APES TEST (Ch.14, 15, 16, 17) MC

Both septic systems and sewage treatment plants utilize bacteria to break down organic matter. Where in each system does this process occur? 1. Septic tank and leach field; primary treatment and secondary treatment 2. Septic tank only; primary treatment and chlorination 3. Leach field only; secondary treatment only 4. Septic tank and leach field; secondary treatment only 5. Leach field only; secondary treatment and chlorination

1

Questions 1-4 refer to the selections (a)-(e) below. Match the lettered item with the correct numbered statement. (a) CO (b) CH4 (c) NO2 (d) SO2 (e) PM10 1. A pungent reddish-brown gas often associated with photochemical smog 2. A corrosive gas from burning coal often associated with industrial smog 3. A dangerous indoor air pollutant 4. Emitted from both diesel and burning wood

1. C 2. D 3. A 4. E

For Questions 10-12, refer to the following lettered choices and choose the compound that is most associated with each numbered statement. (a) Benzene (b) Dioxin (c) Methane (d) Hydrochloric acid 10. It may be present in the emissions from waste incinerators. 11. It contaminated the land and water near the housing development Love Canal in New York. 12. It is produced by anaerobic decomposition in landfills.

10. D 11. A 12. C

Human wastewater results in which of the following water-pollution problems? I. The organic matter decomposes and reduces dissolved oxygen levels. II. Decomposition of organic matter releases great quantities of nutrients. III. Pathogenic organisms are carried into surface waters. 1) I only 2) II only 3) III only 4) I and III 5) I, II, and III

5

Acid mine drainage results from acidic water formed below ground that makes its way to the surface; the acidic water is formed as a result of the flooding of abandoned mines, where the underground water (a) reacts with a type of rock, pyrite, which releases iron and hydrogen ions. (b) reacts with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide to form sulfuric and nitric acids. (c) flushes out the chemicals used in the mining process. (d) permeates a limestone layer that lowers the pH. (e) reacts with copper and aluminum to form pyrite rock and hydrogen ions.

A

All of the following are nonchemical forms of water pollution except (a) industrial waste. (b) solid waste or garbage. (c) sediments. (d) noise. (e) thermal pollution.

A

From an environmental waste perspective which of the following is the most desirable? (a) Reduce (b) Reuse (c) Recycle (d) Compost (e) Incinerate

A

Of the following, which contributes most to the weight of MSW? (a) Packaging (b) E-waste (c) Compact discs (d) Tires (e) Ores such as gold and silver

A

The World Health Organization estimates that over half of the deaths worldwide due to indoor air pollution occur among (a) children less than 5 years old. (b) elderly people over 65 years of age. (c) people who work in office buildings. (d) workers in the smelting industry. (e) workers who manufacture asbestos.

A

Two major factors involved in the conversion of primary pollutants into secondary pollutants (a) sunlight and water. (b) sulfates and sunlight. (c) water and volatile organics. (d) nitrogen oxides and sulfates. (e) sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid.

A

Which statement about toxins is correct? (a) Neurotoxins impair the nervous system. (b) Carcinogens cause birth defects. (c) Teratogens cause cancer. (d) Allergens mimic naturally occurring hormones. (e) Endocrine disruptors cause allergic reactions.

A

Which statement is true regarding human health risks? (a) More people die from infectious diseases than from noninfectious diseases. (b) More people die from accidents than from any other cause. (c) More people die from chemical risks than from physical or biological risks. (d) More people die from cancer than from any other cause. (e) More people die from heart disease than from any other cause.

A

All of the following are problems that result from the use of pesticides except (a) most pesticides are not target specific and kill other related and nonrelated species. (b) pesticide run-off enters surface waters and increases the solubility of heavy metals. (c) pesticides affect nontarget organisms by changing community relationships. (d) pesticides target specific physiological functions but also disrupt other functions. (e) most inert ingredients are not tested for safety and may pose unacceptable risks.

B

In the United States, how much of generated waste ends up being recycled? (a) ˂ 23 percent (b) ˂ 33 percent (c) ˂ 43 percent (d) ˃ 53 percent (e) ˃ 60 percent

B

It is important to keep household batteries out of landfills because of all of the following except (a) they can leach toxic metals. (b) their decomposition can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. (c) they can be recycled, which would reduce the need for new raw materials. (d) they can be recycled, which would reduce the need for additional energy. (e) they take up space in landfills and we have a finite supply of landfill space.

B

The accumulation of tropospheric ozone at night depends mainly upon the atmospheric concentration of (a) nitrogen dioxide. (b) volatile organics. (c) chlorofluorocarbons. (d) sulfates and nitrates. (e) nitric acid.

