaded gasoline beginning in 2014 D. will require coal-fired power plants to remove heavy metals from coal before it is burned

B. can require a 90% reduction of mercury emissions from power plants

**Which is a density dependent factor that controls the population? A. flooding B. contagious disease C. hurricanes D. pollution

B. contagious disease

A disproportionately high placement of toxic waste sites in regions of the United States populated by minorities most likely indicates A. sustainable development B. environmental racism and justice C. a demographic transition D. urban "smart growth"

B. environmental racism and justice

Roundup Ready corn is resistant to the herbicide Roundup (glyphosphate). one of the greatest concerns about this transgenic Roundup Ready corn is the A. lower yields produced by Roundup Ready corn B. evolution of herbicide resistant in weeds that commonly infect cornfields C. transfer of Roundup resistance to other crops, such as soybeans D. eventual loss of this trait from Roundup Ready corn due to hybridization

B. evolution of herbicide resistant in weeds that commonly infect cornfields

**On December 3rd, 2019, oil closed at $56.10 a barrel. If hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is profitable when oil is $90 to barrel, fracking is profitable today A. true B. false

B. false

areas with oxygen concentration <2 mg/l is not considered hypoxic A. true B. false

B. false

a garden is suffering from a quickly growing mold. the most effective treatment for this problem would be the application of A. herbicide B. fungicide C. pesticide D. rodenticide

B. fungicide

a system of vertical and horizontal air circulation predominating in tropical and subtropical regions of the world that creates major weather patterns A. troposphere B. hadley cell C. trade winds D. doldrums

B. hadley cell

**A CFC is an example of a A. GMO B. halogenated hydrocarbon C. pollutant that doesn't have harmful effects D. CAA non-compliant company

B. halogenated hydrocarbon

Thailand has experienced a dramatic drop in fertility rate, increased per capita income, and an increase in life expectancy between 1960 and 2014. these are all signs that Thailand A. will see a surge in population growth B. has undergone demographic transition C. is in the poverty-population trap D. probably has a low literacy rate amongst its women

B. has undergone demographic transition

**Which has a higher albedo? A. water B. ice C. grass D. hardened lava

B. ice

efforts to limit global deforestation should be concentrated A. in the northern hemisphere B. in the developing regions of the world C. wherever there is the greatest concentration of people D. in regions with the highest production of agricultural crops

B. in the developing regions of the world

Which one of the following permitted the widespread move into suburbs after WWII? A. increased use of telephones and television B. increased ownership of automobiles C. improvements in the railway and bus systems D. cheaper sources of energy

B. increased ownership of automobiles

**Plants are a source of anti-cancer drugs. This is an example of A. intrinsic value B. instrumental value C. commercial value D. extinction value

B. instrumental value

at the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, the loss of coastal wetlands due to human activities contributed to the extent of storm damage cause by recent severe hurricanes. this loss of coastal wetlands therefore represents a A. loss of natural goods B. loss of natural services C. long-term regional benefit to humans D. long-term economic benefit to humans

B. loss of natural services

Anaerobic conditions will most likely be generated in a natural system with A. high levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values B. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values C. high levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with low BOD values D. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with low BOD values

B. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values

anaerobic conditions will most likely be generated in a natural water system with A. high levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values B. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values C. high levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with low BOD values D. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with low BOD values

B. low levels of DO that is contaminated by pollutants with high BOD values

better sanitation and nutrition generally resulted from the A. industrial revolution B. medical revolution C. green revolution D. environmental revolution

B. medical revolution

when college students first learn about the invasion of zebra mussels into the Great Lakes approximately 25 years ago, they frequently ask what controls zebra mussel populations in their native regions. If introducing natural zebra mussel predators into the Great Lakes would not cause new problems, this approach might work as an example of A. cultural control B. natural enemies control C. genetic control D. natural chemical control

B. natural enemies control

using ice core samples and analyses, researchers have discovered that over the past 800,000 years A. glaciers were greatest when greenhouse gases increased the most B. the Earth has gradually been warming and sea levels have been rising C. there is a strong correlation between global temperatures and greenhouse gases D. atmospheric levels of methane and carbon dioxide have steadily been increasing

C. there is a strong correlation between global temperatures and greenhouse gases

**What is leaching? A. people first degrading a resource B. the resource that is ultimately ruined C. water that carries material and substances through soil D. an area is restored after people are educated

C. water that carries material and substances through soil

which of the following is true or accurate about the transition to renewable energies? A. coal can continue to be used as long as we keep atmospheric CO2 levels below 800 ppm B. natural gas, which produces less CO2 when burned, can serve as a "bridge energy" to the development of enough renewable energies C. at present none of the US states has any requirements or goals for the transititon D. venture capitalists have invested very little in global renewable energy because of uncertainty about its effectiveness

B. natural gas, which produces less CO2 when burned, can serve as a "bridge energy" to the development of enough renewable energies

the window of opportunity presented by the demographic dividend generally ends as A. people start having larger families B. people live longer C. economic pressures require more people to work D. rural populations increase

B. people live longer

cattle production in the US and other developed nations involves CAFOs that: A. produce large amounts of manure, all of which is diverted into soil restoration B. produce 20% of the greenhouse gas methane that causes C. generate income used to support the large population of native people D. produce leather that sustains millions of workers in the Brazilian leather industry

B. produce 20% of the greenhouse gas methane that causes

if we wanted to improve the efficiency of technology to reduce electrical power consumption, the sectors we would choose are A. industrial and transportation B. residential and commercial C. commercial and industrial D. residential and transportation

B. residential and commercial

**If most of the oil in an oil well has already been removed, ___________ can remove even more oil by injecting steam or brine into the well A. primary recovery B. secondary recovery C. external recovery D. strategic oil reserve

B. secondary recovery

**One reason it is hard to solve the dead zone issue is because the pollution comes from non-point sources. What is a non-point source? A. something like a pipe where wastewater from a factory is discharged B. something like a farm where fertilizer washes off in the rain C. a source that is originally not polluting, but becomes polluting D. a source that is originally polluting, but becomes non-polluting

B. something like a farm where fertilizer washes off in the rain

the ability of an ecosystem to replenish itself leads to A. decreasing consumptive use B. sustainability C. the conversion of ecosystem capital from one form to another D. increasing natural resources but declining ecosystem capital

B. sustainability

**There has been a catastrophic spill of cow manure in the local University lake. The water is now more turbid and some fish are dying. You collected a sample of lake water before and after this catastrophe. You measured the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) in both water samples. How would you expect the BOD to change as a result of the spill? A. the BOD will stay the same B. the BOD will increase C. the BOD will decrease D. the chemical oxygen demand (COD) should be measured instead

B. the BOD will increase

**How does the EPA affect environmental policy? A. the EPA passes laws that control environmental regulations B. the EPA develops rules and regulations based on laws passed by Congress C. the EPA determines which laws passed by the Judicial Branch apply to environmental policy

B. the EPA develops rules and regulations based on laws passed by Congress

which one of the following global climate changes is most associated with increased hurricane activity? A. increased desertification in Africa B. warmer oceans C. melting polar ice caps D. melting glaciers in Alaska

B. warmer oceans

**870,000 federally subsidized housing units are within a mile of factories that emit toxic emissions. Most occupants are minorities. What kind of issue is this? A. an issue of scale B. National Priorities List C. an environmental justice issue D. RCRA

C. an environmental justice issue

**the population of K strategists usually fluctuates around the ________________ A. boom and bust cycle B. constant growth rate C. carrying capacity D. asymptote

C. carrying capacity

which of the following is something the World Bank might do? A. purchase mineral rights from developing countries B. construct dams paid for by revenues generated through the sale of electrical power C. lend money to governments of developing countries for a variety of projects D. construct highways and navigation canals for increased international commerce

C. lend money to governments of developing countries for a variety of projects

**Covered landfill spaces can be recycled into... A. baseball fields and sports stadiums B. roads and houses C. limited use parks D. all of the above

C. limited use parks

which of the following does not represent a common-pool resource? A. fish in a river B. trees in a forest C. money stored in a bank D. wildlife in a prairie

C. money stored in a bank

**How much of the water on earth is accessible, fresh water? A. 77% B. 7.7% C. 3% D. 0.77%

D. 0.77%

in the United States, if a person is concerned about an infectious disease such as the avian flue, the most reliable source of information would be the: A. United States Department of Human Health and Sciences B. United States Department of Agriculture C. National Academy of Sciences D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

