APES Ch. 15 Quiz
The Clean Skies Initiative proposed a SO2 emissions reduction from 11 million tons in 2002 to 4.5 million tons in 2010. What was the proposed annual reduction of emissions, assuming that emissions are reduced at a constant rate? 6.5 million tons per year 4.5 million tons per year 1.2 million tons per year 0.8 million tons per year 0.3 million tons per year
0.8 million tons per year
How many ozone atoms can a single chlorine atom break down? 5,000 10,000 50,000 100,000 500,000
100,000
If carbon monoxide emissions decreased from 145 million tons annually to 80 million tons annually, by what percentage have emissions been reduced? 41 percent 45 percent 47 percent 52 percent 55 percent
45 percent
What percentage of worldwide deaths due to indoor air pollution occurs in developing nations? 30 percent 50 percent 60 percent 70 percent 90 percent
90 percent
Which best describes the indoor air pollutant asbestos? A radioactive compound that can lead to lung cancer A VOC found in furniture and carpets A fibrous mineral that can cause respiratory diseases A metal that can cause brain damage in children A gas routinely found in homes in developing countries
A fibrous mineral that can cause respiratory diseases
Which pollution control method was proposed by an amendment to the Clean Air Act? Allowing tolls to limit the use of automobiles A market for sulfur emissions The regulation of radon emissions The use of catalytic converters Chemicals developed to prevent the formation of ozone
A market for sulfur emissions
Which is NOT part of the sulfur allowance provision in the Acid Rain Program of the Clean Air Act? Additional funding for program cost overruns A goal of overall reduction in sulfur emissions in the United States Permission for a company to emit an amount of sulfur proportional to the amount it emitted prior to 1990 Provision for a company to sell its unused sulfur allowances to other companies Fines to companies that emit more sulfur than they are allowed
Additional funding for program cost overruns
Which harmful substance was once commonly used as insulation? Asbestos Mercury Lead Radon Ozone
Asbestos
The depletion of ozone over Antarctica is greatest during August through November. December through February. February through May. June through August. December and June.
August through November.
Which compound is the leading cause of stratospheric ozone depletion? CO CO2 CFCs NOX VOCs
CFCs
The class of anthropogenic compounds responsible for the breakdown of stratospheric ozone are known as VOCs. CFCs. VFCs. COX. FCCs.
CFCs.
Which is NOT a criteria air pollutant? Sulfur dioxide Lead Carbon dioxide Particulate matter Tropospheric ozone
Carbon dioxide
Which outdoor air pollutant is also a significant indoor air pollutant? Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide Lead Ozone
Carbon monoxide
Which is NOT used to prevent the emission of particulate matter? Gravitational settling Fabric filters Electrostatic precipitators Catalytic converters Scrubbers
Catalytic converters
When is the Antarctic ozone hole largest? Early spring Late summer Mid-summer Late fall Early winter
Early spring
Which VOC is common in particle board and carpeting glue and is dangerous to human health? Hydrocarbon Formaldehyde Radon-222 Asbestos CFC
Formaldehyde
Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with acid deposition? Compromised aquatic systems Lowered pH of lakes Harmful to human skin upon contact Erosion of buildings and monuments made of marble Erosion of paint on painted surfaces
Harmful to human skin upon contact
Catalytic converters in cars have been instrumental in removing which of the following pollutants from vehicle emissions? I. NOX II. CO III. SO42-
I and II (I. NOX II. CO)
The breakdown of stratospheric ozone I. can originate from the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). II. is catalyzed through a free chlorine (Cl) atom. III. prevents UV rays from reaching the earth's surface.
I and II (can originate from the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and is catalyzed through a free chlorine (Cl) atom)
Large urban areas that experience high levels of particulates in the air also tend to experience I. rates of respiratory illness above the national average. II. limited visibility. III. decreased water quality.
