Question 1

Define atmospheric deposition in general and explain the causes and effects of acidic deposition.

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric deposition refers to the wet or dry deposition of a wide variety of pollutants, including mercury, nitrates, organochlorines, and many others. Acidic deposition refers to the deposition of acidic or acid-forming pollutants. This can take place either by precipitation (primarily acid rain, but also including acid snow, sleet, and hail), by fog, by gases, or by the deposition of dry particles. Acidic deposition originates primarily with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, pollutants produced largely through fossil fuel combustion by automobiles, electric utilities, and industrial facilities. Once emitted into the troposphere, these pollutants can react with water, oxygen, and oxidants to produce compounds of low pH. Droplets of these acids may travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers. Acidic deposition can have wide-ranging, cumulative detrimental effects on ecosystems and on our built environment. It leaches basic minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the soil, changing soil chemistry and harming plants and soil organisms. Streams, rivers, and lakes may become significantly acidified from runoff. Some forests in eastern North America have experienced widespread tree dieback from these conditions. Acidic precipitation also may damage stone buildings, eat away at cars, and erase the writing from tombstones.

Question 2

The Coriolis effect _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  is caused by the moon 
B)  is caused by Earthʹs rotational forces 
C)  keeps the wind circulating at constant speed around the planet 
D)  keeps Earth from spinning too fast 
E)  results in ice and dark at the poles in winter 
A)  is caused by the moon 
B)  is caused by Earthʹs rotational forces 
C)  keeps the wind circulating at constant speed around the planet 
D)  keeps Earth from spinning too fast 
E)  results in ice and dark at the poles in winter B

Question 3

The Coriolis effect contributes to _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  a reduction in eutrophication 
B)  global wind patterns 
C)  increased acidic deposition 
D)  global warming 
E)  an increase in eutrophication 
A)  a reduction in eutrophication 
B)  global wind patterns 
C)  increased acidic deposition 
D)  global warming 
E)  an increase in eutrophication B

Question 4

Air near Earthʹs surface tends to be _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler and wetter; then it rises, is warmed by the sun, and sinks again 
B)  warmer and drier; then it rises, condensing and gathering moisture 
C)  warmer and wetter; then it rises, expanding and cooling 
D)  warmer; it rises as it is displaced by Coriolis forces 
E)  cooler and drier; it rises when it is displaced by sinking warm air 
A)  cooler and wetter; then it rises, is warmed by the sun, and sinks again 
B)  warmer and drier; then it rises, condensing and gathering moisture 
C)  warmer and wetter; then it rises, expanding and cooling 
D)  warmer; it rises as it is displaced by Coriolis forces 
E)  cooler and drier; it rises when it is displaced by sinking warm air

Question 5

If all of the stratospheric ozone suddenly disappeared,_________________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  insects would be the only organisms to survive 
B)  Earthʹs surface would warm considerably 
C)  there would be a dramatic decrease in skin cancers 
D)  most life on Earth would cease to exist because of the amount of UV radiation penetrating the atmosphere 
E)  plants would flourish 
A)  insects would be the only organisms to survive 
B)  Earthʹs surface would warm considerably 
C)  there would be a dramatic decrease in skin cancers 
D)  most life on Earth would cease to exist because of the amount of UV radiation penetrating the atmosphere 
E)  plants would flourish

Question 6

Use the figure above to answer the following question
-At least for the stratosphere,______________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  ozone appears to be evenly distributed at all altitudes 
B)  increases of temperature and ozone levels are strongly correlated 
C)  temperature continues to decrease with altitude as in the troposphere 
D)  the average temperature is much lower than for the troposphere 
E)  temperature and ozone concentration are inversely correlated 
A)  ozone appears to be evenly distributed at all altitudes 
B)  increases of temperature and ozone levels are strongly correlated 
C)  temperature continues to decrease with altitude as in the troposphere 
D)  the average temperature is much lower than for the troposphere 
E)  temperature and ozone concentration are inversely correlated

Question 7

Which of the following is a consequence of acidic deposition?

Accepted Answer

A)  It leaches out important minerals from soils and causes a loss of biodiversity. 
B)  It increases the likelihood of low-lying ground fogs. 
C)  It results in offshore eutrophication, damaging coral reefs. 
D)  It creates rainwater that can damage skin cells or cause cancers. 
E)  It is increasing the rate of global warming. 
A)  It leaches out important minerals from soils and causes a loss of biodiversity. 
B)  It increases the likelihood of low-lying ground fogs. 
C)  It results in offshore eutrophication, damaging coral reefs. 
D)  It creates rainwater that can damage skin cells or cause cancers. 
E)  It is increasing the rate of global warming.

