Environmental Science Quiz on Pollution and Toxicity
42 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does pollution primarily arise from?

  • Animal behavior and migration patterns
  • Natural disasters
  • Climate change and global warming
  • Human activities that introduce unwanted substances (correct)
  • Which of the following defines a toxic effect?

  • It does not vary with different organisms
  • It can be acute or chronic, based on the dosage pattern (correct)
  • Only a single dose can cause long-term harm
  • It is determined solely by the type of substance
  • What does the term 'Carcinogenic' refer to?

  • A cumulative effect that increases cancer risk over time (correct)
  • The capacity to clean pollutants from the environment
  • The measure of a substance's tastiness
  • The immediate toxicity of a substance
  • What is the primary goal of pollution prevention (P2)?

    <p>To reduce the amount of generated pollutants at the source (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is a threshold for toxicity typically assigned?

    <p>Through safety factors and data like LD50 or NOAEL (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the variable $H$ represent in the dispersion equation?

    <p>The additional contribution to stack height (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the additional contribution to stack height, Δh, affected by the stack flow velocity?

    <p>It is directly proportional to stack flow velocity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors contribute to the calculation of Δh according to the provided equation?

    <p>Stack diameter, stack flow velocity, air temperature, air pressure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the dispersion equation, what does the variable $ u$ represent?

    <p>Wind velocity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the electrical efficiency of the generator is 40%, what does this imply about the relationship between output power and fuel input?

    <p>Electrical output is 40% of fuel input (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of pollutants are PCBs classified as?

    <p>Organic chlorine compounds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which year was the use of PCBs banned in the USA?

    <p>1979 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of PFAS that distinguishes them from other chemicals?

    <p>They can accumulate over time (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary use of PCBs in industrial applications?

    <p>Heat transfer fluids (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which heavy metals have been identified as contaminants at the Nitrastur site?

    <p>As, Cu, Pb (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are PFAS commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals'?

    <p>They do not readily break down in the environment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which year did the international ban on PCBs come into effect?

    <p>2001 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main environmental concern associated with the Nitrastur site?

    <p>Soil contamination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of air pollutants are emitted directly from sources without undergoing any transformation?

    <p>Primary pollutants (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary pollutant that can be emitted from vehicles?

    <p>Nitrogen oxides (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which parameter is commonly monitored as an air pollutant and can exist as particulate matter?

    <p>Particulate Matter (PM) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can contribute to the occurrence of harmful algal blooms in coastal areas?

    <p>Presence of dinoflagellates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes secondary pollutants from primary pollutants?

    <p>Secondary pollutants form through chemical reactions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which substance is categorized as a carcinogenic air pollutant?

    <p>Benzene (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element was primarily restricted in Venice to reduce eutrophication?

    <p>Phosphorus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines an aquifer?

    <p>A body of saturated sediment or rock that allows water movement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following greenhouse gases is NOT considered a pollutant?

    <p>Carbon dioxide (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when water is pumped from a well faster than it is replenished?

    <p>The well may run dry (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of air pollutant does not exist in a solid or liquid form?

    <p>Carbon monoxide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main health concern associated with air pollutants?

    <p>Their toxic and carcinogenic effects (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of rock can function effectively as an aquifer?

    <p>Volcanic rocks such as basalt (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does pumping water create around a well?

    <p>A cone of depression in the water table (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can be a source of cyanotoxins in freshwater?

    <p>Harmful algal blooms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of eutrophication in aquatic environments?

    <p>Decrease in oxygen levels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following PFAS have been phased out of production in the United States?

    <p>PFOA and PFOS (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year did the largest US manufacturer completely stop PFOA/PFOS production?

    <p>2002 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the PFOA Stewardship Program launched in 2006?

    <p>To work toward ending PFOA production (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these methods expresses pollutant concentrations in the air phase?

    <p>ppmV and mass per unit volume (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the molecular weight equivalent to?

    <p>Weight of 1 mole (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are pollutant concentrations in liquid phase commonly expressed?

    <p>molar and mass/volume concentrations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What numerical value is Avogadro's number represented by?

    <p>6.022 x 10^23 molecules (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which units can describe pollutant concentrations when measuring mass per unit volume?

    <p>g/m3 and mg/m3 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Environmental Pollution

    Substances released from human activities that negatively impact air, land, and water, causing harm to the environment and living organisms.

    Toxicity

    The degree to which a substance can harm an organism.

    Acute toxicity

    A large dose of a substance that causes harm quickly.