**Which one of the following countries currently has the highest fertility rate? A. Japan B. Italy C. China D. United States

D. United States

**________ are a concern for wind turbines A. ice throws (ice freezes on propellers and throws ice) B. low frequency electromagnetic energy C. bird kills D. all of the above

D. all of the above

a country with a declining fertility rate below 2.0 A. will be graying B. will have a population declining in size C. is increasingly common in highly developed nations D. all of the above

D. all of the above

water in the oceans may become freshwater that is available to humans through the processes of A. precipitation and infiltration B. condensation and infiltration C. transpiration, purification, and precipitation D. evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

D. evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

because of their specific effects exerted by mimicking hormone chemical structure and function, hazardous chemicals that are endocrine disruptors will cause abnormal events in A. vision, hearing, and taste B. the musculoskeletal system C. digestion and absorption of foods D. growth, metabolism, and reproduction

D. growth, metabolism, and reproduction

the local health department is trying to limit the spread of West Nile in a suburban community. West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes as they feed. In newspapers and on the radio, people in the region are told to drain standing water from any place where mosquitoes might breed. In addition, the health department announces that in a week, they will begin spraying a fog of mosquito poison in the early evening, as soon as the sun sets and mosquitoes become more active. The approach taken by this health department best represents: A. chemical treatment B. agricultural treatment C. ecological control D. integrated pest management

D. integrated pest management

which of the following activities is the largest consumer of water worldwide? A. human consumption B. sewage treatment C. industry D. irrigation

D. irrigation

**Why will coal production not increase? A. unnecessary environmental regulations B. it is uneconomical compared to natural gas and oil C. there is not much left D. it is too toxic

D. it is too toxic

**_________________ from landfills contain a cocktail of chemicals that can contaminate ground water A. smells B. methane C. rats D. leachate

D. leachate

most of the water on earth is found in A. lakes and rivers B. polar ice caps C. glaciers D. oceans

D. oceans

**Which of the following is a regulating service provided by ecosystems? A. modification of climate B. aesthetic enjoyment from watching eagles fly C. nuts and berries from plants D. protection from flooding and storm surge

D. protection from flooding and storm surge

**The most widespread and serious pollutant(s) in the atmosphere include A. suspended particles B. volatile organic compounds C. carbon monoxide D. nitrogen oxides E. all of the above

E. all of the above

Which one of the following is a proper scientific name of an animal?

Homo sapiens

Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science?

Integrative and interdisciplinary

**What is the acronym IPCC?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

If atmospheric carbon dioxide were eliminated from Earth's atmosphere, which of the following would be true?

The Earth would cool considerably, and photosynthesis would dramatically decrease.

World population growth over the past 500 years has most resembled which letter?

The letter J

Which biome is characterized by permafrost?

Tundra

Which of the following products contains the greatest number of carcinogens? Select one: a. chewing tobacco b. a Twinkie snack c. tap water from most cities in the United States d. a thick vanilla milkshake

a. chewing tobacco

Which one of the following soil horizons is least likely to be interacting directly with living organisms? Select one: a. O horizon b. C horizon c. E horizon d. A horizon

b. C horizon

Large families in poor countries a. are common, due largely because of low infant and childhood mortality. b. are common, in part because more children means more labor. c. is becoming more common as the use of modern agriculture increases. d. are rare, because having many children is expensive.

b. are common, in part because more children means more labor.

Sustainable soil conservation requires a. an understanding of the natural ability of soils to recover quickly from degradation. b. long-term effective farming practices by individual landowners and also sound public policy. c. that developing countries maximize short-term strategies for immediate benefits. d. individuals to work for the immediate benefit of their particular interests.

b. long-term effective farming practices by individual landowners and also sound public policy.

The largest reserves of fresh water on Earth are found in Select one: a. aquifers. b. polar ice caps and glaciers. c. rivers and groundwater. d. lakes and wetlands.

b. polar ice caps and glaciers.

The abundant formation of hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere Select one: a. promotes the formation of ozone that protects against damaging ultraviolet light. b. removes many common pollutants from the troposphere. c. promotes the formation of nitrous oxides that in turn lower levels of carbon dioxide. d. removes many common pollutants from the stratosphere.

b. removes many common pollutants from the troposphere.

Which one of the following principles of smart-growth will most likely result in an increase in the use of locally grown foods? a. provide several transportation choices b. set physical boundaries on urban sprawl and purchase and preserve open spaces c. build new homes and stores on existing abandoned or brownfield urban properties d. promote the integration of homes, stores, light industry, and professional offices

b. set physical boundaries on urban sprawl and purchase and preserve open spaces

Considering the availability of ecosystem goods and services, Select one: a. there is a greater "safe space" now than in 1969. b. the amount of ecosystem goods and services has declined between 1969 and the present. c. there are more ecosystem good and services per person now than there were in 1969. d. the pressure from continuing population growth is not as severe as predicted 40 years ago.

b. the amount of ecosystem goods and services has declined between 1969 and the present.

These fires on the Cuyahoga River raised concerns that contributed to a. laws requiring the separation of sewage and storm water in cities. b. the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972. c. the passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. d. the formation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

b. the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972.

A squirrel population in an oak forest in Indiana is limited by hawk predators, the amount of acorns produced annually, nesting sites in the trees, and cold winter temperatures. Which of the following is an abiotic factor limiting this squirrel population? a. the number of acorns produced annually b. the stress of cold winter temperatures c. the number of available nesting sites d. the hawks in the region

b. the stress of cold winter temperatures

Potential environmental damage results from the harvesting of fossil fuels and a. the transportation and waste products generated by their use. b. the transportation, storage, and waste products generated by their use. c. their storage and waste products. d. their transportation and storage.

b. the transportation, storage, and waste products generated by their use.

Questions about the danger of a particular chemical hazard will relate to that chemical's Select one: a. exposure in the natural environment. b. toxicity, exposure, and dose. c. toxicity and abundance in the environment. d. ability to dissolve in either water or oil.

b. toxicity, exposure, and dose.

The new RCRA requirements for the disposal of toxic wastes will prevent midnight dumping by a. requiring all toxic wastes to be converted to forms that will not leach. b. tracking the generation, movement, and disposal of all wastes. c. requiring all landfills to have a permit. d. banning the disposal of all toxic wastes anywhere in the United States.

b. tracking the generation, movement, and disposal of all wastes.

The greatest environmental problem of the 1950s was Select one: a. the increasing level of ultraviolet radiation as the ozone layer was destroyed. b. widespread and easily detected water and air pollution. c. thousands of nuclear power plants that spread radiation across the globe. d. global climate change illustrated by the worldwide decline of thousands of glaciers.

b. widespread and easily detected water and air pollution.

Stewardship of water resources includes Select one: a. the reduction of wasteful use of water. b. the need for good water for developing societies. c. All of the above. d. the needs of natural ecosystems and endangered species.

c. All of the above.

One of the greatest success stories of the positive impact of chemistry research and environmental policies and regulations relates to Select one: a. the reduction of ozone pollution over major cities in North America. b. nitrogen oxides and the control of acid precipitation. c. CFCs and the destruction of the ozone. d. the use of fossil fuels and the reversal of global climate changes.

c. CFCs and the destruction of the ozone.

Which one of the following reduces net GDP? a. Manufacture of products to clean polluted water b. A coal-fired power plant that pollutes the air c. Degradation of farm equipment d. Clear-cutting and logging of 1,000 acres of pine trees

c. Degradation of farm equipment

__________ occurs when the water table drops in coastal regions and the underground freshwater cannot push the saltwater back out to ocean. Select one: a. Exploitation of Aquifers b. Diminishing Surface Water c. Saltwater Intrusion d. Land Subsidence

c. Saltwater Intrusion

If the sun's energy could be measured in units like money, which of the following organisms would be the most expensive to maintain? a. a sunflower b. a squirrel c. a fox d. a mushroom

c. a fox

Bt crops a. produce chemicals that interfere with the molting of insect pests. b. should always be planted in pure stands to reduce the chance of Bt resistant pests. c. are GM plants that incorporate the gene for producing a potent bacterially produced insecticide. d. produce chemicals that are similar to insect pheromones, interrupting pest mating cycles.

c. are GM plants that incorporate the gene for producing a potent bacterially produced insecticide.

The modern U.S. environmental movement began as a: a. broad bipartisan effort that remains in effect today. b. partisan effort but now has broad bipartisan support. c. broad bipartisan effort but has fractured into a contentious partisan debate with intense lobbying. d. partisan effort that remains partisan and highly contested today.

c. broad bipartisan effort but has fractured into a contentious partisan debate with intense lobbying.

