Science Final part 2 Flashcards
(103 cards)
1
Q
The environmental degradation of the copper basin, Tennessee region is the result of all of the following except:
a) destruction of nearby aquatic communities.
b) deforestation.
c) acid precipitation.
d) soil erosion.
e) All of these choices are associated with the environmental degradation of the Copper Basin area.
A
-all of these choices are associated with the environmental degradation of the copper basin area
2
Q
Phytoremediation is a process used to:
a)remove impurities from metal ores.
b) absorb toxic materials from the soil.
c) treat harmful gases produced by smelting.
d) neutralize acid mine drainage.
e) minimize erosion in open-pit mines.
A
Absorb toxic materials from the soil
3
Q
Dematerialization refers to
a) a company selling waste products to another company for a different use.
b) a decrease in the weight of products over time.
c) burning or otherwise destroying a product to reduce waste.
d) replacing one material in a product with a less expensive one.
e) recycling individual metals found in electronic products.
A
-a decrease in the weight of products over time
4
Q
Which of the following is used to separate impurities from molten metal?
a) tailings
b) phytoremediation
c) mine drainage
d) smelting
e) recycling
A
smelting
5
Q
Which of the following statements about wetlands is false?
A
creating and maintaining wetlands is an inexpensive solution to the problem of acid mine drainage.
6
Q
Mineral ___ have been identified and are currently profitable to extract, while mineral ____ include ores that are undiscovered or currently unprofitable to extract.
a) funds; collections
b) caches; refuges
c) resources; reserves
d) reserves; resources
e) stores; hoards
A
reserves; resources
7
Q
The environmental damage near Ducktown, Tennessee was caused by:
a) coal mining and ash ponds.
b) copper mining and smelting.
c) gold mining and smelting.
d) strip mining for diamonds.
e) open-pit mining for sand and gravel.
A
copper, mining, and smelting
8
Q
____ use a variety of instruments to locate valuable mineral deposits.
A
geologists
9
Q
The Safe Drinking Water Act and the Underground Injection Control Program regulate the placement and number of such wells, which can be located only where minimal danger of groundwater contamination exists.
True
False
A
true
10
Q
The Pollution Prevention Act (1990) was the first U.S. environmental law to focus on the reduced generation of pollutants at their point of origin
True
False
A
true
11
Q
Bioremediation is not the use of bacteria and other microorganisms to break down hazard
True
False
A
False
12
Q
Pesticides are typically organic compounds
True
False
A
true
13
Q
Hazardous waste includes dangerously reactive, corrosive, ignitable, or toxic chemicals
True
False
A
true
14
Q
Non-municipal solid waste is generated by industry, agriculture, and mining
True
False
A
true
15
Q
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is discarded by homes, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other commercial and institutional facilities. It is a relatively 50% of all the solid waste produced
True
False
A
false
16
Q
The U.S. generates more solid waste, per capita, than any other country (1.99 kg or 4.38 lbs. per person per day)
True
False
A
true
17
Q
Combustion of which of these fossil fuels is/are linked to global warming?
coal
natural gas
methane
oil
All of these
A
all of these
18
Q
Water:
is composed only of oxygen atoms.
is composed of two atoms of oxygen and one atom of hydrogen.
is composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
is composed of two atoms of helium and one atom of oxygen.
is composed only of hydrogen atoms.
A
is composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
19
Q
Saltwater intrusion can occur in coastal areas due to:
wetland degradation
subsidence
sinkhole formation
excessive groundwater pumping
larger or more frequent hurricanes
A
excessive groundwater pumping
20
Q
Hydrogen bonds describe the way:
an oxygen atom in a single molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom in an adjacent molecule
a hydrogen atom in one molecule is attracted to an oxygen atom in an adjacent molecule.
two hydrogen atoms in a single water molecule are attracted to one another
a hydrogen atom in a single molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom in that same molecule
a hydrogen atom in one molecule is attracted to a hydrogen atom in an adjacent molecule
A
a hydrogen atom in one molecule is attracted to an oxygen atom in an adjacent molecule.
