Environmental Cengage ?'s Exam 3

The EPA enforces several laws that regulate the manufacture and disposal of hazardous materials. Which law is also known as the Superfund Act? a. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) b. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) c. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

a. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

What is an advantage of fracking? a. It doesn't require large volumes of water. b. It allows for the extraction of hard-to-reach pockets of natural gas. c. Removal of natural gas in deep reservoirs stabilizes the earth's surface. d. The risk of pollution is small. e. It is heavily regulated by government agencies.

a. It doesn't require large volumes of water.

In 2014, the world's three largest producers of conventional light oil, in order, were _____. a. Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States b. the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq c. Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait d. the United States, Russia, and Iraq e. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Russia

a. Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States

Simply put, nuclear fission produces electricity by _____. a. boiling water to produce steam that spins a turbine b. boiling water to produce radioactive particles c. using radioactive particles from uranium to spin a turbine d. alpha-decay of radioactive uranium e. beta-decay of radioactive uranium

a. boiling water to produce steam that spins a turbine

What are the six major outdoor air pollutants regulated by the EPA? a. carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter, ozone, and lead b. carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, radon gas, ozone, and lead c. carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter, ozone, and lead d. carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and volatile organic compounds e. carbon monoxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and aluminum

a. carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter, ozone, and lead

What is a primary cause of acid deposition? a. coal burning power plants b. volcanic eruptions c. plant-releasing chemicals d. wind-blown dust e. chlorofluorocarbons

a. coal burning power plants

Which policy would accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future? a. implement full-cost pricing for energy resources b. increase subsidies of fossil fuels c. increased taxes on renewable sources of energy d. eliminate fuel efficiency standards e. mandate a certain percentage of electricity be generated by fossil fuels

a. implement full-cost pricing for energy resources

Denmark's _____ use dozens of filters to remove pollutants such as toxic mercury and dioxins. a. incinerators b. electric generators c. hydroelectric dams d. open dumps e. sanitary landfills

a. incinerators

One advantage of producing synthetic fuels from coal is the _____. a. large potential supply in many countries b. lesser amount of coal mining required c. medium to high net energy yield d. lower CO2 emissions e. lower amount of water used

a. large potential supply in many countries

The net energy yield of nuclear energy for electricity production is _____. a. low b. medium c. negative d. low to medium e. high

a. low

In this coming century, _____ could spread across a wider area of the globe due to climate change. a. malaria b. tuberculosis c. influenza d. AIDS e. cholera

a. malaria

Sea-level rise will not be uniform across the world because of _____. a. ocean currents and winds b. coastal populations c. sea-floor spreading d. Arctic and Antarctic ice-melt e. preparations made for sea-level rise

a. ocean currents and winds

Currently, research is being done on producing electricity from _____. a. ocean waves b. tsunamis c. lakes d. beach erosion e. rainwater

a. ocean waves

Carbon dioxide is an example of a _____ pollutant because it is emitted directly into the air from natural and human processes at concentrations that can cause harm. a. primary b. secondary c. tertiary d. diluted e. preliminary

a. primary

What ore is used to produce fuel for the nuclear fuel cycle? a. uranium ore b. iron ore c. magnesium ore d. copper ore e. plutonium ore

a. uranium ore

Where do most deaths caused by air pollution occur? a. the eastern United States b. China and India c. Mexico d. California e. Brazil

b. China and India

_____ gas must be produced from water or organic compounds. a. Carbon dioxide b. Hydrogen c. Natural d. Methane e. Water

b. Hydrogen

_____ is produced by mines, farms, and industries that supply people with goods and services. a. Liquid waste b. Industrial solid waste c. Recycled material d. Municipal solid waste e. All solid waste

b. Industrial solid waste

What are the three priority levels for dealing with hazardous waste? a. Produce less; convert as much as possible to less-hazardous substances; and bury the rest. b. Produce less; convert as much as possible to less-hazardous substances; and put the rest in long-term, safe storage. c. Produce less; burn as much as possible; and put the rest in long-term, safe storage. d. Produce more; convert as much as possible to less-hazardous substances; and bury the rest. e. Produce less; bury as much as possible; and burn the rest.

b. Produce less; convert as much as possible to less-hazardous substances; and put the rest in long-term, safe storage.

_____ are chemicals that harm or cause birth defects in a fetus or embryo. a. Neurotoxins b. Teratogens c. PCBs d. Carcinogens e. Mutagens

b. Teratogens

What type of response to chemical exposure is an immediate or rapid harmful reaction? a. response b. acute effect c. toxic effect d. chronic effect e. persistent effect

b. acute effect

One advantage of carbon cap-and-trade policies is the _____. a. predictable revenues b. clear legal limit on emissions c. invulnerability to cheating d. variable price put on carbon e. targeting of rich polluters

b. clear legal limit on emissions

A(n) _____can heat and cool a house by exploiting the temperature difference between the earth's surface and underground at a depth of 3-6 meters where the temperature typically is 50-60°F year-round. a. geothermal well b. geothermal heat pump c. hydrothermal heat pump d. geothermal greenhouse e. hydrologic heat pump

b. geothermal heat pump

Because today's wind turbines _____, they can extract more energy from the wind more efficiently than smaller turbines nearer the ground can. a. operate so quickly b. have very long blades c. are located offshore d. have a large land footprint e. have special electronics

b. have very long blades

Which chemical is a widely used fumigant known to cause ozone depletion? a. radon b. methyl bromide c. carbon dioxide d. sulfur dioxide e. hydrogen chloride

b. methyl bromide

Bacteria are single-cell organisms that _____. a. invade a cell and take over its genetic machinery b. multiply rapidly on their own c. live on or inside other organisms and feed on them d. largely responsible for massive outbreaks of an infectious disease e. are seldom, if ever, beneficial

b. multiply rapidly on their own

The largest category of municipal solid waste in the United States is _____. a. metals b. paper c. plastics d. yard waste e. food waste

b. paper

The gray color of industrial smog is due to _____. a. unusually large amounts of nitrogen oxides b. suspended particles of sulfur salts and soot c. suspended particles of coal d. trace amounts of lead e. trace amounts of ammonia

b. suspended particles of sulfur salts and soot

One factor that can limit the usefulness of epidemiological studies is that _____. a. too many people have been exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals b. the studies usually take a long time c. too few people are exposed to too few toxic agents d. people's sensitivity to toxic chemicals seldom vary e. the studies are so brief as to be inconclusive

b. the studies usually take a long time

The ability of the oceans to absorb CO2 decreases as _____. a. ocean acidity falls b. water temperatures rise c. water temperatures fall d. ocean acidity rises e. clouds form

b. water temperatures rise

What would be the cheapest way to produce electricity if the principle of sustainability was taken into account? a. hydropower b. wind energy c. solar energy d. hydrogen e. geothermal energy

b. wind energy

A period of at least _____ years is taken into account when researching climate change. a. 1,000 b. 50 c. 30 d. 5 e. 100

c. 30

Why are toxic substances more likely to affect children as compared to adults? a. Adults have less well-developed immune systems. b. Children eat less food per unit of body weight. c. Children have less well-developed immune systems. d. Children clean less often than adults e. Adults breathe more air and drink more water per body weight unit.

c. Children have less well-developed immune systems.

