Chapter 8 Quiz Review - ALL

The graph below depicts the dose response curves for three common bacteria and a newly discovered bacterium found in streams near certain agricultural properties. An individual is exposed to the water in the stream from which the sample show in the graph was taken. If the individual was exposed to the highest dose of the bacteria, which of the following bacteria would have the lowest probability of causing illness if ingested? a. C. jejuni b. E. coli c. Salmonella spp. d. Newly discovered bacterium

a. C. jejuni Reason: This species has the lowest probability of illness at all dosages and is just over 20% at the highest dose shown on the graph. This is the lowest probability of illness of the four species.

Based on the diagram, which of the following is associated with the primary treatment of sewage? a. Grit chamber b. Aeration tank c. Effluent d. Activated sludge

a. Grit chamber Reason: The grit chamber uses solids, such as sand, to settle out pollutants by gravity. This physical process of removing inorganic particles in the grit chamber is part of primary treatment.

Regulations that deal directly with the disposal of hazardous materials in the United States include which of the following? RCRA Clean Water Act Clean Air Act a. I only b. II only c. III only d. I and II only e. I, II, and III

a. I only

Which of the following is the best example of a point source pollutant? a. Oil tanker spill b. Farm field c. Golf course d. Parking lot

a. Oil tanker spill Reason: The spill from an oil tanker is a single, identifiable source of a pollutant.

Which of the following best describes the action of an endocrine disruptor? a. An endocrine disruptor attacks hormones that invade a body system and cause disease. b. An endocrine disruptor blocks the receptor protein binding site of a hormone so that the cell cannot receive a signal. c. An endocrine disruptor acts as an organic catalyst, produced by living things to regulate the rate of chemical reactions. d. An endocrine disruptor helps to transport substances, such as pesticides, in an organism following exposure.

b. An endocrine disruptor blocks the receptor protein binding site of a hormone so that the cell cannot receive a signal. Reason: Endocrine disruptors mimic or block hormones from cell receptors. They bind to receptor proteins and interfere with normal endocrine system function.

A beach community was recently negatively affected by a hurricane. Community leaders are looking for a potential solution to prevent damage from future hurricanes. Below is a list of their concerns as well as how important each issue is to the community. Community Concerns Concern Level Wave action - Low Beachfront development - Low Nearshore aquaculture - Low Health of nearby coral reef - Moderate Roosting bird species - High Storm surge threat - High Which of the following solutions would best address the issues of greatest concern in the community? a. Construction of a seawall b. Planting mangrove forests c. Construction of an offshore breakwater d. Adding large sand dunes

b. Planting mangrove forests Reason: Healthy mangrove forests provide homes for roosting bird species, protect coastal communities from storm surges, and provide a nursery habitat for juvenile coral reef organisms.

Scientists are interested in determining if selenium, from a nearby mine, magnifies in the tissues of fish living in a lake. Which of the following best describes a testable hypothesis for the study? a. Tissue from fish in the lake will have a higher level of selenium than tissue from fish in a nearby lake. b. Selenium will be at a higher concentration in fish tissue than in the tissue of fish prey. c. Fish will have a higher concentration of selenium than mercury in their tissues. d. Selenium will be at a higher concentration in acid mine drainage than in fish tissues.

b. Selenium will be at a higher concentration in fish tissue than in the tissue of fish prey. Reason: Comparing toxin levels in fish tissues to those of fish prey would allow the scientist to determine how much selenium magnifies as it moves up trophic levels in the food chain. Biomagnification occurs when the concentration of the chemical increases up the food chain, so it may be in lower concentration in the prey species, but it magnifies at higher trophic levels.

Which of the following is a point source pollutant that would likely affect the ecosystem health of a coral reef? a. Small pieces of plastic washed in by local currents b. Runoff of oil from nearby urban highway systems c. Oil released from the broken hull of a shipwrecked tanker d. Excess nutrients introduced by fertilization of farmland

c. Oil released from the broken hull of a shipwrecked tanker Reason: A large amount of oil spilling from a damaged tanker as a result of a shipwreck would be considered a point source pollutant.

Which of the following components, which are not shown on the diagram, are part of the tertiary treatment of wastewater? a. Wet scrubbers b. Filters c. Coagulants d. Disinfectants

d. Disinfectants Reason: Disinfection, usually using chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light, is referred to as the tertiary treatment step of sewage treatment. This process is effective at destroying bacteria before the water is discharged.

Which of the following best describes why DDT is classified as a persistent organic pollutant? a. DDT is very stable, and as much as 50% of the original concentration can remain in the soil 15 years after the initial application. b. DDT can be used to control diseases, such as malaria and typhus, that are spread by insects. c. DDT is detected in food worldwide and the general human population is most commonly exposed to the toxin through food. d. DDT has both short-term acute and long-term chronic health effects in both humans and wildlife.

a. DDT is very stable, and as much as 50% of the original concentration can remain in the soil 15 years after the initial application. Reason: DDT is a synthetic, carbon-based molecule that is very stable (does not easily break down) in the environment. Its persistence means that it is found widely across the globe, even in regions where it was not used (such as the Arctic).

Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following would result in the largest reduction in volume of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills? a. Introduce composting programs for yard trimmings and food waste b. Increase programs to recycle glass and metals c. Promote reusing plastics and wood products d. Increase funding to clothing donation programs

a. Introduce composting programs for yard trimmings and food waste Reason: Composting of municipal solid waste, like yard trimmings and food waste, which make up a significant portion of total MSW, would result in a largest reduction in the volume of wastes sent to landfills.

Significant increases in water temperature can drastically change dissolved oxygen (DO)(DO) levels in a lake. Why does the combined effect of these two environmental changes result in algal blooms? a. Low dissolved oxygen leads to death for aerobic organisms, like fish, whose decomposition provides an overabundance of nutrients for the algae, resulting in the large blooms. b. Increased temperature causes an increase in metabolic rates of fish and insects. Increased metabolism results in increased waste from aquatic organisms, which provides energy for the algae to grow rapidly. c. Increased temperature and low dissolved oxygen drive aquatic animals out of the area. The lack of competition gives the algae more nutrients for reproduction. d. Increased temperature leads to an increase in dissolved oxygen. The higher oxygen content increases the rates of cellular respiration and reproduction, resulting in an increased population of algae.

a. Low dissolved oxygen leads to death for aerobic organisms, like fish, whose decomposition provides an overabundance of nutrients for the algae, resulting in the large blooms. Reason: Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. The lack of oxygen kills aquatic life, which becomes a large food source for bacteria, which then release nutrients, resulting in large algal blooms.

Which of the following best explains why top predators can have up to 60 times as much of persistent organic pollutant (POP) as their prey and up to 600 times as much of the pollutant as producers? a. POPs accumulate in the body fat of living organisms. POPs increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. b. POPs can travel over long distances by wind or water. Predators have greater access to different locations than do producers and therefore have higher concentrations of POPs. c. POPs are not carbon-based compounds, so animal digestive systems lack enzymes capable of breaking them down. POPs biomagnify in the fatty tissues of animals but not in plants. d. POPs are solids, which only animals can ingest. Therefore, POPs have a greater effect on secondary and tertiary levels of food chains.

a. POPs accumulate in the body fat of living organisms. POPs increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. Reason: POPs are fat soluble and accumulate in an animal's fatty tissues. They biomagnify as they move up through the food chain.