21
Q
_______ are minerals that are usually malleable, good conductors of heat and electricity, and lustrous.
Low-grade ores
Phosphates
Metals
High-grade ores
Rocks
A
metals
22
Q
Negative environmental impacts from oil and natural gas production may occur due to:
accidental spills during transport
radical changes in the local topography
release of toxins
release of particulates into the atmosphere
release of acids
A
accidental spills during transport
23
Q
All of these factors are important in the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits except:
identification of core samples containing microfossils
association with remains of ancient forests
detection of structural traps
association with salt domes
location of the right rock layer
A
association with remains of ancient forests
24
Q
Which of these fossil fuels is composed primarily of methane?
oil
lignite
tar sands
natural gas
coal
A
natural gas
25
Which of these statements about coal is false?
Coal supplies about 20% of the energy used in the United States.
Which of these statements about coal is false?
Coal powered the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution
Coal produces far less SO2 than natural gas or oil
Subsurface mining accounts for about 40% of the coal mined in the U.S.
Coal produces far less SO2 than natural gas or oil
26
Combustion of which of these fossil fuels is/are linked to global warming?
coal
oil
methane
natural gas
All of these
All of these
27
Natural gas may be used in all of the following except:
generation of electricity
plastics and paints
transportation
cogeneration
commercial cooling
plastics and paints
28
What does the term “Peak Oil” refer to?
an environmentally friendly synthetic oil with much lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil
the point in time at which the maximum amount of oil is being pumped from underground
the time period during which international economies based on petroleum products arose
the time period during which oil refineries operate at their highest capacity
the time period during which the rate of oil use is highest
the point in time at which the maximum amount of oil is being pumped from underground
29
Today the world’s main energy source is
natural gas
nuclear
oil
coal
oil
30
Potential uses for calcium sulfate sludge, resulting from acid neutralization, include:
wallboard and soil conditioner
wallboard
soil conditioner
all of these
concrete
wallboard and soil conditioner
31
The energy released in the burning of biomass fuels:
originated as solar energy
All of these
was stored as chemical energy in plant tissues or animal waste products
was initially converted from solar energy to chemical energy by the process of
all of these
32
Growing crops specifically for alcohol production would probably result in:
All of these
increased soil erosion
increased pollution by fertilizers and pesticides
increased desertification
reduced food production
all of these
33
What is the role of the reactor core in a nuclear power plant?
it restricts atomic fallout to reduce contamination
it breaks large radioisotopes into smaller radioisotopes
it provides heat to superheat water into steam under pressure, which is used to generate electricity
it maintains one radioactive decay per second
it reacts chemically with high-energy particles rendering them inert
it provides heat to superheat water into steam under pressure, which is used to generate electricity
34
Estimates of mineral reserves are dependent upon:
a) technological changes.
b) economic changes.
c) political changes.
d) price fluctuations.
e) all of these statements are true
all of these statements are true
35
Tar sands, oil shales, and gas hydrates are examples of
a) fossil fuels
b) synfuels
c) evaporates
d) petrochemicals
e) strata
synfuels
36
The greatest increase in worldwide energy consumption in the last few years is related to:
a) American fascination with driving SUVs
b) Economic development in China and India
c) Use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture
d) Increase in population in Africa
e) Global warming
Economic development in China and India
37
China is quickly becoming a major player in the global market of oil consumption for all of these reasons except:
a) China has developed technology for converting coal into oil
b) China's economic growth is exploding
c) China's motor vehicle ownership per capita is increasing
d) China has a population of over 1 billion people
e) Mass transit primarily uses oil as a source of energy
China has developed technology for converting coal into oil
38
Based on the figure below, which region of the world has the third-largest oil deposits?
a) North America
b) Africa
c) Asia and Oceania
d) East Europe and former U.S.S.R.
e) South and Central America
East Europe and former U.S.S.R.
