EVR2001 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What happens (physically/biologically) when we breathe (respire)? - answers :we
breathe in oxygen and release co2 because or cells need energy, particularly the
mitochondria
Properties and importance of the troposphere and stratosphere, including the ozone
layer? - answers :troposphere- made up of n2, o2, ar, and co2, layer immediately
adjacent to earth's surface
Stratosphere-extends from troposphere up to about 50km, no water vapor and nearly
1000x more ozone (uv protection)
Atmospheric processes/properties relevant to life on earth - answers :regulation of
global temperature (greenhouse effect)
Coriolis force (wind flows from increasing to decreasing pressure)
Atmospheric pressure allows liquid water to exist at planet's surface
Natural sources of air pollution - answers :temperature inversions- increase of smog by
inhibiting vertical mixing of air (like lid for pollutants)
Volcanoes
Dust storms
Fires
Sea spray
Vegetation-(volatile organic compounds)
Anthropogenic sources of air pollution - answers :on-road vehicles, power plants,
industrial processes, waste disposal
Clean air act (what pollutants does it regulate...sources and effects of each pollutant) -
answers :1970
Regulates stationary and mobile sources
Administered through epa
Max ambient air levels for
1. Sulfur dioxide
2. Nitrogen oxides
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Lead
5. Particulates
6. Ozone
Sulfur and nitrous oxides - answers :react w water to form acids
Contribute to smog formation
Nitrogen oxides contribute to eutrophication of water bodies
Nitrous oxide is also a greenhouse gas
Carbon monoxide - answers :invisible, tasteless, odorless gas
, Product of incomplete combustion, typically in car and truck engines
Causes hypoxia
Accidental household deaths common
Lead - answers :readily absorbed by body
Gasoline
Emission fro coal combustion
Airplanes
Now less efficient
Particulates - answers :type of aerosol (solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in
the atmosphere)
Ash, soot, lint, smoke, pollen, dust, spores, etc
Reduce visibility
When smaller than 2.5 micrometers enter lungs and cause damage to alveoli
2.5-10 micrometers cause inflammation
Dust masks can provide some protection
Besides ozone, frequently exceed limit
Ozone - answers :o3
Pale blue gas with a sharp biting odor
Highly reactive
Damages mucous and respiratory tissues
Useful for industrial purposes
Essential in stratosphere but in troposphere, it is a pollutant created by the interaction of
precursors (co, nox, and vocs including methane) with sunlight
Air pollutant that most frequently exceeds limit
Effects of air pollution on people, biota, and ecosystems - answers :respiratory
problems, cancer, death
Plant tissue damage
The air quality index - answers :a scale that ranks levels of ozone and other air
pollutants
(china, india)
Why do we eat (biologically) and what happens when we either don't get enough
calories or specific nutrients? What happens when we consume too many calories? -
answers :we eat to obtain energy
Undernourishment- consumption of insufficient calories
Malnourishment-diet lacking in one or more essential nutrients
Global food production and distribution issues (hunger, famines, etc) - answers :green
revolution transformed production
Poverty and hunger are not compatible with environmental sustainability
What happens (physically/biologically) when we breathe (respire)? - answers :we
breathe in oxygen and release co2 because or cells need energy, particularly the
mitochondria
Properties and importance of the troposphere and stratosphere, including the ozone
layer? - answers :troposphere- made up of n2, o2, ar, and co2, layer immediately
adjacent to earth's surface
Stratosphere-extends from troposphere up to about 50km, no water vapor and nearly
1000x more ozone (uv protection)
Atmospheric processes/properties relevant to life on earth - answers :regulation of
global temperature (greenhouse effect)
Coriolis force (wind flows from increasing to decreasing pressure)
Atmospheric pressure allows liquid water to exist at planet's surface
Natural sources of air pollution - answers :temperature inversions- increase of smog by
inhibiting vertical mixing of air (like lid for pollutants)
Volcanoes
Dust storms
Fires
Sea spray
Vegetation-(volatile organic compounds)
Anthropogenic sources of air pollution - answers :on-road vehicles, power plants,
industrial processes, waste disposal
Clean air act (what pollutants does it regulate...sources and effects of each pollutant) -
answers :1970
Regulates stationary and mobile sources
Administered through epa
Max ambient air levels for
1. Sulfur dioxide
2. Nitrogen oxides
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Lead
5. Particulates
6. Ozone
Sulfur and nitrous oxides - answers :react w water to form acids
Contribute to smog formation
Nitrogen oxides contribute to eutrophication of water bodies
Nitrous oxide is also a greenhouse gas
Carbon monoxide - answers :invisible, tasteless, odorless gas
, Product of incomplete combustion, typically in car and truck engines
Causes hypoxia
Accidental household deaths common
Lead - answers :readily absorbed by body
Gasoline
Emission fro coal combustion
Airplanes
Now less efficient
Particulates - answers :type of aerosol (solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in
the atmosphere)
Ash, soot, lint, smoke, pollen, dust, spores, etc
Reduce visibility
When smaller than 2.5 micrometers enter lungs and cause damage to alveoli
2.5-10 micrometers cause inflammation
Dust masks can provide some protection
Besides ozone, frequently exceed limit
Ozone - answers :o3
Pale blue gas with a sharp biting odor
Highly reactive
Damages mucous and respiratory tissues
Useful for industrial purposes
Essential in stratosphere but in troposphere, it is a pollutant created by the interaction of
precursors (co, nox, and vocs including methane) with sunlight
Air pollutant that most frequently exceeds limit
Effects of air pollution on people, biota, and ecosystems - answers :respiratory
problems, cancer, death
Plant tissue damage
The air quality index - answers :a scale that ranks levels of ozone and other air
pollutants
(china, india)
Why do we eat (biologically) and what happens when we either don't get enough
calories or specific nutrients? What happens when we consume too many calories? -
answers :we eat to obtain energy
Undernourishment- consumption of insufficient calories
Malnourishment-diet lacking in one or more essential nutrients
Global food production and distribution issues (hunger, famines, etc) - answers :green
revolution transformed production
Poverty and hunger are not compatible with environmental sustainability
