ENS Questions New

Question 1

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is often classified in PM10 and PM2.5. What do the numbers 10 and 2.5 stand for?

Answer 1

Particle diameter (in micrometers)

Question 2

On Long Island, beaches, specifically in semi-enclosed bays, are frequently closed during summertime because of…

Answer 2

fecal coliforms

Question 3

Most of the ammonia emissions in the USA come from….

Answer 3

Agriculture and livestock waste

Question 4

Most of the nitrogen oxides emitted to the atmosphere in the US comes from…

Answer 4

motor vehicles

Question 5

_3__
ammonia

__2__
SOx

__4__
PM2.5

__1__
NOx

Answer 5

1. transportation
2. coal-fired electric power plants
3. agriculture (fertilizer application and livestock waste)
4. secondary pollutant that forms when NOx, SOx, and ammonia are abundant

Question 6

Air pollution by particulate matter…

Answer 6

-can be very high indoors if wood is used for cooking.
-is a big problem in or close to desert areas.
-can be specifically high in proximity to power plants fueled by coal.
-is an issue where agricultural land and urbanized areas intersect.

Question 7

NOx and SOx emissions in the USA…

Answer 7

still pose a threat to human health in specific regions

play an important role in relation to ground level ozone

have been significantly reduced over the past 50 years

can relate to increased concentrations of PM2.5

Question 8

The combustion of which fossil fuel releases most air pollutants per unit energy produced?

Answer 8

coal

Question 9

How many groundwater wells are active on Long Island?

Answer 9

around 800

Question 10

What percentage of households in Suffolk County are not connected to wastewater treatment plants?

Answer 10

almost 80%

Question 11

Large container ships use low quality oil. The release of which air pollutant is specifically concerning in this context?

Answer 11

SOx

Question 12

Ozone can be good or bad for humans depending on where it is. Match the location and effect

(1)
Ozone in the stratosphere

(4)
Ozone near the Earth’s surface

(2)
Ozone at the top of the troposphere

(3)
Ozone at the mid troposphere

Answer 12

1. absorbs UV light from the sun
2. acts as greenhouse gas
3. as a strong oxidant it helps to destroy pollutants
4. has a strong negative effect on human health

Question 13

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)…

Answer 13

are human-made but they are also released by plants

are organic chemicals that are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids

react with nitrogen oxides to form ozone

Question 14

Ground-level ozone has a strong negative impact on human health. It is typically not released directly by human activities but forms in the air. Which agents have to come together so that ozone forms?

Answer 14

-volatile organic compounds

-sunlight

-NOx or SOx

Question 15

Hydrocarbons (oil) are very harmful for marine ecosystems. The most important source of oil in the oceans by human activities is

Answer 15

Intentional illegal discharge of oil from ships

Question 16

We are now producing more than 300 million tons of plastic each year. How much of this plastic is mismanaged?

Answer 16

around 12%

Question 17

Most of the sulfur oxides emitted to the atmosphere in the US comes from…

Answer 17

Coal-fired power plants

Question 18

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is often classified in PM10 and PM2.5. What do the numbers 10 and 2.5 stand for?

Answer 18

Particle diameter (in micrometers)

Question 19

3)
Ozone

(4)
Mercury

(2)
Light

(1)
Nitrate

Answer 19

1. Nutrient
2. Physical pollutant
3. Secondary pollutant
4. Neurotoxin

Question 20

Combined sewer systems….

Answer 20

are problematic after heavy precipitation when the pipe collection system and sewage treatment plants are overwhelmed with the amount of wastewater so that raw sewage is discharged into rivers or coastal waters

are systems in which rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater are collected and transported through the same pipe system

Significantly contribute to coastal water pollution in the New York City area

Question 21

Which factors determine the harmfulness of a pollutant?

Answer 21

Toxicity

Concentration in the environment

Persistence in the environment

Question 22

The combustion of which fossil fuel releases most air pollutants per unit energy produced?

Answer 22

coal

Question 23

Hydrocarbons (oil) are very harmful for marine ecosystems. The most important source of oil in the oceans by human activities is

Answer 23

Intentional illegal discharge of oil from ships

Question 24

Most of the nitrogen oxides emitted to the atmosphere in the US comes from…

Answer 24

motor vehicles

Question 25

Most of the sulfur oxides emitted to the atmosphere in the US comes from…

Answer 25

Coal-fired power plants

Question 26

Match water pollutants and their primary sources (2) nutrients (1) toxic chemicals (e.g., heavy metals) (3) pesticides (4) salts

Answer 26

1. Industrial wastewater 2. domestic sewage 3. agricultural wastewater 4. Urban run-off

Question 27

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides directly affect the human respiratory system, but they also react with other substances to form secondary pollutants. Which are the most important reactions of NOx and SOx that result in secondary pollutants?

