CPC CPC Environmental Chemistry & Regulations 2

Question 1

Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP) over a 100-year period on a per-molecule basis?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)

Answer

SF6 has an extremely high GWP of approximately 23,500 over 100 years due to its strong infrared absorption and long atmospheric lifetime of ~3,200 years.

Question 2

The Superfund program (CERCLA) in the US requires cleanup of:

Accepted Answer

Contaminated sites where hazardous substances pose public health or environmental risks

Answer

CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) establishes the Superfund to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites posing risks to health or the environment.

Question 3

Eutrophication of water bodies is primarily caused by excess inputs of which nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen and phosphorus

Answer

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff and wastewater stimulate algal blooms; when algae decompose, bacterial respiration depletes dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic zones.

Question 4

Which analytical method is preferred for determining volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water under EPA Method 524?

Accepted Answer

Purge-and-trap GC/MS

Answer

EPA Method 524 uses purge-and-trap concentration followed by GC/MS analysis to identify and quantify VOCs in drinking water at ppb and sub-ppb levels.

Question 5

The Clean Water Act's NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit program regulates:

Accepted Answer

Discharges of pollutants into navigable waters of the US from point sources

Answer

NPDES permits set effluent limits for point sources (pipes, ditches) discharging pollutants into US waters, establishing technology-based and water quality-based limits.

(CPC) Certified Professional Chemist Practice Test

(CPC) Certified Professional Chemist Practice Test

CPC CPC Environmental Chemistry & Regulations 2