27 Questions
What is the primary effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
Depleting dissolved oxygen
Why can lawns in urban and suburban areas be a major source of non-point water pollution?
Nitrogen-enriched fertilizers
What was a key reason why federal laws limiting pollution of rivers and streams did not prevent the Cuyahoga River pollution and fires?
No environmental monitoring agencies or federal regulations existed at that time
What term applies to the practice of classifying areas for different types of development and land use?
zoning
What tends to happen in a sustainable city?
Local self-sufficiency is increased.
Which of the following can we do to help prevent suburban sprawl?
Build up rather than build out
What must be included in any consideration of the true costs of urban sprawl?
the problems of decreased water use and decreased energy consumption
What is encouraged by living in suburban communities?
Decreased private vehicle usage
Which urban planning strategy involves establishing limits to urban expansion?
Urban growth boundaries
What is a characteristic of ethanol made from corn?
Results in higher food prices for corn and corn products
In what way do run-of-the-river hydroelectric systems differ from large dams?
They do not block all of the water flow but direct some water through a turbine
What strongly influences the amount of energy generated from hydropower?
The volume of water released from the reservoir
Which energy source has the highest energy return on energy investment (EROEI) ratio?
Hydroelectric
Ethanol made from corn yields much more energy than is required to produce it. What does this imply?
It does not produce greenhouse gases when burned
Where are spent fuel rods currently stored?
Stored in designated cooling pools at nuclear power plants
What is a significant environmental impact of cattle CAFO operations?
Soil salinization caused by water consumption
What is the primary reason for acid mine drainage?
The exposure of sulfide-bearing minerals to air and water
What environmental impact is associated with mountaintop removal mining in the southern Appalachian Mountains?
Destruction of hundreds of miles of streams and freshwater systems
What mining method involves digging tunnels or shafts into the Earth to reach buried ore deposits?
Deep mining
How does the use of coal contribute to acid precipitation?
Burning coal releases sulfur and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
What is a major issue related to hydroelectric energy production near old mine sites?
Acid mine drainage from exposed minerals
What is the main environmental concern associated with burning coal, according to the text?
It depletes the ozone layer
Which type of coal has the highest energy content?
Anthracite
What are the environmental drawbacks to coal mining mentioned in the text?
The recycling of waste materials for energy production
What fossil fuel does peat eventually turn into?
Oil
Which type of pollution is NOT mentioned as a result of burning coal to generate electricity?
Stratospheric ozone
Which of the following is NOT a fossil fuel?
Vegetation
Study Notes
Sustainable City
- A sustainable city tends to increase local self-sufficiency and promote walkability.
- Zoning laws are used to classify areas for different types of development and land use.
- To prevent suburban sprawl, strategies can be employed such as:
- Building up rather than building out
- Maintaining open and agricultural land near urban areas
- Establishing urban growth boundaries
- Implementing plans to develop under-used or unused areas within urban areas
Urban Sprawl
- Urban sprawl can be prevented by considering the true costs of urban sprawl, including:
- Increased use of fossil fuels
- Urban sprawl is discouraged by establishing urban growth boundaries.
Mining
- Acid mine drainage is caused by the exposure of sulfide-bearing minerals to air and water.
- Mountaintop removal mining can destroy hundreds of miles of streams and freshwater systems.
- Subsurface mining involves digging tunnels or shafts into the Earth to reach buried ore deposits.
Energy
- Ethanol made from corn can:
- Result in higher food prices for corn and corn products
- Not produce greenhouse gases when burned
- Hydroelectric systems:
- Run-of-river hydroelectric systems do not block all of the water flow but direct some water through a turbine.
- The amount of energy generated from hydropower is strongly influenced by the volume of water released from the reservoir.
- The highest energy return on energy investment (EROEI) ratio is found in hydroelectric energy.
Environmental Pollution
- Thermal pollution can deplete dissolved oxygen in aquatic ecosystems.
- Lawns in urban and suburban areas can be a major source of non-point water pollution.
- Native plants and grasses can help prevent pollution in nearby water sources by filtering out contaminants.
Fossil Fuels
- Coal:
- Has the highest energy content in the form of anthracite
- Can cause acid precipitation through the emission of sulfur dioxide and other gases
- Can lead to environmental drawbacks such as water and soil contamination, damage to streams and forests, and release of toxic ash
- Peat is a type of fossil fuel that can turn into coal when burned.
- Environmentalists are concerned about the amount of carbon dioxide released from burning coal because it is a significant greenhouse gas.
Biodiesel Production
- Certain types of crops can generate the most oil per acre in biodiesel production.
Test your knowledge on environmental science with this quiz that covers topics like the primary effects of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems and the prevention of water pollution from lawns in urban and suburban areas.
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