B

The effects of acid deposition include all of the following except (a) mobilization of metal ions from the soil into surface water. (b) increased numbers of salamanders in ponds and streams. (c) lower food sources for aquatic organisms. (d) erosion of marble buildings and statues. (e) erosion of painted automobile finishes and metals.

B

All of the following are examples of primary air pollutants except (a) sulfur dioxide. (b) carbon dioxide. (c) tropospheric ozone. (d) nitrogen oxide. (e) particulates.

C

The passage of water-pollution legislation is most likely to occur when (a) a developing country is still in the process of industrialization and rapid population growth. (b) a developed country has experienced industrialization and can afford the control measures demanded by its citizens. (c) a developing country has not yet industrialized and water quality is still good. (d) contaminating industries relocate in a developing country and begin to abuse the less- restrictive environmental laws. (e) nonpoint sources of water pollution outnumber point sources.

B

The type(s) of ultraviolet radiation most strongly absorbed by ozone in the stratosphere is/are (a) UV-A. (b) UV-B. (c) UV-C. (d) UV-B and UV-C. (e) UV-A and UV-B.

B

What is not true about the two philosophies of regulating chemicals? (a) The innocent-until-proven-guilty principle assumes chemicals are safe unless harm can be demonstrated. (b) The precautionary principle is used in the United States. (c) The precautionary principle assumes chemicals are harmful unless safety can be demonstrated. (d) The innocent-until-proven-guilty principle allows rapid approval of chemicals by regulatory agencies but increases the risk of harmful chemicals being approved. (e) The precautionary principle can cause delays in the use of beneficial chemicals but reduces the risk of harmful chemicals being approved.

B

Which of the following would be an indication that a body of water was contaminated by human wastewater? (a) Low BOD and a fecal coliform count of zero (b) High levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and high BOD (c) Low BOD and low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus (d) Low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and a fecal coliform count of zero (e) A lack of dead zones

B

Which statement about dose-response studies is not true? (a) Dose-response studies test chemicals across a range of concentrations. (b) Dose-response studies only test for lethal effects. (c) Dose-response studies can last for days or months. (d) LD50 values are divided by 10 to determine safe concentrations for wildlife. (e) LD50 values are divided by 1000 to determine safe concentrations for humans.

B

Which statement is not correct? (a) Risk assessment quantifies the potential harm that a chemical poses. (b) Risk assessment does not include social, political, and economic considerations. (c) Risk acceptance determines the amount of permissible risk. (d) Risk management includes social, political, and economic considerations. (e) Risk management does not consider the potential harm that a chemical poses.

B

Which statement regarding the decreased levels of stratospheric ozone is correct? (a) Increased photosynthetic activity has been measured in the phytoplankton around Antarctica. (b) The largest decrease in the level of stratospheric ozone over the Arctic region occurs between January and April. (c) Although the Montreal Protocol led to a reduction in the use of CFCs, it will have little effect on stratospheric ozone levels in the long term. (d) There is no correlation between the incidence of cataracts and skin cancers and the lower levels of stratospheric ozone. (e) The global crop yields of wheat, rice, and corn have increased since the reduction in CFC use.

B

All of the following are the result of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker running aground off the coast of Alaska in 1989 except (a) millions of gallons of crude oil spread over the ocean and shoreline. (b) thousands of animals were killed; some species have recovered, others have not. (c) the oil that contaminated the shoreline is now completely broken down. (d) Exxon paid $500 million in damages and changed the name of the ship. (e) all oil tankers in North America must have a double-hull design by 2015 to resist leaking.

C

Based on Figure 14.12, which of the following pharmaceuticals was detected most often in the streams studied by the U.S. Geological Survey? (a) Nonprescription drugs (b) Antibiotics (c) Steroids (d) Reproductive hormones (e) Other prescription drugs

C

Natural sources of air pollution include all of the following except (a) forest fires. (b) volcanic eruptions. (c) waterfalls. (d) dust storms. (e) conifer trees.

C

The pollutant least likely be emitted from a smokestack would be (a) carbon monoxide. (b) carbon dioxide. (c) ozone. (d) sulfur dioxide. (e) particulates.

C

Under natural conditions the pH of rainfall is closest to (a) 8.5. (b) 7.1. (c) 5.6. (d) 4.5. (e) 3.1.

C

Under which of the following circumstances is a sewage treatment plant legally permitted to bypass normal treatment protocol and discharge large amounts of sewage directly into a lake or river? (a) When the receiving surface water is designated for swimming only (b) When the population of the surrounding community surpasses the plant's capacity (c) When combined volumes of stormwater and wastewater exceed the capacity of an older plant (d) When a permit to modernize the plant is denied by the Environmental Protection Agency (e) When an extended period of drought restricts water flow in a lake or river

C

Which statement is not true about emerging infectious diseases? (a) HIV is a virus that most likely came from chimps. (b) Ebola hemorrhagic fever causes a high rate of death. (c) Mad cow disease is spread by feeding grass to cows. (d) Bird flu is a virus that jumps from birds to people. (e) West Nile virus is a virus that comes from birds.