I and II (rates of respiratory illness above the national average and limited visibility)
Which is NOT a result of the reduction in stratospheric ozone? Reduced photosynthetic activity Increased skin cancer Increased eye problems Increased birth defects Suppressed immune systems
Increased birth defects
Which method is used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions? Installation of catalytic converters Increased temperature of combustion The addition of oxygen to combustion processes The use of fluidized bed combustion The use of calcium carbonate to absorb the emissions
Installation of catalytic converters
Which is NOT a characteristic of NOX? It occurs as NO2 and NO gases. It occurs as a product of combustion in the atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion is the primary anthropogenic source. It contributes to the production of stratospheric ozone. It contributes to the production of photochemical smog.
It contributes to the production of stratospheric ozone.
Which does NOT describe the production of stratospheric ozone? It is a closed loop cycle. It is formed from the reaction of O with O2 in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. It is formed from the reaction of C with O2 in the presence of NOX. Without interference, there is a balance of ozone being created and destroyed. Ozone absorbs UV-B and decomposes into O2 and O.
It is formed from the reaction of C with O2 in the presence of NOX.
How does the location of Chattanooga, TN make it more susceptible to pollution? Its desert location experiences high temperatures, which increases air pollution. Its coastal location exposes it to pollution from the sea. Its extremely cold location means that the pollution from snow builds up over time. Its location on a large, flat plain exposes it to the wind, which carries air pollution. Its location in a bowl formed by mountains causes air pollution to get trapped.
Its location in a bowl formed by mountains causes air pollution to get trapped.
Which air pollutant is a metal, released primarily from the combustion of coal? Lead Mercury Arsenic Sulfur Iron
Mercury
Which is an anthropogenic source of nitrogen oxides? Motor vehicles Forest fires Nitrogen fixation Lightning Legume crops
Motor vehicles
Which size of particulate matter causes the greatest health concern? PM 2.5 PM 10 PM 100 PM 30 PM 15
PM 2.5
Which are the 6 criteria air pollutants specified under the Clean Air Act? Pb, SO2, NOX, CO, PM, and tropospheric O3 Tropospheric O3, SO2, NOX, PM, Pb, and CO2 SO2, NOX, Hg, Pb, PM, and O3 SO4, NOX, CO, PM, Pb, and tropospheric O3 SO2, NOX, CO, Hg, PM, and tropospheric O3
Pb, SO2, NOX, CO, PM, and tropospheric O3
Which agreement allowed for a reduction, and eventual elimination, of CFC production and use? The Montreal Protocol The Quebec Protocol The Kyoto Protocol The Clean Skies Initiative The Clean Air Act
The Montreal Protocol
Which is a secondary pollutant involved in the formation of photochemical smog? Stratospheric O3 Tropospheric O3 CO CO2 SO2
Tropospheric O3
The formation of ozone begins when an O2 molecule is split by UV-A radiation. UV-B radiation. UV-C radiation. UV-A or UV-B radiation. UV-B or UV-C radiation.
UV-C radiation.
Cities around the world have made efforts to limit smog by reducing the emissions of sulfur dioxide and ozone. VOCs and nitrogen oxides. carbon dioxides and sulfur dioxides. ozone and nitrogen oxides. methane and VOCs.
VOCs and nitrogen oxides.
Which is a source of sulfur dioxide found in nature? Forest fires Lightning strikes Plant emissions Volcanoes Soil
Volcanoes
Ozone is formed in the atmosphere as a result of the combination of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. This ozone is a secondary pollutant. a primary pollutant. nitrogen smog. photochemical smog. particulate matter.
a secondary pollutant.
In Mexico City, during the winter months, sub-tropical high-pressure systems can cause a warm layer of air to get trapped above the colder denser layer of air in the Valley of Mexico. This phenomenon can increase surface air pollutants and is called brown smog. a pollutant inversion. acid deposition. a thermal inversion. an ozone inversion.
a thermal inversion.
A thermal inversion, which can lead to serious pollution events, occurs when warm air rises, taking pollutants with it. warm air close to the surface is blanketed by a layer of cool air that traps pollutants. cool air rises, taking the pollutants with it. cool air stays close to the surface but pollutants rise into the atmosphere. cool air close to the surface is blanketed by a layer of warm air that traps pollutants.
cool air close to the surface is blanketed by a layer of warm air that traps pollutants.