Cholera is an acute infection of the digestive system that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Infected individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and extreme thirst. If symptoms persist and severe dehydration results, an infected individual can die within hours of symptom onset. The diagram below shows how cholera is transmitted. Based on the diagram above, which of the following is the most likely reason that V. cholerae can spread rapidly through a population? a. V. cholerae is a microscopic bacterium that can survive in various aquatic environments for prolonged periods of time and can cause a delayed onset of visible symptoms. b. V. cholerae is a macroscopic bacterium that is easily detected in aquatic environments and causes rapid onset of symptoms. c. V. cholerae eventually becomes airborne and is spread through the inhalation of spores, causing a delayed onset of visible symptoms. d. V. cholerae is transmitted via an insect vector and often goes undiagnosed in isolated communities.

a. V. cholerae is a microscopic bacterium that can survive in various aquatic environments for prolonged periods of time and can cause a delayed onset of visible symptoms. Reason: According to steps 1, 5, and 6 of the diagram, these are all aspects of disease transmission that allow for V. cholerae to rapidly spread through a population. The bacterium is not easily detected, and infected individuals may unknowingly spread the disease if they have a delayed onset of symptoms.

An advantage of recycling aluminum rather than disposing of it in landfills is that aluminum can be a. produced from recycled metal using much less energy than is required for its production from aluminum ore b. produced from ore that is chemically reactive and dangerous to transport, store, and process c. produced from ore that is scarce and found primarily in remote, inhospitable regions at high latitudes d. absorbed by plants and then biomagnified in both terrestrial and aquatic food chains e. leached from landfills in the form of Al3+ ions that could increase the pH of lakes and streams

a. produced from recycled metal using much less energy than is required for its production from aluminum ore

Which of the following is the most likely route for mercury to enter the food web? a. Municipal waste → landfill → groundwater → plants and vegetation b. Coal-burning emissions → deposition → ocean → plankton → fishes c. Organic fertilizers → soil → groundwater → lake → trout d. Medical waste incinerators → stratosphere → grass → cows e. Mining waste → acid deposition → surface runoff → plants and vegetation

b. Coal-burning emissions → deposition → ocean → plankton → fishes

Endocrine disruptors directly affect which of the following in an organism? a. White blood cells b. Hormones c. Iron content d. Oxygen levels

b. Hormones Reason: Endocrine disruptors directly affect hormone levels, which may lead to other changes within an organism.

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of runoff transporting chemicals that are endocrine disruptors to a pond? a. Decreased turbidity in the pond b. Increased frequency of birth defects in fish populations in the pond c. Increased mutualistic relationships between fish and frog populations in the pond d. Increased dissolved oxygen in the pond

b. Increased frequency of birth defects in fish populations in the pond Reason: Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with an organism's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects, such as birth defects, developmental disorders, and gender imbalances in populations.

Which of the following is a way to potentially eliminate one of the greatest threats to the world's mangrove wetlands? a. Increase desalination to reduce the effects of prolonged drought in mangroves. b. Integrate ecologically sound shrimp aquacultural practices with mangrove management. c. Construct dams in mangroves to increase sediment load and decrease pollution. d. Employ irrigation methods to address potential desertification of mangrove habitats.

b. Integrate ecologically sound shrimp aquacultural practices with mangrove management. Reason: Hundreds of thousands of acres of mangrove wetlands have been cleared for artificial lagoons for shrimp and fish farming, which is one of the greatest global threats to mangroves. By working toward sustainable shrimp farming, the mangrove will have less pollution and disease, while still providing economic benefits of shrimp harvest.

A scientist is studying PCBs in tertiary consumers. She wants to determine if PCBs can be found in tertiary consumers even though these compounds were banned in the United States in the 1970s. Which of the following best identifies a testable hypothesis for the study? a. PCBs are highly soluble in water, so it is unlikely that the compounds will be found in the liver or kidneys of tertiary consumers because the compounds have been banned. b. PCBs are persistent organic compounds that are fat-soluble, so they should be found in the fatty tissues of tertiary consumers even though the compounds have been banned for decades. c. PCBs have synergistic effects with other toxins in the environment and are broken down in water and soil, so most tertiary consumers are not directly exposed to them. d. PCBs are acutely toxic to most forms of life and quickly kill most organisms upon exposure; therefore, tertiary consumers today would be expected to have high levels of the compound in their tissues.

b. PCBs are persistent organic compounds that are fat-soluble, so they should be found in the fatty tissues of tertiary consumers even though the compounds have been banned for decades. Reason: Persistent organic pollutants, such as PCBs, are very slowly eliminated from the body and are likely to still be present in the fatty tissue of typically long-lived tertiary consumers. Although the chemicals are no longer used, they are still present in the environment because they do not easily break down.