_____ are collaborations between nearby industries, farms, and homes to save money and reduce outputs of waste and pollution. a. Greenhouses b. Green parks c. Ecoindustrial parks d. Biomimicries e. Ecosystems

c. Ecoindustrial parks

Which elements are known as nitrogen oxides? a. SO2 and NO2 b. NO3 and HNO3 c. NO and NO2 d. HNO3 and NO e. CO2 and NO

c. NO and NO2

_____, if melted, could be a significant source for both CO2 and CH4. a. Arctic ice b. Antarctic ice c. Permafrost d. Boreal forest e. Glacier ice

c. Permafrost

_____ is a renewable resource only if it is not harvested faster than it is replenished. a. Wind b. Water c. Wood d. Ethanol e. Agricultural waste

c. Wood

What ions are released as acidic water flows through soils? a. hydrogen ions (H+) b. nitrate ions (NO3-) c. aluminum ions (Al3+) d. sulfate (SO42-) e. nitrogen oxides (NOx)

c. aluminum ions (Al3+)

What activity is essential to risk assessment? a. estimating how much the risk should be reduced b. calculating how much money should be spent reducing the risk c. analyzing the probability of risk d. determining how the risk should be reduced e. evaluating how the risk compares with other risks

c. analyzing the probability of risk

Organic material from _____ can be added to soil to supply plant nutrients, slow soil erosion, retain water, and improve crop yields. a. burying trash b. landfills c. composting d. incinerating e. recycling

c. composting

What is a benefit of improving energy efficiency? a. prolongs fossil fuel supplies b. produces a moderate net energy yield c. creates jobs globally d. phases out renewable energy e. creates a surplus of renewable energy supplies

c. creates jobs globally

What effect of melting ice and snow accelerates the melting of arctic ice? a. stronger Gulf Stream current b. light-colored snow c. exposure of darker land areas d. increased ocean acidity e. wetter sea-surface air

c. exposure of darker land areas

Hydrofluorocarbons, a replacement for CFCs, act as what in the atmosphere? a. cancer-causing chemicals b. pollutants c. greenhouse gases d. ozone-depleting chemicals e. catalysts for chemical reactions

c. greenhouse gases

What is an advantage to hydrogen power? a. low costs and no need for subsidies b. moderate net energy yield c. high efficiency in fuel cells d. poor substitute for oil e. built-in storage and distribution system

c. high efficiency in fuel cells

Molecules of certain pesticides and synthetic chemicals can act like _____ in the human body. a. viruses b. phthalates c. hormones d. oxygen e. cells

c. hormones

The addition of more water vapor to the air would _____ warming. a. decrease b. not affect c. increase d. counteract e. decelerate

c. increase

What viral infection is the most deadly worldwide? a. cholera b. AIDS c. influenza d. hepatitis B e. West Nile

c. influenza

One advantage of extracting oil from tar sand is that it _____. a. releases minimal pollutants when burned b. has a high net energy yield c. is easily transported within and between countries d. requires relatively benign land disruption e. uses very little water

c. is easily transported within and between countries

An advantage of liquid biofuels is _____. a. high net energy yield b. fuel crops are native species c. reduced CO2 emissions for some crops d. fuel crops won't compete with food crops for land e. fuel crops won't affect food prices

c. reduced CO2 emissions for some crops

Crude oil is _____ to separate it into various fuels and other usable components. a. distilled b. cooled c. refined d. transported e. chemically treated

c. refined

What is a disadvantage of sanitary landfills? a. cannot handle large amounts of waste b. high operating costs c. release of greenhouse gases d. filled land cannot be used for other purposes e. shortage of landfill space

c. release of greenhouse gases

Which type of recycling involves downcycling or upcycling materials into new products? a. cradle-to-cradle b. preconsumer c. secondary d. postconsumer e. primary

c. secondary

Scientists consider _____ to be the main engine of the atmospheric warming related to greenhouse gases. a. O3 b. N2O c. water vapor d. CO2 e. CH4

d. CO2

According to the United Nations, more than 70% of the world's e-waste is shipped to _____. a. Australia b. Bangladesh c. Korea d. China e. India

d. China

Why, and how, is radon-222 dangerous to humans? a. Radon-222 can decay into a toxic fume that when inhaled, may cause dizziness and nausea. b. Radon-222 can decay into radioactive particles that when inhaled, may cause kidney and liver damage. c. Radon-222 can decay into a toxic fume that when inhaled, can cause heart palpitations. d. Radon-222 can decay into radioactive particles that when inhaled, may lead to cancer. e. Radon-222 can decay into a toxic fume that when inhaled, may cause nerve disorders.

d. Radon-222 can decay into radioactive particles that when inhaled, may lead to cancer.