**The population of K-strategists usually fluctuate around a. Boom and bust cycle b. Constant growth rate c. Carrying Capacity d. Asymptote

c. carrying capacity

Compared to a person in a developed country, a person in a developing country is about eight times more likely to die from Select one: a. injuries. b. cancer. c. communicable diseases. d. cardiovascular disease.

c. communicable diseases.

The threshold level for harmful effects of toxic pollutants is most closely related to the Select one: a. first appearance of chronic effects. b. duration of exposure. c. concentration and duration of exposure. d. concentration of exposure.

c. concentration and duration of exposure.

To be a widely used energy source for humans, some collected solar radiation must be Select one: a. used to produce electricity. b. used to heat water. c. converted and stored. d. recycled into fossil fuels.

c. converted and stored.

The greatest cause of topsoil loss around the world is Select one: a. rising ocean levels. b. the construction of new buildings and roads. c. erosion. d. the creation of new mines.

c. erosion.

Water is naturally purified by Select one: a. precipitation and infiltration. b. transpiration and evaporation. c. evaporation and condensation. d. condensation and transpiration.

c. evaporation and condensation.

Compared to an ecosystem with just a single stage of succession, an ecosystem with a variety of successional stages Select one: a. has a much lower rate of primary productivity. b. is more likely to experience forest fires. c. has greater biodiversity. d. is less likely to experience erosion.

c. has greater biodiversity.

Integrated pest management focuses on a. eliminating crop damage by using only cultural techniques. b. eliminating crop damage by using preventative techniques. c. maintaining crop damage below the economic threshold using preventative techniques. d. maintaining crop damage below the economic threshold using broad-spectrum pesticides.

c. maintaining crop damage below the economic threshold using preventative techniques.

Some of the worst new hazardous waste sites that will require cleanup using Superfund (SARA) money instead of private resources are Select one: a. in states that border an ocean. b. soil immediately surrounding the buildings of an oil refinery. c. military bases. d. in rural agricultural environments.

c. military bases.

Because of the abundance of natural gas in the United States, we should expect to see a. further decreases in the price of petroleum. b. an increase in greenhouse gases as we shift away from coal and oil as primary fuels. c. more gas-powered vehicles and industries. d. many more U.S. LNG terminals planned and constructed.

c. more gas-powered vehicles and industries.

To promote crop growth, a farmer is most likely to apply fertilizers to the soil that contain Select one: a. carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus. b. nitrogen. c. nitrogen or phosphorus. d. carbon or phosphorus.

c. nitrogen or phosphorus.

Which one of the following does not represent indirect solar energy? Select one: a. hydroelectric b. windmills c. nuclear fission d. biomass

c. nuclear fission

American beavers, Castor canadensis, are widespread in North America. Those American beavers living around lakes in northern Minnesota and which can potentially interbreed: a. should look much different than beavers in Wisconsin. b. are probably a separate beaver species. c. represent one population of American beavers. d. belong to the same family but not the same genus as other beavers.

c. represent one population of American beavers.

A lawn based on the principle of xeriscaping Select one: a. includes agricultural crop species. b. uses at least twice as much water as necessary. c. uses species that require no water other than natural precipitation. d. gets its water from redirected urban runoff.

c. uses species that require no water other than natural precipitation.

New buildings that receive the energy star rating are recognized for a. using solar power for at least 50% of the building's energy needs. b. using solar or geothermal energy for at least 30% of the building's energy needs. c. using 40% less energy than other buildings in their class. d. using wind power for at least 20% of the building's energy needs.

c. using 40% less energy than other buildings in their class.

Plants that can best resist a variety of environmental challenges are most likely a. cultivars with little genetic variation. b. wild plants with low degrees of variation. c. wild plants with high degrees of variation. d. domesticated plants with little genetic variation.

c. wild plants with high degrees of variation.

At present, the total number of long-term, commercial, below-ground nuclear waste depository sites in use in the United States is a. over a hundred. b. 23. c. zero. d. 7.

c. zero.

**acute exposure

can be life threatening; can be fatal to someone who is already weakened by other diseases (ex. pollution may trigger heart attacks in someone with heart disease)

Which one of the following best illustrates consumptive use of a resource? a. A fishing vessel hauls in 100 tons of tuna for sale on the open market. b. A farmer raises 1,000 acres of soybeans in Illinois. c. A shrimp farm in Thailand raises shrimp to sell in China. d. A farmer in Indiana shoots a wild turkey for his Thanksgiving dinner.

d. A farmer in Indiana shoots a wild turkey for his Thanksgiving dinner.

Which of the following illustrate the liquidation of ecosystem capital by a developing country? a. increasing agricultural output to produce wheat for export b. expanding the logging of exotic hardwood forests to provide lumber for furniture in developed countries c. permitting foreign industrial projects with lower restrictions on pollutant emissions d. All of the above.

d. All of the above.

Hard plastic bottles commonly used by hikers often contain the chemical Select one: a. PERC, which may result in minor skin rashes and other allergic reactions. b. PCBs, which may interfere with thyroid gland function. c. phenolphthalein, which has been clearly shown not to have significant health effects. d. BPA, which is a hormone mimic and may pose a health hazard.

d. BPA, which is a hormone mimic and may pose a health hazard.

How are developing countries likely affected by the most recent global economic crisis? a. Developing countries will likely increase exports. b. Developed countries may reduce barriers to trade with developing countries. c. Developed countries may increase aid to developing countries. d. Developing countries may experience decreasing GNI.

d. Developing countries may experience decreasing GNI.

Which one of the following hazardous-waste disposal methods is safest with regard to ground/drinking water pollution and involvement in ecosystem food chains? Select one: a. a best-demonstrated available technology b. an on-site surface impoundment c. a secure landfill d. a deep-well injection

d. a deep-well injection

Which of the following would reduce the greatest amount of MSW? a. using half as much toilet paper when you use the restroom b. using paper towels whenever possible instead of sponges and rags c. buying food products in individual serving containers whenever possible d. buying concentrated cleaning solutions and refilling cleaning bottles at home

d. buying concentrated cleaning solutions and refilling cleaning bottles at home

Carbon reduction and capture and storage systems are currently: a. widely used in power plants that burn oil, natural, gas, and coal. b. only available for power plants that burn natural gas. c. not possible with available technology. d. costly and experimental, but promising.

d. costly and experimental, but promising.

When a country such as the United States exports subsidized grains, it hurts a developing country importing the grain by Select one: a. increasing domestic production of grains in the developing country. b. causing more people to turn to subsistence farming in the developing country. c. increasing the demand for meat in the developing country. d. decreasing production of the grain in the developing country.

d. decreasing production of the grain in the developing country.

Urban sprawl and urban blight are serious problems for urban regions. However, the consequences are generally different. Urban sprawl generally results in problems associated with a. public health while urban blight involves issues of the environment. b. social justice while urban blight involves issues of education. c. education while urban blight involves issues of public health. d. the environment while urban blight involves issues of social justice.

d. the environment while urban blight involves issues of social justice.

**secondary oil recovery

employs water and gas injection, displacing oil and driving it to the surface

A disproportionately high placement of toxic waste sites in regions of the United States populated by minorities most likely indicates

environmental racism and justice.

**why was rachel carson taken seriously?

her book, Silent Spring, became one of the most influential books in the modern environmental movement and provided the impetus for tighter control of pesticides including DDT

Incorporation of passive safety features in nuclear power plants would reduce the chances of a disaster by reducing the chances of

human error.

**primary oil recovery

hydrocarbons that naturally rise to the surface or the use of artificial lift devices such as a pump jack

Sustainable solutions should

incorporate the concerns of economists, ecologists, and sociologists.

**mutagen

mutates DNA

**nonpoint source

poorly defined and scattered (agricultural runoff, storm water runoff, atmospheric deposition)

The environmental movement was a grassroots initiative that

primarily addressed the increasing pollution of the environment.

Biogeochemical cycles involve

the cyclic movement of materials through ecosystems.

