Air Pollution Analysis
A city experiences high smog levels on hot, sunny days. Which pollutants are MOST responsible?
What are NOx and VOCs?
What is the primary source of nutrients that cause eutrophication in most freshwater systems?
What is agricultural runoff?
Why does CO₂ contribute more to long-term warming than some other pollutants?
It persists longer in the atmosphere
Why are fossil fuels still widely used despite environmental impacts?
Reliable, cheap, existing infrastructure
What trend would you expect between CO₂ and temperature over time?
Both increase
Why does a temperature inversion increase human health risks?
Pollutants are trapped near the surface, increasing exposure
Why does eutrophication often lead to fish kills rather than immediate toxicity?
Decomposition lowers dissolved oxygen
Explain why the greenhouse effect is necessary but becomes harmful when enhanced
Natural warming vs excess heat trapping
Why is solar energy considered intermittent?
Depends on sunlight availability
Explain why correlation between CO₂ and temperature does not automatically prove causation
Other variables exist, but strong supporting evidence exists
Why is PM2.5 considered more dangerous than larger particles?
It penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream
Which step directly causes oxygen depletion: algal growth or decomposition? Explain
Decomposition, because bacteria consume oxygen
Identify whether this is mitigation or adaptation: building seawalls
Adaptation
Compare one environmental advantage and one limitation of wind energy
Low emissions but inconsistent output
Why do top predators show the highest toxin levels in ecosystems?
Biomagnification
A valley city has consistently worse air quality than a coastal city. Explain why.
Air is trapped due to limited circulation/inversions
A lake shows high algae growth but stable fish populations. What condition might be preventing collapse?
Sufficient oxygen mixing / buffering / low decomposition rate
Explain how ocean absorption of CO₂ acts as both a benefit and a problem
Reduces atmospheric CO₂ but causes ocean acidification
A country rapidly transitions to renewable energy. Predict ONE economic challenge
High initial cost / infrastructure changes
A graph shows oxygen levels decreasing after an algal bloom. Explain the cause
Decomposition consumes oxygen
Predict how reducing vehicle emissions would affect smog formation and explain the mechanism
Less NOx/VOCs → fewer photochemical reactions → less smog
Design a realistic solution to reduce eutrophication AND explain why it works
Buffer zones reduce nutrient runoff before entering water
Analyze this pattern: CO₂ ↑ → temperature ↑ → ice melts → albedo ↓
What type of feedback loop is this, and why?
Positive feedback—amplifies warming
Evaluate which is better long-term: fossil fuels vs renewables
Renewables—lower long-term environmental impact despite short-term costs
Predict what would happen if tertiary sewage treatment was removed
Increased nutrients → eutrophication