unit seven apes study guide
Which of the following best explains the cause of the trend shown in the graph for lead emissions in the United States from 1970 to 2011 ?
By 1990, all new model cars were equipped with internal fabric filters that effectively filtered car exhaust and reduced lead emissions.
The graph below depicts the various components of smog for a densely populated urban area in the Northern Hemisphere. Each plotted line (A, B, C, and D) is a different component of smog.
C
explain why carbon dioxide is not considered an air pollutant in APEs
CO2 does not decrease air quality from a human health standpoint, meaning it does not directly cause health consequences as its level rise in the air we breathe
The figure below illustrates how a thermal inversion can form over major urban centers. In the figure above, the letters A, B, and C represent the different thermal layers present in an inversion. Which of the following shows the correct sequence of thermal layers as one moves vertically upwards from the surface of Earth?
Cool sea breeze → Warm → Cool
Describe the major source of indoor air pollution in developing countries and identify TWO indoor air pollutants released by this source
Describe the major source of indoor air pollution in developing countries and identify TWO indoor air pollutants released by this source
Identify the precursors or reactants of photochemical smog formation
Identify the precursors or reactants of photochemical smog formation
A paper company located on the banks of a river discharges its treated wastewater into the river. Which of the following would be the best location to obtain a water sample from to determine if the paper plant is affecting the acidity of the river?
Immediately downstream from the paper plant
Over a three-year period, a city's environmental protection department measured the particulate matter (PM 2.5) in a ten-square-mile area around one of the city's coal-fired power plants. The annual mean level of PM 2.5 measured was 20.0 μg/m3 over the three-year study period. The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM 2.5 is an annual mean level of 12.0 μg/m3, averaged over three years. The city instructs the manager of the power plant to propose a plan to aid the city in meeting the NAAQS for PM 2.5 in the area around the power plant over the next ten years. Which of the following would be the most effective plan for the manager to propose to the city?
Install electrostatic precipitators at the plant.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States recommends taking corrective measures to reduce exposure to radon gas. The EPA has set an action level of 4 pCi/L for radon gas. The graph below shows radon samples taken from seventeen buildings in California. The radon samples were taken from the air inside the buildings, and the uranium concentrations were sampled from the soil under the buildings. Data points from four of the seventeen building locations are labeled A-D. Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from the data in the graph?
Location A has the greatest need for remediation because the radon levels in the building are the highest and exceed the EPA action level.
Describe the transformation that these two primary pollutants undergo in order to become secondary pollutants that contribute to acid deposition
NO2and SO2 react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere, forming nitric acid and sulfuric acid, which contribute to acid deposition
In addition to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which of the following components must be present in the atmosphere to create photochemical smog?
NOx and UV light
what are the six criteria pollutants
NOx, SOx, O3, CO, PM, and Lead
Describe the difference between point and nonpoint source pollutants, using an example of each
Point source pollutants are singular, easily identifiable sources of a specific pollutant such as an oil spill or a power plant emitting SOx or NOx. Nonpoint sources of pollution are diffuse or spread out sources that are difficult to associate with a specific instance of pollution, such as urban runoff carrying sediment into bodies of water
Which of the following air pollutants is correctly paired with one of its major effects?
Sulfur oxides and acid deposition
Based on the layers in the diagram, which of the following best explains why a thermal inversion tends to concentrate pollutants in the air layer closest to the Earth's surface?
The air layer closest to the Earth's surface is denser than the layer above it.
A paper company located on the banks of a river discharges its treated wastewater into the river. Which of the following water quality indicators should be measured to best determine if the wastewater is increasing the acidity of the river?
The amount of hydrogen ions
Bats use echolocation to find prey by emitting high-pitched bursts of sound and analyzing the reflection. Scientists studying a population of bats in a forest observed that their population size had declined in the years following the completion of a nearby highway. Based on the information above, which of the following best explains how noise pollution from the highway has affected the size of the bat population?
The highway noise is interfering with bats' echolocation, preventing them from successfully locating and catching prey as they fly.
Canada has proposed an action plan to address climate change and air pollution. The action plan will reduce the impact of greenhouse gases and pollutants on the environment and human health. Which of the following claims about the Canadian action plan is best supported by the data in the graph?