BODs

(Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measures the amount of organic material in water

RCRA

(Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) prevents unsafe or illegal disposal of solid wastes on land

**There is a gas that causes respiratory irritation in animals and tissue damage in plants when it is in the troposphere but can reduce cancer rates when it is in the stratosphere. What is the chemical formula of this gas? A. O3 B. CO2 C. NO2 D. CH4

A. O3

fossil fuels represent A. a large amount of paleozoic and mesozoic biomass buried anaerobically millions of years ago B. natural deposits of organic materials that formed long before life on Earth evolved C. the remains of fossil animals that lived a few thousand years ago D. sustainable sources of energy that are underused today

A. a large amount of paleozoic and mesozoic biomass buried anaerobically millions of years ago

**Which statement about GMOs is not correct? A. any human bred plant is a GMO B. foreign genes are inserted into the DNA of crop plants C. pharma-crops are being created by producing plants that are harvested for specific medicines D. most people agree that an organic food cannot be a GMO

A. any human bred plant is a GMO

in most developed countries, nonrecycled MSW is more likely to be A. burned when population densities are high B. burned when the popultion densities are low C. buried when the population densities are high D. buried when the population is located near an ocean

A. burned when population densities are high

unlike developed countries, children in developing countries often die from A. common ailments such as diarrhea B. hunting accidents C. accidents involving farm equipment and other agricultural activities D. snakebite or large predators such as crocodiles and tigers

A. common ailments such as diarrhea

**In general, fertility rates A. decrease as per capita income increases B. decrease as per capita income decreases C. increase as per capita income increases D. are unrelated to per income capita

A. decrease as per capita income increases

**Coal is formed by: A. detritus under heat and pressure B. detritus under radioactivity C. detritus under radiation D. detritus under electricity

A. detritus under heat and pressure

what is a sludge cake? A. dewatered, semisolid, humus-like sludge that is spread over fields B. considered toxic sludge that is thrown away C. particulate organic matter that floats during primary treatment

A. dewatered, semisolid, humus-like sludge that is spread over fields

although people living in the highest-density populations in urban areas generally live long, healthy lives, global overpopulation remains a problem because A. environmental impacts are not always experienced where resources are consumed B. the greatest environmental problems are concentrated in these high-density populations C. people in these regions have the highest fertility rates D. the destruction of the ozone layer has affected agricultural output

A. environmental impacts are not always experienced where resources are consumed

adding fertilizer to most aquatic systems results in A. increased growth of phytoplankton and hypoxic conditions B. increased growth of phytoplankton and hyperoxic conditions C. decreased growth of phytoplankton and hypoxic conditions D. decreased growth of phytoplankton and hyperoxic conditions

A. increased growth of phytoplankton and hypoxic conditions

the recent Cairo and Stockholm population conferences in 1994 and 2014 found widespread agreement that the greatest way to help developing countries was to A. limit their population growth through improving women's health and education B. increase their use of modern medicine C. improve their agriculture productivity D. limit their environmental degredation

A. limit their population growth through improving women's health and education

which of the following is a secondary pollutant in the troposphere but a beneficial component in the stratosphere? A. ozone B. nitrogen oxides C. carbon monoxide D. volatile organic compounds

A. ozone

**The hydrolic cycle describes the movement of water through an ecosystem. As part of the hydrolic cycle, precipitation falls to the earth's surface and it has three potential destinations: surface runoff, reabsorption by plants and: A. percolation to ground water B. condensation C. transpiration D. evaporation

A. percolation to ground water

increasing levels of greenhouse gases have caused a A. rise in ocean temperatures but a decrease in ocean pH B. rise in ocean temperatures and an increase in ocean pH C. decrease in ocean temperatures and a decrease in ocean pH D. decrease in ocean temperatures but an increase in ocean pH

A. rise in ocean temperatures but a decrease in ocean pH

increases in ocean temperature often result in coral bleaching, in which A. the symbiotic relationship between corals and their algae is disrupted B. the calcium carbonate of corals is dissolved away, leaving just the soft animals behind C. the water becomes so cloudy that no light can reach the symbiotic algae corals D. high levels of chlorine are released from the corals, killing the fish that swim by

A. the symbiotic relationship between corals and their algae is disrupted

**Humans are a global population because of our interconnectedness A. true b. false

A. true

**The definition of pest is "an organism that is in a place it doesn't belong". This statement is a human concept. A. true B. false

A. true

**The discovery that CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) caused an ozone hole during the 1970s lead to the recognition that humans can cause global scale changes and the creation of effective international policies to control CFC production A. true B. false

A. true

**Which of these is a density-dependent factor that controls the population? A. flooding B. contagious disease C. hurricanes D. pollution

B. contagious disease

**A community is a collection of individuals of the same species in a given area whereas a population is several species in a given area A. true B. false

B. false

**Affluent countries tend to keep pollution within their own countries A. true B. false

B. false

which of the following is an example of natural goods from an ecosystem? A. pollination B. marine fish captured for food C. control of pest populations D. carbon sequestration

B. marine fish captured for food

**Which of these is not a concern with tar sands extraction? A. pipeline leakage into aquifers B. train car derailments C. open pit mining a boreal forest D. climate change E. all of these are concerns

B. train car derailments

herbicides would be most useful in combating A. mosquitoes that spread malaria in tropical rain forests B. weeds that infect our agricultural fields C. bacteria, such as Salmonella, which sometimes contaminate meat D. fungi that attack plant roots

B. weeds that infect our agricultural fields

the bird in this figure is a fish-eating osprey with its chicks. what commonly used pesticide nearly caused the extinction of this and other large predatory species in the 1970s? A. malathion B. Round Up C. DDT D. pyrethroids

C. DDT

**The IPCC is... A. The International Political Consortium for Climate B. The Important Party Climate Convergence C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change D. The Intergovernmental Planet Climate Committee

C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

**What is a "rain shadow"? A. a cool area under a cloud where less water evaporates B. a tropical rainforest with high precipitation C. a desert on the dry side of a mountain D. an area where there is so much rain it makes a shadow

C. a desert on the dry side of a mountain

a university in Florida wishes to investigate the feasibility of using a large wind turbine on campus to power several buildings. Wind speeds throughout the year and potential storms and hurricanes must be considered to determine if and where a wind turbine might be installed. To consider these many factors the university would most benefit from the work of A. a physicist to measure changes in the stratosphere B. an environmental biologist to measure the biotic and abiotic factors in the region C. a meteorologist to study the regional climate D. a meteorologist to predict changes in the stratosphere

C. a meteorologist to study the regional climate

the harvest of organisms is more likely to be sustainable if organisms are captured: A. before they have had a chance to reproduce B. while they are still in developmental stages C. after they have begun reproducing D. during the first year of their life

C. after they have begun reproducing

in the united states, the greatest environmental destruction results from the harvesting of A. oil B. natural gas C. coal D. timber

C. coal

**You have learned the nutrients cycle through plants, animals, and soil. Scientifically, this is called A. the Thift Shop song B. the Krebs cycle C. food web D. cellular respiration

C. food web

POPs such as dioxins and PCB's are transported into arctic ecosystems and food chains caused by A. being eaten by fish when toxic materials are dumped into oceans B. ocean currents which contaminate local streams C. global air patterns and then deposited on snow from where they enter streams and plankton D. local industries run by native people which use toxic chemical processes

C. global air patterns and then deposited on snow from where they enter streams and plankton

the ability to feed the growing world population was addressed by the A. industrial revolution B. medical revolution C. green revolution D. environmental revolution

C. green revolution

**Carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and CFCs are called ___________ due to their ability to absorb infared radiation A. harmless gasses B. toxic gasses C. greenhouse gasses D. shotgun gasses

C. greenhouse gasses

**The forms of renewable energy that currently account for the greatest amount of electricity production in the United States are A. wind and biomass B. solar photovoltaic and biomass C. hydroelectric and solar photovoltaic D. wind and hydroelectric

C. hydroelectric and solar photovoltaic

sustainable exploitation of natural ecosystems will most likely A. increase the ecosystem capital of the ecosystem B. decrease the ecosystem capital of the ecosystem C. maintain the ecosystem capital of the ecosystem D. convert the natural resources into ecosystem capital

C. maintain the ecosystem capital of the ecosystem

in general, humans can harvest renewable resources of plants and animals at sustainable levels because A. ecosystems continue to change with new species replacing those that have been harvested B. new species are always evolving to take the place of those that are harvested C. organisms naturally produce many more offspring than are needed to maintain their populations D. people naturally harvest organisms only after they have had a chance to reproduce

C. organisms naturally produce many more offspring than are needed to maintain their populations

acronyms such as NIMBY, BANANA, NIMTOO, and LULU summarize the A. types of materials that are buried within landfills B. many pollution problems that result from landfills C. perceptions of people regarding where to build landfills D. many forms of recycling programs that can reduce MSW

