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Air Pollution: Agricultural Emissions

Description: Test your knowledge on the sources and impacts of agricultural emissions on air pollution.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: air pollution agriculture environmental science
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the following is NOT a major source of agricultural emissions contributing to air pollution?

  1. Livestock waste management

  2. Fertilizer application

  3. Pesticide use

  4. Forest fires


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Forest fires are not directly related to agricultural activities and are not considered a major source of agricultural emissions.

What gas is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect caused by agricultural emissions?

  1. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

  2. Methane (CH4)

  3. Nitrous oxide (N2O)

  4. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 25 times higher than carbon dioxide and is primarily emitted from livestock enteric fermentation and manure management.

Which agricultural practice is a significant contributor to the emission of ammonia (NH3), a precursor to particulate matter formation?

  1. Crop rotation

  2. Irrigation

  3. Livestock grazing

  4. Fertilizer application


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Fertilizer application, particularly the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, is a major source of ammonia emissions due to volatilization and subsequent atmospheric reactions.

What is the term used to describe the process by which nitrogen fertilizers release nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere?

  1. Nitrification

  2. Denitrification

  3. Volatilization

  4. Leaching


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Denitrification is the microbial process that converts nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) in the soil into nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas.

Which agricultural activity is a major contributor to the emission of particulate matter (PM), including dust and aerosols?

  1. Crop harvesting

  2. Livestock transportation

  3. Pesticide application

  4. Tillage practices


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Tillage practices, such as plowing and harrowing, can generate significant amounts of particulate matter by disturbing the soil and releasing dust particles into the air.

What is the primary source of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions in agricultural settings?

  1. Crop residues

  2. Livestock manure

  3. Fertilizer application

  4. Pesticide use


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Livestock manure, particularly from intensive animal production systems, is a major source of hydrogen sulfide emissions due to the decomposition of organic matter and the release of sulfur-containing compounds.

Which agricultural practice can help reduce ammonia emissions from livestock operations?

  1. Increasing stocking density

  2. Applying manure to frozen ground

  3. Using low-protein diets for animals

  4. Delaying grazing on fertilized fields


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Feeding animals low-protein diets can reduce the amount of nitrogen excreted in their manure, thereby decreasing ammonia emissions.

What is the term used to describe the process by which plants absorb and utilize nitrogen from the atmosphere?

  1. Nitrification

  2. Denitrification

  3. Nitrogen fixation

  4. Volatilization


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into forms that can be used by plants, such as ammonia (NH3) and nitrate (NO3-).

Which agricultural practice can help reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized fields?

  1. Applying manure in the spring

  2. Using nitrification inhibitors

  3. Planting cover crops

  4. Irrigating fields frequently


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Nitrification inhibitors are chemical compounds that can slow down the conversion of ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) in the soil, thereby reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

What is the primary source of methane (CH4) emissions in agricultural settings?

  1. Crop residues

  2. Livestock manure

  3. Fertilizer application

  4. Pesticide use


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Livestock manure, particularly from ruminant animals such as cattle and sheep, is a major source of methane emissions due to the enteric fermentation process and the decomposition of organic matter.

Which agricultural practice can help reduce particulate matter emissions from crop harvesting?

  1. Using combine harvesters with dust collectors

  2. Burning crop residues in the field

  3. Delaying harvesting until after rainfall

  4. Increasing the speed of harvesting operations


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Using combine harvesters equipped with dust collectors can help capture and reduce the release of particulate matter into the air during crop harvesting.

What is the term used to describe the process by which nitrogen fertilizers release ammonia (NH3) into the atmosphere?

  1. Nitrification

  2. Denitrification

  3. Volatilization

  4. Leaching


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Volatilization is the process by which ammonia gas is released from nitrogen fertilizers into the atmosphere, primarily due to the conversion of ammonium (NH4+) to ammonia (NH3) under alkaline conditions.

Which agricultural practice can help reduce hydrogen sulfide emissions from livestock operations?

  1. Increasing the frequency of manure removal

  2. Applying manure to well-drained fields

  3. Using deep bedding materials

  4. Feeding animals high-sulfur diets


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Increasing the frequency of manure removal from livestock facilities can help reduce hydrogen sulfide emissions by preventing the buildup of organic matter and the release of sulfur-containing compounds.

What is the primary source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions in agricultural settings?

  1. Crop residues

  2. Livestock manure

  3. Fertilizer application

  4. Pesticide use


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Fertilizer application, particularly the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, is a major source of nitrogen oxides emissions due to the conversion of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to NOx in the atmosphere.

Which agricultural practice can help reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from fertilized fields?

  1. Applying manure in the fall

  2. Using controlled-release fertilizers

  3. Planting cover crops

  4. Irrigating fields frequently


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Using controlled-release fertilizers can help reduce nitrogen oxides emissions by slowing down the release of nitrogen into the soil, thereby reducing the amount of ammonia and nitrous oxide available for conversion to NOx.

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