Question 8

The largest portion of atmospheric gases is _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  argon 
B)  ozone 
C)  sulfur 
D)  oxygen 
E)  nitrogen 
A)  argon 
B)  ozone 
C)  sulfur 
D)  oxygen 
E)  nitrogen

Question 9

Water soluble sulfur and nitrogen oxides produced by burning fossil fuels can be removed from an industrial source by _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  catalytic converters 
B)  planting large groves of trees nearby 
C)  removing the sulfur and nitrogen before combustion of fuels 
D)  filtration 
E)  wet scrubbers 
A)  catalytic converters 
B)  planting large groves of trees nearby 
C)  removing the sulfur and nitrogen before combustion of fuels 
D)  filtration 
E)  wet scrubbers

Question 10

You have been hired by a rapidly growing small city to improve the air quality, which has deteriorated in the past 10 years. Your first suggestion is to _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  improve transportation options, including carpool lanes, buses, and light rail 
B)  move or close the cattle feed lots near the river 
C)  remove the hydroelectric dam on the river 
D)  investigate the large city downwind whose factories produce large amounts of pollution 
E)  decrease the amount of CFCs used locally 
A)  improve transportation options, including carpool lanes, buses, and light rail 
B)  move or close the cattle feed lots near the river 
C)  remove the hydroelectric dam on the river 
D)  investigate the large city downwind whose factories produce large amounts of pollution 
E)  decrease the amount of CFCs used locally

Question 11

When coal or oil are burned, some part of it is completely combusted, forming CO2; another part is partially combusted, forming CO (carbon monoxide); and some remains unburned and is released as soot. Along with sulfur dioxide, these are the main components of _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  ozone 
B)  particulates 
C)  industrial smog 
D)  photochemical smog 
E)  CFCs 
A)  ozone 
B)  particulates 
C)  industrial smog 
D)  photochemical smog 
E)  CFCs

Question 12

The Montreal Protocol _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  developed the international treaty for eliminating radon emissions from nuclear power plants 
B)  resulted in significant reduction in the production of CFCs by signatory nations 
C)  addressed transnational movement of acid-forming pollutants 
D)  developed the framework for reduction of carbon dioxide in the United States and Canada 
E)  is an example of a failed attempt to reduce international air pollution 
A)  developed the international treaty for eliminating radon emissions from nuclear power plants 
B)  resulted in significant reduction in the production of CFCs by signatory nations 
C)  addressed transnational movement of acid-forming pollutants 
D)  developed the framework for reduction of carbon dioxide in the United States and Canada 
E)  is an example of a failed attempt to reduce international air pollution

Question 13

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
Thousands of young families moved ʺover the hillsʺ and into the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, after World War II. New neighborhoods were springing up, replacing orange groves and open space; roads and schools quickly sprang into existence, trying to keep pace with the rapid population growth. Ringed by beautiful mountains, the entire Los Angeles basin looked like a new, green, sun-filled paradise to the families seeking a fresh start. In the early 1950s, one of the common family chores in Los Angeles was to carry the trash out to the stone incinerator behind the garage where each family burned all of their dry trash. ʺWetʺ garbage was collected and taken to a city dump, where it was burned by the city. Everyone throughout the city either used an incinerator or burned things in an open trash pile; there were over 400,000 backyard trash incinerators. On warm afternoons, eyes would sometimes sting and burn. People would stop, close their eyes, and let the cleansing tears refresh irritated eyes. They accepted this as a normal part of life in sunny California.
-In the mid-1950s, a researcher in Los Angeles was able to create smog by setting up a large, clear chamber and using it to expose auto exhaust to sunlight. He was demonstrating _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  photochemical reactions 
B)  point source pollution 
C)  non-point source pollution 
D)  the cause of acidic deposition 
E)  the cause of ozone depletion 
A)  photochemical reactions 
B)  point source pollution 
C)  non-point source pollution 
D)  the cause of acidic deposition 
E)  the cause of ozone depletion

Question 14

Bacteria and fungal spores can be included as _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  VOCs and POPs 
B)  the cause of high pesticide use in the home 
C)  problems in degrading the ozone layer 
D)  sources of radon in the home 
E)  components of ʺsick-building syndromeʺ 
A)  VOCs and POPs 
B)  the cause of high pesticide use in the home 
C)  problems in degrading the ozone layer 
D)  sources of radon in the home 
E)  components of ʺsick-building syndromeʺ

Question 15

One of the problems that occur as a consequence of CFC pollution is _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  movement of toxins into lakes and rivers, which poisons fish 
B)  respiratory irritation and lung cancer 
C)  eutrophication 
D)  damage to human red blood cells 
E)  increasing skin cancer in humans 
A)  movement of toxins into lakes and rivers, which poisons fish 
B)  respiratory irritation and lung cancer 
C)  eutrophication 
D)  damage to human red blood cells 
E)  increasing skin cancer in humans