    Chronic toxicity

    Repeated exposure to small doses of a substance over time that causes harm.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Pollution prevention

    The process of changing practices to reduce the amount of pollutants generated at the source.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Air Pollutants

    Substances present in the air that can harm human health and the environment, even in small amounts.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Primary Pollutants

    Air pollutants that are directly released from a source, such as a car exhaust pipe or a factory.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Secondary Pollutants

    Air pollutants that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between primary pollutants or with natural compounds.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Particulate Matter (PM)

    Tiny particles suspended in the air. Their size is classified by their diameter (e.g., PM2.5 means particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

    Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Carbon Monoxide (CO)

    A harmful gas, primarily from car exhaust, that can affect blood oxygen levels.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Tropospheric Ozone (O3)

    A major component of smog, formed from reactions between pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

    A group of gases released from various sources, including car exhaust, industrial processes, and some natural sources.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)?

    Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are caused by excessive growth of algae, often due to nutrient pollution. They can occur in both coastal and freshwater environments.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What causes HABs in coastal areas?

    HABs in coastal areas are often caused by dinoflagellates, a type of single-celled algae.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What causes HABs in freshwater?

    HABs in freshwater environments are frequently caused by cyanotoxins, which are toxins produced by cyanobacteria. These toxins can be harmful to humans and animals.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What is Eutrophication?

    Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, primarily phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). This can lead to an overgrowth of algae, impacting the ecosystem.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What happened with eutrophication in the Venice Lagoon?

    The Venice Lagoon experienced severe eutrophication in the 1980s due to high levels of phosphorus from river outlets. Limiting phosphorus in detergents was a significant step in reducing this pollution.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What is an aquifer?

    Aquifers are underground bodies of rock or sediment that hold and transmit groundwater. They are essential sources of water for many communities.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What characteristics must an aquifer have?

    To be considered an aquifer, a geological formation must be both permeable and porous. This means it allows water to flow through it easily and it has spaces for the water to be stored.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    What happens when water is pumped from a well faster than it replenishes?

    Excessive pumping from a well can lower the water table, creating a cone of depression around the well. This can cause the well to run dry if replenishment is insufficient.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Dispersion Equation

    The equation used to model the dispersion of pollutants released from a point source, incorporating the effects of wind velocity, stack height, and atmospheric conditions.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Effective Stack Height (h)

    The actual height of the stack plus an additional height caused by factors such as air velocity, stack diameter, and temperature difference between the stack gases and the surrounding air.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Plume Rise (Δh)

    The component of the effective stack height determined by factors like stack velocity, diameter, temperature difference, and atmospheric conditions.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Stack Flow Velocity (uS)

    The velocity of the flue gas being emitted from the stack.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Stack Diameter (dS)

    The diameter of the stack, which influences how much air is released and contributes to plume rise.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Nitrastur Site

    A former industrial site in Spain devoted to fertilizer production, contaminated by pyrite ash and heavy metals like lead, arsenic, copper, and zinc.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    PCBs

    Polychlorinated biphenyls, a group of highly carcinogenic chemical compounds formerly used in various products, now banned due to their persistence and toxicity.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    PFAS

    A group of synthetic chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, known for their resistance to degradation, causing potential long-term environmental and health concerns.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Organic Chlorine Compounds

    A type of chemical compound containing chlorine and carbon, often referred to as organic chlorine compounds.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Toxic

    Relating to the ability of a substance to cause harm or damage to living organisms.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Point Source Pollution

    A type of pollution caused by the release of contaminants directly into the environment from human activities.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Non-Point Source Pollution

    A type of pollution arising from dispersed sources, difficult to pinpoint, like runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    ppmV or ppbV

    A measure of the amount of pollutant in air, expressed as the number of pollutant molecules per million or billion air molecules. Used for substances in vapor or gas phase.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Partial Pressure

    The pressure exerted by a specific pollutant within a mixture of gases.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Mass per Volume Concentration in Air

    A unit of concentration in air where a substance's mass is measured per unit volume. Measured in grams, milligrams, or micrograms per cubic meter.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Molar Concentration in Liquid

    How much of a substance is dissolved in a specific amount of liquid, expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Mass per Volume Concentration in Liquid

    Analogous to mass per volume in air, but in liquid. Expresses the mass of a substance in a given volume of liquid. Measured in grams, milligrams, or micrograms per liter.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sorption

    The process of a substance adhering to a solid surface from a solution.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sorption Isotherm

    A graph that shows the relationship between the concentration of a substance in solution and the amount adsorbed onto a solid surface at a constant temperature.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Volatilization

    The transfer of a substance from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser