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Package Title: Testbank Course Title: Berg4e Chapter Number: 08
Question type: Multiple Choice
1) Why is the breast milk of Inuit women living in pristine northern areas higher in PCBs than women living farther south? a) These women consume PCB laden foods imported from the US and elsewhere. b) The local diet of fish and whale is contaminated with PCBs from the Alaskan oil industry. c) Natural PCBs occur in the soil. d) The local diet of fish and whale is contaminated with PCBs blown in from countries farther south. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
2) Which of the following surface features does not increase the chances of temperature inversions: a) cities located in valleys. b) cities located near a coast. c) cities located on the leeward side of mountains. d) cities located near a lake. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
3) What components of the atmosphere do the largest two sections of the pie graph shown below represent? [Insert Figure 8.1-no labels on figure] a) Nitrogen 78% and Oxygen 21% b) Oxygen 78% and Carbon dioxide 21%
c) Carbon dioxide 78% and Nitrogen 21% d) Water vapor 78% and Oxygen 21% Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
4) The relationship between the Earth's atmosphere and the biosphere includes all of the following EXCEPT: a) Organisms both depend on the atmosphere for existence and also maintain and modify its composition – for example, a balance between oxygen-producing photosynthesis and oxygenusing cellular respiration maintains the current level of atmospheric oxygen. b) Atmospheric greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat reradiated from Earth’s surface keeping the lower atmosphere within the range of temperatures that support life. c) The atmosphere protects the Earth’s surface from UV radiation and X-rays making life as we know possible. d) Life on Earth flourishes due to the stable and unchanging nature of the atmosphere. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
5) In the figure below -- what is the correct order of the layers of the atmosphere starting with the layer closest to the Earth’s surface and moving away? [Insert Figure 8.3a-figure only no labels] a) They are the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and troposphere. b) They are the thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere. c) They are the mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere, and thermosphere. d) They are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
6) In the figure below -- what is the layer identified as A? [Insert Figure 8.3-figure only no labels –place letter A over ozone layer] a) Troposphere layer b) Thermosphere layer c) Ozone layer d) Ionosphere Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
7) Stratospheric ozone is important because it: a) absorbs UV radiation. b) is what we breathe. c) powers the weather cycle. d) supports long distance communication. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
8) The thermosphere is: 1. the layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface where weather occurs. 2. supports long distance communication because it reflects outgoing radio waves back to Earth without the use of satellites. 3. the layer where auroras form when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gas molecules releasing energy visible as light of different colors a) 1 only b) 2 only c) 3 only d) 2 and 3 Answer: d
Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
9) What helps maintain global oxygen concentrations in the troposphere? a) Oxygen levels remain balanced by photosynthesis and cellular respiration. b) Photosynthesis replaces oxygen loss to air pollutants like NOx, SOx, and ozone. c) The burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution has helped maintain oxygen concentrations in the atmosphere. d) Excess oxygen is broken down by ozone in the upper atmosphere. Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
10) In the figure below the yellow arrows show ___ which in part depend on differences in ___ [Insert Figure 8.4b] a) prevailing winds; air pressure. b) upwellings; the tilt of the earth. c) the Coriolis effect; relative humidity. d) wind; cloud cover. e) turbulent gusts; distance from the equator. Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
11) Winds tend to blow from areas of ___ atmospheric pressure to areas of ___ atmospheric pressure, and the greater the difference between the high- and low- pressure areas, the ___ the wind. a) low; high; weaker b) high; low; stronger
c) low; high; stronger d) high; low; weaker Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
12) What is the phenomenon depicted in the figure below? [Insert Figure 8.5-keep numbers 1-4 but remove caption associated with numbers] a) The westerly and easterly trade winds respectively. b) The Coriolis effect. c) The global distillation effect. d) The air movements created by the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
13) The Coriolis effect results from: a) rising and falling air pressure on different parts of the Earth’s surface. b) the Earth's rotation. c) the prevailing winds. d) heating of the Earth near the equator and cooling near the poles. Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere
14) Sources of air pollution includes all of the following EXCEPT: a) smoke from forest fires b) exhaust from tailpipes of cars
c) gases released during volcanic eruptions d) no exceptions, all of the above are sources of air Pollution. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
15) How do primary air pollutants differ from secondary air pollutants? a) Primary air pollutants contain oxygen, while secondary pollutants do not. b) Primary air pollutants cause greater health impacts than secondary pollutants do. c) Primary air pollutants are released directly into the atmosphere, while secondary air pollutants are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. d) Primary air pollutants are formed through photochemical reactions in sunlight, while secondary air pollutants are not. Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
16) Which of the following BEST illustrates a primary air pollutant? a) Carbon dioxide released from the burning of coal. b) Sulfur trioxide produced when sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen in the air. c) Ozone produced in photochemical smog. d) Carbon dioxide released through photosynthesis. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
17) Which of the following BEST illustrates a secondary air pollutant? a) Carbon dioxide released from the burning of wood. b) Radiation released by the burning of coal. c) Ozone produced in photochemical smog. d) Sulfur dioxide released through burning coal.