_____ attempts to control wastes in ways that reduce their environmental harm without seriously trying to reduce the amount of waste produced. a. Waste prevention b. Recycling c. Waste reduction d. Waste management e. Integrated waste management

d. Waste management

What is the major reason for climate change according to 97% of the world's scientists? a. there is more land than ocean b. there is more ocean than land c. uneven distribution of land in the southern hemisphere d. burning of carbon containing fossil fuels e. melting of permafrost

d. burning of carbon containing fossil fuels

Despite the use of scrubbers at coal plants to remove pollutants before they enter the atmosphere, the residue left behind is a toxic substance called _____. a. carbon monoxide b. sludge c. combustibles d. coal ash e. methane

d. coal ash

What term refers to the number of gas molecules per unit air volume? a. transparency b. concentration c. capacitance d. density e. opacity

d. density

A key factor of toxicity is the _____. a. virus b. bacteria c. compound d. dose e. chemical

d. dose

The net energy yield of coal for electricity production is _____. a. low b. medium c. low to medium d. high e. negative

d. high

What is an advantage of large-scale hydropower? a. no displacement of people b. low CH4 emission c. low CO2 emission d. high net energy yield e. minimal land disturbance

d. high net energy yield

What is one outcome of the energy transition currently occurring around the world? a. phasing out of renewable energy b. increased reliance on coal c. increase in air pollution d. increased reliance on solar and wind energy e. increased reliance on oil and natural gas

d. increased reliance on solar and wind energy

Why do federal and state governments in the United States not supervise the use of 99.5% of commercially available chemicals? a. high production costs b. scientific consensus that the chemicals are not harmful c. influence of chemical company lobbyists d. insufficient data and high costs of regulation e. overwhelming, but inconclusive data

d. insufficient data and high costs of regulation

One advantage of conventional natural gas as an energy resource is its _____. a. higher net energy yield when liquefied b. fracking uses c. little to no pollution released d. minimal CO2 emissions when compared with coal e. high net energy yield

d. minimal CO2 emissions when compared with coal

A combination of improved energy efficiency and carefully regulated use of _____ will be the best way to make the transition to using mostly renewable energy resources during this century. a. hydrogen b. hydropower c. coal d. natural gas e. oil

d. natural gas

Fear causes people to _____ risks. a. ignore b. underestimate c. evaluate d. overestimate e. take more

d. overestimate

A global epidemic such as tuberculosis or AIDS is called a(n) _____. a. biological hazard b. outbreak c. toxic path d. pandemic e. cultural hazard

d. pandemic

Currently, only about 7% by weight of all _____ wastes in the United States is recycled. a. electronic b. battery c. paper d. plastic e. hazardous

d. plastic

What evidence can be used to study the earth's past climate? a. precipitation measurements b. ocean surface temperatures c. solar cycles d. pollen from the bottoms of lakes and bogs e. volcanic deposits

d. pollen from the bottoms of lakes and bogs

The no-regrets strategy for climate change argues that _____. a. preventive solutions are worth the effort, however ineffective they would be b. we should not regret attempting to change the climate c. we should regret our failure to make changes to the climate d. preventive solutions will lead to very important environmental, health, and economic benefits e. there can be marginal benefits to adapting to climate change

d. preventive solutions will lead to very important environmental, health, and economic benefits