Answer 27

with ammonia and moisture to form particulate matter with volatile organic compounds to form ozone with water to form acidic rain

Question 28

A nitrogen removing biofilter...

Answer 28

would - if installed 360.000 times in Suffolk County - eliminate the largest source of excess nitrogen to our coastal waters is a soil-based on-site wastewater treatment system, which removes nitrogen from wastewater before it is released to the soil and groundwater transforms ammonium into nitrate and ultimately into inert N2 gas harnesses the work performed by nitryfing and denitrifying soil bacteria

Question 29

We are now producing more than 300 million tons of plastic each year. How much of this plastic is mismanaged?

Answer 29

around 12%

Question 30

On Long Island, beaches, specifically in semi-enclosed bays, are frequently closed during summertime because of…

Answer 30

fecal coliforms

Question 31

Most of the ammonia emissions in the USA come from....

Answer 31

Agriculture and livestock waste

Question 32

Match the pollutants with how they act in the environment. (3) Ozone (2) Light (4) Mercury (1) Nitrate

Answer 32

1. Nutrient 2. Physical pollutant 3. Secondary pollutant 4. Neurotoxin

Question 33

How many groundwater wells are active on Long Island?

Answer 33

around 800

Question 34

Particulate Matter can be relased directly by human acitivities, but it can also form in the atmosphere. Which are the reagents that have to come together so that PM is formed as a secondary pollutant?

Answer 34

ammonia (NH3) water/moisture NOx or SOx

Question 35

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)…

Answer 35

are organic chemicals that are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids are human-made but they are also released by plants react with nitrogen oxides to form ozone

Question 36

Most of the ammonia emissions in the USA come from....

Answer 36

Agriculture and livestock waste

Question 37

Large container ships use low quality oil. The release of which air pollutant is specifically concerning in this context?

Answer 37

SOx

Question 38

We are now producing more than 300 million tons of plastic each year. How much of this plastic is mismanaged?

Answer 38

around 12%

Question 39

On Long Island, beaches, specifically in semi-enclosed bays, are frequently closed during summertime because of…

Answer 39

fecal coliforms

Question 40

Ozone can be good or bad for humans depending on where it is. Match the location and effect (1) Ozone in the stratosphere (2) Ozone at the top of the troposphere (4) Ozone near the Earth's surface (3) Ozone at the mid troposphere

Answer 40

1. absorbs UV light from the sun 2. acts as greenhouse gas 3. as a strong oxidant it helps to destroy pollutants 4. has a strong negative effect on human health

Question 41

Ground-level ozone has a strong negative impact on human health. It is typically not released directly by human activities but forms in the air. Which agents have to come together so that ozone forms?

Answer 41

NOx or SOx volatile organic compounds sunlight

Question 42

NOx and SOx emissions in the USA…

Answer 42

still pose a threat to human health in specific regions play an important role in relation to ground level ozone have been significantly reduced over the past 50 years can relate to increased concentrations of PM2.5

Question 43

What percentage of households in Suffolk County are not connected to wastewater treatment plants?

Answer 43

almost 80%

Question 44

The combustion of which fossil fuel releases most air pollutants per unit energy produced?

Answer 44

coal

Question 45

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is often classified in PM10 and PM2.5. What do the numbers 10 and 2.5 stand for?

Answer 45

Particle diameter (in micrometers)

Question 46

How many groundwater wells are active on Long Island?

Answer 46

around 800

Question 47

Match water pollutants and their primary sources __3__ pesticides __1__ toxic chemicals (e.g., heavy metals) __4__ salts __2__ nutrients

Answer 47

1. Industrial wastewater 2. domestic sewage 3. agricultural wastewater 4. Urban run-off

Question 48

Which factors determine the harmfulness of a pollutant?

Answer 48

Persistence in the environment Toxicity Concentration in the environment

Question 49

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides directly affect the human respiratory system, but they also react with other substances to form secondary pollutants. Which are the most important reactions of NOx and SOx that result in secondary pollutants?