Answer: c Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
18) The pie diagram shown below gives the sources of primary air pollutants. The largest two pieces of the pie come from: [Insert Figure 8.8-just keep pie graph remove all text and labels] a) agriculture b) fuel combustion c) industrial processes d) forest fires Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
19) Fine solids or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere are known as: a) primary air pollutants. b) secondary air pollutants. c) hydrocarbons. d) particulate matter. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
20) All of the following about particulate air pollution is true EXCEPT: a) Particulate matter includes both primary air pollutants such as soot and lead, as well as secondary air pollutants such as sulfuric acid. b) Urban areas receive less sunlight than rural areas, partly as a result of greater quantities of particulate matter in the air in urban settings. c) Microscopic particles are less dangerous than larger particles as trace amounts of hundreds of different chemicals bind to the larger particles and inhaling these particles introduces the
chemicals, some of them toxic, deep into the lungs. d) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) samples microscopic particulate matter at 1,000 locations around the United States because its composition varies with location and season. Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
21) How does carbon monoxide impact human health? a) It is responsible for global warming related illness. b) It irritates the eyes and skin. c) It impairs the ability of lungs to function properly. d) It reduces the blood’s ability to transport oxygen. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
22) Ozone is considered a secondary air pollutant because it: a) is in the upper atmosphere. b) is formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. c) results in higher rates of skin cancer. d) results in asthma and other lung diseases. Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
23) An analysis of air pollutants in an urban area resulted in the detection of NO2, SO2, CO, and particulates. How are all these chemicals related? a) All of them are classified as primary pollutants. b) All of them are classified as secondary pollutants. c) All of them contribute to acid precipitation. d) All are components of photochemical smog.
Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
24) How are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and carbon oxides related? a) All of them are secondary air pollutants that contribute to global warming. b) All of them are primary air pollutants that contribute to acid deposition. c) All of them are air pollutants that are formed by combustion of fossil fuels. d) All of them are air pollutants that result in respiratory diseases in humans. Answer: c Difficulty: Hard Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
25) Automobiles and trucks are NOT an important source of which of the following air pollutants? a) Carbon dioxide. b) Hydrocarbons. c) Nitrogen oxides. d) Sulfur oxides. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
26) Except for CH4 (methane) all hydrocarbons contribute to the production of: a) particulates. b) acid deposition. c) the greenhouse effect. d) photochemical smog. Answer: d
Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
27) How are carbon dioxide and methane SIMILAR? a) They are secondary air pollutants. b) They are important components of photochemical smog. c) They are important contributors to respiratory disease in humans. d) They contribute to global warming. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution 28) Ozone in the ___ is essential as it protects the Earth’s surface form UV radiation but ozone in the ___ is a human-made air pollutant that contributes to global warming. a) troposphere; stratosphere b) stratosphere; troposphere c) troposphere; thermosphere d) mesosphere; stratosphere Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
29) Hazardous air pollutants: a) include such pollutants as lead, formaldehyde, and chlorine b) are less harmful to people who live and work around facilities that produce them routinely wear protective gear c) are not regulated as the Clean Air Act does not have any provisions for doing so d) are only found in small concentrations in areas far from where they are released due to the global distillation effect Answer: a Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
30) One common health consequence of pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and ozone is: a) They are responsible for global warming related illness. b) They irritate the eyes and skin. c) They irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate respiratory illness such as asthma. d) They reduce the blood’s ability to transport oxygen. Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
31) Nitrogen oxides contribute to which of the following pollution problems? a) Acid deposition b) Corroding metal c) Photochemical smog d) Global warming e) All of the above Answer: e Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
32) What is industrial smog? a) It is only formed by reactions involving sunlight and nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons released from automobile exhaust. b) It is formed from sulfur oxides and particulate matter released from combustion of heating oil and coal. c) It is formed by reactions between CFCs from industrial processes and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. d) It is formed when secondary pollutants such as ozone combine with primary pollutants such as hydrocarbons in cold winter temperatures.
Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
33) What causes photochemical smog? a) It is formed by reactions involving sunlight and nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons released from automobile exhaust. b) It is formed from sulfur oxides and particulate matter released from combustion of combustion of heating oil and coal. c) It is formed by reactions between CFCs from industrial processes and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. d) It is formed when secondary pollutants such as ozone combine with primary pollutants such as hydrocarbons in cold winter temperatures. Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
34) Which of the following does not contribute to smog development in the Los Angeles area? a) Warm, sunny climate b) Surrounding mountains c) Large number of motor vehicles d) Household heating fuels Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
35) Why is industrial smog usually worse in the winter? a) Cold temperatures prevent the dissipation of pollutants. b) Heat domes form, holding pollutants close to the ground.
c) Pollutants react with ice crystals, forming ozone. d) Combustion of household fuels is higher. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
36) Why is photochemical smog typically worse in the summer? a) There is more solar energy to drive photochemical reactions. b) People tend to travel more in the summer. c) Temperature inversions and heat domes drive photochemical reactions. d) Warm temperatures prevent the dissipation of pollutants. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
37) Which of the following methods would BEST control photochemical smog? 1. Switching from the burning of coal to the burning of fuel oil or methane. 2. Reducing the number of motor vehicles. 3. Regulating the emissions from bakeries and dry cleaners. a) 1 only b) 2 only c) 3 only d) 2 and 3 Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
38) Long-term exposure to which of the following pollutants does not result in bronchitis?
a) particulates. b) sulfur oxides. c) nitrogen oxides. d) carbon monoxide. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
39) Based on climate data from Mount Hua in China, scientists have established the following link between air pollution and precipitation patterns: a) High visibility—that is, low levels of air pollution – is linked with substantially more precipitation. b) Low visibility – that is, higher levels of air pollution – is linked with substantially more precipitation. c) The type of air pollution determines the amount of precipitation. d) A combination of the type of air pollution and surface temperatures determines the amount of precipitation. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
40) The figure below shows how temperatures might vary on a summer afternoon over different types of landscapes. What explains the higher temperatures over the city? [Insert Figure 8.12] a) Thermal inversions b) Heat island c) Dust domes d) Photochemical smog Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography.
Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
41) Urban heat islands affect local air current and weather conditions including: 1. increased number of thunderstorms over cities in summer months 2. lingering dust domes over cities 3. stronger natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes a) 1 only b) 2 only c) 3 only d) Both 1and 2 Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
42) Why do air pollution dust domes often form in urban areas? a) Urban areas are usually in valleys. b) There are a high number of mobile sources that emit air pollutants. c) Pavement and rooftops concentrate heat and create relatively stable air masses that lift and keep pollutants in the air. d) Large cities are usually located on peninsulas or islands. Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
43) Which of the following air pollutants is correctly paired with one of its major effects? a) sulfur oxides — acid precipitation b) carbon oxides — corrosion of metal c) hydrocarbons — reduced visibility d) nitrogen oxides — blocks UV radiation Answer: a
Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution
44) Electrostatic precipitators use electrical charges to attract and track what pollutants? a) Ozone. b) Particulates. c) Sulfur oxides. d) Nitrogen oxides. Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
45) Comparing the two images below -- the difference in the emissions from the plant below is MOST LIKELY due to: [Insert Figure 8.14b(left) and insert Figure 8.14c(right)-no caption] a) a reduction in the combustion temperature of the fuel used. b) conversion to solar energy as the energy source. c) the use of a catalytic converter to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. d) the use of an electrostatic precipitator to remove particulates. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
46) Smaller cars, removal of sulfur from coal, and cooler combustion temperatures are examples of ways to: a) reduce the total amount of pollutants produced. b) reduce total amounts of pollutants after they are produced. c) conserve energy. d) reduce CFC production. Answer: a
Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
47) What has been the major success of the Clean Air Act? a) Higher fuel efficiencies in cars and power plants. b) An increased focus on alternative sustainable energy sources. c) Significant decreases in emissions of nitrogen oxides. d) Significantly less air pollution. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
48) Look at the different emission levels in the bar graph below. What BEST accounts for these differences in emissions? [Insert Figure 8.15] a) The Clean Air Act of 1970 along with the updates and amendments of 1977 and 1990 b) The use of electrostatic precipitators in coal burning power plants c) The development of “superclean” cars that do not emit any nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. d) The use of lead free and cleaner-burning gasoline. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
49) Despite the increasing percentage of newer automobile models on the road, air quality has not improved in some areas of the United States because: a) even though NOx emissions from each vehicle have been reduced, there are many more automobiles on the road now. b) even though there are fewer cars on the road today, more NOx is released due to increased burning of coal.
c) these gases are actually present in the atmosphere and cannot be reduced further. d) we have no means to control the output of NOx. Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
50) Why did lead pollution decrease significantly after the creation of the Clean Air Act? a) Lead is now removed from coal before it is used as fuel. b) Electrostatic precipitators mandated by the Clean Air Act have greatly decreased the amount of lead being emitted from smokestacks. c) Catalytic converters in cars greatly reduce the amount of lead emitted. d) Leaded gasoline was outlawed. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
51) What was the major improvement to air quality contributed by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act? a) The amendments required a significant decrease in indoor air pollutants. b) The amendments required “superclean” or zero emission vehicles. c) The amendments required a significant reduction in 189 toxic chemicals. d) The amendments required significant reductions in the original 7 toxic chemicals listed. Answer: c Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
52) Based on a 2008 ruling by the US Supreme Court, the pollutant that the US EPA must now regulate under the Clean Air Act is:
a) carbon monoxide b) carbon dioxide c) CFCs d) ozone Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
53) Why is air pollution an increasing problem in developing countries? a) In the desire to industrialize rapidly, less expensive but outdated, more polluting technologies are being adopted. b) The global distillation effect brings more pollutants into developing countries than they produce locally. c) Most people in developing countries now own two cars exacerbating urban heat islands and dust domes. d) Developing countries are located in areas that tend to suffer from thermal inversions. Answer: a Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
54) The deteriorating air quality in developing countries can be linked to a) leaded gasoline. b) increased number of motor vehicles. c) burning wood and dung. d) all of these choices Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
55) What is the largest contributor to urban air pollution in Latin America? a) Burning of coal for fuel. b) Indoor burning of wood and dung for fuel and cooking fires. c) Increased industrial burning of fuels. d) Increase in numbers of motor vehicles. Answer: d Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
56) What is the leading cause of death in children worldwide? a) Malnutrition. b) Acid deposition. c) Cancer. d) Respiratory disease. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
57) Why are illnesses from indoor air pollution often overlooked? a) They resemble common ailments like colds or flu. b) They usually result long after exposure. c) They only occur in developing countries. d) They are easily controlled using modern healthcare. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
58) The most common contaminants of indoor air include all of the following EXCEPT:
a) formaldehyde b) ozone c) sulfur oxides d) carbon monoxide Answer: c Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
59) Which of the following statements about sick building syndrome is TRUE? a) Sick building syndrome is linked to nausea, headaches, depression, and fatigue. b) Sick building syndrome has been linked to lung cancer, more so than cigarette smoke. c) Sick building syndrome contributes to increased blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. d) Sick building syndrome has been linked to greater worker productivity. Answer: a Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
60) What is the main source of the indoor air pollutant radon? a) The burning of wood and dung for cooking fires. b) Natural emissions seeping into building foundations from the ground. c) Cigarette smoking. d) Carpeting, fabrics, and furniture. Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
61) Which other indoor air pollutant increases the risk of radon-related cancers? a) Formaldehyde from carpets and furniture. b) Tobacco smoke from cigarettes. c) Para-dichlorobenzene from moth balls and air fresheners. d) Nitrogen oxides from unvented gas stoves.
Answer: b Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
62) Harm to humans from radon is greatest: a) near nuclear power plants. b) in cities. c) in well-insulated homes. d) outdoors. Answer: c Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
63) According to National Academy of Sciences estimates, 12% of all lung cancers are related to radioactivity caused by which of the following? a) The burning of coal. b) Nuclear power plants. c) Residual atmospheric radiation related to nuclear weapons testing. d) Natural emissions that occur as uranium breaks down. Answer: d Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution
64) Why is indoor air pollution a serious health hazard in some developing countries? a) The burning of coal releases significant amounts of particulates into the air. b) People smoke more in developing countries. c) Many homes rely on indoor burning of wood or dung without proper ventilation. d) Most houses in these countries are well insulated, increasing household exposure to radiation. Answer: c
Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution
65) Part of the reason air quality was so poor in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the 1960s was that a) there was a much higher concentration of cars than in other cities. b) the city is surrounded by mountains that kept pollutants from dispersing. c) the city is in close proximity to coal mining operations. d) there was a greater amount of pollutants due to the city’s chemical and oil refineries. Answer: b Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants
Question type: Essay
66) Explain how people like the Inuit, who live in remote pristine areas, are exposed to air pollution. Answer: Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution Solution: Air pollutants such as PCBs are produced in industrialized areas. These pollutants can be transferred to the poles from areas as far as the tropics by a process called the global distillation effect -in which chemicals enter the atmosphere in warm regions and move to areas at higher, cooler latitudes. Most of these chemicals are persistent toxic compounds that enter food webs and become concentrated in the body fat of predators, including humans, at the top of the food web. When an Inuit woman consumes a single bite of raw whale skin, she ingests more PCBs than scientists think should be consumed in a week. Five times as much PCB is found in the breast milk of Inuit women than in the milk of women who live in southern Canada.
