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APES Unit 8 Test
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Questions in this quiz (48)
1The diagram below depicts a surface water source that has undergone cultural eutrophication. Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the algal bloom in the lake?
- ARunoff carried excess fertilizer from the cornfield into the water.
- BThe water table rose and caused widespread flooding in the area.
- CExcess oxygen was released into the water when the fish died.
- DDecomposition of the dead algae used up all the dissolved carbon dioxide.
2Which of the following correctly identifies both a nonpoint source and a point source of pollution?
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
3Which of the following correctly identifies an example of an endocrine disruptor and the effect it might have on the human body?
- APhthalates in cosmetics and shampoos reduce fertility.
- BHigh levels of lead in drinking water could lead to neurological damage.
- CThe bacterium E. coli found in vegetables causes abdominal cramping and vomiting.
- DExposure to radon in indoor air is linked to increased rates of lung cancer.
4Which of the following best describes the action of endocrine disruptors in organisms?
- AEndocrine disruptors reduce primary productivity in plants, inducing a trophic cascade.
- BEndocrine disruptors mimic naturally occurring hormones in animals, leading to developmental disorders.
- CEndocrine disruptors scar the lung tissue of animals, inducing respiratory difficulties.
- DEndocrine disruptors block the central nervous system of animals, leading to behavioral abnormalities.
5Which of the following is the best example of a point source pollutant?
- AOil tanker spill
- BFarm field
- CGolf course
- DParking lot
6Which of the following is an example of a point source of pollution?
- AA leaking septic tank
- BAgricultural pollution from a group of cattle farms
- CAcid mine drainage
- DRunoff following road construction
7Which of the following pollutants would most likely be responsible for gender imbalance in a population of frogs in which all observed frogs are female?
- AFertilizers
- BAnimal waste from farms
- CCarcinogens
- DEndocrine disruptors
8The diagram below depicts a surface water source that has undergone cultural eutrophication. Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the bottom-dwelling plants in the lake to die?
- AThe algal bloom prevented sunlight from reaching the bottom-dwelling plants, which reduced the rates of photosynthesis.
- BOxygen was released into the water when the algae died.
- CToxins such as lead and mercury were released into the water when the fish died.
- DThe remnants of the corn crop were burned after the corn was harvested, decreasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
9Which of the following examples includes both a point and a nonpoint source of pollution?
- AWaste from animal feedlots and sediment from construction sites
- BA factory smokestack and a sewage overflow
- CRunoff from city streets and pesticides from agricultural fields
- DFertilizer from suburban lawns and wastewater from a water treatment plant
10Which of the following is a point source pollutant that would likely affect the ecosystem health of a coral reef?
- ASmall pieces of plastic washed in by local currents
- BOil released from the broken hull of a shipwrecked tanker
- CExcess nutrients introduced by fertilization of farmland
- DRunoff of oil from nearby urban highway
systems
11Endocrine disruptors directly affect which of the following in an organism?
- AHormones
- BOxygen levels
- CIron content
- DWhite blood cells
12Which of the following is the most likely consequence of runoff transporting chemicals that are endocrine disruptors to a pond?
- AIncreased mutualistic relationships between fish and frog populations in the pond
- BDecreased turbidity in the pond
- CIncreased dissolved oxygen in the pond
- DIncreased frequency of birth defects in fish populations in the pond
13The diagram below depicts a surface water source that has undergone cultural eutrophication. Based on the diagram, which of the following processes most likely caused the fish in the lake to die?
- AThe herbicides used on the corn crop were washed into the lake, accidentally poisoning the fish.
- BThe algal bloom at the surface released carbon dioxide into the water, suffocating the fish.
- CCarbohydrates were released into the water when the bottom-dwelling plants died, increasing the amount of competition for food.
- DThe remains of the bottom-dwelling plants and algae decomposed, depleting the amount of oxygen in the water.
14Which of the following would best be described as a point source of pollution from a farm?
- ANitrogenous fertilizers added to drip irrigation used for growing crops
- BRunoff from the waste lagoons of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, which enters local waterways after a flooding event
- CParticulate matter from bare soil on plowed fields entering the atmosphere from wind
- DTractors and harvesters burning fossil fuels and releasing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides into the atmosphere
15Which of the following best describes the source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that could accumulate in the tissues of a top predator?
