Practice Test GeeksBCE - Bachelor of Civil Engineering Practice Test
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Environmental Engineering Flashcards

6 cards from real BCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Environmental Engineering flashcards as text

  1. Which type of lagoon uses only natural processes (wind, sunlight, algae) for wastewater treatment?

    Answer: Stabilization pond

    Stabilization ponds (waste stabilization ponds) rely on natural sunlight, wind, and algal-bacterial symbiosis for wastewater treatment without mechanical aeration.

  2. What is the purpose of the activated sludge process in secondary wastewater treatment?

    Answer: To biologically degrade dissolved organic matter using microorganisms

    The activated sludge process uses a biologically active suspension of microorganisms in an aeration tank to metabolize dissolved and colloidal organic matter from wastewater.

  3. Solid waste disposed in a sanitary landfill must be compacted and covered daily primarily to:

    Answer: Control odors, vectors, and fire hazards

    Daily cover of compacted solid waste controls odors, prevents vector attraction (rodents, flies), reduces fire risk, and controls litter blowing off the site.

  4. Which air pollutant is primarily responsible for acid rain?

    Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)

    Acid rain results from SO₂ and NOₓ emissions (primarily from fossil fuel combustion) that react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids.

  5. What is the environmental significance of the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in a stream?

    Answer: It reflects the ability of the stream to support aquatic life and indicates organic pollution levels

    DO levels indicate both the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the degree of organic pollution; low DO caused by BOD exertion stresses or kills fish and other organisms.

  6. The USEPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) regulate which group of pollutants called 'criteria pollutants'?

    Answer: SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, PM₂.₅/PM₁₀, Pb

    NAAQS criteria pollutants are SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), and lead—six pollutants regulated based on health-based standards.