Answer 49

with volatile organic compounds to form ozone with water to form acidic rain with ammonia and moisture to form particulate matter

Question 50

How much of US solid waste is incinerated?

Answer 50

Around 13%

Question 51

The "Superfund" program was created in 1980 to clean up land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste. How many Superfund sites are there currently in the USA?

Answer 51

a bit more than 1000

Question 52

Soil salinization refers to a buildup of salts in soils. Which process is a major reason of soil salinization?

Answer 52

over-irrigation

Question 53

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments entered into force in 2017. It is aims to…

Answer 53

reduce the spread of alien species

Question 54

Major causes of soil degradation are…

Answer 54

Overgrazing Deforestation Over-irrigation excessive use of fertilizer excessive use of pesticides

Question 55

Major types of soil degradation are…

Answer 55

Erosion Desertification Salinization Acidification Accumulation of toxic chemicals

Question 56

Complete the sentence so it makes sense, erosion (2) overgrazing and deforestation (1) desertification (3)

Answer 56

1. ____________ 2. followed by ____________ 3. can lead to soil _____________.

Question 57

How much of US solid waste goes into landfills?

Answer 57

About 50%

Question 58

The longest fence in the world was built in Australia to prevent the spread of…

Answer 58

rabbits

Question 59

How thick is soil on average?

Answer 59

typically, less than 2 m

Question 60

What is the major type of soil degradation?

Answer 60

Water erosion

Question 61

Soil acidification can be caused by…

Answer 61

acidic rain removal of products (e.g. crops) fertilizers used in agriculture

Question 62

Why does soil acidification harm plants?

Answer 62

aluminum in the soil can get dissolved which inhibits root growth major major nutrients can become less available

Question 63

(3) Naturalized species (1) Exotic species (4) Invasive species (2) Acclimatized species

Answer 63

1. has overcome a geographic barrier 2. has overcome a geographic barrier and an environmental barrier 3. has overcome a geographic barrier, an environmental barrier and a reproductive barrier 4. has overcome a geographic barrier, an environmental barrier and a reproductive barrier, and a dispersal barrier

Question 64

What is the major type of soil degradation?

Answer 64

Water erosion

Question 65

How much of US solid waste goes into landfills?

Answer 65

About 50%

Question 66

How much of US solid waste is incinerated?

Answer 66

Around 13%

Question 67

The "Superfund" program was created in 1980 to clean up land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste. How many Superfund sites are there currently in the USA?

Answer 67

a bit more than 1000

Question 68

Soil fertility...

Answer 68

can decrease due to soil degradation is the ability of soil to sustain plant growth depends on various factors, such as nutrient availability, soil pH, and minerals

Question 69

What are some of the factors that can help alien species to become invasive?

Answer 69

High rates of reproduction lack of predators in the new habitat/region unoccupied niche in the new habitat/region fast growth early maturity

Question 70

Order different solid waste management strategies by preferability (1=most preferred, 5 least preferred)

Answer 70

(2) recycling and composting __5__ landfilling (without methane recovery) __3__ resource recovery (waste to energy) __4__ landfilling (with methane recovery) (1) waste reduction and reuse

Question 71

Soil salinization refers to a buildup of salts in soils. Which process is a major reason of soil salinization?

Answer 71

over-irregation

Question 72

How thick is soil on average?

Answer 72

typically, less than 2 m

Question 73

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments entered into force in 2017. It is aims to…

Answer 73

reduce the spread of alien species

Question 74

The longest fence in the world was built in Australia to prevent the spread of…

Answer 74

rabbits

Question 75

Why does soil acidification harm plants?

Answer 75

major major nutrients can become less available aluminum in the soil can get dissolved which inhibits root grow

Question 76

Soil fertility...

Answer 76

can decrease due to soil degradation is the ability of soil to sustain plant growth depends on various factors, such as nutrient availability, soil pH, and minerals

Question 77

Match the species descriptions with their meanings _6__ Native species __1__ Endemic species (5) Invasive Alien Species (2) "Pest" species __3__ Cryptogenic species (4) Non‐indigenous species

Answer 77

1. only occur in one particular region 2. can be cryptogenic, native or alien species 3. unknown origin and can not be ascribed as being native or alien. 4. are species introduced outside of their natural range 5. non-indigenous species which has spread elsewhere with adverse effects 6. have evolved over thousands of years in specific regions