Unit 8-1

Which of the following is an example of a point source of pollution? (a) A leaking septic tank (b) Agricultural pollution from a group of cattle farms (c) Runoff following road construction (d) Acid mine drainage

(a) A leaking septic tank

Which of the following approaches would best decrease the impact of frequent flooding in a community that is subject to the hazard of flooding? (a) Construct wetland areas near the rivers and streams. (b) Remove forested areas around all streams and rivers and change land use to agriculture. (c) Increase the height of natural levees downstream from the community. (d) Encourage developers to build housing developments on the floodplain.

(a) Construct wetland areas near the rivers and streams.

Which of the following pollutants would most likely be responsible for gender imbalance in a population of frogs in which all observed frogs are female? (a) Endocrine disruptors (b) Carcinogens (c) Animal waste from farms (d) Fertilizers

(a) Endocrine disruptors

Which of the following strategies will best help to protect mangrove habitats?(a) Limiting coastal development and maintain a shoreline buffer zone (b) Increasing aquaculture operations to reduce overfishing (c) Increasing subsidies for hydroelectric dam construction (d) Encouraging land use changes in areas surrounding mangroves to shift to agriculture

(a) Limiting coastal development and maintain a shoreline buffer zone

Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the fish in the lake to die? (a) The remains of the bottom-dwelling plants and algae decomposed, depleting the amount of oxygen in the water. (b) The algal bloom at the surface released carbon dioxide into the water, suffocating the fish. (c) The herbicides used on the corn crop were washed into the lake, accidentally poisoning the fish. (d) Carbohydrates were released into the water when the bottom-dwelling plants died, increasing the amount of competition for food.

(a) The remains of the bottom-dwelling plants and algae decomposed, depleting the amount of oxygen in the water.

The diagram below depicts a surface water source that has undergone cultural eutrophication. Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the algal bloom in the lake? (a) The water table rose and caused widespread flooding in the area. (b) Runoff carried excess fertilizer from the cornfield into the water. (c) Excess oxygen was released into the water when the fish died. (d) Decomposition of the dead algae used up all the dissolved carbon dioxide.

(b) Runoff carried excess fertilizer from the cornfield into the water.

Which of the following would best be described as a point source of pollution from a farm?( a) Nitrogenous fertilizers added to drip irrigation used for growing crops (b) Runoff from the waste lagoons of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, which enters local waterways after a flooding event (c) Tractors and harvesters burning fossil fuels and releasing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides into the atmosphere (d) Particulate matter from bare soil on plowed fields entering the atmosphere from wind

(b) Runoff from the waste lagoons of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, which enters local waterways after a flooding event

Which of the following best describes the action of endocrine disruptors in organisms? (a) Endocrine disruptors scar the lung tissue of animals, inducing respiratory difficulties. (b) Endocrine disruptors block the central nervous system of animals, leading to behavioral abnormalities. (c) Endocrine disruptors mimic naturally occurring hormones in animals, leading to developmental disorders. (d) Endocrine disruptors reduce primary productivity in plants, inducing a trophic cascade.

(c) Endocrine disruptors mimic naturally occurring hormones in animals, leading to developmental disorders.

Which of the following correctly identifies an example of an endocrine disruptor and the effect it might have on the human body? (a) High levels of lead in drinking water could lead to neurological damage. (b) Exposure to radon in indoor air is linked to increased rates of lung cancer.(c) Phthalates in cosmetics and shampoos reduce fertility. (d) The bacterium E. coli found in vegetables causes abdominal cramping and vomiting.

(c) Phthalates in cosmetics and shampoos reduce fertility.

Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the bottom-dwelling plants in the lake to die? (a) The remnants of the corn crop were burned after the corn was harvested, decreasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. (b) Toxins such as lead and mercury were released into the water when the fish died. (c) The algal bloom prevented sunlight from reaching the bottom-dwelling plants, which reduced the rates of photosynthesis. (d) Oxygen was released into the water when the algae died.

(c) The algal bloom prevented sunlight from reaching the bottom-dwelling plants, which reduced the rates of photosynthesis.

Which of the following best describes how thermal pollution from power plants can affect aquatic ecosystems? (a) Water injected into the ground during the hydraulic fracking process can seep into wells, causing methane contamination. (b) Warm water runoff that reaches lakes and ponds slows down the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, which decreases primary productivity. (c) Warm water discharged into rivers and streams decreases the oxygen content of the water, which reduces the number of fish species. (d) Wastewater from nuclear power plants contains radioisotopes and carbonic acid, which increase the rate of cancer in aquatic species.

(c) Warm water discharged into rivers and streams decreases the oxygen content of the water, which reduces the number of fish species.

Which of the following correctly identifies both a non-point source and a point source of pollution? (a) Industrial smokestack - Waste discharge pipe (b) Agricultural runoff - Urban runoff( c) Leaking sanitary landfill - Pesticide spraying (d) Urban runoff - City bus exhaust

(d) Urban runoff - City bus exhaust

Which of the following statements best describes how the Clean Water Act legislation aims to protect wetlands from being lost? (a) The Clean Water Act bans the draining of wetlands over five acres in size.(b) The Clean Water Act requires wetlands to be constructed to mitigate the effect of newly drained wetlands. (c) The Clean Water Act establishes standards for the quality of surface waters that must be continually monitored and reported. (d) The Clean Water Act prohibits the use of wetlands for development and construction.

b) The Clean Water Act requires wetlands to be constructed to mitigate the effect of newly drained wetlands