Pollution - AP Environmental Science
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Small fish eating bacteria and phytoplankton, which both contain relatively high levels of mercury, is an example of:
Small fish eating bacteria and phytoplankton, which both contain relatively high levels of mercury, is an example of:
When small fish eat bacteria and phytoplankton which contain relatively high levels of mercury, they accumulate the mercury into their tissues. This describes the process of bioaccumulation.
When small fish eat bacteria and phytoplankton which contain relatively high levels of mercury, they accumulate the mercury into their tissues. This describes the process of bioaccumulation.
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Smog is primarily made up of __________.
Smog is primarily made up of __________.
Ozone is created when sunlight reacts with nitrous oxides and other pollutants, many of which originate from gasoline vapors, combustion products, etc. It is harmful when breathed. On hot days, some metropolitan areas issue smog warnings.
Ozone is created when sunlight reacts with nitrous oxides and other pollutants, many of which originate from gasoline vapors, combustion products, etc. It is harmful when breathed. On hot days, some metropolitan areas issue smog warnings.
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This pollutant is not easily excreted. Accumulations of this pollutant in the body can affect the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. The largest concentrations of this pollutant are found near battery plants and smelters.
This pollutant is not easily excreted. Accumulations of this pollutant in the body can affect the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. The largest concentrations of this pollutant are found near battery plants and smelters.
Lead, a heavy metal, accumulates in the body. Children are especially susceptible to airborne lead. Iron, also a metal, can be problematic in large quantities, but is also necessary in extremely small amounts for proper function.
Lead, a heavy metal, accumulates in the body. Children are especially susceptible to airborne lead. Iron, also a metal, can be problematic in large quantities, but is also necessary in extremely small amounts for proper function.
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Acidification of lake and reservoir surface waters is caused by what type of pollutants?
Acidification of lake and reservoir surface waters is caused by what type of pollutants?
Air pollutants from power plants/other industrial plants, as well as car emissions, cause acid rain and surface water acidification. Though water pollution is of concern, it is important ot note that air pollutants impact water as well as the air.
Air pollutants from power plants/other industrial plants, as well as car emissions, cause acid rain and surface water acidification. Though water pollution is of concern, it is important ot note that air pollutants impact water as well as the air.
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Which of the following is not a type of water pollution?
Which of the following is not a type of water pollution?
Water can be polluted and unusable due to the presence of toxic chemicals, sediments, nutrient pollution, diseases and/or pathogens, as well as thermal pollution.
Water can be polluted and unusable due to the presence of toxic chemicals, sediments, nutrient pollution, diseases and/or pathogens, as well as thermal pollution.
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Carbon monoxide limits oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues. 95% of carbon monoxide emissions in cities comes from __________.
Carbon monoxide limits oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues. 95% of carbon monoxide emissions in cities comes from __________.
Only 5% of carbon monoxide in cities does not originate from car exhaust. Though industrial facilities are a major concern as a source of pollution, regarding carbon monoxide specifically, automobiles have a much higher impact.
Only 5% of carbon monoxide in cities does not originate from car exhaust. Though industrial facilities are a major concern as a source of pollution, regarding carbon monoxide specifically, automobiles have a much higher impact.
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This pollutant is typically credited for promoting dental health, but in water in high quantities, health impacts include yellowing teeth and spinal cord damage.
This pollutant is typically credited for promoting dental health, but in water in high quantities, health impacts include yellowing teeth and spinal cord damage.
Fluoride in high doses is extremely problematic, making it a concerning pollutant. It is extremely prevalent in products used in dental health. Because these are products that are generally washed away, fluoride is of special concern as a water pollutant.
Fluoride in high doses is extremely problematic, making it a concerning pollutant. It is extremely prevalent in products used in dental health. Because these are products that are generally washed away, fluoride is of special concern as a water pollutant.
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Excessive fertilizer use creates abundances of __________ in soil and groundwater.
Excessive fertilizer use creates abundances of __________ in soil and groundwater.
Nitrates, a form of nitrogen, are a severe problem in drinking water that has been contaminated with fertilizers. Sewage and fertilizer often go hand in hand from agricultural areas. Arsenic and chlorine are concerning pollutants, but generally not present due to fertilizer use.
Nitrates, a form of nitrogen, are a severe problem in drinking water that has been contaminated with fertilizers. Sewage and fertilizer often go hand in hand from agricultural areas. Arsenic and chlorine are concerning pollutants, but generally not present due to fertilizer use.
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Which author first brought the issue of bioaccumulation into the public's eye?
Which author first brought the issue of bioaccumulation into the public's eye?
Rachel Carson's novel Silent Spring brought widespread attention to the damage of bioaccumulation in ecosystems. Her outcry against the dangerous chemical DDT (dichlorophenyltrichloroethane) was the first to display the issues associated with large-scale pesticide use. Al Gore's work concerned global warming and the other answer choices are more associated with historical events rather than environmental ones.
Rachel Carson's novel Silent Spring brought widespread attention to the damage of bioaccumulation in ecosystems. Her outcry against the dangerous chemical DDT (dichlorophenyltrichloroethane) was the first to display the issues associated with large-scale pesticide use. Al Gore's work concerned global warming and the other answer choices are more associated with historical events rather than environmental ones.
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Why is acid rain so harmful to marine species?
Why is acid rain so harmful to marine species?
"Acid shock" typically occurs during the spring time, when snow (which has retained and accumulated pollutants) begins to melt and runoff into lakes and rivers. Another detrimental effect of acid shock occurs during the spawning/developing stages of aquatic animals. For example, some salamanders and frogs prefer to lay eggs in "vernal pools", or temporary puddles of water only present in the spring. Acid shock can cause these pools to become too acidic; the eggs cannot properly develop, and they die off.
"Acid shock" typically occurs during the spring time, when snow (which has retained and accumulated pollutants) begins to melt and runoff into lakes and rivers. Another detrimental effect of acid shock occurs during the spawning/developing stages of aquatic animals. For example, some salamanders and frogs prefer to lay eggs in "vernal pools", or temporary puddles of water only present in the spring. Acid shock can cause these pools to become too acidic; the eggs cannot properly develop, and they die off.
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Which definition best describes the process of eutrophication?
Which definition best describes the process of eutrophication?
The algal blooms that result from agricultural runoff do not consume oxygen when they are living. The resulting die-off from overcrowding and lack of sunlight availability and decomposition process is what consumes oxygen in the ecosystem, causing fish to suffocate.
It is also important to recognize that hypoxia is the result of insufficient oxygen in the ecosystem, while hyperoxia is when there is too much oxygen. (Consider the meanings of the prefixes "hypo-" and "hyper-".)
The algal blooms that result from agricultural runoff do not consume oxygen when they are living. The resulting die-off from overcrowding and lack of sunlight availability and decomposition process is what consumes oxygen in the ecosystem, causing fish to suffocate.
It is also important to recognize that hypoxia is the result of insufficient oxygen in the ecosystem, while hyperoxia is when there is too much oxygen. (Consider the meanings of the prefixes "hypo-" and "hyper-".)
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Which of the following most accurately describes the dominant theme of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring?
Which of the following most accurately describes the dominant theme of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring?
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring focused primarily on the widespread application of pesticides, the lack of government regulation of said pesticides (especially DDT), and their negative impacts on bird populations (i.e. songbirds that were at risk and would result in a spring lacking their songs). The book challenged industry claims that downplayed toxicity of their products and triggered a grassroots environmental movement that helped create the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring focused primarily on the widespread application of pesticides, the lack of government regulation of said pesticides (especially DDT), and their negative impacts on bird populations (i.e. songbirds that were at risk and would result in a spring lacking their songs). The book challenged industry claims that downplayed toxicity of their products and triggered a grassroots environmental movement that helped create the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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In the United States, garbage—municipal solid waste—most commonly exists in which of the following forms?
In the United States, garbage—municipal solid waste—most commonly exists in which of the following forms?
As of 2013, paper products made up 27 percent of the United States' municipal solid waste.
As of 2013, paper products made up 27 percent of the United States' municipal solid waste.
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Reducing the occurrence or frequency of a disaster or issues is best defined as?
Reducing the occurrence or frequency of a disaster or issues is best defined as?
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
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The clean up of chemical in a polluted area is representative of which kind of sustainability effort?
The clean up of chemical in a polluted area is representative of which kind of sustainability effort?
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
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Efforts to sustain a susceptible environment or organisms population most closely resembles which kind of human ecological action?
Efforts to sustain a susceptible environment or organisms population most closely resembles which kind of human ecological action?
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
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Efforts to reclaim a dry riverbed into a flowing source of water is an example of what kind of human ecological action?
Efforts to reclaim a dry riverbed into a flowing source of water is an example of what kind of human ecological action?
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
Mitigation is defined as actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of natural disasters and damage to an environment. Restoration is the renewal of an environment or ecosystem after it has been almost or completely destroyed. Preservation is a collection of efforts aimed at sustaining a vulnerable or unstable ecosystem. Remediation is often the clean up or removal of contaminants from an environment.
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It's known that pollution can have negative impacts on human health, economics, and ecological communities. Which of the following is not an effect of pollution?
It's known that pollution can have negative impacts on human health, economics, and ecological communities. Which of the following is not an effect of pollution?
The correct response is biodiversity conservation . Pollution alters ecological communities by adding harmful chemicals, substances, and abiotic factors into the environment. This has a negative effect on biodiversity - not a positive effect. Thus, we would not except for species to be conserved in a region with pollution. We know that pollution can lead to acid rain, contaminated water, and ozone depletion so those answer choices are incorrect.
The correct response is biodiversity conservation . Pollution alters ecological communities by adding harmful chemicals, substances, and abiotic factors into the environment. This has a negative effect on biodiversity - not a positive effect. Thus, we would not except for species to be conserved in a region with pollution. We know that pollution can lead to acid rain, contaminated water, and ozone depletion so those answer choices are incorrect.
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What is a potential result of fertilizer runoff into streams and rivers?
What is a potential result of fertilizer runoff into streams and rivers?
Fertilizer runoff can cause eutrophication, where nutrient-enriched freshwater mixes with saltwater and causes huge algal bloom, such as red tide. These can be toxic to both ocean organisms and to humans.
Fertilizer runoff can cause eutrophication, where nutrient-enriched freshwater mixes with saltwater and causes huge algal bloom, such as red tide. These can be toxic to both ocean organisms and to humans.
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Which of the following is the dominant source of the pollutant 
?
Which of the following is the dominant source of the pollutant
Coal deposits often contain high levels of sulfur compounds that are emitted into the atmosphere when combusted. Much of this could be abated with clean coal technology.
Coal deposits often contain high levels of sulfur compounds that are emitted into the atmosphere when combusted. Much of this could be abated with clean coal technology.
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