The plan supports phasing out traditional coal power plants and transitioning to sources like hydroelectricity, wind, and solar power.
A student is setting up a model to study the carbon cycle and natural sources of carbon dioxide. They create a microenvironment that contains soil, leaf debris, an earthworm, heterotrophic bacteria, and a sun lamp. What natural source of carbon dioxide and major metabolic process was left out of the model?
There is no representation of photosynthesis in the model environment.
Scientists have observed that the health of people living in moderately developed regions, which have developed transportation and industry but lack environmental control measures, is more likely to be affected by urban outdoor pollution than by indoor air pollution. Which of the following activities would most likely account for the levels of indoor air pollution in India and sub-Saharan Africa, as shown in the graph?
Use of biomass fuel sources such as wood and charcoal for cooking
Identify the air pollutant that vapor-recovery fuel nozzles reduce
VOCs/hydrocarbons/benzene
Identify the normal temperature-altitude relationship in the troposphere and explain why this relationship exists
as altitude increases, temperature decreases (in the troposphere) because air is under less atmospheric pressure. It is also further away from the infrared radiation (heat) released from earth's surface
Describe the process of coral bleaching
as ocean temperature rises and exceeds the range of tolerance for algae living in the reef, they leave, draining reef of color and stressing cora
Describe an additional method for reducing PM from power plant or industrial emissions
baghouse filters are cloth/fabric bags that a waste air stream passes through, trapping PM, electrostatic precipitators use an electrode to give all the particles in a waste air stream a negative charge so that they then stick to positively charged metal plates as they pass through the device
Describe how this temperature-altitude relationship normally helps disperse air pollutants near Earth's surface
because Earth's surface releases heat due to the incoming solar radiation it receives, air near the surface is warmed. This causes it to rise, carrying pollutants near ground level up and away from Earth's surface
Propose a solution to reduce the impacts of indoor air pollutants in developing countries
better ventilation in homes (chimneys, open windows, fans) to disperse pollutants, cooking outdoors, greater access to gas or electric stoves for cooking
Identify THREE natural sources of carbon dioxide
cellular respiration, aerobic decomposition, forest fires, volcanic eruptions
Identify a human health consequence of exposure to methylmercury
central nervous system damage, menstrual cycle disruption, learning disabilities in children, damage to fetal brain
Define the term endocrine disruptor
chemicals that mimic hormones or block their receptors, interfering with endocrine function in animals
Identify the main anthropogenic source of heavy metal pollution and explain how these heavy metals may impact ecosystems far away from their release
coal combustion - particulates containing mercury are released from combustion, carried by the wind and then either fall as dry particles or dissolve into rain water and fall as precip. downwind from emission source, coal ash ponds can overflow, releasing heavy metals into surface waters that can carry them downstream
The graph below depicts the various components of smog for a densely populated urban area in the Northern Hemisphere. Each plotted line (A, B, C, and D) is a different component of smog.
