HS LS

Climate change is predicted to have an impact on Earth's biodiversity. What could be a consequence of climate change on marine biodiversity?

• An increase in the temperature of the ocean may cause bleaching of corals, thus dramatically reducing biodiversity

• An increase in the temperature of the ocean will cause coastal wetlands to shrink, thus decreasing biodiversity

• An influx of fresh water as the ice caps melt will increase salinity of the ocean, thus eliminating species sensitive to changes in salinity

• An increase in atmospheric temperature will cause a significant increase in evaporation from the ocean, thus lowering sea levels around the globe and limiting viable habitats for marine organisms.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Ozone depleting substances have been depleting the ozone layer since the 1970’s. Which example could be classified as a result of a hole in the ozone layer?

• Less rainfall occurs over the Indian Ocean

• More ultraviolet radiation reaches Earth’s surface

• More pollution is released into Earth’s atmosphere

• Ocean current circulation has been greatly affected

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

Greenhouse gases have environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. Which environmental impact is NOT a result of greenhouse gases?

• global warming

• cooling of arctic water

• sea level rise due to glacial melting

• coral bleaching due to the ocean acidification

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

The choices that humans make every day affect the environment. Sometimes, our lifestyles can harm the environment rather than protect it. Which of the following would be most helpful in protecting the environment and achieving sustainability?

• Using natural gas instead of petroleum.

• Using solar power to generate electricity.

• Throwing your trash away rather than littering.

• Buying paper products made from harvested trees.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Which of the following would be a negative impact of a nuclear power plant?

• provides light from radioactive substances

• results in greater biodiversity

• produces radioactive waste

• reduces dependence on fossil fuels

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Whaling was a very profitable profession until whale populations crashed. The global community came together to enact a ban on whaling. However, Japan and Norway have not agreed to stop whaling. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of their decision?

• The whales are getting better at avoiding capture.

• The whale populations have mutated into new kinds of organisms.

• The whale populations are not rebounding as quickly as they might if all of the countries agreed not to hunt whales.

• The whale populations are bouncing back very successfully and are unaffected by Japan and Norway continuing to whale.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

. Human expansion often has a negative impact on the environment. However, these effects can be minimized to achieve sustainability. Which of the following best describes an action that will help meet this goal?

• Taking large quantities of the same fish species each year.

• Fining companies that use nonrenewable resources to operate.

• Monitoring environmental systems to learn how human activities affect them.

• Allowing new construction only in areas that are not near freshwater supplies.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

DDT and other pesticides used over 50 years ago are still affecting the environment today. Scientists have found these substances in recent glacier runoff. Glacier runoff occurs during the summer, when precipitation that has fallen on glaciers during the winter is released. Ice layers from existing glaciers have been analyzed. The results of this analysis show that the concentrations of DDT and other pesticides were highest about 10 years after the use of these substances was banned.

This information shows that...

• precipitation helps to break down pesticides.

• it takes humans over 50 years to analyze a glacier.

• DDT and other pesticides cause glacier runoff during the summer.

• the decision of one human generation may have an impact on future generations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

A sugar farm near the coast of Florida applies a nitrogen based fertilizer to their soil three times a year. When rain falls on these fields after it has been fertilized some of the fertilizer runs off into the ocean causing the nitrogen levels in the water to increase. The increase levels of nitrogen can lead to many ecological effects beginning with the rapid growth of algae. This process is known as eutrophication.

How can eutrophication affect other organisms in the water?

• The water becomes better able to support aerobic organisms.

• The extra nitrogen provides additional food for the other organisms, increasing their population.

• The algae provide food for fishes and other organisms, leading to decreased algae populations.

• The oxygen in the water is used up as algae is decomposed, reducing the amount available to other organisms.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas supply much of the world's energy. However, these fuels have a tremendous negative effect on the environment. Which of the following would be the best strategy to alleviate this problem?

• Impose fines on individuals that overuse fossil fuels and use the money for environmental cleanup.

• Educate society on the harmful effects and gradually replace fossil fuels with alternative renewable resources.

• Fund scientific research for discovering new energy sources and use the remaining supply of fossil fuels until then.

• Create an environmental policy that would ban the use of all fossil fuels due to the negative environmental effects.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4