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This exam was created by a large language model. Please use it with caution, as inaccuracies may be present. Always verify critical information.

Which of the following soil horizons is characterized by the accumulation of leached materials, such as clay and iron oxides?

Select one option

A) O horizon

B) A horizon

C) B horizon

D) C horizon

A severe drought causes a significant reduction in primary productivity in an grassland ecosystem. Which of the following is the most likely long-term consequence for the ecosystem's energy flow?

Select one option

A) An increase in the carrying capacity of primary consumers.

B) A decrease in the overall biomass at all trophic levels.

C) A shift from detritivore-based to grazer-based food webs.

D) An enhanced rate of decomposition due to increased stress.

A country's population pyramid shows a wide base with a large number of young individuals and a rapidly narrowing top. This demographic profile is most characteristic of a country experiencing which of the following?

Select one option

A) Rapid population decline and an aging population.

B) Stable population growth with low birth and death rates.

C) High birth rates, high death rates, and rapid population growth.

D) High birth rates, declining death rates, and rapid population growth.

The practice of no-till farming is primarily implemented to achieve which of the following environmental benefits?

Select one option

A) Increased reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

B) Reduced soil erosion and improved soil structure.

C) Enhanced water runoff from agricultural fields.

D) Greater need for heavy machinery and fossil fuels.

Which of the following fossil fuels has the highest energy density and produces the least amount of carbon dioxide per unit of energy when combusted?

Select one option

A) Coal

B) Oil

C) Natural Gas

D) Tar Sands

A sharp increase in the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of a river is most likely caused by which of the following?

Select one option

A) Increased photosynthesis by aquatic plants.

B) Discharge of untreated sewage into the river.

C) A significant decrease in water temperature.

D) The introduction of an invasive fish species.

10.

The primary mechanism by which chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete stratospheric ozone is through the release of which of the following atoms?

Select one option

A) Carbon

B) Fluorine

C) Chlorine

D) Oxygen

11.

Which of the following best describes the ecological concept of a 'keystone species'?

Select one option

A) A species that is numerically dominant in an ecosystem.

B) A species whose removal causes a cascade of effects on other species and ecosystem function.

C) A species that is threatened or endangered and requires legal protection.

D) A species that has a wide geographic distribution and high genetic diversity.

12.

Desalination is a process used to produce fresh water from saltwater. What is a significant environmental drawback of reverse osmosis desalination?

Select one option

A) It typically requires very little energy.

B) It produces a concentrated brine waste product.

C) It contributes to ocean acidification.

D) It replenishes freshwater aquifers too quickly.

13.

Photochemical smog is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight. Which of the following is a primary component of photochemical smog?

Select one option

A) Sulfur dioxide

B) Carbon monoxide

C) Ozone

D) Lead

14.

Which of the following renewable energy sources harnesses heat from within the Earth's crust?

Select one option

A) Hydropower

B) Biomass

C) Geothermal

D) Tidal energy

15.

The layer of the atmosphere where most weather phenomena occur is the:

Select one option

A) Stratosphere

B) Mesosphere

C) Thermosphere

D) Troposphere

16.

When a population grows exponentially, its growth rate:

Select one option

A) Remains constant regardless of population size.

B) Increases as the population size increases.

C) Decreases as the population size increases.

D) Fluctuates unpredictably due to environmental resistance.

17.

The process of mountaintop removal mining has which of the following significant environmental impacts?

Select one option

A) Decreased risk of acid mine drainage.

B) Preservation of stream ecosystems in valleys.

C) Permanent loss of biodiversity and habitat fragmentation.

D) Reduced erosion due to flatter terrain.

18.

Leachate is a significant environmental concern associated with landfills. Which of the following best describes leachate?

Select one option

A) A gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste.

B) A liquid containing dissolved toxic substances that seeps from landfills.

C) The solid waste that has been compacted and covered daily.

D) The plastic liner used to prevent contamination of groundwater.

19.

Sustainable development is often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition emphasizes:

Select one option

A) Economic growth above all other considerations.

