29 Questions
What are two ways that phosphate enters the oceans?
Surface runoff and river flow
Which process makes sulfates available to terrestrial ecosystems?
Weathering of rocks
How does sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere become available to terrestrial ecosystems?
As precipitation or fallout
In what form is atmospheric sulfur commonly found?
Hydrogen sulfide gas
What human activity significantly impacts the sulfur cycle, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels, especially coal
What happens to some phosphate from marine food webs?
It forms sediment on the ocean floor
What is the initial step in the nitrogen cycle where bacteria convert ammonium?
Converting ammonium into nitrites
Which of the following is NOT a way human activity can alter the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen fixation by legumes
What is the primary effect of fertilizer runoff on aquatic ecosystems?
Eutrophication
Which of the following statements about phosphorus is NOT true?
It is a component of proteins in living organisms
What is the primary form in which phosphorus is exchanged between the ocean and marine organisms?
Phosphate dissolved in the ocean
Which of the following is NOT a potential effect of atmospheric nitrogen compounds on Earth's ecosystems?
Eutrophication of water bodies
What is the primary focus of environmental science?
Studying the interactions between chemical, physical, and biological components of the environment
Which of the following is NOT considered an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Fungi
What is one of the main goals of environmental science?
To understand how humans interact with the environment and find ways to mitigate negative effects
Which field of electrical engineering is directly related to environmental science?
Renewable energy generation
What approach do environmental scientists and engineers employ when analyzing environmental problems?
A system approach, considering the interconnections between various components
Which of the following fields is NOT directly mentioned as being part of the interdisciplinary study of environmental science?
Biochemistry
What is the primary way that water reenters the ocean in the water cycle?
Through surface runoff and groundwater flow
In the carbon cycle, what process converts carbon dioxide gas into organic carbon?
Photosynthesis
Which of the following is NOT one of the most common elements associated with organic molecules?
Calcium
What process is responsible for the long-term storage of organic carbon in the carbon cycle?
Fossilization
Which of the following biogeochemical cycles is NOT mentioned in the text?
Iron cycle
What process is responsible for converting nitrogen gas into a form that can be used by living organisms?
Nitrogen fixation
What is the primary cause of acid rain according to the text?
Rainwater falling to the ground through sulfur dioxide gas
What is the primary environmental impact of acid rain according to the text?
Lowering the pH of lakes, thus killing many of the resident plants and animals
What is the impact of acid rain on the man-made environment according to the text?
Acid rain causes the chemical degradation of buildings.
What is the relationship between the rock cycle and the geologic environment?
The rock cycle is a process that constantly transforms the geologic environment.
What is the primary message conveyed by the last paragraph of the text?
The geologic environment is complex and constantly changing.
Test your knowledge on the field of science that studies the interactions of chemical, physical, and biological components of the environment and their effects on organisms. This quiz covers the basics of environmental science and engineering.
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