- ADDT and other pesticides that are sprayed to control for mosquitoes
- BMethane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) released from livestock operations
- CSulfur dioxide (SO2) released from coal-burning power plants
- DCFCs that are manufactured to be used as pesticides
16Which of the following is the most likely impact of thermal pollution from power plants on a river ecosystem?
- AReduced growth rates of primary producers such as aquatic plants and algae
- BDecreased metabolic rates of aquatic animals exposed to the heated water
- CIncreased sedimentation because minerals precipitate out of the water column in warm water
- DDecreased oxygen levels because warm water holds less dissolved gas than cold water does
17Which of the following practices would best help to protect against inland and coastal flooding in urban areas?
- APreserving wetland and coastal mangrove
habitats - BRegulating the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture
- CIncreasing the capacity of the sewer lines so they can handle a larger volume of water
- DStraightening stream channels to increase stream flow
- APreserving wetland and coastal mangrove
18Which of the following statements best describes how the Clean Water Act legislation aims to protect wetlands from being lost?
- AThe Clean Water Act bans the draining of wetlands over five acres in size.
- BThe Clean Water Act requires wetlands to be constructed to mitigate the effect of newly drained wetlands.
- CThe Clean Water Act establishes standards for the quality of surface waters that must be continually monitored and reported.
- DThe Clean Water Act prohibits the use of wetlands for development and construction.
19Which of the following is a way to potentially eliminate one of the greatest threats to the world's mangrove wetlands?
- AEmploy irrigation methods to address potential desertification of mangrove habitats.
- BIncrease desalination to reduce the effects of prolonged drought in mangroves.
- CIntegrate ecologically sound shrimp aquacultural practices with mangrove management.
- DConstruct dams in mangroves to increase sediment load and decrease pollution.
20Which of the following approaches would best decrease the impact of frequent flooding in a community that is subject to the hazard of flooding?
- ARemove forested areas around all streams and rivers and change land use to agriculture.
- BEncourage developers to build housing developments on the floodplain.
- CIncrease the height of natural levees
downstream from the community. - DConstruct wetland areas near the rivers and streams.
21Which of the following best describes how thermal pollution from power plants can affect aquatic ecosystems?
- AWarm water discharged into rivers and streams decreases the oxygen content of the water, which reduces the number of fish species.
- BWarm water runoff that reaches lakes and ponds
slows down the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, which decreases primary productivity. - CWastewater from nuclear power plants contains radioisotopes and carbonic acid, which increase the rate of cancer in aquatic species.
- DWater injected into the ground during the hydraulic fracking process can seep into wells, causing methane contamination.
22According to the World Health Organization, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are found in nearly all tested organism tissues and environmental samples. Which characteristic of POPs accounts for their presence in living tissues and in environmental samples?
- APOPs are released in to the air, water, and land, which allows them to be transported and incorporated in multiple ways.
- BPOPs are organic compounds, so they can biodegrade easily and move through various environments.
- CPOPs are synthetic chemicals, so only humans and urban environments are exposed to the pollutants.
- DPOPs are lipophilic, which means that they can be stored in fatty tissues for long periods of time.
23A small lake, located downstream of a power plant, recently experienced a die-off of multiple aquatic species. Environmentalists had been monitoring the temperature of the lake for several months prior to the die-off and noticed a significant spike in the temperature of the lake immediately preceding the die-off event. Which of the following best explains why the die-off event occurred in the lake following the increased water temperature?
- AThe warm water decreased the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which led to an increase in the rate of decomposition in the lake.
- BThe warm water decreased the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which led to an increase in the respiration rate of the aquatic organisms.
- CThe warm water increased the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which led to an increase in the amount of competition by consumers for food.
- DThe warm water increased the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which led to an increase in the photosynthetic rate of the aquatic organisms.
24Which of the following strategies will best help to protect mangrove habitats?
- AIncreasing aquaculture operations to reduce overfishing
- BEncouraging land use changes in areas
surrounding mangroves to shift to agriculture - CIncreasing subsidies for hydroelectric dam construction
- DLimiting coastal development and maintain a shoreline buffer zone
25A beach community was recently negatively affected by a hurricane.
Community leaders are looking for a potential solution to prevent damage from future hurricanes. Below is a list of their concerns as well as how important each issue is to the community.
Which of the following solutions would best address the issues of greatest concern in the community?
- AConstruction of an offshore breakwater
- BConstruction of a seawall
- CAdding large sand dunes
- DPlanting mangrove
forests
26Which of the following best describes why persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic to organisms?