Which of the following practices would best help to protect against inland and coastal flooding in urban areas? a. Regulating the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture b. Preserving wetland and coastal mangrove habitats c. Increasing the capacity of the sewer lines so they can handle a larger volume of water d. Straightening stream channels to increase stream flow

b. Preserving wetland and coastal mangrove habitats Reason: Wetlands and mangroves are crucial habitat for water storage, so the preservation of their habitats from loss and destruction will reduce flooding in urban areas.

When water used to cool power plants during normal plant operations is released into adjacent waterways, which of the following is most likely to occur as a result? a. Biodiversity of aquatic life in the adjacent waterways would decrease because the used coolant water is radioactive. b. The dissolved oxygen in the adjacent waterways would decrease because used coolant water is warm and leads to thermal pollution. c. Salinity in the adjacent waterways would increase because of dissolved solids in the used coolant water. d. Nutrient levels in the adjacent waterways would increase because of phosphorous in the used coolant water.

b. The dissolved oxygen in the adjacent waterways would decrease because used coolant water is warm and leads to thermal pollution. Reason: The temperature of the used coolant water is typically higher than the water temperature of adjacent waterways. When the used coolant water is released, it increases the temperature of the water in adjacent waterways. As water temperature increases, dissolved oxygen decreases.

A massive bluegill fish kill was observed in a lake near a power plant during the winter months. It was determined that the plant was releasing large amounts of hot water into the lake. Which of the following explains what likely caused the death of so many bluegills in the lake? a. The increased water temperature caused dissolved oxygen levels to increase, leading to greater metabolic activity of catfish, which outcompeted the bluegill fish for resources. b. The influx of warmer water caused an unexpected increase in the metabolic rate of the bluegills, which led to increased physiological stress from limited resource availability. c. Rates of organic matter decomposition increased, which lead to an increase in dissolved oxygen and increased bacteria levels. d. Photosynthetic output of aquatic plants decreased because of the higher temperature, which lowered the amount of carbon dioxide available for bluegills to carry out cellular respiration.

b. The influx of warmer water caused an unexpected increase in the metabolic rate of the bluegills, which led to increased physiological stress from limited resource availability. Reason: Fish are ectothermic, and metabolic rates are influenced by their surrounding temperature. Metabolic rates are low in the winter months in fish, but rates would increase with an influx of warm water, which could lead to exhaustion of available food supplies.

Incineration is one solution to reduce the volume of municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste can be used to produce energy at waste-to-energy plants. Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following materials would be best suited for incineration to reduce total volume, produce energy, and have minimal release of air pollutants? a. Glass b. Wood c. Metals d. Plastics

b. Wood Reason: Compared to the other choices, wood does not make up the largest percentage of MSW, but it is the best candidate for incineration because it is easily combustible and has less harmful air pollutants than other materials.

Based on the diagram, which of the following is an expected consequence of runoff and sewage in an aquatic environment? a. Decreased oxygen levels in surface water as a result of a decrease in photosynthetic rates by algae b. Increased oxygen levels in bottom water from increased rates of cellular respiration in decomposers c. Decreased oxygen production by seaweed on the seafloor from an increase in turbidity d. Increased oxygen production by decomposition of dead fish and other aquatic organisms

c. Decreased oxygen production by seaweed on the seafloor from an increase in turbidity Reason: Seaweed would have decreased carbon dioxide consumption and decreased oxygen production because an increase in turbidity would reduce the rates of photosynthesis in bottom-dwelling plants.

Based on the data in the graphs, which of the following strategies would best increase the total volume of municipal solid waste being recycled? a. Free or low-cost pickup of grass trimmings by municipal waste haulers b. Increased use of plastic packaging for consumer products c. Enacting a single-stream recycling program and providing bins to residential homes d. Digitization of news and use of e-mail for communication

c. Enacting a single-stream recycling program and providing bins to residential homes Reason: A single-stream recycling program allows for individuals to throw all recyclable waste, such as paper, glass, and plastic, into one large recycling bin. This would reduce any work required by individuals to prepare waste for recycling, thus making it easier for individuals to recycle.

