Question 1

In a municipal wastewater treatment plant, the primary treatment step includes .

Accepted Answer

A)  chlorinating the sewage 
B)  stirring the sewage to increase oxidation 
C)  letting sewage sit in large settling tanks so suspended solids can settle out 
D)  adding bacteria to the sewage 
E)  micro -filtering the sewage 
A)  chlorinating the sewage 
B)  stirring the sewage to increase oxidation 
C)  letting sewage sit in large settling tanks so suspended solids can settle out 
D)  adding bacteria to the sewage 
E)  micro -filtering the sewage C

Question 2

The resource allocation of the Colorado River's water is being complicated by .

Accepted Answer

A)  large numbers of people moving out of Nevada 
B)  rapid growth of vegetable farms in southern Arizona 
C)  the rapid growth of Las Vegas 
D)  sinkhole collapses in Arizona and southern California 
E)  saltwater intrusion into the Colorado estuary near San Diego 
A)  large numbers of people moving out of Nevada 
B)  rapid growth of vegetable farms in southern Arizona 
C)  the rapid growth of Las Vegas 
D)  sinkhole collapses in Arizona and southern California 
E)  saltwater intrusion into the Colorado estuary near San Diego C

Question 3

Why was the irrigation of Soviet cotton farming operations a problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Irrigation water came from rivers feeding into one of the largest lakes on Earth and resulted in major contamination of that source. 
B)  It drained the Aral Sea and increased the salt content of soils. 
C)  It was, for the most part, not a problem. 
D)  It angered local resort communities, which did not want farming in the region. 
E)  There was governmental opposition that limited water access, killing crops. 
A)  Irrigation water came from rivers feeding into one of the largest lakes on Earth and resulted in major contamination of that source. 
B)  It drained the Aral Sea and increased the salt content of soils. 
C)  It was, for the most part, not a problem. 
D)  It angered local resort communities, which did not want farming in the region. 
E)  There was governmental opposition that limited water access, killing crops. B

Question 4

Emergent vegetation such as cattails and reeds grow in the zone of a lake.

Accepted Answer

A)  aphotic 
B)  littoral 
C)  benthic 
D)  limnetic 
E)  profundal 
A)  aphotic 
B)  littoral 
C)  benthic 
D)  limnetic 
E)  profundal

Question 5

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the future risks of decadal (11 -year) and multidecadal (35 -year) droughts in the southwestern U.S. and Great Plains?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although the future risks of decadal droughts are low for both regions, multidecadal droughts are expected to occur in both areas during the latter half of the 21st century. 
B)  Fewer multi -decadal droughts are likely, but more decadal droughts are expected to occur during the latter half of the 21st century. 
C)  Models indicate that both regions are more likely to experience decadal and multi -decadal droughts in the latter half of the 21st century than during the latter half of the 20th century. 
D)  Models indicate that the southwestern U.S., including California, is more likely to experience these long -term droughts in the latter half of the 21st century, and much of the agricultural loss in that region will have to be offset in the Great Plains, where models indicate a very low probability of long -term drought. 
E)  Although El Niño patterns have caused short -term droughts in California and the Great Plains, neither region is expected to experience long -term droughts during the latter half of the 21st century. 
A)  Although the future risks of decadal droughts are low for both regions, multidecadal droughts are expected to occur in both areas during the latter half of the 21st century. 
B)  Fewer multi -decadal droughts are likely, but more decadal droughts are expected to occur during the latter half of the 21st century. 
C)  Models indicate that both regions are more likely to experience decadal and multi -decadal droughts in the latter half of the 21st century than during the latter half of the 20th century. 
D)  Models indicate that the southwestern U.S., including California, is more likely to experience these long -term droughts in the latter half of the 21st century, and much of the agricultural loss in that region will have to be offset in the Great Plains, where models indicate a very low probability of long -term drought. 
E)  Although El Niño patterns have caused short -term droughts in California and the Great Plains, neither region is expected to experience long -term droughts during the latter half of the 21st century.

Question 6

One reasonable way to prevent sinkholes might be to .

Accepted Answer

A)  pump wastewater and sewage directly into the aquifer to maintain the water table 
B)  have the local water company regularly transfer water from one local aquifer to the next, maintaining the average water level 
C)  increase groundwater recharge by constructing artificial wetlands that use treated municipal wastewater 
D)  pump sand and gravel into the aquifer to fill in the bottom levels, thus raising the water table 
E)  install supports to maintain the shape of the underground aquifer 
A)  pump wastewater and sewage directly into the aquifer to maintain the water table 
B)  have the local water company regularly transfer water from one local aquifer to the next, maintaining the average water level 
C)  increase groundwater recharge by constructing artificial wetlands that use treated municipal wastewater 
D)  pump sand and gravel into the aquifer to fill in the bottom levels, thus raising the water table 
E)  install supports to maintain the shape of the underground aquifer

Question 7

The fish in the lake at the local park are dying, and a professor from the local college comes to investigate. First she measures the levels of dissolved oxygen because she wants to check for .