The effects of acid deposition include increased cancer rates in aquatic organisms. decreased aquatic biodiversity. decreased mobilization of metals. increased pH of lake water. decreased human health in impacted areas.
decreased aquatic biodiversity.
The two main human derived sources of carbon dioxide are combustion of fossil fuels and mining emissions. deforestation and combustion of fossil fuels. transpiration and volcanic eruptions. respiration and deforestation. the incomplete combustion of fossils fuels and deforestation.
deforestation and combustion of fossil fuels.
Through international cooperation, the concentration of chlorine in the atmosphere has already decreased below 3 ppb. will stabilize around 3 ppb by 2030. has stabilized at 5 ppb. is expected to stabilize at 5 ppb by 2100. is expected to fall below 3 ppb by 2020.
has stabilized at 5 ppb.
Recent increases in acid deposition in the western United States are due to increased emissions in the United States. decreased precipitation due to climate change. increased emissions in China. increased precipitation due to climate change. increased emissions in Europe.
increased emissions in China.
The major source of indoor air pollution in developing countries is synthetic materials in construction of buildings. indoor cooking with biomass as a fuel. release of radon-222 gas. lead based paints on furniture and walls. cigarette smoke.
indoor cooking with biomass as a fuel.
Sick building syndrome occurs most often in old buildings. is a primary cause of lung cancer. is a result of off-gassing. can be prevented by renovations. occurs most often in wet tropical areas.
is a result of off-gassing.
Carbon monoxide increases lung cancer rates. leads to the formation of photochemical smog. is most problematic in rural areas. does not directly cause deaths. is produced by incomplete combustion.
is produced by incomplete combustion.
A secondary pollutant forms in the stratosphere. is transformed by sunlight or water. cannot be directly tracked. does not directly harm humans. forms primarily from incomplete combustion.
is transformed by sunlight or water.
Asbestos is used for insulation. can be easily removed and treated. can be a problem in new construction. causes skin irritation, nausea, and fatigue. is commonly used in furniture.
is used for insulation.
High levels of photochemical smog are due to nitrogen dioxide sulfur dioxide VOCs
nitrogen dioxide and VOCs
Acid deposition forms as a result of nitrogen oxides and photochemical smog. carbon monoxide and VOCs. sulfur dioxide and VOCs. nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. carbon monoxide and photochemical smog
nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
Photochemical smog is largely composed of ______________, and sulfurous smog is largely composed of ____________. oxidants; sulfate compounds carbon monoxide; sulfate compounds carbon dioxide; sulfur dioxide sulfates; particular matter haze; industrial chemicals
oxidants; sulfate compounds
Photochemical smog, which frequently exists in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, consists primarily of fog. ozone. sulfate compounds. carbon particulate matter. smoke.
ozone.
Which best describes the pH of acid deposition? pH < 5.6 7 > pH > 5.6 7 < pH > 5.6 pH < 8.6 7 < pH < 8.6
pH < 5.6
The primary source of radon is electronics. indoor fires. household chemical fumes. rocks and soils. construction materials.
rocks and soils.
A municipality considering measures to decrease local air pollution would achieve the largest decrease from switching city vehicles to natural gas from gasoline. a voluntary recycling program. limiting the new businesses start-ups in the area. constructing new landfills. requiring specific materials be used in the manufacture of new homes.
switching city vehicles to natural gas from gasoline.
Sulfates are considered secondary pollutants because their emissions are difficult to regulate. they form more readily at night and in dry areas. they result from the transformation of primary pollutants. they originate from burning coal. they are a component of grey smog.
they result from the transformation of primary pollutants.
Thermal inversions increase the rate of smog formation. trap high concentrations of pollution at ground level. result in increased levels of acid deposition. are caused by high levels of precipitation. reduce the negative effects of VOCs.
trap high concentrations of pollution at ground level.