39
All of the following statements are true about surface mining except
a) It accounts for 60% of the coal mined in the United States
b) It is also known as strip mining
c) It is generally safer for miners than other coal mining processes
d) It is a less expensive mining process than subsurface mining
e) It is the most hazardous type of mining for workers
It is the most hazardous type of mining for workers
40
Which of the following fuels produces the greatest quantity of CO2 per unit of heat energy produced?
a) methane
b) natural gas
c) coal
d) oil
e) wood
coal
41
In areas experiencing acid precipitation, the pH of the rain may be
a) 2.1
b) 5.6
c) 7.0
d) 7.9
e) 11.9
2.1
42
Petrochemicals are used in the production of all of the following except:
a) paints
b) fertilizers
c) medicines
d) synthetic fibers
e) lightweight concrete
43
Identify the bacterial genus that shows promise in "biomining" of certain valuable minerals (i.e., copper).
a) Arctostaphylos
b) Thiobacillus
c) Rhizobium
d) Streptococcus
e) Marchantia
Thiobacillus
44
Provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
a) prohibit seabed mining in deep territorial waters.
b) apply only to international waters.
c) were developed primarily by the United States.
d) have been ratified by all countries that have oceanic borders.
e) None of these statements is correct.
apply only to international waters.
45
Which of the following statements about Antarctica is FALSE?
a) The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 limits activity in Antarctica to peaceful uses, such as tourism and research.
b) Polar regions are extremely vulnerable to human activities and impact.
c) Substantial mineral deposits have been found in Antarctica.
d) The Madrid Protocol contains a moratorium on mineral exploration and development for at least 50 years.
e) This continent plays a pivotal role in regulating many aspects of the global environment
Substantial mineral deposits have been found in Antarctica.
46
Large potato-sized nodules found on the sea floor contain manganese, copper, and nickel. What is the main reason these minerals have not been mined?
a) it would cost more to mine the minerals than they are currently worth
b) international agreements for seafloor mining do not yet exist
c) nobody is really sure where these nodules are located
d) the metals are of limited use and abundantly available elsewhere
e) none of these statements is correct
it would cost more to mine the minerals than they are currently worth
47
What is the difference between an ore and a rock?
a) ores contain a large concentration of a particular mineral; a rock may or may not be an ore
b) ores contain only metallic minerals; rocks contain only nonmetallic minerals
c) ores are always profitable to extract; rocks are never profitable to extract
d) ores are good conductors of heat and electricity; rocks are not good conductors of heat and electricity
e) ores are usually formed through hydrothermal processes; rocks are usually formed through sedimentation
ores contain a large concentration of a particular mineral; a rock may or may not be an ore
48
Which of the following best describes renewable energy resources?
A.They contribute only 70% as much greenhouse gases as fossil fuels do.
B.They currently supply 20% of the Earth's electricity.
C. They have been largely ignored by the Obama administration.
D. They are unsuitable for the economies of developing nations.
They currently supply 20% of the Earth's electricity
49
Which one of the following does not represent indirect solar energy?
A.Nuclear fission
B.Biomass
C.Hydroelectric
D.Windmills
Nuclear fission
50
One of the least promising non-fossil fuel energy sources is:
A.geothermal energy.
B.biomass energy.
C.wind power.
D.thermal-energy conversion in the oceans.
thermal-energy conversion in the oceans.
51
Which of the following techniques is used to identify structural traps that might contain oil and natural gas?
a) mining
b) watch plate tectonics
c) satellite imaging
d) drill test holes and obtain rock samples
e) watch plate tectonics and drill test holes and obtain rock samples
drill test holes and obtain rock samples
52
In fluidized-bed combustion of coal, what is mixed with coal to remove which major air pollutant?
