Environmental Science Questions
Explore questions in the Environmental Science category that you can ask Spark.E!
Large urban areas that have problems associated with high levels of particulate pollution also have what other issues?
Use Figure 14-2. Based on the data represented in the graph, when did the Acid Rain Program of the Clean Air Act go into effect?
In the use of coal to produce energy, what does not decrease the energy efficiency of the process?a.extracting the coal from the groundb.waste heatc.cogenerationd.energy required to build the power plante.the removal of the waste product
In order to control tropospheric ozone it is necessary to limit what emmissions?I. VOC emissionsII. NOX emissionsIII. CO emissions
Use Figure 12-6. The EROEI for a number of fuel sources is given in the table above. Which would be the most energy efficient?
Why is a gas water heater more energy efficient OVERALL than an electric water heater when the electricity comes from a coal-fired power plant?
The concerns over the class of synthetic organic compounds called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) include each of the following EXCEPTa.the presence of these compounds in human breast milk.b.the exposure to some forms of PBDEs can lead to brain damage.c.the common use of these compounds as a treatment for children's clothing.d.the effect of the compounds on invertebrates.e.the presence of the compounds in aquatic food webs.
Mercury is especially dangerous to the general public due toa. its accumulation as it moves up the aquatic food chainb. the incineration of household wastec. the lack of regulation against emissions in the United Statesd. its effect on the respiratory system of infantse. it occurring naturally in bedrock
Which is an example of a nonpoint source of water pollution?A. Waste overflow from a water treatment plant due to excessive rainsB. Mercury emissions from coal burning power plantsC. Runoff from sprayed agricultural fieldsD. Garbage dumped at an abandoned landfillE. Acid drainage from an abandoned mine
In order to reduce the amount of ground-level pollutants (e.g., VOCs, NOX, CO, and tropospheric ozone), municipalities around the globe have instituted all of the following EXCEPTA. installing scrubbers on automobiles.B. permitting automobiles to be driven only every other day.C. expanding public transportation networks.D. carpool/high occupancy vehicle lanes on interstates.E. charging user fees to use certain roads at certain times.
Which is NOT an environmental cost associated with the use of coal?a. Particulates released into the atmosphere when coal is burnedb. Degradation of land that is mined for coalc. Creation of highly radioactive wasted. Release of trace metals found in coale. Transportation of coal from mine to power plant
Which energy source(s) is considered nonrenewable?1) wind2) nuclear fuels3) fossil fuels
What is the correct sequence of events for acid deposition to occur?-dissociation of pollutants-combustion releasing SO2 and NOx-deposition of ions in vegetation or soil-secondary pollutants are formed
Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) in fisheries management are similar to cap and trade quotas in air pollution management. Which of the following is NOT true of ITQs?
Which is a heavy metal associated with burning coal?A. LeadB. UraniumC. SulfurD. MercuryE. Carbon
Bacteria are beneficial to wastewater treatment. Why?a.they naturally break down organic matter.b.they make the use of chemicals unnecessary in the treatment of wastewater.c.the nutrients produced are beneficial to the treated water.d.they help solid material to settle out of the wastewater.e.they prevent the wastewater from forming sludge.
Use Figure 13-1. The least utilized renewable energy source of the U.S. is what?
Use Figure 13-4. If the trend from 2006 to 20007 continued, approximately how many kWh would have been generated in 2008?
Smart-grid technology is needed in the United States for all of the following reasons EXCEPT...a.Some locations have the capacity to generate more electricity than is needed.b.Some locations cannot supply the capacity of electricity needed and build new power plants.c.Peak demands stress some locales causing rolling brown outs.d.Using wide-scale intermittent sources such as wind and solar power can lead to instability.e.Smart grid technology is necessary for generating hydroelectric energy.
Use Figure 2. The projected rise in the use of coal as an energy source is best explained by what?