Environmental Science: Acid Rain and Nitrogen Cycle

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Questions and Answers

What is the pH level of normal rain or snow?

4.5

5.6 (correct)

7.0

6.3

What is the term used for the phenomenon when acidic deposits from winter melt in spring and significantly lower water pH?

Spring Acid Shock (correct)

Acid Rain Effect

Winter Melt Impact

Spring Flooding

Which of the following acids is NOT typically considered part of acid rain?

Hydrochloric Acid (correct)

Sulfuric Acid

Nitric Acid

Carbonic Acid

What is the primary function of scrubbers in controlling acid emissions?

To absorb sulfur particles using a limestone mixture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT one of the most common chemical elements needed for normal growth in living organisms?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

What form of nitrogen can plants absorb directly from the soil?

Ammonium Signup and view all the answers

What process do denitrification bacteria perform in the nitrogen cycle?

Convert nitrate back to nitrogen gas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a human activity that impacts the nitrogen cycle?

Burning fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

What role do soil bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

They convert nitrogen into ammonium and nitrate Signup and view all the answers

What does the numbers on fertilizer bags indicate?

Percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes contributes to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogen compounds for plants?

Lightning Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of using synthetic nitrogen fertilizers?

Environmental impact and chemical imbalance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ammonium produced by nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

To be absorbed by soil organisms or plants Signup and view all the answers

What defines a point source of pollution?

Pollution originating from a small, defined area Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can lead to an increase in the concentration of pollution?

Reduced wind that decreases turbulence Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are considered healthy biological indicators of water quality?

Stonefly and mayfly Signup and view all the answers

What does a higher level of dissolved oxygen in water indicate?

Good quality water and healthy aquatic ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

How is the concentration of pollutants typically reported?

In parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a chemical factor affecting water quality?

Temperature changes Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of increasing pH levels on biodiversity in aquatic environments?

Decreased diversity of all organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories is NOT included in the water quality standards set by government bodies?

Industrial Wastewater Signup and view all the answers

What defines a heavy metal?

Has a density of 5 g/cm3 or more Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting biodegradation?

Toxin concentration Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of phytoremediation?

To reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals in the soil or groundwater Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are considered key players in the biodegradation of pollutants?

Earthworms, bacteria, and fungi Signup and view all the answers

What is photolysis?

The breakdown of compounds by sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What is LD50?

The lethal dose that kills 50% of test subjects. Signup and view all the answers

If Dwane the rat weighs 0.85 kg, what is the maximum dosage of rat poison he can safely ingest to avoid lethal effects?

0.23 mg Signup and view all the answers

What amount of arsenic is needed to reach the LD50 for a 1.75 kg duck?

22.75 mg Signup and view all the answers

How many cans of Monster Energy Drink could potentially be lethal for a 55 kg person based on a caffeine LD50 of 175 mg/kg?

32 cans Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended maximum daily caffeine intake for teenagers aged 12 to 18?

100 mg Signup and view all the answers

Why might animal testing for toxicity be misleading when assessing human safety?

Substances can affect animals and humans differently. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect the potential harm of a chemical substance?

Color of the substance Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'toxin' refer to?

A substance that can cause health problems or death. Signup and view all the answers

How does pollution primarily affect areas outside the pollution source?

It can be transported by wind, affecting distant regions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gases is known as a major contributor to smog and acid rain?

Sulfur Dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method by which carbon monoxide affects the human body?

It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Signup and view all the answers

What processes contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone?

Breakdown of other pollutants by sunlight and electrical discharges. Signup and view all the answers

What role do scrubbers play in air pollution control?

They filter out impurities to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of carbon monoxide?

Solar power plants Signup and view all the answers

What is one major consequence of the Greenhouse Effect?

Retention of heat in the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Which natural events contribute to global warming alongside human activities?

Volcanoes and forest fires. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit Overview: Where Biology and Chemistry Meet

Chemistry explains properties and changes of matter
This unit examines chemistry's relationship to biology and the environment

What Does Chemistry Have to Do with Biology?

All living things are composed of chemicals
Food is also made of chemicals which are broken down into molecules
These molecules (nutrients) are used for energy, growth, body-building, and cell repair

Nutrients

Essential for life
Can be organic or inorganic
Organic compounds include carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids

Organic Compounds

Carbohydrates: Provide energy for metabolism (e.g., rice, grains, potatoes, fruits)
Proteins: Crucial for body structure and chemical reactions (e.g., meat, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts)
Lipids: Store unused chemical energy (e.g., vegetable oil, nut oil, legumes, some dairy)

Elements for Healthy Bodies

Minerals: Macrominerals (needed in large amounts) and trace elements (needed in small amounts) are crucial for various functions
Examples of important elements: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulphur, Iron, Iodine.

Fertilizers

Used to enhance plant growth
Imitate the nitrogen cycle by adding nitrates, ammonia, and urea
Potash is a source of potassium

Impact of Using Fertilizers

Increased nitrogen in the environment
Increased plant growth, suitable for yielding large crops in previously unsuitable land

Pesticides

Various types: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides
Often used to reduce crop losses
Have environmental impacts

Harmful Algal Blooms

Rapid algae growth depletes oxygen and blocks sunlight in aquatic ecosystems

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation: Increase in a substance's concentration over time in an organism
Biomagnification: Increase in concentration of a substance as it moves through a food chain

DDT Restriction

DDT helped reduce malaria

Nitrogen Cycle

Describes steps in the nitrogen cycle and human activities that affect it
Discusses pros and cons of using fertilizers

Water Cycle

Outlines the water cycle, including the path water takes from a lake back to the lake
Water from sources like lakes evaporates
Clouds form, then water falls as precipitation
Water returns to the lithosphere
Water is absorbed by plants and other organisms

Nitrogen

Essential for DNA, RNA, and proteins
The majority of Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen (N2)
Nitrogen fixation is the process of changing free nitrogen into utilizable forms

Human Impact

Burning fossil fuels & using synthetic nitrogen fertilizers affects various aspects of the environment
Activities such as agriculture, sanitation, water treatment influence chemical concentrations
Fertilizers improve crop yields, but their use impacts the environment

Wastewater Treatment

Uses various methods to purify wastewater, including physical separation, bacterial action and chlorination

Acidity and Bases

Acids: Chemicals that produce acidic substances (pH less than 7)
Bases: Chemicals that produce basic substances (pH more than 7)
Universal Indicators change colour with varying pH
Neutralisation involves the reaction of acids and bases, creating salt and water

Pollution

Alteration to the environment that harms living organisms
Sources can include chemical pollutants, physical pollutants and biological ones
Examples include: Acid rain, and heavy metals

Air Quality

Chemical levels, and how to estimate emissions.
Circumpolar winds move pollution and contaminate air.
Pollutants like sulfur dioxide are produced through industrial processes and burning fossil fuels that contain sulfur

Water

Water in the environment is not always pure and contains various chemicals.
Water quality is assessed based on categories like drinking water, recreation, livestock, and more.
Measurement of dissolved oxygen (DO)
Concentration of harmful substances like chlorine, salt, heavy metals

Toxicity

A measure of how poisonous a substance is, usually determined by LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of the test group)

Risk Management

Chemical pollutants have varying effects on different organisms.
Risk depends on type, duration, and concentration of exposure

Phytoremediation

Using plants to remove harmful chemicals from soil and groundwater

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the effects of acid rain and the nitrogen cycle in this environmental science quiz. Explore crucial concepts such as pH levels, human impacts, and the roles of various chemical elements and bacteria. Enhance your understanding of these important ecological processes.