AP Environmental Science & Ecology 2

Question 1

Agricultural runoff carrying excess nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers most directly causes which environmental problem?

Accepted Answer

Eutrophication

Answer

Excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff trigger eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion in water bodies.

Question 2

Biomagnification refers to which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

The increasing concentration of toxins at higher trophic levels

Answer

Biomagnification is the process by which persistent toxins like DDT become increasingly concentrated in organisms at successively higher trophic levels.

Question 3

Which of the following is considered a primary air pollutant directly emitted from vehicle exhaust?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Answer

Carbon monoxide is emitted directly from vehicle exhaust (primary pollutant), while ozone and PAN form through subsequent atmospheric reactions (secondary pollutants).

Question 4

Acid rain is defined as precipitation with a pH value:

Accepted Answer

Below 5.6

Answer

Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6 due to dissolved CO2; acid rain is defined as precipitation with a pH below 5.6, caused by dissolved SO2 and NOx from combustion.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates a point source of water pollution?

Accepted Answer

A municipal wastewater discharge pipe

Answer

Point source pollution originates from a single, identifiable location such as a discharge pipe; non-point sources like agricultural runoff are spread across large areas.

AP - Advanced Placement Test Practice Test

AP - Advanced Placement Test Practice Test

AP Environmental Science & Ecology 2