Pollution and Waste Flashcards
6 cards from real Environmental Science practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pollution and Waste flashcards as text
Which U.S. federal law governs the cleanup of contaminated hazardous waste sites?
Answer: CERCLA (Superfund)
CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), known as Superfund, funds hazardous site cleanup.
What is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation is the largest contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
Which type of pollution involves the introduction of harmful chemicals into water bodies through agricultural runoff?
Answer: Nonpoint source pollution
Nonpoint source pollution comes from diffuse sources like farmland runoff rather than a single identifiable discharge point.
What term describes the increase in concentration of a pollutant as it moves up the food chain?
Answer: Biomagnification
Biomagnification is the process by which toxin concentrations increase at each successive trophic level.
Which class of air pollutants is regulated under the U.S. Clean Air Act as the six common air pollutants?
Answer: Criteria air pollutants
The EPA designates six 'criteria pollutants' including ozone, particulate matter, CO, NO₂, SO₂, and lead.
Acid rain is primarily caused by atmospheric reactions involving which two gases?
Answer: SO₂ and NOₓ
SO₂ and NOₓ emitted from power plants and vehicles react with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids.