Earth and Humans

Toxic runoff can pollute a stream and also................................

• produce acid rain

• cause soil erosion

• create algae blooms

• pollute groundwater

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which household change demonstrates the BEST stewardship of water?

• increasing the number of irrigation sprinkler heads

• increasing the number of low-flow showerheads

• switching from water-boiler and radiator heat to forced-air heat

• switching from an electric water heater to a solar water heater

A farmer has a steeply sloping pasture that is eroding. Which is the BEST option to stop the

immediate erosion of the topsoil?

• Increase the amount of vegetation on the sloping pasture.

• Plant trees and shrubs at the bottom of the sloping pasture.

• Increase the soil thickness by adding five inches of sandy soil.

• Increase the organic content of the topsoil by adding earthworms.

Michelle is interested in improving the quality of the soil in her yard. She wants more water and air to

penetrate the soil. What should she add to the soil to help her achieve this goal?

• bacteria

• fertilizers

• pesticides

• earthworms

Acid rain has a pH below 5.6. This rain can damage soil, lakes, crops, and buildings. Acid rain is

caused by all of the following EXCEPT

• industrial emissions from factories.

• coal that is burned to produce heat and power.

• automobile exhaust.

• nuclear power plants that produce radiation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Look at the list of features of a watershed below a highway.

1. roadside soil and plants

2. nearby lakes and streams

3. underground water system

4. wells for drinking water

Which of these features belong in a model of how salt used to melt ice on roads can damage the

environment?

• 1 only

• 1 and 2 only

• 1, 2, and 3 only

• 1, 2, 3, and 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Just under half the oil that enters ocean water comes from natural oil seeps on the ocean floor. Just

over half the oil in the oceans comes from human activities. Which human activity contributes the

MOST oil to the oceans?

• transporting oil over the ocean surface

• drilling for oil on the ocean floor

• polluting land with oil that reaches the oceans in runoff

• polluting air with oil that reaches the ocean in precipitation

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-6

How do toxic heavy metals move from soil to lakes and streams?

• runoff

• condensation

• precipitation

• transpiration