Name: ______________________ Class: _________________ Date: _________ ID: A

Science 9 Environmental Chemistry Unit Test

Modified True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false. If false, change the identified word or phrase to make the
statement true.

____ 1. The three elements commonly found in fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
____ 2. DDT was first developed to combat the spread of malaria among Allied troops.
____ 3. Liming is the term given to the process of adding lime to the environment to decrease its pH.
____ 4. A material or form of energy that can cause harm to a living organism is known as a pollutant.
____ 5. If the label on a package of cheese states that the cheese contains 17% milk fat, this means that a 2 kg
package of cheese contains 34 g of milk fat.
____ 6. The most useful chemical indicators of water quality are macroinvertebrates because they are sensitive
to chemicals.

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 7. Nutrients are classified into two major groups,

a. organic and inorganic. c. vitamins and minerals.
b. lipids and enzymes. d. macrominerals and trace elements.
____ 8. The nutrients that act mainly as an energy source for metabolism in your body are the
a. lipids. c. enzymes.
b. proteins. d. carbohydrates.
____ 9. The nitrogen cycle includes the following three compounds:
a. nitrates, nitrogen oxide, and ammonia. c. nitrates, ammonia, and nitric acid.
b. nitrates, urea, and nitrogen oxide. d. nitrates, ammonia, and urea.

Imagine you are an agricultural scientist hired to determine the effects of fertilizer on wheat
germination. You set up five containers each containing potting soil, water, and five wheat seeds. Then
you add a different amount of fertilizer to each container and prepare the following data table:
Container# Amount of fertilizer Observations: root and shoot growth (mm)
1 No fertilizer
2 1g
3 5g
4 10 g
5 15 g

____ 10. The manipulated variable(s) in the experiment described above is (are)
a. the amount of water added.
b. the amount of fertilizer added.
c. the amount of root or shoot growth.
d. Both A and B are manipulated variables.

1
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 11. The mineral most crucial to red blood cells is

a. iron. c. iodine.
b. copper d. calcium.
____ 12. Weed, insect, and fungus pests can be controlled by applying specific pesticides called (in the correct
order)
a. DDT, dieldrin, and fungicides.
b. herbicides, and insecticides.
c. fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.
d. herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

The following diagram illustrates an ocean food web.

____ 13. How did the DDT likely enter the food web illustrated above?
a. It occurs naturally.
b. It was accidentally releases from factories.
c. It was applied to control insects on land.
d. It was accidentally sprayed on nearby wetlands.
____ 14. In the food web illustrated above, the numbers represent
a. the number of organisms at each stage in the food web.
b. the amount of DDT in the environment at each stage of the food web.
c. the amount of DDT in each organism’s tissues.
d. The length of time DDT has been in the environment at each stage in the food web.
____ 15. In the food web illustrated above, how much greater is the concentration of DDT in the seabird than in
the fish it eats?
a. About 6.5 times
b. About 65 times
c. About 65% higher
d. About 6.5% higher

2
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 16. The researcher who was chiefly responsible for identifying the serious consequences of pesticide use in
the 1960s was
a. Rachel Carson.
b. Paul Müller.
c. David Suzuki.
d. The World Health Organization.

____ 17. What does the graph above tell you about attempts to develop new pesticides?
a. It will become more difficult as species become resistant.
b. The likelihood that a species will become resistant depends on the amount of time
the chemical is used.
c. It will be difficult to develop new pesticides as strong as those in use before 1960.
d. Both A and B.
____ 18. One major difference between conventional farming practices and organic farming practices is that
organic farmers can use
a. any pesticide they choose.
b. only pesticides derived from natural sources such as microbes, insects, or minerals.
c. no pesticides at all.
d. only special synthetic pesticides.
____ 19. During a study of remote western Canadian lakes, Dr. B. Asice was confused by his discovery that
although the rain in his study area was acidic, the lake water was of normal pH. What could you tell
him that would best explain this discrepancy?
a. The lake bottom contains carbonate rock.
b. The lake had been limed several years earlier.
c. Acid rain does not affect large lakes due to dilution effects.
d. Fresh water was continuing to run into the lake.

3
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 20. An alteration of the environment is considered pollution if

a. it causes immediate harm to living things in that environment.
b. the concentration of harmful chemicals is easy to detect.
c. it produces a condition that is harmful to living things.
d. the concentration of a pollutant exceeds its LD50.
____ 21. The distinction between a pollutant and pollution is that
a. a pollutant alters the environment to produce harmful conditions, while pollution is a
harmful material.
b. pollution is the alteration of the environment to produce harmful conditions, while a
pollutant is a harmful material.
c. a pollutant causes physical or chemical changes, while pollution affects biological
mechanisms.
d. pollution causes immediate harm to living organisms, while a pollutant takes longer
to act.