- AThey are naturally occurring in the soil and water; therefore, they easily contaminate the food web.
- BThey do not break down easily and can accumulate in the fat tissue of an organism.
- CThey emit gamma radiation, increasing the likelihood of mutations and cancer.
- DThey are easily dispersed by wind and water, greatly increasing the affected areas.
27Scientists are interested in studying the bioaccumulation of mercury in different species of dolphins exposed to the same concentration of mercury. The dolphins in the study will be of similar age and living in the same habitat. Which of the following best identifies a testable hypothesis for the study?
- ADolphin species that are not exposed to mercury in the water will still have trace levels of mercury in their muscle tissues from exposure through air.
- BDolphins will have the highest levels of mercury in their fatty tissues when they are exposed to the highest concentration of mercury.
- CThe concentration of mercury in the tissues of different species of dolphins is dependent on the life span of the species and on the number of offspring produced.
- DDifferent species of dolphins will have different levels of mercury in their fatty tissues depending on the species' ability to absorb and excrete mercury.
28A scientist wanted to investigate the effect of tropospheric ozone on the respiratory function of mice. Twenty female mice were placed in one of five different field environments that mimicked the natural habitats of the mice. Each environment had a tube connected to it that would pump in a set level of ozone measured in ppm. In each field environment, the scientist measured the average respiratory output for the twenty mice over a three-month time frame. Which of the following describes the independent variable in the experiment?
- AThe respiratory output of each mouse
- BThe different levels of ozone introduced into the environments
- CThe use of female mice
- DThe simulated field environment that housed the group of twenty mice
29Based on the data in the graph, which of the following solutions most likely led to the decrease in the amount of waste sent to landfills from 1990 to 2015?
- AIncreased composting of e-waste
- BIncreased recycling of waste
- CIncreased composting of domestic waste
- DIncreased combustion of waste
30The use of pesticides on crops has had significant negative effects on honeybee populations. The pesticide imidacloprid, which is used to control parasites like aphids, is highly toxic to bees in small concentrations. Imidacloprid has an LD50 dose of 78ng per bee, which weigh, on average, 0.1 grams. Which of the following approaches would you use to calculate the amount of pesticide, in milligrams per gram of bees? (Note: 1,000mg=1,000,000,000ng)
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
- AA
31One benefit of solid waste disposal in landfills is that the methane produced from decomposition can be harnessed for energy. Based on the data in the graph, methane production from waste management most likely peaked during which of the following years?
- A2010
- B1990
- C2000
- D1980
32The following graph shows the dose-response relationship of tetramethyl lead in rats.
Which of the following approaches should be used to calculate the amount of lead, in milligrams, that would be present in a population of 200 rats with each rat weighing on average 20 grams, dosed with the LD50 dose.
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
- AA
33The table below shows the number of brine shrimp that hatched over 72 hours in three different concentrations of salt water. All tanks had 50 eggs at the start of the study.
Which of the following claims about brine shrimp is best supported by the data in the table?
- ABrine shrimp generally hatch in 36 to 48 hours in warm temperatures.
- BThere is more food available for brine shrimp when the water has a salt concentration of 20mg/100mL.
- CThe growth and survival of brine shrimp are optimal 72 hours after hatching.
- DThe optimal salinity for brine shrimp hatching is 30mg/100mL.
34The graph below shows the dose response curves for four different chemicals, labeled A - D, in a dose-response study on the effects of the chemicals on mortality in amphibians. All dose experiments began at 0 units of each chemical.
Based on the data in the graph, which of the four chemicals is the most toxic to amphibians regardless of dose?
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
35A scientist wants to study the effect of DDT in a fish-eating bird species. She measures a variety of variables in a population of birds over a period of ten years to determine how levels of DDT affect bird survival and reproduction.
Which of the following identifies a scientific question she could ask to best evaluate the effect of DDT on the bird species?- AHow long does it take for
DDT to break down once it is absorbed in the fatty tissues of the fish-eating birds? - BIs the bird species able to metabolize DDT faster than the fish the birds consume?
- CDoes the persistence of DDT lead to eggshell thinning or developmental deformities in the bird species?
- DHas the decrease in DDT usage led to a decrease in DDT concentration in the tissues of fish-eating birds?
- AHow long does it take for
36At what step in the diagram would the last solid waste be removed from the wastewater in the treatment plant?