67) What are the specific roles of the troposphere and stratosphere in the overall ecology of the Earth? Answer:
Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.1 Describe the chemical makeup, layers, and circulation of the atmosphere. Section Reference 1: Section 8.1 The Atmosphere Solution: Organisms both depend on the atmosphere for existence and also maintain and modify its composition. The troposphere is the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface extending up to a height of approximately 10 km. Weather, including storms, turbulent winds, and most clouds occur in the troposphere which effect ecology of the Earth. In addition, the chemistry of the troposphere is also important to life on earth. The troposphere is 21% oxygen but while this oxygen is vital to all life, it is a balance between oxygen-producing photosynthesis and oxygenusing cellular respiration that maintains the current level of atmospheric oxygen. The troposphere also contains small amounts of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide and water vapor) which absorb some of the heat reradiated from Earth’s surface keeping the lower atmosphere within the range of temperatures that support life. The next layer of atmosphere is the stratosphere extending from 10 – 45 km above Earth’s surface. The stratosphere contains a layer of ozone which is critical to life because it absorbs much of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation protecting the Earth’s surface making life as we know possible.
68) Identify the difference between primary and secondary sources of air pollution and give two examples of each type of pollution. Answer: Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution Solution: Primary air pollutants are harmful chemicals that enter directly into the atmosphere. These include carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and hydrocarbons. Secondary air pollutants are harmful substances formed in the atmosphere when a primary air pollutant reacts with substances normally found in the atmosphere or with other air pollutants. Ozone and sulfur trioxide are secondary air pollutants. Both primary and secondary pollutants can have consequences for human health and the environment, but while primary pollutants can be directly regulated and controlled, secondary pollutants can only be controlled by controlling the activities that produce the precursor primary pollutants.
69) The image below shows the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the graph below shows a record of global average temperatures preceding and following the volcanic eruption. What can be interpreted from the image and the graph about the nature of the eruption as well as the consequence of the eruption for global temperatures? Besides affecting temperature, scientists have speculated that air pollution may also be decreasing rain and snowfall in certain areas, especially in mountains located downwind from cities. What data was used to document this phenomenon? [Insert Figure What a Scientist Sees (page 199) b(left and c(right)- figures only no captions]
Answer: Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution Solution: Among other pollutants, the Mount Pinatubo eruption release huge amounts of particulate matter. Particulate matter tends to absorb sunlight – which both reduces visibility and reduces the amount of incoming solar radiation. As a result the years following the Mount Pinatubo’s eruption were cooler than previous and subsequent years. Further, the brief cooling period following the Mount Pinatubo’s eruption temporarily interrupted a longer-term warming trend. Scientists are increasingly realizing that air pollution plays a significant role in determining weather. In 2007, climate scientists evaluated whether data taken from Mount Hua, a mountain in China that overlooks a plain where several cities (which are a source of air pollution) are located. The data, which include precipitation, visibility, and humidity, have been measured since 1954. By subtracting out the effect of humidity and visibility, scientists were able to estimate the amount of air pollution suspended in the air. The scientists correlate high visibility (low pollution) to substantially more precipitation when air pollution levels were high. 70) How would you answer a person who asks you the following question? “Why should I worry about the ozone layer? Today’s air quality report says there is plenty of ozone in my city.” Answer: Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.2 Describe the major classes of air pollutants and their sources. Section Reference 1: Section 8.2 Types and Sources of Air Pollution Solution: Ozone is found in two places in the atmosphere, the stratosphere (10-45 km) and the troposphere (atmosphere closest to Earth). Ozone occurs in the upper atmosphere as a result of oxygen reacting with ultraviolet radiation to form ozone. This ozone forms an important protective layer that limits the amount of cancer-causing UV radiation from reaching the Earth. CFCs and other anthropogenic molecules react with this stratospheric ozone to break it down, thinning the protective ozone layer. Ozone that occurs close to the Earth is a secondary pollutant formed by the reaction of volatile hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight. This ozone never reaches the upper atmosphere to replenish that which is lost because tropospheric ozone breaks down to form oxygen long before it drifts up to the stratosphere. Furthermore, tropospheric ozone is a significant concern as in the lower atmosphere this ozone it is s component of photochemical smog, it reduces air visibility and causes health problems, it reduces plant vigor, and chronic ozone exposure lowers crop yield. Ozone also acts as a greenhouse gas thus contributing to global warming.