C. perceptions of people regarding where to build landfills

which of the following best illustrates a nonpoint source of pollution? A. oil leaking into the ocean from an oil rig B. wastewater from a coal-fired power plant C. storm drain from the parking lot around a football stadium D. raw sewage released into a river when storm water overflows a city's sewage treatment

C. storm drain from the parking lot around a football stadium

**Something that causes birth defects when pregnant women are exposed to it is a(n) A. carcinogen B. mutagen C. teratogen D. ambien

C. teratogen

deep-well injection of hazardous wastes has the advantage that A. solids, liquids, and gases can be disposed with this technology B. it falls under the umbrella of the Superfund Cleanup (SARA) C. the deep-injected liquids should not contaminate ground water or surface ecosystems D. injected materials can easily be recovered for further treatment

C. the deep-injected liquids should not contaminate ground water or surface ecosystems

**Which one of the following statements is true? A. R-strategists have low biotic potential and poor recruitment most of the time B. R-strategists have low biotic potential and good recruitment most of the time C. R-strategists have high biotic potential and poor recruitment most of the time D. R-strategists have high biotic potential and good recruitment most of the time

D. R-strategists have high biotic potential and good recruitment most of the time

when freshwater inflows into estuaries are reduced A. salt water intrudes into the system B. exotic species of plants and invertebrates may invade the estuary C. populations of native species decline D. all of the above

D. all of the above

regulating and cultural services provided by natural ecosystems A. typically have the highest economic value of any components of ecosystems B. are public goods usually provided by markets C. include goods such as fresh water, wild foods, and livestock D. are essential but difficult to value in monetary terms

D. are essential but difficult to value in monetary terms

**Which one of the following gases accounts for the greatest percentage of the greenhouse effect? A. water vapor B. methane C. ozone D. carbon dioxide

D. carbon dioxide

**Which is not a cultural hazard? A. risky behavior B. living in inner cities C. criminal action D. diarrhea

D. diarrhea

**Which one of the following is an example of primary succession? A. after a forest fire, pine trees grow from seeds that were protected beneath pine needles B. grasses emerge from the soil after saltwater from a tsunami kills all above-ground vegetation in a meadow C. trees reappear on the slopes of Mt St. Helens after the fallout of volcanic ah kills all the above-ground vegetation D. lichens appear on basalt rock 50 years after a volcanic eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii

D. lichens appear on basalt rock 50 years after a volcanic eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii

Energy is A. added in the form of heat as energy is passed up a food chain B. lost in the form of carbon dioxide as energy is passed up a food chain C. added in the form of heat as carbon dioxide is passed down a food chain D. lost in the form of heat as energy is passed up a food chain

D. lost in the form of heat as energy is passed up a food chain

the Neolithic Revolution is most clearly seen in human culture today in our use of A. natural wood products from national forests B. furs from trapped wild animals C. rivers for navigation and water supplies D. modern agriculture to raise food crops

D. modern agriculture to raise food crops

desertification is A. a natural process of succession that cycles from desert to prairies to forests to deserts B. the natural movement of deserts advancing into new regions due to shifts in wind direction D. often the result of topsoil erosion leading to a permanent reduction in productivity

D. often the result of topsoil erosion leading to a permanent reduction in productivity

pesticide-resistant insects develop from the widespread use of insecticides because A. pesticides cause mutations in the insects that make them resistant B. pesticides increase the biotic potential of some insects C. insects learn to avoid the places where insecticides have been applied D. over many generations, the naturally resistant pests survive and increase in number

D. over many generations, the naturally resistant pests survive and increase in number

water can be purified in 2 ways 1) through evaporation and condensation and 2) through infiltration and then _______________ through the soil A. precipitation B. transipration C. runoff D. percolation

D. percolation

which of the following has the highest albedo? A. green tent' B. blacktop road C. healthy oak tree D. snow on top of ice on a pond

D. snow on top of ice on a pond

**Environmental Science encompasses an interdisciplinary science that has the following themes: A. conscience, spirituality, ethics B. amensalism, activism, advocates C. justice, junk science, jurisprudence D. stewardship, sustainability, and sound science

D. stewardship, sustainability, and sound science

**The level of toxic chemical exposure above which there are ill effects is called A. FQPA B. acute toxicity C. poison D. the threshold level

D. the threshold level

**The figure shows concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere from the late 1950s to the present time. In addition to the long term trend of increasing CO2 concentrations, the concentrations also oscillate up and down by several parts per million on an annual basis. During a period of one year, at what time of year would you expect the concentrations to be highest? A. spring B. summer C. fall D. winter

D. winter

**what environmental consequences are associated with cattle raising? A. disease outbreak B. irrigated water use C. over-grazing D. greenhouse gas production E. all of the above

E. all of the above

**The acronym HIPPO identifies 5 factors that contribute to extinction today and they are:

H- habitat destruction I- invasive species P- pollution P- population growth O- overharvesting/overexploitation

The rerouting of the Mississippi to increase the efficiency of movements of steamboats and barges was the result of the

Industrial revolution

Which of the following is a clear advantage in the use of nuclear power instead of fossil fuels?

Nuclear power contributes less to global climate change.

**OPEC stands for?

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

Which of the following represents intangible capital?

The library of the Smithsonian Institution

Which of the following countries has the lowest percentages of people struggling to afford adequate food, shelter, and clothing? a. Australia b. India c. Mexico d. China

a. Australia

Some farmers near an ocean must irrigate their soybean crops to have any success. Desperate and without a source of fresh water, one of them decides to irrigate his field with seawater. The other farmer captures rain in special traps and lightly irrigates his crops. What would we expect are the results of these different forms of irrigation? a. The seawater irrigation kills the plants while the light irrigation produces few beans. b. Both forms of irrigation produce good crops with moderate production of beans. c. The seawater irrigation plants produce many beans while the light irrigation produces few beans. d. The seawater crops last longer than the fresh water crops, but only the seawater crops produce beans.

a. The seawater irrigation kills the plants while the light irrigation produces few beans.

In nuclear power plants in the United States, near-pure water functions as a. a moderator, heating up as it slows down neutrons, which triggers additional fission reactions. b. a moderator, cooling down as it slows down neutrons that could cause fusion reactions. c. an inhibitor, preventing neutrons from heating up and causing fusion reactions. d. an inhibitor, preventing neutrons from cooling down and stopping the fission reactions.

a. a moderator, heating up as it slows down neutrons, which triggers additional fission reactions.

In the United States and many countries in Europe, there is renewed interest in nuclear power plants because of Select one: a. concern about global climate change. b. a worldwide shortage of coal. c. the spotty availability of natural gas. d. the greatly reduced costs associated with generating electricity using nuclear power.

a. concern about global climate change.

In developing countries, pressure to increase agricultural productivity has resulted in a. conversion of forests into agricultural fields. b. increased yields. c. more sustainable use of the land. d. reduced use of hybrid crops.

a. conversion of forests into agricultural fields.

The chemistry professor warned the students that you never store acids in metal containers because acids demonstrate a high level of Select one: a. corrosivity. b. reactivity. c. ignitability. d. toxicity.

a. corrosivity.

In general, biodiversity is a. declining in the United States and around the world. b. accurately quantified for most ecosystems. c. fairly evenly spread among all of the major groups of animals and plants. d. 75% plant species and 25% animal species.

a. declining in the United States and around the world.

Throughout the world, there is general agreement that the safest place to store long-term nuclear waste is Select one: a. deeply underground. b. in space. c. in high security above ground buildings. d. in the major oceans.

a. deeply underground.

The best long-term solution to the pressing energy problems in the United States is Select one: a. developing non-fossil fuel resources. b. increased reliance upon coal. c. turning to fuels buried in our vast national forests. d. finding new sources of oil in the United States.

a. developing non-fossil fuel resources.

Nuclear power plants in use today rely on Select one: a. fission reactions to generate heat to boil water. b. fusion reactions to directly generate electricity. c. fusion reactions to generate heat to boil water. d. fission reactions to directly generate electricity.

a. fission reactions to generate heat to boil water.

Biomes with precipitation between 10-60 inches per year and seasonal temperature at lower elevations are commonly a. grasslands. b. coniferous forests. c. hot deserts. d. tropical rain forests.

a. grasslands.

The fragmentation of natural habitats in the conversion of land for human uses creates a. habitat breaks that favor species that thrive at the edges of ecosystems. b. focused regions where careful wildlife management can actually increase biodiversity. c. more opportunities to preserve wildlife in many small parks. d. habitats that favor species that grow slowly or have naturally unstable populations.

a. habitat breaks that favor species that thrive at the edges of ecosystems.

