Atmospheric Pollution
In advocating for reduced deforestation as a means of managing CO₂ levels, what secondary benefit should be considered?
Reduced deforestation invariably leads directly to significant decreases in methane production globally due solely from tree preservation efforts alone
Forests act as sinks for other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which also improves air quality besides sequestering CO₂.
Halting tree clearing activities will have minimal impact on atmospheric composition since deforestation's role is marginal compared with fossil fuel combustion.
The preservation of forests cannot contribute significantly toward stabilizing climate patterns or weather events apart from its CO₂ uptake function
Which air pollutant can lead to the formation of ozone at ground level?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigeration systems.
Carbon monoxide released from automobile exhaust.
Sulfur dioxide emitted from coal power plants.
What is a source of sulfur dioxide (SO2)?
The release of gases from volcanic eruptions
The evaporation of water from bodies of water
The burning of fossil fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal and oil
The decomposition of organic matter in landfills
What advantage does wind power have over fossil fuels in terms of environmental impact?
It relies on a fuel source that is widely available globally.
It produces no atmospheric emissions once operational.
It generates electricity at a lower cost than coal.
Its technology is simpler to construct and maintain than nuclear plants.
What are primary pollutants?
Pollutants that are formed through the interaction of other pollutants
Pollutants that are artificially created in a laboratory
Pollutants that are naturally occurring in the environment
Pollutants that are emitted directly from a source
What human activity contributes most significantly to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation
Agriculture practices including deforestation
Manufacturing consumer goods
Disposal and treatment of waste products
Which type of pollution is most responsible for creating dead zones in coastal marine ecosystems where fish and shellfish cannot survive?
Toxic heavy metals from industrial discharge
Oil spills from shipping accidents
Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff
Plastic waste entering ocean gyres

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Which household activity can lead directly to indoor air pollution?
Smoking cigarettes
Composting organic waste
Recycling plastic
Installing LED lights
What is a characteristic of ozone (O3)?
It is a gas that is produced by the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight
It is a gas that is produced by the reaction of ammonia and water vapor in the atmosphere
It is a gas that is produced by the reaction of sulfur dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere
It is a gas that is produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere
Which energy source presents the greatest risk of altering high-value biological habitats?
Hydroelectric plants with large reservoirs and changes in local river flow.
Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum extraction.
Solar energy based on large ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays.
Wind turbines located along bird migratory routes or critical habitats.