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Soil Contamination: Case Studies and Examples

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge of soil contamination case studies and examples.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: soil contamination case studies examples
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Which of the following is NOT a common source of soil contamination?

  1. Industrial activities

  2. Agricultural practices

  3. Natural disasters

  4. Household waste


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, can cause soil contamination, but they are not as common as industrial activities, agricultural practices, and household waste.

What is the name of the chemical that was responsible for the Love Canal disaster?

  1. Dioxin

  2. PCBs

  3. DDT

  4. Lead


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical that was used in the production of Agent Orange, a defoliant used during the Vietnam War. It was also found in high levels in the soil at Love Canal, a community in New York State that was built on a former chemical dump.

Which of the following is NOT a health effect that can be caused by soil contamination?

  1. Cancer

  2. Birth defects

  3. Neurological disorders

  4. Asthma


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Asthma is not typically caused by soil contamination. However, other health effects, such as cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders, can be caused by exposure to contaminated soil.

What is the name of the federal law that regulates the cleanup of contaminated soil?

  1. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

  2. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

  3. The Clean Water Act (CWA)

  4. The Clean Air Act (CAA)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

CERCLA, also known as Superfund, is the federal law that regulates the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. It was enacted in 1980 in response to the Love Canal disaster.

Which of the following is NOT a method for cleaning up contaminated soil?

  1. Excavation and disposal

  2. In situ treatment

  3. Phytoremediation

  4. Natural attenuation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Natural attenuation is not a method for cleaning up contaminated soil. It is a process by which the natural environment breaks down or removes contaminants over time.

What is the name of the process by which plants absorb and break down contaminants in the soil?

  1. Phytoremediation

  2. Bioremediation

  3. In situ treatment

  4. Excavation and disposal


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Phytoremediation is the process by which plants absorb and break down contaminants in the soil. It is a natural and cost-effective way to clean up contaminated soil.

Which of the following is NOT a type of soil contamination?

  1. Chemical contamination

  2. Biological contamination

  3. Physical contamination

  4. Radioactive contamination


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Physical contamination is not a type of soil contamination. It refers to the presence of foreign objects in the soil, such as rocks, glass, and metal.

What is the name of the process by which bacteria and other microorganisms break down contaminants in the soil?

  1. Bioremediation

  2. Phytoremediation

  3. In situ treatment

  4. Excavation and disposal


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bioremediation is the process by which bacteria and other microorganisms break down contaminants in the soil. It is a natural and cost-effective way to clean up contaminated soil.

Which of the following is NOT a case study of soil contamination?

  1. Love Canal

  2. Times Beach

  3. Chernobyl

  4. Exxon Valdez oil spill


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was an oil spill that occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989. It was not a case study of soil contamination because the oil did not contaminate the soil.

What is the name of the process by which contaminated soil is excavated and disposed of?

  1. Excavation and disposal

  2. In situ treatment

  3. Phytoremediation

  4. Bioremediation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Excavation and disposal is the process by which contaminated soil is excavated and disposed of. It is a common method for cleaning up contaminated soil.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can affect the severity of soil contamination?

  1. The type of contaminant

  2. The concentration of the contaminant

  3. The soil type

  4. The climate


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climate is not a factor that can affect the severity of soil contamination. The type of contaminant, the concentration of the contaminant, and the soil type are all factors that can affect the severity of soil contamination.

What is the name of the process by which contaminants are broken down or removed from the soil by natural processes?

  1. Natural attenuation

  2. Bioremediation

  3. Phytoremediation

  4. In situ treatment


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Natural attenuation is the process by which contaminants are broken down or removed from the soil by natural processes, such as biodegradation, volatilization, and adsorption.

Which of the following is NOT a health risk associated with soil contamination?

  1. Cancer

  2. Birth defects

  3. Neurological disorders

  4. Heart disease


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Heart disease is not a health risk associated with soil contamination. Cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders are all health risks associated with soil contamination.

What is the name of the federal agency that is responsible for regulating soil contamination?

  1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  2. The Department of Energy (DOE)

  3. The Department of Defense (DOD)

  4. The Department of the Interior (DOI)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency that is responsible for regulating soil contamination. The EPA sets standards for soil contamination and enforces those standards.

Which of the following is NOT a method for preventing soil contamination?

  1. Proper waste disposal

  2. Recycling

  3. Composting

  4. Burning trash


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Burning trash is not a method for preventing soil contamination. It can actually release harmful chemicals into the air and soil.

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