GEOL 120 - Final

Question 1

Geologic Definition of Soils

Answer 1

Earth material altered to support rooted plant life.

Question 2

Engineering Definition of Soils

Answer 2

Earth material removable without blasting.

Question 3

O Horizon

Answer 3

Mostly organic (brown/black).

Question 4

A Horizon

Answer 4

Organic materials and clay.

Question 5

E Horizon

Answer 5

Clay and less organics (transition layer).

Question 6

B Horizon

Answer 6

Ions precipitate to form new minerals (subsoil).

Question 7

C Horizon

Answer 7

Transition to substrate/bedrock.

Question 8

Zone of Leaching

Answer 8

Topsoil and transition layers (O, A, E).

Question 9

Zone of Accumulation

Answer 9

The B horizon

Question 10

Soil Color and Drainage

Answer 10

Well drained: red color due to iron oxidixing
Poorly drained: yellow color

Question 11

Soil Fertility

Answer 11

Capacity to support plant nutrients. Improved by adding organic matter, nutrients, and drainage systems.

Question 12

Hydraulic Conductivity

Answer 12

Ability of material to transmit fluids (permeability).

Question 13

Agricultural Soil Erosion

Answer 13

Caused by plowing, flooding, pestisides. removes topsoil, reducees fertility.

Question 14

Urbanization and Soil Erosion

Answer 14

Negatively affects soil duee to runoff and soil scraping.

Question 15

Urban Waste Disposal Problems

Answer 15

Increasing due to population growth

Question 16

Byproducts of Waste Incineration

Answer 16

Air pollutants and toxic ash residue

Question 17

Leachates

Answer 17

Water percolated through solid, transporting chemicals/bacteria.

Question 18

Sanitary Landfill Locations

Answer 18

Considers topography, groundwater, precipitation, soil, and proximity to sensitive areas.

Question 19

Love Canal Environmental Problem

Answer 19

Toxic chemicals surfaced due to heavy rain/snowfall.

Question 20

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Answer 20

Governs solid and hazardous waste disposal.

Question 21

Pros of Deep Well Disposal

Answer 21

Long-term operation, cost effective

Question 22

Cons of Deep Well Disposal

Answer 22

Risk of earthquakes, groundwater contamination

Question 23

Valuable Resource from Sanitary Landfills

Answer 23

Methane (natural gas)

Question 24

Industrial Ecoloy Concept

Answer 24

Aim for “zero waste” by mimicking natural ecosystems

Question 25

Limiting Liability for Contamination

Answer 25

Conducting environmental audits before purchasing real estate.

Question 26

London Smog Crisis

Answer 26

Industrial pollution, burning of coal.

Question 27

Atmosphere for Waste Disposal

Answer 27

Large, dynamic, fast-moving

Question 28

Sources of Air Pollution

Answer 28

Point, mobile, area, and fugitive sources

Question 29

Point Sources

Answer 29

Distinct location from which pollutants are discharged e.g pipes, smokestacks

Question 30

Mobile Sources

Answer 30

Emmisions from a mobile source e.g cars

Question 31

Area Sources

Answer 31

Pollution from multiple sources in a well-defined area e.g small urban communities

Question 32

Fugitive Source

Answer 32

Pollution from open areas exposed to wind processes e.g wildfires

Question 33

Examples of Secondary Pollutants

Answer 33

Ozone, sulfate, nitrate

Question 34

Major Sources and Effects of Sulfur Dioxide

Answer 34

Fossil fuels, industrial processes; corrosion, lung damage, acid rain

Question 35

Causes of Acid Rain

Answer 35

Chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides with water and oxygen

Question 36

Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide

Answer 36

Eye/throat irritation, smog, acid rain

Question 37

Atmospheric Inversions and Air Quality

Answer 37

Traps pollutants closer to the surface

Question 38

Photochemical/LA smog

Answer 38

Formed by complex reactions, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and solar radiation, related to automobile usage.

Question 39

Air Pollution Patterns

Answer 39

Worsen during afternoon-evening peak sun

Question 40

Radon Gas

Answer 40

Comes from soil, problematic in basements and first floors

Question 41

Blue Zone and Longevity Factors

Answer 41

Demographic/geographic areas with longer life spans; proximity to urban areas/highways.

Question 42

Life Span in the US

Answer 42

Shorter in south/southeast, longer in northeast/west coast/midwest.

Question 43

Well Being in the US

Answer 43

Better in west, average in northeast/west coast/southwest, lowest in midwest/south.

Question 44

Easter Island

Answer 44

environmental damage (extinction, deforestation) due to resistance to change

Question 45

Mayans

Answer 45

environmental damage (deforestation, soil erosion), climate change (droughts) hostile neighbors (chronic warfare), resistance to change (kings isolated from issues)

Question 46

Greenland Norse

Answer 46

environmental damage (deforestation, soil erosion), climate change (colder), hostile neighbors (military problems), changes in friendly trade partners (Europe cutoff), resistance to change (refused to adapt to changing times)

Question 47

Sustainability and Challenges

Answer 47

Equal access to resources for future generations; cost, politics, delayed recognition.

Question 48

Reasons for Societal Collapse

Answer 48

Environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, changes in friendly trade partners, and resistance to change (political, economic, social)