a) sand; nitrogen oxides
b) limestone; carbon dioxide
c) sand; sulfur oxides
d) limestone; sulfur oxides
e) water; sulfur oxides
limestone; sulfur oxides
53
All of these factors are important in the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits except:
a) detection of structural traps
b) association with salt domes
c) association with remains of ancient forests
d) location of the right rock layer
e) identification of core samples containing microfossils
association with remains of ancient forests
54
Initially the Clean Air Act of 1990 required ___ of the nation's dirtiest coal burning plants to cut down on emissions
a) 50
b) 71
c) 111
d) 2300
e) 200
111
55
One of the most destructive types of surface mining for the land itself
a) is mountaintop removal using a dragline
b) is associated with the increased risk of black-lung disease in miners
c) is regulated by the guidelines of the 1977 Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
d) is most common in the western United States
e) involves replacement of the overburden that is first removed
is mountaintop removal using a dragline
56
Which of the following is associated with subsurface mining?
a) overburden
b) spoilbank
c) strip mining
d) reduced environmental problems
e) more complete removal of coal
reduced environmental problems
57
A thick, asphalt-like oil that permeates tar sands is:
a) overburden
b) bitumen
c) kerogen
d) gas hydrate
e) anhtracite
bitumen
58
Ice-encrusted energy reserves contained deep underground in porous rock are known as:
a) overburden
b) bitumen
c) kerogens
d) gas hydrates
e) anhtracite
gas hydrates
59
The process of Coal Liquefaction may be used to produce:
a) a nonalcohol liquid fuel
b) bitumen
c) kerogens
d) gas hydrates
e) anhtracite
a nonalcohol liquid fuel
60
All of the following are arguments against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge EXCEPT:
a) using domestic oil is only a short-term fix to energy problems in the United States
b) it will be financially impractical to restore lands developed for oil extraction
c) there is no nearby infrastructure to facilitate oil drilling
d) documented declines in populations of wolves and bears in nearby areas where drilling has occurred
e) oil extraction in Prudhoe Bay has been declining
there is no nearby infrastructure to facilitate oil drilling
61
The main cause(s) for deforestation in tropical areas is:
A) Suburban sprawl
B) Cattle ranching
C) Fires caused by drought
D) All of the above
E) None of the above
Cattle ranching
62
A logging practice in which all trees in a stand of forest are cut, leaving just the stumps is called
A) Substinence agriculture
B) Clear-cutting
C) Land-clearing
D) Selective cutting
E) None of the above
Clear-cutting
63
How much prime US farmland is lost each year to urbanization suburban sprawl?
A) 10,000 acres.
B) 100.000 acres.
C) 400,000 acres.
D) 750,000 acres.
E) 1,000,000 acres.
400,000 acres.
64
How much of the total land area is currently used for agriculture?
A) 3%
B) 12.6%
C) 28%
D) 36%
E) 71%
12.6%
65
The loss of wetlands is legislatively controlled by the section of the:
A) Emergency Wetlands Resource Act
B) the Clean Water Act
C) the Fish and Wildlife Service
D) the Food Security Act
E) None are correct
the Clean Water Act
66
Which of the following is not a commercial product of wetlands?
A) blueberries
B) cranberries
C) grapes
D) peat moss
E) wild rice
grapes
67
Conservation strategies that set aside ecosystems for preservation?
A) are the best way to preserve an area's diversity
B) increase the likelihood that a given ecosystem will be exploited
C) can only be carried out by government agencies
D) are impractical and not encouraged
are the best way to preserve an area's diversity
68
When an ecosystem faces critical geographic reduction or restriction, environmental degradation, or biotic degradation and or a combined quantified risk is classified as:
A) collapsed
B) critically endangered
C) vunerable
D) near threatened
E) endangered
critically endangered
69
Pinnacles National Park provides critical habitat for what endangered bird species?
A) California condor
B) Bald eagle
C) Scarlet tanager
D) Hooded warbler
California condor
70
Approximately how much of the world's total land area is considered unsuitable for long‐term human use?