C

A thermal inversion (a) rarely occurs in cities but is common in rural areas. (b) helps remove pollutants from the atmosphere. (c) leads to decreased amounts of ground-level smog. (d) occurs when a warm air layer overlies a cooler layer. (e) occurs when a cool air layer overlies a warmer layer.

D

All of the following are desired outcomes of MSW incineration except (a) extracting energy. (b) reducing volume. (c) prolonging life of landfills. (d) increasing air pollution. (e) generating electricity.

D

Successful remediation of oil spills floating on the surface of the ocean from leaking oil tankers or offshore platforms includes which of the following? 1. Containment and vacuum up the oil 2. High-pressure hot water 3. Chemicals that break down oil (a) I only (b) II only (c) III only (d) I and III (e) II and III

D

The EPA estimates that approximately ____ percent of municipal solid waste comes from residences and ____ percent comes from commercial and institutional facilities. (a) 30; 70 (b) 40; 60 (c) 50; 50 (d) 60; 40 (e) 70; 30

D

The greatest emission of sulfur dioxide comes from (a) on-road vehicles. (b) biofuels. (c) industrial processes. (d) electricity generation. (e) fires.

D

Which of the following statements about nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is not correct? (a) NPS results from rain or snowmelt moving over or permeating through the ground. (b) NPS is a form of water pollution that is more difficult to control, measure, and regulate. (c) NPS includes sediment from improperly managed construction sites as a pollutant. (d) NPS is water pollution that originates from a distinct source such as a pipe or tank. (e) NPS disperses pollutants over a large area, such as oil and grease in a parking lot.

D

Which statement about retrospective studies and prospective toxicity studies is correct? (a) Retrospective studies are not conducted on humans. (b) Prospective studies are only conducted on wildlife. (c) Retrospective studies monitor health effects from future chemical exposures. (d) Prospective studies monitor health effects from future chemical exposures. (e) Prospective studies monitor health effects from past chemical exposures.

D

Which statement is true regarding the relationship between health risks and income? (a) A major risk in high-income countries is a lack of food. (b) A major risk in high-income countries is poor sanitation. (c) A major risk in low-income countries is obesity. (d) A major risk in low-income countries is a lack of food. (e) The major risks in high- and low-income countries are similar.

D

In 2008, which of the following materials comprised the largest component of municipal solid waste? (a) Metals (b) Yard waste (c) Food scraps (d) Discarded electronic devices (e) Paper

E

In the last 15 years, MSW per capita in the United States has (a) decreased drastically. (b) decreased, then increased drastically. (c) increased drastically. (d) increased moderately, and then decreased drastically. (e) stayed the same.

E

The EPA identifies all of the following as reasons for sick building syndrome except (a) faulty ventilation systems. (b) emissions from carpets and furniture. (c) contamination from outdoor air. (d) contamination from molds and pollen. (e) high levels of radon in the basement.

E

The concentration of chemical exposure does not depend on (a) the persistence of the chemical. (b) the solubility of the chemical. (c) the ability of the chemical to bioaccumulate. (d) the ability of the chemical to biomagnify. (e) the LD50 value of the chemical.

E

The least amount of nitrogen oxide emissions comes from (a) on-road vehicles. (b) fossil fuel combustion. (c) industrial processes. (d) electricity generation. (e) fires.

E

The legislation that imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries to generate funds to pay for the cleanup of hazardous substances is (a) RCRA. (b) Cradle-to-the Grave Act. (c) The National Priorities List. (d) HSWA. (e) CERCLA.

E

Which of the following inorganic substances is naturally occurring in rocks, soluble in groundwater, and toxic at low concentrations? (a) Mercury (b) Lead (c) PCBs (d) Copper (e) Arsenic

E

Which of the following provisions is defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act? (a) Support the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and recreation in and on the water. (b) Maintain and restore the chemical, physical, and biological properties of natural waters. (c) Protect the abundance and diversity of various species in and on the water. (d) Issue permits to control how much pollution industries can discharge into the water. (e) Establish maximum contaminate levels (MCLs) for specific substances in both surface water and groundwater.

E

Which statement is not true about historical infectious diseases? (a) Plague is a disease that is carried by fleas attached to rodents. (b) Malaria is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes. (c) Tuberculosis is a disease that is transmitted through the air. (d) The pathogen that causes tuberculosis can become drug resistant. (e) Historically important infectious diseases no longer pose a health risk.

E