1. In what layer of the Earth’s atmosphere does the phenomenon causing global warming occur?
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere

2. C. Troposphere

3. In what layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the beneficial ozone layer found?
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere

4. e. Stratosphere

5. Most oxygen is found in this layer of the atmosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere

6. C. Troposphere

7. Which is found in old plumbing pipes and fixtures and some ceramic glazes?
Asbestos
Radon
Lead
Carbon Monoxide
Formaldehyde

8. C. Lead

9. Composed of fibers known to cause lung disease
Asbestos
Radon
Lead
Carbon Monoxide
Formaldehyde

10. a. Asbestos

11. Emitted from most manufactured building materials and furniture
Asbestos
Radon
Lead
Carbon Monoxide
Formaldehyde

12. e. Formaldehyde

13. A colorless, odorless gas that is naturally occurring decay product of uranium
Asbestos
Radon
Lead
Carbon Monoxide
Formaldehyde

14. b. Radon

15. Which of the following human activities is most closely associated with depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer?
Mining of coal
Disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners
Heating of homes and factories
Generation of electricity
Agricultural irrigation

16. b. Disposal of refrigerators and air conditioners

17. In 1987, 36 nations meeting in Montreal, Canada developed the Montreal Protocol to reduce production of
Carbon dioxide
Nitrous oxide
Toxic wastes
CFC’s

18. d. CFC’s

19. Which of the following show the approximate concentrations of CO2, N2, and O2 in dry air?
78%
Less 1%
21% B
43%
56% C
36% 8% D
10%
70%
20% E

20. e. Less 1% CO2, 78% N2, 21% O2

21. Of the following cities, which regularly experiences the worst levels of photochemical smog that is enhanced by thermal inversions?
New York City, New York
Los Angeles, California
Portland, Oregan
Atlanta, Georgia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

22. b. Los Angeles, California

23. Possible effects of a warmer atmosphere include which of the following?
Expanded ranges of tropical diseases
More intense hurricanes and typhoons
Increased crop damage from pests and diseases
I only
II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II, and III

24. e. I, II, and III

25. When a rain forest is slashed and burned, the local concentration of carbon dioxide is the atmosphere increases. This is primarily due to
Changes in the local climate
Oxidation of carbon compounds
Cellular respiration of rain forest plants
Erosion of exposed soil
Carbon dioxide being released by anaerobic organisms

26. b. Oxidation of carbon compounds

27. Pollution is considered an external cost when
It has harmful effects borne only by the people who purchase the products that cause the pollution
The cost to the environment is not reflected in the price of the products that produce the pollution
It has a significant impact on the consumer’s decision to buy a product that pollutes
It is a hidden cost that would result in a greater demand for the product if the consumer were aware of the hidden cost
It is produced in the external environment by a malfunction in the operation of the product

28. b. The cost to the environment is not reflected in the price of the products that produce the pollution

29. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas produced by domestic livestock?
NO2
CH4 O3 CO
SO2

30. b. CH4

31. Which of the following best illustrates point source pollution?
Toxic sediments in the delta of a major river
Increase in NO2 in traffic clogged city
Dust blowing off unpaved roads
Smoke emitted from forest fires
Smokestack emissions from a large smelting company

32. e. Smokestack emissions from a large smelting company

33. All of the following have been reported and are possible signs of global warming except
Bleaching of coral reefs with warmer water
Spread of tropical diseases away from the equator
Homestead farming in Antarctica
Severe weather

34. C. Homestead farming in Antarctica

35. The three main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants in the United States are
Soil erosion, volcanoes, and forest fires
Soil erosion, volcanoes, and energy production
Industry, construction, and agriculture
Industry, transportation, and energy production
Industry, transportation, and agriculture

36. d. Industry, transportation, and energy production

37. Acid deposition would most likely result in which of the following?
The release of aluminum ions from soil
An increase in populations of mollusks
The death of species tolerant of low pH levels
An increase in buffering of lake water by sulfates
An increase in the pH of buffered water

38. a. The release of aluminum ions from soil

39. If the Earth had no atmosphere, the mean surface temperature would be approximately -15ºC. With our present atmopshere, Earth’s mean temperature is approximately +15ºC. Which of the following is the best explanation for this difference?
Reflection of incident solar radiation by clouds
Scattering of visible radiation by the ozone layer
Absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer
Absorption of infrared radiation by the atmospheric gases
The breakdown of oxygen molecules in the thermosphere

40. d. Absorption of infrared radiation by the atmospheric gases

41. Ground level ozone in most major United States cities results primarily from
Burning coal
Burning fuel for cooking
Producing electric power
Industrial emissions
Motor-vehicle exhaust

42. e. Motor-vehicle exhaust

43. Global warming is most likely to directly cause which of the following?
Shifting of grain belts toward the equator
Falling sea levels in the Southern Hemisphere
Coastal flooding and submersion of low lying areas
A decrease in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere
An increase in the number and size of glaciers

44. c. Coastal flooding and submersion of low lying areas

45. Which of the following is an important contributor to both global warming and ozone depletion?
An increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide to higher than preindustrial levels
A buildup of methane in the stratosphere to higher than preindustrial levels
An increase in the levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth’s surface
An increase in the amount of infrared solar radiation absorbed in the troposphere
A release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere

46. e. A release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere

47. Smoke from forest fires is most likely to affect air quality over larger areas for many days when
Smog is produced due to chemical reactions in the atmosphere
A persistent atmospheric inversion exists in the region
Oak trees are burned, releasing terpenes into the atmosphere
Primary, rather than secondary, forests are burned
Vegetation in the region is green and burns more slowly

48. b. A persistent atmospheric inversion exists in the region

49. Which of the following best explains why it is predicted that ozone depletion over the poles will be at its worst between 2010 and 2019?
Projected global warming from carbon dioxide emissions is expected to reach a peak during those years
Ozone-depleting chemicals produced before their use was banned will take that long to reach peak concentrations in the stratosphere
Deforestation in tropical regions is expected to reach a peak during the second decade of the twenty-first century
Increased global populations will lead to an increase in per capita CO2 production
Acid deposition will continue to increase, reaching peak in approximately 2015

50. b. Ozone-depleting chemicals produced before their use was banned will take that long to reach peak concentrations in the stratosphere

51. A. Urban areas trap more heat than rural areas do

52. Which of these describes the heat-island effect?
Urban areas trap more heat than rural areas do
Tropical islands reflect heat back into the atmosphere
Warm water in the Pacific causes excessive evaporation into the atmosphere
Lakes retain heat and provide warmth for landmasses nearby
Rapid decomposition in swamps releases large amounts of heat

53. Sea Surface Tempeature
During an El Nino- Southern Oscillation event, which of the following best describes conditions in the eastern part of the tropical Pacific Ocean (ex: near Peru and Ecuador)?
Sea Surface Tempeature
Rainfall A.
Low B.
High C. D. E.
Normal

54. D. High Sea Surface Temperatures, High Rainfall

55. True statements about ozone include which of the following?
It is a pollutant in the troposphere
It filters out most of the UV – C radiation in the stratosphere
Most of it is formed in the stratosphere by reactions between carbon dioxide and free oxygen atoms
I only
II only
III only
I and II only
I, II, and III

56. d. I and II only

57. Of the following, which is true of noise pollution
Noise pollution is an insignificant occupational hazard
Noise at 100 decibels has twice the energy of noise at 50 decibels
Hearing damage occurs most quickly when the intensity level of the sound is low
In urban areas, few individuals are exposed to noise pollution
Sudden or persistent noise may lead to permanent hearing loss

58. e. Sudden or persistent noise may lead to permanent hearing loss