Final Exam Review Flashcards
True or False: Aquifers are crystal clear pools of water that are mostly located near the earth’s surface that are generally contaminated with arsenic
False
When we draw water from an aquifer and there isn’t enough rainfall to replenish what we take out, this is known as what?
non-renewable water
This is how we describe the movement of water from the oceans to the air to the land and then returning to the ocean
hydrologic cycle
True or False: Most fecal coliform bacteria are harmless.
True
This compound is sometimes added by municipal water supplies to finished water to keep us healthy.
Fluoride
True or False: human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments, where we often spend 80-90% of our time, are much less important in terms of human health than outdoor pollutants.
False
This is the name of the system of describing air pollution levels that follows a letter grade and color coding system. It’s an effort by environmental agencies to convey knowledge on air pollution risk to the general public more effectively.
Air Quality Index
This is the name of the meteorological phenomena that traps air pollutants near the surface. It’s one of the contributing factors for events such as the London Fog disaster.
Inversion
Roughly what percentage of Americans live in areas where air quality exceeds federal standards?
50-60%
True or False: Roughly 8 million people die each year from air pollution
True
This is the name of the nasty hazardous liquid that needs to be continuously pumps from the bottom of a landfill.
Leachate
True or False: There are significant geographic differences across the United States in how we ultimately dispose of garbage
True
This is the formal name of the garbage that is produced by domestic producers, such as households, businesses, and governments.
municipal solid waste (MSW)
True or False: Incinerating garbage is used most often in locations where there is vast open space, such as in the western United States
False
In the US EPA solid waste heirarchy, this is the the preferred primary method in addressing solid waste.
source reduction
For the most part, the health impacts associated with climate will likely be
health effects will be heterogenous and disparate
True or False: For the most part, the span of specific vectors that might carry disease will likely not change with a changing climate.
False
This is the name of the young activist who brought climate change back into the political discussion through abrupt and direct language.
Greta Thunberg
To ensure the safety of all drinking water from the public water supply in the United States, standards are set by
The EPA
The hydrological cycle is defined as
The natural cycle by which water evaporates from water bodies
The average person in the United States uses up to 100 gallons of water per day. True or False?
True
To ensure the safety of all bottled drinking water in the United States, standards are set by
The FDA
The strategy used by Boston and New York cities to protect drinking water for their communities is
Watershed Protection
Water scarcity is defined as
An annual supply of renewable freshwater less than 1,000 cubic meters per person
What is the function of coagulation in water treatment?
Dirt and other particles suspended in water
True or False? About 51% of the world lacks safe drinking water.
False
All of the following statements are true regarding guinea worm disease EXCEPT:
The distribution of the guinea worm vaccine led to the decline of the disease
Which of these statements is FALSE regarding hydraulic fracturing
All chemicals used in fracking fluid are disclosed to the public
Which two countries are the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions?
China and the United States
The creation of aerosol particles denotes
Dust, soot, and other finely divided solid and liquid particles
The estimated global annual premature deaths from air pollution is
More than 3 million
As of 2010, the standard for carbon monoxide levels during an 8-hour period according to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards is
9 ppm
Identify the incorrect statement about the use of improperly vented indoor cooking stoves.
Expose women to high concentrations of pollen
Global warming is mostly due to all of the following except:
Normal variations in the earth’s temperature
One of the following is a major contributor to acid rain. Choose the appropriate answer.
SO2
One way to reduce man-made carbon monoxide pollution is to
Reduce emissions from mobile sources of air pollution
The average particle concentration in downtown Amherst is approximately 10 µg/m3. What do you think the particle concentration would be during rush hour right next to North Pleasant Street downtown?
About the same (approximately 10 µg/m3)
All of the following are true about the Air Quality Index except:
Only used to describe ozone concentrations
Which of the following regions does not have landfills as the most common choice for handling municipal solid waste?
Northeast
Hazardous waste is the
By-products of human activities that can pose a hazard to human health when improperly managed
Which of the following best describes a way septic systems can become hazardous?
They usually fail after a period of 20 to 30 years, polluting groundwater.
Leachate is best described as
Water that collects contaminants as it trickles through wastes
The advantages of recycling include
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Prevents water pollution
Preserves raw materials
Decreases burden on landfills
The Love Canal site
Was a notorious toxic waste site in New York State
Led to the creation of the Superfund
Was repopulated in the 1990s
Generated concerns about the health of residents who lived in the area
The term ‘recycling’ usually applies to all the following except
Throwing materials into a trash can
Which of the following are hazards associated with sanitary landfill operations?
Spreading of disease by scavenging animals
Leaching of nutrients into adjacent waterways
Air pollution
Release of VOCs
According to the EPA’s hazardous waste description, characteristic wastes are defined by having any of the following characteristics except:
Radioactivity
All sewage treatment plants discharging into surface waters in the United States must have what kind of permit?
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
