Introduction to Environmental Geology, 5e (Keller)
Chapter 19 Geology, Society, and the Future
19.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1) Why is the atmosphere such a convenient medium for disposal of wastes?
A) The atmosphere is very dynamic, so it readily dilutes and transports wastes from their
sources.
B) Reactions in the atmosphere readily break down most pollutants.
C) The atmosphere is largely unused by humans, so is a good medium in which to dispose of
wastes.
D) The atmosphere adapts to increased pollution emissions, so has been able to keep pace with
industrialization and urbanization.
2) Wind erosion processes are largely responsible for what type of pollution sources?
A) point sources
B) mobile sources
C) area sources
D) fugitive sources
3) The source of radon gas in the home is typically
A) decay of airborne uranium
B) uranium-bearing rocks and soil underlying the house
C) waste from uranium mining operations in the region
D) radioactive components of electronics equipment
4) Secondary pollutants are created by
A) secondary industrial processes
B) reaction of primary pollutants in the atmosphere
C) mobile sources, such as automobiles
D) reaction of ozone with ultraviolet light
5) The Roman Empire is thought to have fallen in part because of poisoning by
A) cadmium
B) carbon monoxide
C) selenium
D) lead
6) Radon typically is elevated in certain regions because of certain types of
A) bedrock
B) rainfall
C) industrial air pollution
D) waste disposal
7) The National Environmental Policy Act mandates what type of process?
A) land-use planning
B) environmental impact statements
C) multiple land use
D) environmental litigation
8) Why has integrated waste management been criticized?
A) overemphasis on recycling
B) results of waste reduction averaging less than 10%
C) goals that are incompatible with environmental protection
D) overregulation of hazardous wastes
9) What is leachate?
A) methane gas that leaks from sanitary landfills
B) a mineralized liquid generated by water flow through landfills
C) hazardous waste left over from biochemical degradation of chemical wastes
D) an ash by-product of waste incineration
10) What is the most important consideration in site selection for a sanitary landfill?
A) geological and climatic conditions that will limit water flow through the landfill
B) proximity to urban areas
C) geological and climatic conditions that will promote dilution of wastes by abundant water
flow
D) the socioeconomic makeup of the surrounding population
11) What was the main cause of environmental problems at Love Canal?
A) careless disposal of hazardous wastes
B) poor housing construction techniques
C) detrimental attitudes amongst residents regarding hazardous wastes
D) improper cleanup techniques
12) The process of sequential land use focuses on
A) reclamation of land from previous uses for new uses
B) sequences of land use that involve increasing levels of contamination
C) sequential use of land for similar purposes
D) preservation of scenery for subsequent land uses
13) The principal challenge of the multiple land use concept is
A) it is difficult to maximize land use for more than one purpose
B) sequential land uses impose cumulative impacts
C) multiple land uses often compete for pollution credits
D) environmental laws typically do not permit true multiple uses
14) Why is collaboration often preferred over compromise in environmental law?
A) Collaboration involves mediation, which often leads to success.
B) Collaboration is more likely than compromise to obey environmental statutes.
C) Collaboration requires that each party give something up, which provides for a fair resolution.
D) Collaboration forces opposing parties to work together for mutual gain.
15) The biggest fundamental challenge to attaining sustainability in the future will be
A) overpopulation
B) fossil fuel emissions
C) new ideas for environmental protection
D) increases in the incidence of natural hazards
16) Deep-well disposal of hazardous wastes can result in
A) earthquakes
B) landslides
C) contamination of surface waters
D) collapse of groundwater aquifer structures
17) “Superfund” sites are those that
A) have clear ownership and responsibility for contamination
B) have been abandoned by previous owners
C) have been cleaned up efficiently
D) contain contamination with organic wastes
18) What adverse effect is common to nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide?
A) production of acid rain
B) lung irritation
C) damage to substances such as rubber, paint, and textiles
D) direct damage to plant tissues
19) Most of the carbon monoxide in the atmosphere comes from
A) automobiles
B) industrial installations
C) reaction of ozone with carbon dioxide
D) natural sources
20) Why are particulates considered such a significant health hazard?
A) They can cause respiratory problems.
B) Small amounts can be acutely toxic to humans and livestock.
C) They are emitted largely by natural sources.
D) They are concentrated in rural areas.
1) Lead contamination may cause social problems in urban areas.
2) Studies in Japan and Ohio have demonstrated a causal link between soft water and heart
disease.
3) Some carcinogenic substances occur naturally in the environment, rather than being produced
by human industrial activity.
4) Radon gas in the home originates solely from rocks and soil surrounding the home.
5) “Site selection” in environmental planning is often overlooked.
6) Environmental impact statements are often completed, despite the fact that they are not
mandated by any law.
7) Mitigation is used frequently, but not always effectively.
8) New waste disposal facilities are easy and inexpensive to develop.
9) Recycling strategies can reduce solid waste disposal by 50%.
10) Materials management strategies focus on penalties for environmental contamination.
11) A negative declaration states that a project is likely to have detrimental effects on the
environment.
12) Multiple land use is usually successful because is typically possible to maximize benefits for
multiple purposes.
13) Lester Brown’s approach to avoiding an environmental crisis includes control of carbon
emissions to alleviate global warming.
14) Anthropogenic particulate matter results from industrial processes, fires, and agriculture.
15) Atmospheric inversions are largely a problem in mountainous regions.
16) Photochemical smog is a primary pollutant resulting from industrial emissions.
17) Sulfur dioxide emissions have been reduced primarily by scrubbing of gases in smokestacks.
18) A factory is a fugitive source of air pollution emissions.
19) Secondary pollutants are those emitted by smaller industrial installations.
20) The major source of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emissions is the burning of fossil fuels.
1) The Roman Empire suffered from contamination of the environment by ________.
2) ________ is the study of poisons and their effects on people and ecosystems.
3) Soft water has been implicated, by correlation, in the incidence of ________ disease.
4) Radon gas is produced by radioactive decay of the element ________.
5) ________ land use is the process of using land for more than one compatible purpose.
6) A(n) ________ is designed to contain municipal wastes and prevent nuisances and public
hazards.
7) ________ is a liquid by-product of sanitary landfill wastes.
8) The most commonly used natural material in sanitary landfill design is ________.
9) The development of a resort at the site of an old quarry near Lake Michigan is an example of
________ land use.
10) ________ in the practice of environmental law requires opposing parties to work together for
mutually beneficial solutions.
11) ________ is a process intended to provide for sound economic development while avoiding
conflicts and maintaining a high quality of life.
12) ________ is a hazardous waste dumping site in New York, famous as an example of the
environmental consequences of indiscriminant disposal of wastes.
13) ________ pollutants are emitted directly into the air.
14) Automobiles are an example of ________ air pollution sources.
15) A(n) ________ is an air pollutant known to cause cancer or other serious health problems.