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Questions and Answers
What pH level is typically considered normal for rain and snow?
What pH level is typically considered normal for rain and snow?
What is the term used for the sudden increase in acidity when ice melts in the spring?
What is the term used for the sudden increase in acidity when ice melts in the spring?
Which acid is produced from sulfur dioxide reacting in the atmosphere?
Which acid is produced from sulfur dioxide reacting in the atmosphere?
What role does a catalytic converter play in reducing emissions?
What role does a catalytic converter play in reducing emissions?
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Which of the following is a method used in primary wastewater treatment?
Which of the following is a method used in primary wastewater treatment?
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What is the primary function of carbohydrates in nutrition?
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in nutrition?
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Which of the following minerals is essential for the formation of red blood cells?
Which of the following minerals is essential for the formation of red blood cells?
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What is the purpose of using scrubbers in reducing pollution?
What is the purpose of using scrubbers in reducing pollution?
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What is the function of tertiary treatment in wastewater management?
What is the function of tertiary treatment in wastewater management?
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What role do plants play in the absorption of minerals necessary for human health?
What role do plants play in the absorption of minerals necessary for human health?
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Which of the following describes the composition of sewage?
Which of the following describes the composition of sewage?
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Which nutrient is directly involved in muscle contraction and nerve signal regulation?
Which nutrient is directly involved in muscle contraction and nerve signal regulation?
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What are trace elements, and how do they differ from macrominerals?
What are trace elements, and how do they differ from macrominerals?
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Which organic compound is primarily responsible for building structural molecules in the body?
Which organic compound is primarily responsible for building structural molecules in the body?
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What is the role of sulphur in the human body?
What is the role of sulphur in the human body?
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What happens when minerals are absorbed by organisms from a substrate?
What happens when minerals are absorbed by organisms from a substrate?
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What is the primary role of carbohydrates in nutrition?
What is the primary role of carbohydrates in nutrition?
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Which of the following is considered a macromineral?
Which of the following is considered a macromineral?
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What is the primary function of proteins in the body?
What is the primary function of proteins in the body?
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Which mineral is essential for enzyme function and regulating nerve function?
Which mineral is essential for enzyme function and regulating nerve function?
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What is the source of the minerals needed by humans?
What is the source of the minerals needed by humans?
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Which of the following statements about vitamins is true?
Which of the following statements about vitamins is true?
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What is one important role of iron in the body?
What is one important role of iron in the body?
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Which of the following nutrients is primarily known for storing unused chemical energy?
Which of the following nutrients is primarily known for storing unused chemical energy?
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What is the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in waste management?
What is the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in waste management?
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What is a key feature of sanitary landfills?
What is a key feature of sanitary landfills?
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Which gases are produced during the combustion of hydrocarbons?
Which gases are produced during the combustion of hydrocarbons?
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What distinguishes sour gas from sweet gas?
What distinguishes sour gas from sweet gas?
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What is a primary function of secure landfills?
What is a primary function of secure landfills?
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Which elements are most common in organic molecules essential to life?
Which elements are most common in organic molecules essential to life?
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What byproducts are generated from the industrial process of natural gas extraction?
What byproducts are generated from the industrial process of natural gas extraction?
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How does the process of degrading organic waste resemble natural decomposers?
How does the process of degrading organic waste resemble natural decomposers?
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What does ppm stand for in environmental chemistry?
What does ppm stand for in environmental chemistry?
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If 0.02 grams of salt is dissolved in 1000 grams of solution, what is its concentration in ppm?
If 0.02 grams of salt is dissolved in 1000 grams of solution, what is its concentration in ppm?
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What is the correct formula to calculate the concentration in ppm of a substance in a solution?
What is the correct formula to calculate the concentration in ppm of a substance in a solution?
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If 50 liters of concentrated sulfuric acid is spilled into a lake with 30,000 liters of water, what is the concentration of sulfuric acid in the lake?
If 50 liters of concentrated sulfuric acid is spilled into a lake with 30,000 liters of water, what is the concentration of sulfuric acid in the lake?
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When a student adds 70 mL of urine to a pool to create a total volume of 1000 L, what is the concentration of urine in ppm?
When a student adds 70 mL of urine to a pool to create a total volume of 1000 L, what is the concentration of urine in ppm?
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What was found in a water analysis of a swimming pool where 20 mL of sample contained 0.5 mL of free chlorine?
What was found in a water analysis of a swimming pool where 20 mL of sample contained 0.5 mL of free chlorine?