Assessing the proportion of children under the age of five who are underweight is one way that the United Nations can assess progress made in the battle against Select one: a. hunger. b. the underproduction of food. c. global climate change. d. distribution of food.

a. hunger.

Subsistence farming a. is the traditional agriculture practiced by humans 12,000 years ago and is still practiced today in developing countries. b. uses modern technology to cultivate just enough food for a family or village. c. is carried on large parcels of land that produce crops sold on the international market. d. is no longer practiced in most of the world.

a. is the traditional agriculture practiced by humans 12,000 years ago and is still practiced today in developing countries.

Private conservation efforts to protect against the private development of land have relied upon the formation of Select one: a. land trusts. b. city parks. c. new national parks. d. federal wilderness areas.

a. land trusts.

Which one of the following is the broadest scope of ecological study? Select one: a. landscape ecology b. ecosystem ecology c. population ecology d. community ecology

a. landscape ecology

How is the disposal of MSW different today than it was in the 1960s? Today, MSW is much a. less likely to be burned. b. more likely to be dumped in the oceans. c. less likely to be recycled. d. less likely to be buried in a landfill.

a. less likely to be burned.

Natural organic compounds typically consist of some combination of carbon, hydrogen, and Select one: a. oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or sulfur. b. nitrogen, lead, mercury, and/or sulfur. c. oxygen, nitrogen, sodium, and/or potassium. d. sulfur, oxygen, zinc, and/or chloride.

a. oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or sulfur.

The evolution of pesticide resistance, resurgence, and secondary-pest outbreaks are only some of the problems that result from reliance on Select one: a. pesticides, creating a never-ending pesticide treadmill requiring new pest-fighting strategies. b. pesticides, creating the need to alternate between a pesticide and an herbicide every other year. c. rodenticides to kill weeds and insect pests and prevent the spread of viral diseases. d. crop rotation and biological controls, which disrupt the natural dynamics of ecosystems.

a. pesticides, creating a never-ending pesticide treadmill requiring new pest-fighting strategies.

The dicovery that the threatened Brazilian mariqui monkey requires secondary rather than primary rainforest for habitat has a. shown that preservation (monkeys) and conservation (forest) strategies can work together. b. resulted in the withdrawal of protective policies for both monkeys and primary forests. c. given rise to a policy of prohibiting human intrusion into both primary and secondary forest. d. given farmers the green light to convert all local primary forests for agricultural use.

a. shown that preservation (monkeys) and conservation (forest) strategies can work together.

Justice and equity in regulating environmental quality are components of Select one: a. stewardship. b. sound science. c. ecosystem goods and services. d. natural law.

a. stewardship.

Treating malaria with drugs is difficult because Select one: a. the malarial parasite has quickly evolved drug resistance. b. the best drugs cost thousands of dollars per person. c. it is impossible to distribute drugs to regions affected by malaria. d. no drug has yet been found that effectively treats malaria

a. the malarial parasite has quickly evolved drug resistance.

Many ecosystems are damaged by attempts to make a quick profit because a. the value of ecosystem services is underappreciated. b. the prices of most natural goods continue to fall. c. ecosystem services require sustained human development. d. natural services are valued more than natural goods.

a. the value of ecosystem services is underappreciated.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to global warming by Select one: a. transmitting visible light and absorbing infrared radiation. b. transmitting infrared radiation and visible light. c. transmitting infrared radiation and absorbing visible light. d. absorbing infrared radiation and visible light.

a. transmitting visible light and absorbing infrared radiation.

**A windbreak (line of trees or fence) helps to prevent damage caused by

abiotic factors (storms and weather)

Energy is lost as it moves from one trophic level to the next because a. some of the calories consumed drive cellular activities and do not add mass. b. All of the above. c. one trophic level does not consume the entire trophic level below it. d. some ingested materials are undigested and eliminated.

b. All of the above.

Evidence from proxies indicate eight major oscillations in global temperatures over the past 800,000 years, most likely the result of a. rising and falling sea levels that greatly impact photosynthetic activity. b. Milankovitch cycles of periodic variations in Earth's orbits around the sun. c. variations in solar activity that produce different levels of radiation. d. lunar cycles in which the moon orbits at different distances from the Earth.

b. Milankovitch cycles of periodic variations in Earth's orbits around the sun.

If oil demands continue, the United States will likely increase its importation of oil from Select one: a. China. b. OPEC and the Middle East. c. the Western Hemisphere. d. Russia.

b. OPEC and the Middle East.

Which of the following is not a renewable resource? Select one: a. Plants, such as bamboo and rice, growing in moist environments b. Oil reserves, buried deep below the surface of the ground c. Water flowing through a dam d. The sun beating down on a rain forest

b. Oil reserves, buried deep below the surface of the ground

To feed its young, an owl captures mice that eat grains. The owl also eats small snakes that feed on these mice. The diet of owls represents the roles of Select one: a. a producer and a consumer. b. a secondary and tertiary consumer. c. an herbivore and a carnivore. d. a primary and secondary consumer.

b. a secondary and tertiary consumer.

To encourage the development of sustainable agriculture, U.S. national agricultural policies will need to support all of the following, except a. support of urban and organic agriculture. b. continued support and subsidy of large farms. c. incorporating economic "externalities" such as soil degradation, pollution and overuse of water supplies. d. more job creation in agriculture.

b. continued support and subsidy of large farms.

Methyl mercury is a neurotoxin most likely to be consumed when you Select one: a. drink water polluted by sulfur and nitrogen oxides. b. eat fish in which the toxin bioaccumulates. c. eat contaminated produce. d. breathe air contaminated by photochemical smog.

b. eat fish in which the toxin bioaccumulates.

Ultimately, the sunlight energy that strikes Earth is Select one: a. stored permanently in minerals and rocks deep within the oceans. b. eventually lost into space as heat. c. converted to potential energy and stored in animals and plant tissues permanently. d. stored permanently in molecules that are located deep within the Earth.

b. eventually lost into space as heat.

Which one of the following generally increases natural sources of the pollution of the air? Select one: a. generation of hydroxyl radicals b. gases released by a volcanic eruption c. bright sunlight d. sea salt aerosols entering the air over an ocean

b. gases released by a volcanic eruption

Compared to the generation of electricity using coal, nuclear power a. generates no sulfur dioxide but more carbon dioxide emissions. b. generates no sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide emissions. c. contributes more to global climate change. d. will run out of fuel in about 40 years.

b. generates no sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide emissions.

The common denominators of livable cities include a. low population density, heterogeneous mixtures of residences and businesses, wide highways, and abundant parking for efficient transportation. b. high population density but heterogeneous mixtures of residences and businesses that encourage people to socially interact. c. low population density, concentrated housing, few stores and businesses, wide highways, and abundant parking. d. high population density, concentrated housing, limited business and stores, and a car-centered approach that makes driving easy.

b. high population density but heterogeneous mixtures of residences and businesses that encourage people to socially interact.

A pharmaceutical company runs an advertisement on TV, providing data that describe the way in which their own customer preference survey places their product ahead of their competitors' products. This claim is most likely Select one: a. raw data that need to be submitted to a scientific journal for evaluation. b. junk science. c. peer-reviewed sound science. d. somewhat biased but accurate science.

b. junk science.

The muddy Mississippi River, transporting soils that have eroded from farm fields, represents a mixing of the Select one: a. atmosphere and lithosphere. b. lithosphere and hydrosphere. c. biosphere and atmosphere. d. hydrosphere and biosphere.

b. lithosphere and hydrosphere.

Which of the following activities of the federal government most encouraged urban sprawl in the period following WWII? a. federal investment in urban public transportation b. low interest home loans c. the creation of the United States federal welfare program d. increased low interest student loans

b. low interest home loans

Bisphenol A (BPA), a common component of plastics in bottles and can liners Select one: a. has been tested by the European Commission and found safe for human consumption. b. mimics estrogen and can potentially cause disruption of human reproduction and development. c. causes mutations similar to those caused by UV light and X-rays. d. has been withdrawn from manufacture and use in the United States.

b. mimics estrogen and can potentially cause disruption of human reproduction and development.

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is primarily the result of Select one: a. point sources of pollutants. b. nonpoint sources of pollutants. c. a natural cycle related to cold ocean currents. d. industrial pollution by oil refineries in the New Orleans region.

b. nonpoint sources of pollutants.

When cities dumped sewage into natural waterways with limited capacity for dilution, a. the extra organic matter created fertile areas that attracted wildlife including migratory birds. b. oxygen levels were severely lowered and most aquatic life died. c. bacterial growth greatly increased and the sewage was safely recycled into soil. d. the extra organic matter fertilized the region, which quickly filled in with new plants.

b. oxygen levels were severely lowered and most aquatic life died.

Which one of the following has been declining globally over the past several decades? Select one: a. mean global temperature b. pH of the world's oceans c. methane levels in the troposphere d. nitrous oxide levels in the troposphere

b. pH of the world's oceans

In 2007, heavy rains accompanied an outbreak of cholera in children living in war-torn Iraq. What was the likely cause of the spread of this disease? a. high levels of petroleum products in drinking water b. pollution of waterways by raw sewage c. outbreaks of mosquitoes d. lack of protection from the rain caused the children to be very cold

b. pollution of waterways by raw sewage

In the near future, the benefits of biofuel production may be enjoyed while reducing the impact on the global production of grain. One such promising approach is to a. use the large amounts of animal wastes to produce ethanol. b. produce biofuels from grasses and timber wastes instead of corn. c. bioengineer cattle and goats to produce ethanol in their milk. d. find ways to convert oil and natural gas into ethanol.

b. produce biofuels from grasses and timber wastes instead of corn.

In general, United States subsidies for farmers and ranchers have a. shown how satellite technology can benefit conservation efforts. b. produced unsustainable soil conservation practices and increased pesticide and fertilizer use. c. demonstrated the benefit of government investment to support conservation efforts. d. been based on a sustainable use of natural resources.

b. produced unsustainable soil conservation practices and increased pesticide and fertilizer use.

The U.N. and many international agencies feel a sense of urgency to make the transition to renewable energies soon because a. developing nations can afford renewable energy but not fossil fuels whose price is rising. b. projected levels of carbon dioxide levels may reach 1000 ppm by 2100 with catastrophic effects of global sea levels and climate. c. of political pressure from China and the United States. d. it will take some pressure off global fossil fuel reserves and keep electricity prices low.

b. projected levels of carbon dioxide levels may reach 1000 ppm by 2100 with catastrophic effects of global sea levels and climate.

Overgrazing by cattle primarily contributes to desertification by Select one: a. spreading the growth of non-native species. b. promoting erosion and loss of rooted plant cover. c. cattle outcompeting natural herbivores. d. contaminating streams with cattle wastes.

b. promoting erosion and loss of rooted plant cover.

Centrally planned and free-market economies both Select one: a. rely upon the self-interests of individuals. b. represent ideals not found in pure form in any country. c. function best without government regulations. d. depend upon free access to the market.

b. represent ideals not found in pure form in any country.

The Chernobyl nuclear accident about 28 years ago a. resulted in only five deaths and the loss of less than two square miles of land. b. spread large amounts of deadly radiation over thousands of square miles. c. was cleaned up and the nuclear reactor rebuilt in 1994 and has been free of problems ever since. d. avoided a complete core meltdown because of heroic intervention by two men who later died from radiation exposure.

b. spread large amounts of deadly radiation over thousands of square miles.

The EPA is authorized by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to test the safety of chemicals used in bulk in the manufacturing of products. When passed, these regulations required the testing of existing and new chemicals when there are indications of potential risks. Since TSCA was passed, the EPA has a. tested the safety of about half of the 80,000 chemical substances in the inventory. b. tested the safety of less than 1% of the chemical substances in the inventory. c. reversed this guideline, requiring the testing only for substances that are known carcinogens. d. tested and banned more than 300 new and existing substances.

b. tested the safety of less than 1% of the chemical substances in the inventory.

Which of the following best represents a loss of biological wealth? a. people fishing for catfish in a lake b. the extinction of several beetle species c. a naturally occurring fire in a forest d. mining coal from deep underground mines

b. the extinction of several beetle species

Within a community, species of

bacteria, plants, animals, and fungi all interact.

Several students are discussing the role of governments and their ability to address major problems. With your experiences in environmental science, you speak up and note that one way the U.S. federal government has impacted our lives is by passing landmark legislation dramatically improving the quality of natural waterways. In fact, in 1972, one of the most important environmental laws ever passed was the a. Water Pollution Control Act. b. Rivers and Harbors Act. c. Clean Water Act. d. Lakes, Rivers, and Streams Act.

c. Clean Water Act.

Which of the following best illustrates sustainability? Select one: a. Constructing coal mines that do not require extensive surface excavations b. Upgrading or replacing computers every few years to improve performance c. Increasing our reliance upon renewable sources of energy d. Converting automobiles from gasoline to natural gas as a new source of fuel

c. Increasing our reliance upon renewable sources of energy

Which of the following best represents primary recycling? a. recycling plastic garbage bags to make decking and railing materials b. shredding plastic water bottles to make lawn furniture c. collecting up newspapers and reusing them to make more newspaper d. collecting up old clothing, cleaning it, and using the clothing to stuff new toy dolls

c. collecting up newspapers and reusing them to make more newspaper

Wars in the Middle East region in the past two decades have been associated with increased Select one: a. efforts to stop global terrorism wherever it exists in the world. b. interest in resolving the Palestinian Israeli border disputes. c. demand for natural gas. d. U.S. interests in Middle East oil.

d. U.S. interests in Middle East oil.

The worst-case scenario of a disaster at a nuclear power plants is the a. injury or death of the people working within the power plant. b. destruction of the entire nuclear power plant and loss of electrical generating capacity. c. large scale meltdown, release and fallout of radioactive particles over thousands of square miles. d. destruction of the costly nuclear fuel used in the plant leading to a thermonuclear explosion

c. large scale meltdown, release and fallout of radioactive particles over thousands of square miles.

The establishment of the mosses on bare rock and eventual addition of grasses represents Select one: a. intermediate succession. b. secondary succession. c. primary succession. d. a climax ecosystem.

c. primary succession.

Which of the following is associated with an increase in the number of abortions? Select one: a. availability of Plan B or Preven as over the counter drugs b. widespread availability of condoms and birth control pills c. reduced financial support of family planning clinics d. increased use of emergency contraception

c. reduced financial support of family planning clinics

The recovery of acidic lakes in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada is largely the result of a. the widespread addition of limestone to the lakes in these regions. b. the elimination of lead from gasoline sold in North America. c. reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution. d. the buffering effects of the granite rock in these regions.

c. reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution

Over the last 100 years, the number of elk in Yellowstone has varied in part because of the limited availability of winter food sources and many types of predators, including wolves (eliminated in 1926 and reintroduced in 1995), grizzly bears, coyotes, black bears, and golden eagles. The population of elk in Yellowstone a. would be better off if all predators were eliminated from the park. b. would have been more stable if there had only been one predator species. c. reflects top-down and bottom-up population regulation. d. has survived because of the elimination of a keystone species.

c. reflects top-down and bottom-up population regulation.

If a country experiences 6 births, 4 deaths, and 1 new immigrant every minute of a year, how will its population change in one year? a. the fertility rate is still needed to determine population changes b. the population will decline by about 100,000 people c. the population will increase by about 1.5 million people d. the population will remain steady

c. the population will increase by about 1.5 million people

One argument opponents to constructing new nuclear power plants use is that a. there is no demand for nuclear power with coal and natural gas so plentiful and cheap. b. construction costs are very low now but will increase in decades to come. c. there is a major problem in disposing of nuclear wastes and with possible terrorist attacks. d. nuclear power plants are major contributors to global climate change.

c. there is a major problem in disposing of nuclear wastes and with possible terrorist attacks.

**carcinogen

cancer causing agent

With few exceptions, inorganic compounds do not have

carbon-hydrogen bonds or carbon-carbon bonds.

**One day you are driving in Plaquemines Parish and you observe a levee separating the river from a marsh has collapsed. You form a hypothesis that moving the levee structure has resulted in an increase in freshwater fish in the adjacent marsh. What is the next step in the scientific method?

careful field observation of fish populations in areas with and without freshwatered marsh (?)

**teratogen

causes birth defects

Much of the recent increased interest in nuclear power is related to

concerns about global climate change.

In the classical view of economic systems, households

consume goods and services.