concentrations for component C would be higher throughout the graph
Describe an economic consequence that an oil spill can have on coastal communities
destabilized shoreline due to salt marsh grass/plant death, habitat/breeding ground loss for commercial fish species, decreased tourism revenue
Identify TWO specific effects of noise pollution on organisms
difficulty communicating, migratory disruption, predator-prey distraction/disruption, increased heart rate, headaches
Describe TWO effects that an oil spill can have on marine organisms
direct toxicity/lethality of hydrocarbons, decreased photosynthesis due to blocked sunlight, clogged gills in fish, feathers/fur coated in oil (decreased flight, buoyancy, insulation)
Explain how the conditions of a thermal inversion impact the normal temperature-altitude relationship in the troposphere
during a thermal inversion, a colder, more dense air mass is trapped beneath a warmer, mid-latitude air mass, which causes a reversal of the normal temperature-altitude relationship near earth's surface
Describe how tropospheric ozone forms
energy from the sun causes NO2 to split into NO and a free oxygen atmo. This free oxygen atom then combines with O2 in the troposphere to form O3
Identify THREE sources of natural particulate matter (PM)
forest fires, wind-borne soil/dust, pollen, ash, sea salt, mold
Identify TWO human health impacts of indoor biomass combustion
headaches, eye damage, respiratory irritation, lung damage/impaired function, worsening of asthma/bronchitis/COPD
Identify TWO specific endocrine disruptors and describe how each of these chemicals could be released from their source into the environment
human medications - pass through our bodies and enter sewage systems with waste and are then discharged into local surface waters | antibiotics fed to livestock - CAFO manure lagoon leaks can carry endocrine disruptors into nearby surface waters or into groundwater | pesticides (atrazine/DDT) - agricultural runoff carries them from fields into nearby surface waters or into groundwater | phthalates - chemical waste from plastic or cosmetic manufacturing improperly disposed of or leachate from landfills entering groundwater
Explain how decomposition can produce both CO2 and CH4
in oxygen-rich conditions, aerobic decomposition produces CO2. In oxygen-poor conditions, anaerobic decomposition produces CH4
Identify an individual-scale and a government-scale method for reducing air pollutants
ind): drive less by using public transit/walking/biking/carpooling, purchase an electric vehicle. (Gov): raising CAFE vehicle standards, subsidies/tax credits for non pollution-emitting power plants, rebates/tax credits for individuals purchasing electric vehicles, pollution credit system, stricter enforcement of clean air act standards/setting lower acceptable levels of criteria air pollutants
Identify TWO specific, non lethal effect that endocrine disruptors can have on aquatic species
infertility, intersex, birth defects, development of eggs in testes, gender imbalances
Identify TWO sublethal effects an organism can suffer if a pollutant or environmental condition in its ecosystem exceeds its range of tolerance
limited growth, infertility, increased heartrate
Describe how catalytic converters reduce air pollutants emitted from vehicles
metals inside the catalytic converter like palladium or platinum convert CO, hydrocarbons, and NOx into CO2, N2, O2, and H2O
Identify TWO examples of ecosystem services provided by wetlands
plants or animals harvested for food sources, regulation of local temperature, absorption of flood waters, recharge groundwater, pollinator habitat, pest control, water filtration
Identify a human health consequence of exposure to endocrine disruptors
preterm births, low sperm count in men
explain the difference between a primary and secondary pollutant, using an example
primary air pollutants are released directly from emission sources, such as SO2 or PM coming from a coal fired power plant. Secondary air pollutants are formed when primary air pollutants undergo some transformation in the atmosphere when exposed to sunlight, water, or oxygen. An example is the formation of sulfuric acid when SO2 combines with water in the atmosphere
Describe an environmental and human health impact of photochemical smog
respiratory irritation, worsening of asthma/bronchitis/COPD, eye irritation, reduced photosynthesis rate for plants, damage to plant tissue (especially stomata) from ozone
Identify a specific pollutant that disrupts coral reef ecosystems and describe how that pollutant disrupts the coral reef ecosystem
sediment - increases turbidity/decreased sunlight & photosynth. Oxybenzone (sunscreen)/pesticides - interfere with coral reproduction/increase likelihood of bleaching, Fertilizers - lead to eutrophication, algal blooms/less sunlight/less dissolved oxygen
Describe an environmental consequence of acid deposition
soil acidification leading to aluminum toxicity/plant or soil organism mortality/stunted root growth, acidification of surface water leading to aluminum toxicity/stunted plant growth/plant or aquatic organism mortality or reduced growth/reproduction
Describe how an area can be distinguished as a wetland ecosystem
soil that is submerged or saturated with water for all or part of the year, emergent vegetation, plants with adaptations to survive waterlogged soil or complete submergence of roots in standing water
what are the sources and effects of NOx
sources: All FF combustion, especially gasoline,b biomass combustion, and forest fires effects: acid precipitation, resp, irritant, O3 to chemical smog
what are the sources and effects of CO
sources: Incomplete combustion of FF, and biomass effects: asphyxiation ( suffocation)
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution VOCs
sources: cleaners, deodorizing sprays, and furniture adhesives effects: headaches, eye/lung irritation proposition of reducing it: organic cleaning products, ventilation
what the sources and pollutants of SOx
sources: coal combustion for electricity production, and volcanic eruptions effects: acid precipitation,respitary irritant
what are the sources and effects of Lead
sources: coal combustion, ore metal processing plants, lead smelting factories effects: neurotoxicant, damages central nervous system
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution CO
sources: faulty furnace ventilation effects: asphyxiation/suffocation proposition of reducing it: repair furnace ventillation
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution PM
sources: mold, dust, and cigarette smoke effects: respitatary, irritation, worsening asthma/COPD/bronchitis proposition for fixing it: disinfectant ( for mold) and increased ventillation
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution abestos
sources: old insulation ( attic, water, heaters, ceiling tiles) effects: lung cancer proposition of reducing it: professhional removal ( ventillation equipment)
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution lead
sources: old paint chips/dust, lead water service lines effects: nuerotoxicant, and learning disbialities in young children proposition for fixing it: Professional lead paint abatement/replacement, replacing lead water lines with copper or other non-lead material
whats the source, effect, and proposition of reducing the indoor pollution radon
sources: radioactive decay of uraniam rocsk ( enters through cracks in foundation), and well water effects: lung cancer proposition of reducing it: sealing foundation cracks, and improving ventilation if radon is detected
what are the sources and effects of O3
sources: reaction of NO2 + sunlight+ O2 effects: respiratory, irritant, photochemical smog, and plant tissue smog
what are the sources and effects of PM
sources:FF/Biomass combustion, construction, agriculture, and industrial production effects: respiratory, irritant, reduced visibility, thickens smog formation
Identify the TWO primary pollutants that lead to acid deposition and identify a major source of each pollutant
sulfur dioxide/SO2 (coal power plants), nitrogen dioxide/NO2 (coal power plants, vehicle emissions)g
Describe how the dissociation of nitric acid and sulfuric acid in water leads to acid deposition
sulfuric and nitric acid dissociate into sulfate and nitrate ions and H+ ions in the presence of water. Increased H+ ion concentration makes precipitation more acidic
Identify the environmental conditions that increase photochemical smog formation
sunlight and heat
describe the power given to the EPA by the Clean Air Act
the ability to set, monitor, and enforce acceptable limits for sex criteria pollutants
Explain how wet and dry scrubbers reduce air pollutants from factory/power plant emissions
the air stream from combustion reactions or other industrial processes passes through a column that traps PM, SOx,NOx, VOCs. Wet scrubbers use a mist sprayer and mist eliminator screen at the top of the column to trap pollutants in droplets of water that fall into a sludge collector at the bottom of the column. Dry scrubbers use a chemical agent such as calcium oxide to bind to air pollutants like SO2 and trap them in the column
Describe the relationship between PM particle size and human health risks
the smaller a particle is the deeper into the respiratory tract it can penetrate and the more damage/irritation it is capable of causing/larger particles are more easily filtered out by respiratory structures and are less likely to penetrate more deeply
Describe how a thermal inversion impacts ground-level air pollutant levels
thermal inversions prevent the upward movement of air away from Earth's surface, concentrating/trapping air pollutants near ground level
Identify TWO sources of noise pollution
traffic, construction, lawn mowers, industrial processes, ships/tankers, seismic surveying ships
Explain the urban heat island effect
urban areas have higher temperatures due to a greater concentration of dark/low albedo surfaces that absorb sunlight and release infrared radiation (heat), they also have less vegetation which means less evapotranspiration cooling
Which of the following sources should be examined in a study to determine the impact of a geologic source on levels of CO2 in the atmosphere?
volcanoes
If the air layers in the diagram were relabeled to illustrate normal atmospheric conditions, the correct labeling from the air layer closest to the Earth's surface to the one farthest from the Earth's surface would be
warm air, cool air, cooler air
describe the role VOCs play in preventing trophospheric ozone levels from decreasing overnight
when present in the atmosphere, VOCs bind to NO ,preventing O3 from reacting with free NO in the atmosphere and reverting it back to NO2 and O2
Explain why tropospheric ozone levels normally decline overnight
when the sun goes down, it no longer drives the breakdown of NO2 into NO and O. Ozone reacts with the free NO in the atmosphere to reform NO2 and O2