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What is one major risk associated with mixing different pesticides in water systems?
What is one major risk associated with mixing different pesticides in water systems?
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What effect do most modern pesticides have on the environment after one growing season?
What effect do most modern pesticides have on the environment after one growing season?
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What defines heavy metals?
What defines heavy metals?
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Which of the following factors does NOT affect biodegradation in the environment?
Which of the following factors does NOT affect biodegradation in the environment?
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Which process involves the breakdown of compounds by sunlight?
Which process involves the breakdown of compounds by sunlight?
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What is the purpose of phytoremediation?
What is the purpose of phytoremediation?
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Why is biodegradation slower in winter?
Why is biodegradation slower in winter?
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What happens to photodegradable plastic after three months of sunlight exposure?
What happens to photodegradable plastic after three months of sunlight exposure?
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Which of the following heavy metals is NOT commonly associated with corrosion?
Which of the following heavy metals is NOT commonly associated with corrosion?
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What type of organisms are critical for biodegradation of pollutants?
What type of organisms are critical for biodegradation of pollutants?
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Study Notes
Environmental Chemistry
- This unit examines the relationship between chemistry and biology, as well as the environment.
- Food consists of chemicals, which are broken down into molecules by the digestive system.
- These molecules, or nutrients, are used for energy, growth, body-building, and cell repair.
- Nutrients can be organic or inorganic.
- Organic compounds, like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, play various roles in nutrition, with different dietary sources.
- Key elements for health include macrominerals and trace elements, needed for various bodily functions, including strong bones and teeth.
- Plants obtain nutrients from the soil via their root systems, these are then used in various compounds for the rest of the plant and the organisms that consume it.
Nutrients
- Nutrients are essential for life
- Can be organic or inorganic
- Broken down during digestion, absorbed into blood
- Used for energy, growth, body building, cell repair
- Main organic compounds include carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
- Dietary sources for carbohydrates include rice, grains, potatoes, and fruits.
- Dietary sources for protein include meat, eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
- Lipids are stored in vegetable oils, nut oils, and legumes.
- Other organic molecules, like Nucleic Acids, are important for building DNA, which is essential for life.
Elements for Healthy Bodies
- Essential for body functions
- Include macrominerals and trace elements
- Found in various compounds, including enzymes, and vitamins
- All living organisms require 16 naturally occurring elements
- Plants need 18, Humans need 22.
Fertilizers
- Used to enhance plant growth
- Mimic nitrogen cycle, adding nitrates, ammonia, and urea
- Increase nitrogen in the environment
- Pros: increased plant growth, high yield crops
- Cons: expensive, increased chance of disease, environmental impact (harmful algal blooms).
Harmful Algal Blooms
- Rapid growth of algae
- Depletes oxygen in water
- Blocks sunlight for other aquatic organisms
- Blocks sunlight for other aquatic organisms
- Disrupts the aquatic ecosystem.
Pesticides
- Three types: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
- Designed to kill plants, insects, and fungi, respectively
- Ingestion and absorption affect the environment
- Impact on bioaccumulation and biomagnification
- Some pesticides have long term effects due to their persistent presence in the environment.
- Most modern pesticides break down after one growing season.
Water Cycle
- Illustrates the movement of water between different parts of the environment (including living organisms).
- Water moves from a lake via evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
- Processes can be affected by plants
Acid Rain
- Acid rain is formed when atmospheric water absorbs sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide
- Affects the acidity of water in aquatic ecosystems
- Can harm plants and animals
- Process also known as "spring acid shock" when affected water warms.
- Solutions to this include: scrubbers, catalytic converters
Wastewater Treatment
- Goal: take used water and return it to the environment with minimal pollutants
- Stages: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Treatment
- Remove large solids, decompose organic matter, and remove phosphates and nitrates, respectively.
Pollution
- Any alteration to the environment that harms living things
- Two main categories: point sources (small, defined areas) and non-point sources (wide areas difficult to pinpoint).
- Dilution versus concentration of pollutants is important to monitor, as well as various types of pollution within air, water, and soil.
Transport of Pollutants
- Air and water currents, along with prevailing winds, can disperse pollutants.
- Pollution can be deposited into soil or water, disrupting ecosystems, especially if the harmful substances are chemically related to one another
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts in environmental science, including the properties of acidity in precipitation, the function of emissions-reducing technologies, and the role of nutrients in human health. Test your knowledge on wastewater treatment, the significance of minerals, and the impact of pollutants on the environment.