71) Explain the relationship between urban heat islands and dust domes. How do they increase pollution in urban areas?
Answer: Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.3 Describe the different kinds of urban air pollutants and how air pollution is affected by weather and topography. Section Reference 1: Section 8.3 Effects of Air Pollution Solution: An urban heat island is local heat buildup in an area of high population with large areas of rooftops and pavement that absorb heat. Large numbers of motor vehicles in city environments also concentrate heat. These heat islands can affect local air currents and weather conditions, and contribute to the accumulation of pollutants, especially particulates in the form of dust domes. Dust domes are domes of heated air containing large amounts of air pollutants. Pollutants concentrate in a dust dome because convection (the vertical motion of warmer air) lifts pollutants into the air, where they remain because of the somewhat stable air masses the urban heat island produces.
72) Discuss the regulatory measures that have been taken by the United States government to control problems associated with air pollution. Evaluate the success of these efforts. Answer: Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.4 Explain the effect the Clean Air Act has had on air pollution in the United States. Section Reference 1: Section 8.4 Controlling Air Pollutants Solution: The Clean Air Act (CAA) was passed in 1970. It authorizes the EPA to set limits on the amounts of pollutants that can be emitted. The original Act covered emissions of 6 important primary pollutants—lead, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone—and established maximum acceptable concentrations for each. Individual states must meet deadlines to reduce air pollution to acceptable levels. States may pass more stringent pollution controls than the EPA authorizes, but they can’t mandate weaker limits than those stipulated in the CAA. The Act was amended in 1977 and again in 1990 to require progressively stricter controls of motor vehicle emissions. The provisions of the CAA Amendments of 1990 include the development of “superclean” cars, which emit lower amounts of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, and the use of cleaner-burning gasoline in the most polluted cities in the United States. The 1990 amendments also include regulation of emissions of over 189 additional air pollutants. Air quality has generally increased as a result of the CAA despite increases in energy consumption as well as the number of vehicle miles driven. The greatest success was in the reduction of lead (which has been reduced by 98% since 1970 largely due to banning leaded gasoline). Yet despite these improvements air quality has not improved in some areas of the United States because of the large increase in the number of cars being driven.
73) What is sick building syndrome? Describe the conditions that might cause a building to be declared as “sick”, and suggest three ways to prevent sick building syndrome. Answer:
Difficulty: Medium Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution Solution: When indoor air pollution in a building causes the occupants of the building to experience a variety of Symptoms such as eye irritations, nausea, headaches, respiratory infections, depression and fatigue it is called sick building syndrome. Technically several people have to have some of these symptoms (which go away when they are not in the building). The factors that cause such sickness include molds ad mildew (from air-conditioning and ventilation ducts), formaldehyde (from carpets, fabrics, and furniture), carbon monoxide (from gas stoves), cleaning solvents, ozone (from photocopiers), and asbestos (from insulation). Proper ventilation, carbon monoxide detectors, regular maintenance on heating and air conditioning ducts, and remediation of mold problems, selecting paints and fabrics with low off gassing, and attention to the designs of buildings will help prevent sick building syndrome.
74) Why is radon more of a problem today than in the past? What specific health concerns are related to exposure to radon? Be sure to include a discussion of the source of this gas in your answer. Answer: Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective 1: LO 8.5 Discuss the sources and health effects of indoor air pollutants. Section Reference 1: Section 8.5 Indoor Air Pollution Solution: Radon is a naturally occurring gas produced from the decay of uranium in the Earth’s crust. The ionizing radiation (alpha particles) is damaging to tissues when ingested or inhaled. It increases the risk of lung cancer, especially among current or former smokers. In areas where geological formations contain uranium, homes that are designed to be energy-efficient have increased the hazard from radon because the gas is trapped inside the home.