Based on the diagram, which of the following best describes how a malfunctioning air compressor would affect the process of sewage treatment? a. The oxygen concentration in the aeration tank would increase. b. The settling of large debris, such as wood, from the water would be prevented. c. Fewer bacteria would be available to absorb dissolved organics in the tank. d. The sludge pump would return activated sludge to the aeration tank at a slower pace.

c. Fewer bacteria would be available to absorb dissolved organics in the tank. Reason: With less oxygen pumped into the tank, there would also be less mixing in the tank, which would likely impede the ability of microorganisms to form activated sludge. This would decrease the efficiency of the biological treatment of the sewage.

Mercury concentrations were measured in freshwater shrimp populations in two different ponds, one polluted with mercury and one unpolluted, with a similar food web in each pond. Which of the following best identifies the scientific question that would guide this investigation? a. How do different species of shrimp excrete mercury from their bodies? b. How does the food web in a pond affect biomagnification of toxins? c. How much mercury accumulates in the tissues of freshwater shrimp living in a polluted pond? b. How much mercury is found in the tissues of shrimp predators in an unpolluted pond?

c. How much mercury accumulates in the tissues of freshwater shrimp living in a polluted pond? Reason: Measuring mercury concentrations in shrimp living in an unpolluted pond would give the scientists a base-level comparison to compare the mercury concentrations in shrimp living in a polluted pond in order to address the question about how much mercury accumulates in tissues.

Which of the following best describes a way that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) cause harm in the environment? a. Persistent organic pollutants release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere when buried for disposal. b. Persistent organic pollutants release radioactivity during decay. c. Persistent organic pollutants are soluble in fat, so they accumulate in an organisms' fatty tissues. d. Persistent organic pollutants have magnetic signatures that confuse birds during migration.

c. Persistent organic pollutants are soluble in fat, so they accumulate in an organisms' fatty tissues. Reason: POPs are soluble in the fat of organisms when they are consumed and can bioaccumulate.

The graph below depicts the dose response curves for three common bacteria and a newly discovered bacterium found in streams near certain agricultural properties. If all four of the bacteria species shown in the graph are equally likely to contaminate agricultural products at a dose of 102 CFU102⁢ CFU, regulating which of the following species would have the greatest effect in reducing the likelihood of illness in humans? a. C. jejuni b. E. coli c. Salmonella spp d. Newly discovered bacterium

c. Salmonella spp Reason: Salmonella spp. has the highest probability of illness at 102 CFU102⁢ CFU with approximately 60%.

Cholera is an acute infection of the digestive system that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Infected individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and extreme thirst. If symptoms persist and severe dehydration results, an infected individual can die within hours of symptom onset. The diagram below shows how cholera is transmitted. Based on the diagram above, which of the following best describes why a population in an area that has poor sanitation can be particularly at risk for a cholera outbreak? a. V. cholerae is a parasitic bacterium often found in moving water, such as rivers and streams. b. Symptoms of the disease can appear anywhere from 2 hours to 5 days after initial ingestion of contaminated food or water. c. The bacterium that causes cholera is spread through ingestion of contaminated water or food. d. V. cholerae can survive in feces and aquatic environments for up to 2 months.

c. The bacterium that causes cholera is spread through ingestion of contaminated water or food. Reason: This is depicted in steps 3 and 4 of the diagram. In areas with poor sanitation, it is more likely that water sources contaminated with the bacteria are used for bathing, drinking, and food preparation. Without proper water treatment, more individuals would be infected with the disease.

Based on the image, which of the following conclusions can best be drawn to describe the conditions in the Long Island Sound? a. The sound has high levels of dissolved oxygen as a result of storm water runoff from urban areas. b. The sound has high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen from an increase in the number of producers. c. The sound has large numbers of phytoplankton blooms that are decomposing and consumed by respiring bacteria. d. The sound has high numbers of respiring fish populations and very low turbidity.

c. The sound has large numbers of phytoplankton blooms that are decomposing and consumed by respiring bacteria. Reason: Nutrients in the runoff of a heavily populated area lead to large phytoplankton blooms. When the nutrients are consumed, the phytoplankton die and sink to the bottom, where they are decomposed by bacteria that consume oxygen. This leads to the decreased levels of dissolved oxygen shown in the image.

Which of the following examples includes both a point and a nonpoint source of pollution? a. A factory smokestack and a sewage overflow b. Runoff from city streets and pesticides from agricultural fields c. Waste from animal feedlots and sediment from construction sites d. Fertilizer from suburban lawns and wastewater from a water treatment plant

d. Fertilizer from suburban lawns and wastewater from a water treatment plant Reason: Fertilizer runoff from suburban development is a nonpoint source because it originates from multiple sources. Wastewater from a water treatment plant is a direct source of pollution that comes from a single identifiable source.

Which of the following factors would most likely contribute to the conditions observed in the Long Island Sound? a. Overfishing b. Plastic pollution c. Sewage treatment d. Restricted circulation

d. Restricted circulation Reason: The enclosed shape of the sound could result in reduced circulation, meaning that oxygen-rich waters would not reach bottom waters where phytoplankton do not photosynthesize. The shape could also prevent water movement from increasing the amount of oxygen in the water. This is the most likely factor to contribute to the hypoxic conditions in the sound.

Cholera is an acute infection of the digestive system that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Infected individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and extreme thirst. If symptoms persist and severe dehydration results, an infected individual can die within hours of symptom onset. The diagram below shows how cholera is transmitted. Based on the diagram, which of the following is the most likely reason that a community with good sanitation could still have individuals who contract cholera? a. Disease transmission for cholera is through direct contact with infected individuals and is independent of sanitation conditions. b. V. cholerae grow rapidly in clear, moving water that has limited nutrients or wastes. c. Waste water treatment facilities that use high levels of chlorine to treat the outgoing municipal water supply have an increased risk of cholera outbreaks. d. Runoff from a nearby agricultural field pollutes a reservoir used for drinking water.

d. Runoff from a nearby agricultural field pollutes a reservoir used for drinking water. Reason: According to step 2 of the diagram, pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are common in agricultural runoff, would cause eutrophication in the reservoir. This could lead to an algal bloom, providing more food resources to any existing V. cholerae in the water and increasing its population size. If the water in the reservoir (with the bacteria) is used directly for drinking water, it could infect individuals in the community.

The graph below depicts the dose response curves for three common bacteria and a newly discovered bacterium found in streams near certain agricultural properties. Some drinking water standards allow bacteria in water at dosages up to the 10% probability of illness. Which of the following statements is best supported by the data in the graph? a. If there are fewer than 102102 colonies for all species in a drinking water sample, the water will be considered safe to drink. b. If C. jejuni is the only species of bacteria present in the drinking water sample, the water will be considered safe to drink at all doses. c. E. coli and Salmonella sppspp. would have the highest allowable dosage to meet the drinking water standards. d. The newly discovered bacterium would have the lowest allowable dosage to meet the drinking water standards.

d. The newly discovered bacterium would have the lowest allowable dosage to meet the drinking water standards. Reason: The newly discovered bacterium crosses 10% probability (0.1) at the lowest dose of all the bacterial species. Therefore, if drinking water standards are set by bacteria type, the newly discovered bacterium would have the lowest allowable dosage to meet the standards.

Approximately 60 percent of municipal solid waste in the United States is composed of some form of organic matter that could be composted. Every American generates approximately 2 kg of waste every day. The amount of compostable waste that could be generated by one individual in a week would be closest to a. 0.6 kg b. 1.2 kg c. 4.2 kg d. 6.0 kg e. 8.4 kg

e. 8.4 kg