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
37Based on the diagram, which of the following is one way that the Zika virus can be spread within the human population?
- AThrough contaminated food
- BThrough drinking water
- CFrom a mother to her unborn child
- DAirborne transmission
38Based on the data in the graph, which of the following likely occurred from 1960 to 2015 because of changes in solid waste disposal methods?
- ALess carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere.
- BFewer natural resources needed to be extracted.
- CLess land was used for landfills.
- DGroundwater contamination declined.
39At what step in the diagram would wastewater most likely be treated with chlorine or UV light to remove bacteria?
- ABetween steps A and B
- BDuring step D
- CBetween steps C and D
- DBefore step A
40A scientist is studying the correlation between air pollution and cardiovascular disease in humans. Which of the following measures would best show a link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease?
- AMortality rates from cardiovascular disease in populations in different countries
- BTotal number of emergency room visits by individuals with cardiovascular disease in urban areas compared to rural areas
- COccurrences of emergency room visits by individuals with cardiovascular disease on days with a high air quality index value
- DChange in number of individuals with cardiovascular diseases over the past 50 years compared to levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide
41A scientist wanted to investigate the effect of tropospheric ozone on the respiratory function of mice. Twenty female mice were placed in one of five different field environments that mimicked the natural habitats of the mice. Each environment had a tube connected to it that would pump in a set level of ozone measured in ppm. In each field environment, the scientist measured the average respiratory output for the twenty mice over a three-month time frame.
Which of the following should be added to the study to best serve as the control group?- AA replicated experiment conducted in the field and not in the laboratory
- BA replicated experiment using male mice
- CA group of twenty mice provided with additional food resources
- DA group of twenty mice that were not exposed to ozone
42Based on the diagram, which of the following is the vector that transmits the Zika virus to humans?
- AUrban areas
- BTree pollen
- CMosquitoes
- DChimpanzees
43The table below shows the number of brine shrimp that hatched over 72 hours in three different concentrations of salt water. All tanks had 50 eggs at the start of the study.
Based on the data in the table, which of the following concentrations of sodium chloride is most toxic to brine shrimp?- A0mg/100mL
- B20mg/100mL
- C10mg/100mL
- D30mg/100mL
44Based on the pathways shown in the diagram, which of the following best describes how climate change will most likely increase the transmission rates of the Zika virus?
- AA decrease in the number of baboons will lead to an increase in human exposure to the virus.
- BDesertification will cause an increase in the number of monkeys and chimpanzees, which will decrease the overall number of cases of Zika.
- CA shift in the human population to urban areas will decrease transmission between people.
- DExpanded mosquito ranges will increase human exposure to the virus.
45Long Island Sound is a body of water off the northeast coast of the United States. Over nine million people live in the small watershed area that feeds into the sound. To determine the effect of the population density on the watershed, scientists measured the oxygen content of bottom waters in the sound. The data from late summer 2013 are displayed in the map below.
Which of the following factors would most likely contribute to the conditions observed in the Long Island Sound?
- APlastic pollution
- BOverfishing
- CRestricted circulation
- DSewage treatment
46Based on the diagram, organic solids that have settled to the bottom of the treatment tanks in step B are transferred to which of the following for further processing?
- AScreens
- BSludge treatment tanks
- CFilter beds
- DEffluent discharge
47A biologist is studying a small food web in which phytoplankton are eaten by krill, krill are eaten by fish, and fish are eaten by seals. During their study of the ecosystem, the biologist discovers that PCBs are present in measurable levels in the water and wants to examine how PCBs could vary in different trophic levels. Which of the following best identifies a testable hypothesis for the study?
- ABiomagnification will cause the seals to have the highest amount of PCBs in their tissues.
- BBiomagnification will cause the phytoplankton to have the highest amount of PCBs in their tissues.
- CBioaccumulation will cause the fish to have the highest amount of PCBs in their tissues.
- DBioaccumulation will cause the seals to have the highest amount of PCBs in their tissues.
48A scientist investigated the radiation sensitivity of different mammals to x-rays to determine the LD50 within 30 days. Results from the study are included below.
Based on the LD50 data in the table, which of the following equations should be used to calculate how many times greater the resistance of a rabbit to xx-rays is than that of a dog?
- A800×325
- B800/325
- C800-325
- D800+325
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- AP Environmenal Science Quiz on APES Unit 8 Test, created by S G on 10/03/2025.
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- S G
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