A) 3%
B) 13%
C) 30%
D) 58%
E) 71%
30%
71
All of the following are benefits of coastal wetlands except:
a. improved water quality
b. produce important commercial products
c. reduced flooding through their ability to hold excess water
d. provide habitat for endangered species
e. reduce impact of ozone depletion
reduce impact of ozone depletion
72
The natural or human-induced process that decreases the future ability of the land to support crops or livestock is known as:
a. desertification
b. clear-cutting
c. undergrazing
d. overgrazing
e. land degradation
land degradation
73
Forests:
a. promote soil erosion
b. release large amounts of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere
c. maintain watersheds
d. fix large amounts of oxygen, removing it from the atmosphere
e. provide habitat for few animal species
maintain watersheds
74
Tropical dry forests are being destroyed largely due to demand for:
a. pharmaceutical products
b. industrial wood and wood fiber
c. mining ores
d. food
e. fuel
fuel
75
A legal agreement that protects privately owned forests or other property from development for a specified number of years is termed:
a. a sanctuary deed
b. a public rangeland
c. a habitat right of way
d. a conservation easement
e. an ecosystem lien
a conservation easement
76
An ecological simplification in which only one type of plant is cultivated over a large area is called a:
a. single species standard
b. natural regulation
c. wildlife corridor
d. wise-use move
e. monoculture
monoculture
77
Which of the following statements regarding trees and climate change is true?
a. the process of photosynthesis removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere
b. trees take greenhouse gases and turn them into CO2, an important compound for many living organisms
c. there is much more carbon stored in trees than there is in the atmosphere
d. the oxygen produced by trees helps to moderate climate change
e. when trees act as carbon "sinks," they accelerate climate change
the process of photosynthesis removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere
78
According to recent climate projections, how is Amazonia likely to be affected by deforestation?
a) Rainfall will decrease.
b). Temperatures will increase due to a negative feedback loop between forest cover, drought, and air temperature.
c). Drought frequency could increase forest loss.
d). All of these
e). a and c
a and c
79
Habitat corridors are intended to provide:
a. a means for controlling insect pests and invasive species
b. increased timber production
c. opportunities for larger animals to establish larger territories
d. further habitat fragmentation
e. increased species richness within forest monocultures
opportunities for larger animals to establish larger territories
80
Which of the following statements about rangelands is true?
a. Rangelands can benefit from overgrazing by cattle since it may actually increase the plant diversity
b. Rangelands have native grasses with fibrous root systems that can survive extended periods of drought
c. Rangelands are valuable for food production but yield no other economically valuable resources
d. About 10% of the human population lives in rangelands that border deserts
e. Rangelands are found in temperate regions, but not in tropical climates
Rangelands have native grasses with fibrous root systems that can survive extended periods of drought
81
What is the relationship of overgrazing to desertification?
a. Overgrazing is brought about by cattle; desertification is brought about by temperature
b. Overgrazing is the destruction of vegetation; desertification is the destruction of a desert ecosystem
c. Overgrazing is caused by too fertile rangeland; desertification is caused by too fertile agricultural land
d. Overgrazing results in barren exposed soil; if erosion continues, it contributes to desertification
e. Overgrazing is a synonym for desertification
Overgrazing results in barren exposed soil; if erosion continues, it contributes to desertification
82
The decline in genetic diversity within a given variety of crop plant results in loss of:
all of these choices are correct
size variations
nutritional differences
color variations
flavor differences
All are correct
83
Which of the following crops has not been significantly improved by the green revolution?
rice
sweet potatoes
potatoes
wheat
corn
sweet potatoes
84
From the farmer's field to the kitchen table, which section of the conventional "food pipeline" contributes the most greenhouse gases?
marketing
transportation
food production
packaging
home storage
food production
85
Which of the following is/are currently used to increase livestock yields in industrialized countries?
using genetically engineered foodstuffs
administering antibiotics and hormones
implementing integrated pest management
maintaining a wide variety of genetically diverse livestock
increasing use of nomadic herding
administering antibiotics and hormones
implementing integrated pest management
86
In the future, all of the following factors are likely to contribute to an increased demand for rice, corn and wheat EXCEPT:
increased use of crop plants to produce biofuels
increasing affluence
increasing demand for meat
migration away from productive growing areas
increased population size
migration away from productive growing areas
87
Which of the following is not an environmental problem associated with industrialized agriculture?
release of antioxidants
soil erosion
habitat loss
depletion of freshwater resources
disposal of livestock wastes
release of antioxidants
88
GM (genetically modified) crops and foods:
-all of these choices are correct
-may have higher nutritional value than the original product
-may produce unexpected allergic reactions in some consumers
-may be resistant to pests, diseases, and stressful (weather)/climate conditions
-have been largely banned by the European Union
all of these choices are correct
89
All of the following are subsistence agriculture practices except:
intercropping
high-input agriculture
nomadic herding
slash-and-burn agriculture
shifting cultivation
high-input agriculture
90
The two atmospheric gases most important to humans and other organisms are:
A. oxygen and argon
B. carbon dioxide and nitrogen
C. carbon dioxide and oxygen
D. hydrogen and oxygen
carbon dioxide and oxygen
91
The most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere is:
A. oxygen
B. carbon dioxide
C. nitrogen.
D. hydrogen.
nitrogen.
92
Temperature inversions:
A. all of these choices are correct
B. typically last for weeks at a time.
C. cause gases and particulate matter to remain trapped near the ground.
D. occur when air a layer of warm air is trapped near the ground by a colder, upper layer.
cause gases and particulate matter to remain trapped near the ground.
93
Industrial smog:
A. caused thousands of deaths in London.
B. is much worse in the summer months.
C. is formed from chemical reactions involving sunlight and hydrocarbons.
D. was first described in Los Angeles.
caused thousands of deaths in London.
94
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water to produce:
A. sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
B. ozone.
C. carbonic acid and hydrochloric acid.
D. hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid.
sulfuric acid and nitric acid
95
Forest decline can be caused by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. insects
B. lead
C. acid deposition
D. radon
radon
96
Urban areas receive less sunlight than rural areas, partly as a result of greater quantities of __________ in the air.
A. ozone
B. hydrocarbons
C. nitrogen oxides
D. particulate matter
particulate matter
97
Mexico City has attempted to improve its air quality by:
A. increasing gas exports to the United States.
B. switching to all hybrid vehicles.
C. prohibiting smoking in public areas.
D. replacing buses and taxis with a clean, non-polluting mass transit system
replacing buses and taxis with a clean, non-polluting mass transit system
98
All of the following affect ozone-related air quality in Southern California except:
A. lead.
B. sunlight.
C. hydrocarbons.
D. high temperatures.
lead
99
Air pollution is a greater health threat to children than adults because:
a. children need more oxygen than adults.
b. children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.
c. children have a higher metabolic rate than adults.
d. children's lungs are still developing.
e. All of the above
all of the above
100
Clay content is particularly important in soil because high-clay soils:
a) provide excellent drainage
b) have large surface areas that can "hold" mineral ions for plant use
c) contain abundant oxygen
d) are ideal for most agricultural crops
e) are easy to till for agriculture
have large surface areas that can "hold" mineral ions for plant use
101
Loam:
a) contains about 40% each of sand and silt.
b) is an ideal agricultural soil.
c) has good aeration and drainage.
d) has a medium ability to hold nutrients and water.
e) All of these choices are correct
All of these choices are correct
102
A(n) __________ is a type of soil that forms in temperate deciduous forests, has a highly leached A-horizon, and must be fertilized if cleared for farmland.
a) mollisol.
b) oxisol.
c) aridisol.
d) alfisol.
e) spodosol.
alfisol.
103
Which of the following authorized the formation of the Soil Conservation Service (now called the
Natural Resources Conservation Service)?
a) Hugh H. Bennett
b) Soil Conservation Act of 1935
c) Food Security Act (Farm Bill) of 1985
d) The Conservation Reserve Program
e) Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act (Farm Bill) of 1996
Soil Conservation Act of 1935