At the mouth of the Mississippi River, large concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus flow into the Gulf of Mexico, causing nutrient overloading, algal blooms, and extremely low levels of oxygen. Which revolutions are most responsible for this problem? a. Medical Revolution and Neolithic Revolution b. Environmental Revolution and Medical Revolution c. Industrial Revolution and Medical Revolution d. Green Revolution and Industrial Revolution

d. Green Revolution and Industrial Revolution

In a mature forest in a national park, maple trees grow very large and live more than 80 years. Over an average lifetime, a tree produces more than 100,000 seeds, of which only 2-3 sprout and grow to maturity. This maple tree is a. r-selected and exhibits a type III survivorship curve. b. r-selected and exhibits a type I survivorship curve. c. K-selected and exhibits a type I survivorship curve. d. K-selected and exhibits a type III survivorship curve.

d. K-selected and exhibits a type III survivorship curve.

Which revolution stimulated exponential growth of the human population? Select one: a. Environmental Revolution b. Industrial Revolution c. Green Revolution d. Medical Revolution

d. Medical Revolution

Threatened and endangered species receive special protection from human activities such as hunting and habitat destruction because these activities may continue despite the species' low numbers. These human activities therefore Select one: a. represent harmful abiotic resistance. b. are density dependent. c. represent bottom-up regulation. d. are density independent.

d. are density independent.

WTE facilities a. increase the mass of MSW entering landfills. b. require new collecting and hauling procedures not easily adopted by the public. c. consume much more energy than they release, adding to the overall costs. d. better isolate and remove toxic or hazardous substances in MSW.

d. better isolate and remove toxic or hazardous substances in MSW.

A stable population would remain at equilibrium if Select one: a. emigration rates and death rates increased equally. b. the birth rate increased as the death rate decreased. c. births and immigration increased by the same number of organisms. d. births and deaths increased by the same number of organisms.

d. births and deaths increased by the same number of organisms.

Biodiversity in the world is a. declining and is most negatively impacting the wealthiest people of the world. b. increasing but is negatively impacting the poorest people of the world. c. increasing but is negatively impacting the wealthiest people of the world. d. declining and is most negatively impacting the poorest people of the world.

d. declining and is most negatively impacting the poorest people of the world.

The loss of biodiversity most severely affects Select one: a. the wealthiest people in the world. b. the poorest people in developing nations. c. the production of food in the developed world. d. developed nations of the world.

d. developed nations of the world.

If you rode a helium balloon from the earth's surface to the top of the stratosphere, you would notice that the temperatures a. dropped steadily as you increased your altitude. b. rose and then started to drop in the mesosphere about halfway up your trip. c. increased steadily as you increased your altitude. d. dropped and then started to rise in the stratosphere about halfway up your trip.

d. dropped and then started to rise in the stratosphere about halfway up your trip.

A scan of the Millennium Development Goals reveals that they were wide ranging but that they have not specifically addressed Select one: a. environmental sustainability. b. maternal health and child mortality. c. communicable disease. d. higher secondary and college education.

d. higher secondary and college education.

Teaching people to use forests in a sustainable way to produce lawn furniture represents Select one: a. knowledge assets impacting nonrenewable resources in the generation of social capital. b. social capital affecting nonrenewable resources, used in the creation of recycled capital. c. recycling of nonrenewable resources to generate social capital. d. human capital affecting renewable resources, generating produced capital.

d. human capital affecting renewable resources, generating produced capital.

One ongoing concern about transgenic crops that produce pesticides is that this trait may Select one: a. not kill pests that attack other crops, such as soybeans or cotton. b. be transferred to other crops, such as soybeans or cotton. c. be so effective, that all of the crop pests are eliminated. d. kill other insects that are not pests.

d. kill other insects that are not pests.

Wild plants often have greater resistance to parasites than domesticated plants because the wild plants experience Select one: a. artificial selection, while domesticated plants do not experience any selection. b. artificial selection, while domesticated plants experience natural selection. c. natural selection, while domesticated plants do not experience any selection. d. natural selection, while domesticated plants experience artificial selection.

d. natural selection, while domesticated plants experience artificial selection.

Pesticide resistant insects develop from the widespread use of insecticides because a. pesticides cause mutations in the insects that make them resistant. b. insects learn to avoid the places where insecticides have been applied. c. pesticides increase the biotic potential of some insects. d. over many generations, the naturally resistant pests survive and increase in number.

d. over many generations, the naturally resistant pests survive and increase in number.

As of 2012, the fastest growing component of street and beach litter in the United States is Select one: a. aluminum cans. b. vegetation waste from yards and businesses. c. sheetrock, lumber scraps and other construction site waste. d. plastic water bottles.

d. plastic water bottles.

The hygiene hypothesis predicts that the lowest levels of asthma should occur in people living in a. poor urban families in developed countries. b. wealthy families in developed countries. c. wealthy families in developing countries. d. poor rural families in developing countries

d. poor rural families in developing countries

In the past decade, the United States government has Select one: a. discouraged the use of alternate energy resources and promoted the use of fossil fuels. b. promoted but not invested in the development and use of sustainable energy resources. c. required the use of sustainable energy resources for more than 95% of our energy demands by the year 2020. d. promoted and invested heavily through the Recovery Act of 2009 in the development and use of sustainable energy resources.

d. promoted and invested heavily through the Recovery Act of 2009 in the development and use of sustainable energy resources.

Which of the following most illustrates environmental stewardship? a. using non-biodegradable pesticides on your garden b. paving a parking lot with blacktop outside of a dorm c. using only antibacterial soaps for washing dishes d. riding your bike to work instead of driving

d. riding your bike to work instead of driving

The scientific peer-review process ensures that Select one: a. the results of scientific studies are permanent and certain. b. all scientific studies receive publication despite the level of bias. c. all published scientific studies have clearly defined control groups. d. scientific studies have proper design and methods and are free from bias.

d. scientific studies have proper design and methods and are free from bias.

Invasive species are dangerous because Select one: a. they carry viruses that spread disease in new ecosystems. b. they are almost all predators, disturbing ecological relationships by eating other species. c. they tend to be secretive, going unnoticed in their new ecosystems. d. the native species have not evolved and adapted to these organisms.

d. the native species have not evolved and adapted to these organisms.

Costs of pollution control tend to

decrease over time because of initial investments in reductions and new technologies.

**point source

easy to identify, monitor, and regulate (factories, sewage systems, power plants, mines)

**list the 4 steps of the hydrologic cycle

evaporation, condensation, precipitation, gravitational flow

Which problem today is primarily the result of the Industrial Revolution?

extensive air and water pollution

**What does GMO stand for?

genetically modified organism

Most ecosystems

grade into other ecosystems in regions called ecotones.

An oil shortage in 1973 was mainly the result of

increased reliance on foreign oil and global politics

The increasing global demand for energy is

increasing political attention to oil production and global climate change.

**chronic exposure

long-term exposure that causes deterioration and premature mortality

Unlike high-income countries, low-income countries rely most on their: a. intangible capital. b. human resources. c. natural capital. d. produced capital.

natural capital.

biotic potential

number of offspring produced under ideal conditions

leaching

nutrients washed from soil by water

secondary succession

occurs in an area cleared by a disturbance (fires, floods, humans)

**good up there and bad down here is ___________

ozone

Synergistic effects involving pesticides occur when

pesticide toxicity interacts with other environmental or chemical factors to produce an unexpected outcome.

Compared to a nuclear plant, a coal-fired plant

releases more than 100 times more radioactivity because of radioactive elements in coal

**what is ecosystem capital?

resources or benefits we get from ecosystems which are essential for us to survive and also for our economical development

**explain the detritus food web

several types of composers work together to break up dead organic matter. these organisms are then eaten by higher level consumers

if organisms are unable to generate enough genetic diversity to survive in a changing environment, they

sometimes go extinct.

Example of Non-point source of pollution

storm-water drainage from the parking lot around a football stadium

Marine protected areas are

successful and have proven vital to the recovery of many overfished regions.

recruitment

survival throughout early growth stages to become part of the breeding population

**What are mycorrhizae?

symbiotic relationship between a plant and fungi

threshold level

the level below which there are no ill effects

Yucca Mountain in the state of Nevada is

the only potential site for long-term commercial nuclear waste storage in the United States, rejected for safety concerns in 2009

primary succession

the process of initial invasion and progression from one community to another

**what is nuclear fusion?

the process where two light nuclei combine together releasing vast amounts of energy

This human activity most negatively impacts biodiversity around the world

the production of food: agriculture and fisheries

**what is nuclear fission?

the splitting of a heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei

**primary recycling

the waste is recycled into the same material

The most sustainable way to drive a car would be to

usean all-electric car using electricity from a windmill or solar photocells.

**secondary recycling

waste is being made into different products that may or may not be recyclable