Accepted Answer

A)  aquatic biodiversity 
B)  the influence of acid precipitation 
C)  the presence of heavy metals 
D)  the presence of bacteria 
E)  hypoxia 
A)  aquatic biodiversity 
B)  the influence of acid precipitation 
C)  the presence of heavy metals 
D)  the presence of bacteria 
E)  hypoxia

Question 8

What is the main argument against removing O'Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite National Park?

Accepted Answer

A)  The dam is the main source of electricity for Napa Valley. 
B)  There are endangered species such as puffins and auklets that need the reservoir for habitat. 
C)  The dam is a registered historic national landmark, so its removal would be unlawful. 
D)  Most visitors to Yosemite use the reservoir for parasailing and waterskiing. 
E)  The reservoir is the main source of drinking water for the city of San Francisco. 
A)  The dam is the main source of electricity for Napa Valley. 
B)  There are endangered species such as puffins and auklets that need the reservoir for habitat. 
C)  The dam is a registered historic national landmark, so its removal would be unlawful. 
D)  Most visitors to Yosemite use the reservoir for parasailing and waterskiing. 
E)  The reservoir is the main source of drinking water for the city of San Francisco.

Question 9

Gray water can .

Accepted Answer

A)  often be used for irrigation and watering lawns 
B)  not be used for washing cars 
C)  usually be used with little or no treatment for drinking water 
D)  be used in place of tap water for drinking 
E)  be used for fish ponds and park lakes 
A)  often be used for irrigation and watering lawns 
B)  not be used for washing cars 
C)  usually be used with little or no treatment for drinking water 
D)  be used in place of tap water for drinking 
E)  be used for fish ponds and park lakes

Question 10

A serious problem that results from excessive water withdrawn from aquifers is that .

Accepted Answer

A)  the aquifer increases in size, draining a larger surface area and leaving less water in rivers, streams, and lakes 
B)  the aquifer decreases in size and new aquifers form 
C)  subsidence can occur, reducing the size of the aquifer 
D)  the water tends to overflow and flood the entire area 
E)  the soils contaminate the aquifer, making it unfit for human use 
A)  the aquifer increases in size, draining a larger surface area and leaving less water in rivers, streams, and lakes 
B)  the aquifer decreases in size and new aquifers form 
C)  subsidence can occur, reducing the size of the aquifer 
D)  the water tends to overflow and flood the entire area 
E)  the soils contaminate the aquifer, making it unfit for human use

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a floodplain?

Accepted Answer

A)  a region of land that has been deliberately, permanently flooded due to human disturbance, such as in dam building 
B)  a region of land that is periodically flooded when a river overflows 
C)  an area that is incidentally flooded when farming or mining operations change the course of rivers 
D)  an area where flood irrigation of crops is used, such as a rice paddy 
E)  an area that is periodically flooded because humans have altered the landscape 
A)  a region of land that has been deliberately, permanently flooded due to human disturbance, such as in dam building 
B)  a region of land that is periodically flooded when a river overflows 
C)  an area that is incidentally flooded when farming or mining operations change the course of rivers 
D)  an area where flood irrigation of crops is used, such as a rice paddy 
E)  an area that is periodically flooded because humans have altered the landscape

Question 12

-What percentage of Earth's fresh water is found in oceans?

Accepted Answer

A)  79 
B)  2.5 
C)  0 
D)  97.5 
E)  Cannot be determined from the information in the figure 
A)  79 
B)  2.5 
C)  0 
D)  97.5 
E)  Cannot be determined from the information in the figure

Question 13

A recent study has revealed that chlorinated solvents, gasoline, and radioactive compounds have become significant pollutants in

Accepted Answer

A)  estuaries; fishing boats _ from _ . 
B)  deep ocean currents; discharges from dams into coastal waters 
C)  coral reefs; discharge from nuclear power plants 
D)  groundwater; leaking storage tanks 
E)  mangrove swamps; oil tanker spills 
A)  estuaries; fishing boats _ from _ . 
B)  deep ocean currents; discharges from dams into coastal waters 
C)  coral reefs; discharge from nuclear power plants 
D)  groundwater; leaking storage tanks 
E)  mangrove swamps; oil tanker spills

Question 14

-What percentage of Earth's water is found in lakes?

Accepted Answer

A)  52% 
B)  97.5% 
C)  1% 
D)  0.013% 
E)  0.52% 
A)  52% 
B)  97.5% 
C)  1% 
D)  0.013% 
E)  0.52%

Question 15

Which of the following is one of the major pollutants of groundwater?

Accepted Answer

A)  pathogenic microbes 
B)  treated sewage from cities 
C)  radon 
D)  agricultural chemicals 
E)  acid rain 
A)  pathogenic microbes 
B)  treated sewage from cities 
C)  radon 
D)  agricultural chemicals 
E)  acid rain

Question 16

A key characteristic of aquatic dead zones is .

Accepted Answer

A)  a high concentration of urban development 
B)  a lack of water 
C)  low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus 
D)  a low concentration of keystone species 
E)  a low concentration of oxygen 
A)  a high concentration of urban development 
B)  a lack of water 
C)  low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus 
D)  a low concentration of keystone species 
E)  a low concentration of oxygen

Question 17

Most of the precipitation that falls onto Earth's surface _ .

Accepted Answer

A)  falls in the form of ice or snow 
B)  is already unusable because of acid rain 
C)  evaporates back into the atmosphere 
D)  either runs off to form rivers or filters down into underground aquifers 
E)  is taken up by plants or other organisms 
A)  falls in the form of ice or snow 
B)  is already unusable because of acid rain 
C)  evaporates back into the atmosphere 
D)  either runs off to form rivers or filters down into underground aquifers 
E)  is taken up by plants or other organisms

Question 18

Besides drought and water removal, which of the following might also cause the water level of an aquifer to drop?

Accepted Answer

A)  creating artificial wetlands along a creek 
B)  removing levees along a river to allow for seasonal flooding of the floodplain 
C)  placing rain gardens where water used to run off into creeks 
D)  paving large areas of land 
E)  removing water -loving invasive species such as Russian olive trees 
A)  creating artificial wetlands along a creek 
B)  removing levees along a river to allow for seasonal flooding of the floodplain 
C)  placing rain gardens where water used to run off into creeks 
D)  paving large areas of land 
E)  removing water -loving invasive species such as Russian olive trees

Question 19

Xeriscaping can save water by _.

Accepted Answer

A)  replacing lawns with artificial turf and gravel parking areas 
B)  collecting rain water and storing it in cisterns or tanks 
C)  planting native or drought -resistant landscaping plants 
D)  replacing landscaping plants with rocks, sand, and sculpture 
E)  creating wetlands instead of landscaping 
A)  replacing lawns with artificial turf and gravel parking areas 
B)  collecting rain water and storing it in cisterns or tanks 
C)  planting native or drought -resistant landscaping plants 
D)  replacing landscaping plants with rocks, sand, and sculpture 
E)  creating wetlands instead of landscaping

Question 20

Why is grain production in the Great Plains considered largely unsustainable?

Accepted Answer

A)  The energetics of crop production in the Great Plains are such that more energy is needed to grow the crops than can be gotten from the crops. 
B)  Competition with cattle ranching is resulting in a decline in crop production. 
C)  More and more people are becoming gluten intolerant, so there will be less and less demand for wheat, barley, and rye. 
D)  The Ogallala aquifer is being depleted for irrigation water. 
E)  So many pesticides are needed for grain production that streams in the Great Plains are becoming dead zones. 
A)  The energetics of crop production in the Great Plains are such that more energy is needed to grow the crops than can be gotten from the crops. 
B)  Competition with cattle ranching is resulting in a decline in crop production. 
C)  More and more people are becoming gluten intolerant, so there will be less and less demand for wheat, barley, and rye. 
D)  The Ogallala aquifer is being depleted for irrigation water. 
E)  So many pesticides are needed for grain production that streams in the Great Plains are becoming dead zones.

Exam 15: Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

In a municipal wastewater treatment plant, the primary treatment step includes .

The resource allocation of the Colorado River's water is being complicated by .

Why was the irrigation of Soviet cotton farming operations a problem?

Emergent vegetation such as cattails and reeds grow in the zone of a lake.

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the future risks of decadal (11 -year) and multidecadal (35 -year) droughts in the southwestern U.S. and Great Plains?

One reasonable way to prevent sinkholes might be to .

The fish in the lake at the local park are dying, and a professor from the local college comes to investigate. First she measures the levels of dissolved oxygen because she wants to check for .

What is the main argument against removing O'Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite National Park?

Gray water can .

A serious problem that results from excessive water withdrawn from aquifers is that .

Which of the following best describes a floodplain?

-What percentage of Earth's fresh water is found in oceans?

A recent study has revealed that chlorinated solvents, gasoline, and radioactive compounds have become significant pollutants in

-What percentage of Earth's water is found in lakes?

Which of the following is one of the major pollutants of groundwater?

A key characteristic of aquatic dead zones is .

Most of the precipitation that falls onto Earth's surface _ .

Besides drought and water removal, which of the following might also cause the water level of an aquifer to drop?

Xeriscaping can save water by _.

Why is grain production in the Great Plains considered largely unsustainable?

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

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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