Question 16

In developed countries, the two most deadly sources of indoor pollution are _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  synthetic furniture materials and radiation from electronic equipment 
B)  radon and cigarette smoke 
C)  pesticides and cleaning agents 
D)  radiation from electronic equipment and pesticides 
E)  pesticides and cigarette smoke 
A)  synthetic furniture materials and radiation from electronic equipment 
B)  radon and cigarette smoke 
C)  pesticides and cleaning agents 
D)  radiation from electronic equipment and pesticides 
E)  pesticides and cigarette smoke

Question 17

Photochemical smog differs from industrial smog in that it _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  has large quantities of soot 
B)  is formed only in the presence of sunlight 
C)  is primarily composed of carbon monoxide 
D)  is an unhealthy mixture of pollutants 
E)  consists of primary pollutants 
A)  has large quantities of soot 
B)  is formed only in the presence of sunlight 
C)  is primarily composed of carbon monoxide 
D)  is an unhealthy mixture of pollutants 
E)  consists of primary pollutants

Question 18

The primary causes of acid deposition are _________________

Accepted Answer

A)  sulfur and nitrogen oxides 
B)  soil dust and sand 
C)  carbon monoxide and formaldehyde 
D)  radon gas and fuel wood smoke 
E)  tropospheric ozone 
A)  sulfur and nitrogen oxides 
B)  soil dust and sand 
C)  carbon monoxide and formaldehyde 
D)  radon gas and fuel wood smoke 
E)  tropospheric ozone

Question 19

Ozone in the _________________ is important for absorbing and scattering much of the UV radiation coming into Earthʹs atmosphere from the sun.

Accepted Answer

A)  troposphere 
B)  thermosphere 
C)  stratosphere 
D)  mesosphere 
E)  clouds 
A)  troposphere 
B)  thermosphere 
C)  stratosphere 
D)  mesosphere 
E)  clouds

Question 20

Why is indoor pollution still such a large problem? What are the most dangerous indoor pollutants in developing and developed nations?

Accepted Answer

Indoor air pollution was not recognized

Define atmospheric deposition in general and explain the causes and effects of acidic deposition.

The Coriolis effect _________________

The Coriolis effect contributes to _________________

Air near Earthʹs surface tends to be _________________

If all of the stratospheric ozone suddenly disappeared,_________________ .

Use the figure above to answer the following question -At least for the stratosphere,______________ .

Which of the following is a consequence of acidic deposition?

The largest portion of atmospheric gases is _________________.

Water soluble sulfur and nitrogen oxides produced by burning fossil fuels can be removed from an industrial source by _________________.

You have been hired by a rapidly growing small city to improve the air quality, which has deteriorated in the past 10 years. Your first suggestion is to _________________

When coal or oil are burned, some part of it is completely combusted, forming CO2; another part is partially combusted, forming CO (carbon monoxide); and some remains unburned and is released as soot. Along with sulfur dioxide, these are the main components of _________________.

The Montreal Protocol _________________

Bacteria and fungal spores can be included as _________________

One of the problems that occur as a consequence of CFC pollution is _________________

In developed countries, the two most deadly sources of indoor pollution are _________________

Photochemical smog differs from industrial smog in that it _________________

The primary causes of acid deposition are _________________

Ozone in the _________________ is important for absorbing and scattering much of the UV radiation coming into Earthʹs atmosphere from the sun.

Why is indoor pollution still such a large problem? What are the most dangerous indoor pollutants in developing and developed nations?

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Epilogue

Filters

Exam 13: Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Define atmospheric deposition in general and explain the causes and effects of acidic deposition.

The Coriolis effect _________________

The Coriolis effect contributes to _________________

Air near Earthʹs surface tends to be _________________

If all of the stratospheric ozone suddenly disappeared,_________________ .

Use the figure above to answer the following question -At least for the stratosphere,______________ .

Which of the following is a consequence of acidic deposition?

The largest portion of atmospheric gases is _________________.

Water soluble sulfur and nitrogen oxides produced by burning fossil fuels can be removed from an industrial source by _________________.

You have been hired by a rapidly growing small city to improve the air quality, which has deteriorated in the past 10 years. Your first suggestion is to _________________

When coal or oil are burned, some part of it is completely combusted, forming CO2; another part is partially combusted, forming CO (carbon monoxide); and some remains unburned and is released as soot. Along with sulfur dioxide, these are the main components of _________________.

The Montreal Protocol _________________

Bacteria and fungal spores can be included as _________________

One of the problems that occur as a consequence of CFC pollution is _________________

In developed countries, the two most deadly sources of indoor pollution are _________________

Photochemical smog differs from industrial smog in that it _________________

The primary causes of acid deposition are _________________

Ozone in the _________________ is important for absorbing and scattering much of the UV radiation coming into Earthʹs atmosphere from the sun.

Why is indoor pollution still such a large problem? What are the most dangerous indoor pollutants in developing and developed nations?

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Epilogue

Filters