A factory releases arsenic into a river. The mayor of Endsville, a village downstream from the factory,
hires you to test the water. Your findings are as follows:
Sample Point Arsenic (ppb)
Source 50
1 km downstream 5.0
2 km downstream 0.5
3 km downstream (Endsville) 0.05

____ 22. Based on the information in the table above, what happens to the arsenic in the river?
a. The arsenic dissolves in the water.
b. The arsenic is diluted by the water.
c. The amount of arsenic decreases with the distance from the factory.
d. The arsenic is absorbed by organisms in the river.
____ 23. Based on the information in the table above, how much more concentrated is the arsenic in the river at
the factory than at Endsville?
a. 1000 times more concentrated c. 10 000 times more concentrated
b. 1000% more concentrated d. 10 000% more concentrated
____ 24. A 0.5 L water sample from the Flow River contains 50 mg of barium. Calculate the concentration of
barium in ppm.
a. 0.1 ppm c. 0.05 ppm
b. 100 ppm d. 50 ppm
____ 25. A common measurement of toxicity is
a. Lethal Dose 50. c. Lethal Danger 50.
b. Living Duration 50. d. Lethal Duration 50.
____ 26. Caffeine has an LD50 for mice of 130 ppm. Which reason best explains why coffee and caffeinated
soft drinks are not considered dangerous?
a. Caffeine is only toxic to mice, not to humans.
b. You would have to drink enormous amounts of caffeinated drinks to consume a dose
of caffeine equivalent to the LD50 for mice.
c. Caffeine breaks down quickly in the body.
d. Caffeine is popular, so a high toxicity is still an acceptable risk.

4
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 27.
Approximate LD50s
Toxin name Source
(in ppm)
Clostridium botulinum
botulinum toxin A 0.000 000 03
bacterium
Clostridium tetani
tetanus toxin A 0.000 005
bacterium
contaminant in some
dioxin 0.03
herbicides and in PCBs
nicotine cigarette smoke 0.86
strychnine pesticide 5.0
solanine potatoes 6.0
chlordane insecticide 40.0
dieldren insecticide 80.0
Using the above table as a reference, arrange the following chemicals into order from most to least
toxic: dioxin, nicotine, botulinum toxin A, dieldren.
a. Botulinum toxin A, nicotine, dioxin, dieldren
b. Botulinum toxin A, dioxin, nicotine, dieldren
c. Dieldren, nicotine, dioxin, botulinum toxin A
d. Dieldren, dioxin, nicotine, botulinum toxin A

____ 28. From the illustration above, you can infer that
a. biodiversity increases as the concentration of dissolved O2 increases.
b. biodiversity is not related to the concentration of dissolved O2 .
c. biodiversity decreases as the concentration of dissolved O2 increases.
d. biodiversity is not an indicator of the concentration of dissolved O2 .
____ 29. In the stream ecosystem illustrated above, which species would be considered a biological indicator?
a. Trout and perch c. Caddis fly larvae and isopods
b. Catfish and leeches d. All insect larvae
____ 30. In the stream ecosystem illustrated above, what other factors besides the pollution source will affect
the oxygen content of the water?
a. Turbulence and temperature. c. Carbon dioxide and temperature.
b. Turbulence and light exposure. d. Carbon dioxide and light exposure.

5
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 31. In general, the organisms that are most useful as indicators of water quality are
a. algae. c. microinvertebrates.
b. birds and fish. d. macroinvertebrates.
____ 32. All wastes entering the environment are
a. harmless if released only once. c. potentially harmful in any area.
b. harmless if released only in one area. d. harmful only when spread over a large
area.
____ 33. Some pollutants are difficult to break down and therefore accumulate in the environment. These are
termed
a. non-persistent pollutants. c. chronic pollutants.
b. persistent pollutants. d. chemical indicators.

The following diagram illustrates the neighbourhood of a river.

____ 34. In the illustration above, the farm is representative of a

a. point source of pollution. c. persistent source of pollution.
b. non-point source of pollution. d. non-persistent source of pollution.
____ 35. In which part of the river illustrated above would you expect to find the greatest biodiversity?
a. Upstream of the town c. Between the factory and the farm
b. Downstream of the farm d. Between the town and the factory
____ 36. Which of the following is an example of a non-point source of pollution?
a. A drainpipe c. A smokestack
b. A fertilized field d. The exhaust pipe on a truck driving
across the province
____ 37. The largest contributor to modern air pollution in Canada is
a. human activities. c. forest fires.
b. volcanoes. d. grass fires.

6
Name: ______________________ ID: A

The following is a map showing wind currents and air pollution.

____ 38. This map above indicates that the problem of air pollution is
a. local ⎯ near industrial sites.
b. regional ⎯ in areas of industry.
c. national ⎯ in industrialized countries.
d. global.
____ 39. Waste water from washing clothes or fertilizing lawns must be treated to
a. remove nitrogen and phosphorous.
b. remove organic material.
c. destroy disease-causing organisms.
d. all of the above.

7
Name: ______________________ ID: A

The following diagram illustrates the sewage treatment process.

____ 40. What is the purpose of the disinfection tank in the process illustrated above?
a. To remove nitrogen and phosphorous.
b. To remove heavy metals.
c. To destroy disease-carrying organisms.
d. To destroy leftover sediments.
____ 41. An area of porous rock below ground level which can hold useful amounts of water is called
a. a ground water well.
b. an aquifer.
c. an injection well.
d. a recharge zone.
____ 42. Patty believes that any biodegradable product is better than a non-biodegradable product. What is she
not considering?
a. The time the product may take to degrade.
b. The conditions needed to degrade the product.
c. The by-products that result when the product degrades.
d. All of the above.

8
Name: ______________________ ID: A

The following diagram illustrates a waste management system.

____ 43. The waste management system shown in the diagram above is called a
a. secure landfill.
b. sanitary landfill.
c. composting landfill.
d. compacted landfill.
____ 44. One common way of disposing of hazardous materials is to incinerate them at very high temperatures
(1200 °C). What must be done to ensure that the problem of hazardous waste is not simply traded for
the problem of air pollution?
a. Exhaust gases must be scrubbed.
b. Hazardous waste should be buried rather than incinerated.
c. The wastes should be incinerated at lower temperatures.
d. Hazardous waste should be re-used or recycled.
____ 45. The use of living organisms to help clean up areas of pollution is known as
a. bioaccumulation.
b. bioreaction.
c. bioremediation.
d. biodegradation.
____ 46. Plants are useful in managing pollution because they
a. absorb, concentrate, and store pollutants.
b. use pollutants as an energy source.
c. transport air pollutants into the soil.
d. move soil pollutants to the air.
____ 47. Chemicals that have a bitter taste or slippery feel are usually
a. acids.
b. bases.
c. catalysts.
d. enzymes.

9
Name: ______________________ ID: A

____ 48. The best way to determine if a substance is an acid or a base is to use a(n)
a. taste test.
b. acid-base indicator.
c. pH scale.
d. acid-base neutralizer.

The following diagram shows the population in relation to the pH of water.

____ 49. Which of the following best explains the survival pattern of amphibians shown in the graph above?
a. Their food source has died off.
b. The lake has become neutralized.
c. Amphibians are only tolerant of acid to a certain point.
d. Acids concentrate in the tissues of predators more than in their prey.
____ 50. A chemical causing symptoms after only one exposure is said to have
a. acute toxicity.
b. chronic toxicity.
c. symptomatic toxicity.
d. an LD50 of 1.

10
 ID: A

Science 9 Environmental Chemistry Unit Test

Answer Section

MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE

1. ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: average

OBJ: fertilizer TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
2. ANS: F, typhus

PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: DDT TOP: A Growing Concern

3. ANS: F, increase

PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: pH

TOP: How Do You Spell Relief?
4. ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: easy
OBJ: pollutants TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
5. ANS: F, 340 g

PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: concentrations

TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
6. ANS: F, biological

PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: indicators

TOP: Getting Away From It All?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

7. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: nutrients

TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
8. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: nutrients
TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
9. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: fertilizer
TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
10. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: scientific method
TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
11. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: nutrients
TOP: A Hair-raising Dilemma
12. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: pesticides
TOP: A Growing Concern
13. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: biomagnification
TOP: A Growing Concern
14. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: DDT
TOP: A Growing Concern
15. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: biomagnification
TOP: A Growing Concern

1
 ID: A

16. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: contributions to science

TOP: A Growing Concern
17. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: pesticides
TOP: A Growing Concern
18. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: organic agriculture
TOP: A Growing Concern
19. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: acid effects
TOP: How Do You Spell Relief?
20. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: pollution
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
21. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: pollution
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
22. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: concentrations
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
23. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: concentrations
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
24. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: concentrations
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
25. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: lethal dose
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
26. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: toxicity
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
27. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: toxicity
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?
28. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: indicators
TOP: Getting Away From It All?
29. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: indicators
TOP: Getting Away From It All?
30. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: water quality
TOP: Getting Away From It All?
31. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: indicators
TOP: Getting Away From It All?
32. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: easy
OBJ: monitoring the environment TOP: Getting Away From It All?
33. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average
OBJ: monitoring the environment TOP: Getting Away From It All?
34. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average
OBJ: monitoring the environment TOP: Getting Away From It All?
35. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average
OBJ: monitoring the environment TOP: Getting Away From It All?
36. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: pollution sources
TOP: Getting Away From It All?
37. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: pollution
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
38. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: pollution
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing

2
 ID: A

39. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: pollution

TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
40. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: sewage treatment
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
41. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: ground water
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
42. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: biodegradation
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
43. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: landfills
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
44. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: hazardous waste
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
45. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: average OBJ: bioremediation
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
46. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: bioremediation
TOP: N.I.M.B.Y. - There Is No Away In Throwing
47. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: acids and bases
TOP: How Do You Spell Relief?
48. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: acids and bases
TOP: How Do You Spell Relief?
49. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: difficult OBJ: acid effects
TOP: How Do You Spell Relief?
50. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: easy OBJ: toxicity
TOP: How Much Is Too Much?