B) The intrinsic value of nature over human needs.

C) Intergenerational equity and resource stewardship.

D) Exclusive reliance on non-renewable resources.

20.

Which of the following processes in the water cycle directly contributes to the formation of groundwater?

Select one option

A) Evaporation

B) Transpiration

C) Infiltration

D) Condensation

21.

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources, is known as the:

Select one option

A) Biotic potential

B) Environmental resistance

C) Carrying capacity

D) Reproductive limit

22.

A marine protected area (MPA) is established to protect a fish population. Over five years following the MPA's establishment, fish biomass within the MPA increases by 30%, while fish biomass in adjacent, unprotected waters also shows a smaller increase. This observation supports the concept of:

Select one option

A) Bycatch reduction

B) Fisheries collapse

C) Spillover effect

D) Trophic cascade

23.

Which of the following is a primary environmental concern associated with nuclear power generation?

Select one option

A) Significant greenhouse gas emissions during operation.

B) Dependence on intermittent energy sources.

C) Production of long-lived radioactive waste.

D) Large-scale habitat destruction during fuel extraction.

24.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise pollution can lead to which of the following in humans?

Select one option

A) Increased cognitive function.

B) Reduced stress levels.

C) Hearing loss and elevated blood pressure.

D) Enhanced nocturnal vision.

25.

The anthropocentric worldview considers humans to be the central or most significant entities in the world and interprets the world in terms of human values and experiences. Which of the following environmental ethics approaches is most aligned with this worldview?

Select one option

A) Biocentrism

B) Ecocentrism

C) Stewardship

D) Deep Ecology

Island Freshwater Crisis

A small island nation is facing challenges related to its freshwater supply. The island's population was 100,000 in 2000 and has been growing at an average annual rate of 1.5%. The island's primary freshwater source is a single aquifer, with a sustainable yield of 6,000,000 cubic meters ( $m^3$ ) per year. The average per capita water consumption on the island is 150 liters per day. To address water scarcity, the government is considering two options: Option A: Construct a desalination plant with a capacity of 5,000,000 $m^3$ per year, at an annual operating cost of $2.50 per$ m^3 $of water produced. Option B: Implement a comprehensive water conservation program aimed at reducing per capita consumption by 20%, with an annual cost of$ 5,000,000 for public education and infrastructure upgrades.

26.

(a) Calculate the projected population of the island in the year 2020. Show your work.

27.

(b) Calculate the total annual water demand for the projected population in 2020 in cubic meters ( $m^3$ ). Show your work and include units.

28.

(c) Evaluate which option (A or B) would be more cost-effective in addressing the water deficit in 2020, assuming the aquifer is the primary source. Justify your answer with calculations.

29.

(d) Describe one environmental advantage and one environmental disadvantage of each option (desalination and conservation).

Palm Oil Deforestation

A large area of tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia is being cleared at an alarming rate for palm oil plantations. This deforestation has significant local and global environmental consequences. The region is home to many endemic species, including orangutans, which are highly dependent on the forest habitat.

30.

(a) Describe two ecological services provided by tropical rainforests that are negatively impacted by deforestation.

31.

(b) Explain how the conversion of rainforest to palm oil plantations might affect local hydrological processes and the quality of nearby freshwater sources.

32.

(c) Propose two different strategies that could be implemented to mitigate the environmental impacts of palm oil production while still allowing for economic development.

Economic Development vs. Environmental Protection

The statement "Economic development inherently conflicts with environmental protection" is a frequently debated assertion in environmental policy and sustainability discussions.

33.

(a) Discuss two arguments that support the claim that economic development inherently conflicts with environmental protection. Provide specific examples.

34.

(b) Discuss two arguments that challenge the claim, suggesting that economic development can be compatible with, or even benefit, environmental protection. Provide specific examples.

35.

(c) Propose one specific policy or strategy that aims to reconcile economic development with environmental sustainability, and explain how it achieves this reconciliation.

Air Quality Data Study

Island Freshwater Crisis

Palm Oil Deforestation

Economic Development vs. Environmental Protection