Suppose you take a deep breath. You have just inhaled approximately _____ from the troposphere. a. 78% oxygen and 21% carbon dioxide b. 78% nitrogen and 21% ozone c. 78% oxygen and 21% ozone d. 78% carbon dioxide and 21% ozone e. 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen

e. 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen

_____ are rare in more-developed countries, but are widely used near major cities in many less-developed countries. a. Sanitary landfills b. Incinerators c. Leachate treatment systems d. Methane storage tanks e. Open dumps

e. Open dumps

Which method is most likely to prevent motor vehicle air pollution? a. Inspecting car exhaust systems twice a year b. Setting strict emission standards c. Taxing each unit of pollution produced d. Requiring emission control devices e. Walking, biking, or using mass transit

e. Walking, biking, or using mass transit

Suspended microscopic droplets and solid particles in the air that can cause global warming are called _____. a. participles b. aerators c. cumulus clouds d. cirrus clouds e. aerosols

e. aerosols

What type of coal has the highest carbon content? a. bituminous b. lignite c. peat d. black coal e. anthracite

e. anthracite

What is a disadvantage of using a solar heating system? a. negative net energy yield b. high cost c. severe land disturbance d. very high CO2 emissions e. backup system needed for cloudy days

e. backup system needed for cloudy days

Indoor air pollution is a serious problem in developed areas of all countries, mostly because of ____. a. indoor burning of wood and other combustibles b. disposal of plastics and other synthetic materials c. indoor pesticides and animal excrements d. unvented or poorly vented stoves e. chemicals used in building materials and products

e. chemicals used in building materials and products

Plasma gasification and phytoremediation are methods for _____. a. detoxification of municipal solid waste b. recycling plastics c. burial of hazardous waste d. processing of municipal solid waste e. detoxification of hazardous waste

e. detoxification of hazardous waste

What is the most dangerous thing that many people do each day? a. ride a motorcycle b. walk on a sidewalk c. swim or ski d. not eat breakfast e. drive or ride in a car

e. drive or ride in a car

In the core of a nuclear reactor, the closed pipes containing pellets of uranium dioxide are known as _____. a. fuel cycles b. control rods c. fuel assemblies d. dry casks e. fuel rods

e. fuel rods

Genetically modified trees are an example of _____. a. carbon sequestration b. carbon taxes c. climate change d. carbon capture and storage e. geoengineering

e. geoengineering

Iceland gets almost all of its electricity from hydroelectric and _____ power plants. a. coal-fired b. hydrogen c. solar d. wind e. geothermal

e. geothermal

One possible climate change tipping point, as identified by climate scientists, is _____. a. expansion of Amazon rain forest b. moderate ocean acidification c. solidification of most of the western Atlantic ice sheet d. atmospheric carbon level of 350 ppm e. melting of all arctic summer sea ice

e. melting of all arctic summer sea ice

Which chemical is the primary component in natural gas? a. sulfur dioxide (SO2) b. hydrogen sulfide (H2S) c. carbon dioxide (CO2) d. butane (C4H10) e. methane (CH4)

e. methane (CH4)

One of the two largest classes of hazardous wastes is _____. a. radioactive material b. light metals c. batteries d. fertilizers e. organic compounds

e. organic compounds

What is one of the four greatest risks in terms of shortened life spans in the United States? a. malaria b. air pollution c. auto accidents d. HIV e. smoking

e. smoking

Peak production of oil is defined as the point in time when the production rate of a well _____. a. is flat b. is lowest c. is rising d. is declining fastest e. starts to decline

e. starts to decline

We could quickly slow atmospheric warming by focusing on reducing black carbon (a component of soot), methane, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because _____. a. we already limit these chemicals b. these chemicals are all natural c. these chemicals are long-lived in the atmosphere d. these chemicals warm more than CO2 e. we have the technologies to accomplish cuts fairly quickly

e. we have the technologies to accomplish cuts fairly quickly

What is one method your respiratory system uses to protect against pollutants? a. Cilia dissolve gaseous pollutants. b. Sticky mucus dissolves the smallest particles. c. Hairs in your nose filter out the smallest particles. d. Sticky mucus dissolves the largest particles. e. Hairs in your nose filter out the largest particles.

v