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Sbc 232: Environmental Forensic Analysis I Question Paper
Sbc 232: Environmental Forensic Analysis I
Course:Bachelor Of Science In Forensic Science
Institution: Kenyatta University question papers
Exam Year:2012
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2011/2012
SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
SBC 232: ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSIC ANALYSIS I
DATE: Wednesday 28th March 2012
TIME: 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Section A: Answer all questions (20 Marks)
Question 1A: Choose the right answer for the following. (15 Marks)
1. In the chronology and use of chlorinated solvents, it is known that their production and
use began?
(A) During 1954
(B) After 1945
(C) Before 1935
(D) In 1960
2. Forensic review of environmental data is the determination of whether a pattern of bias
exists. This bias can be due to the following except?
(A) Factually incorrect information
(B) Common errors
(C) Elevated pollution scales
(D) Intentional manipulation
Page 1 of 5
3. In groundwater characterization, an aquifer that opens at the top so that water can
percolate from the surface into it is known as?
(A) Unsaturated aquifer
(B)Open aquifer
(C)Unconfined aquifer
(D) Unsealed aquifer
4. The following are similar properties of Paraffins and naphthenes except?
(A) Both have similar carbon-carbon bond formation.
(B) Both exhibit similar solubility properties.
(C) Both are saturated compounds.
(D) Both fall under the LNAPLs
5. Environmental forensics techniques applied in most environmental litigations are mainly
used for?
(A) Age dating and source identification.
(B) Crime scene reconstruction.
(C) Data collection and documentation.
(D) None of the above.
6. Contaminant properties impacting the mobility of a chemical through the unsaturated and
saturated zones include the following except?
(A) Vapor pressure and vapor density.
(B) Flash and flame points.
(C) Sorption and solubility.
(D) Biodegradation and liquid density.
7. Which phenomenon occurs within the capillary fringe and groundwater interface during
the hydrocarbon interactions at the capillary fringe?
(A) Film fringe overlapping.
(B) Hydrocarbon spreading.
(C) Capillary fringe sorption.
(D) Thin film spreading.
Page 2 of 5
8. Data in environmental investigation consists of elements susceptible to bias such as the
following except?
(A)Elements associated with the geological investigation.
(B) Elements associated with analytical testing.
(C) Elements associated with data transport and storage.
(D) Elements associated with interpretation.
9. Volatile samples amenable to detection in a soil gas survey are identified by examining
their?
(A) Coefficient ratio values.
(B) Partition ratio values.
(C) Advective mass action.
(D) All of the above.
10. Cosolvation occurs when a mobile phase is formed from multiple solvents that are?
(A) Immiscible.
(B) Volatile.
(C) Reactive.
(D) Miscible.
11. The following are common issues in environmental litigations, which one is not?
(A) Identification of the origin of a contaminant release.
(B) Presentation of contaminant data
(C) The timing of contaminant release.
(D) Distribution of contaminants in the subsurface.
12. Which of the following statements is not true about DNAPLs?
(A) They have densities greater than 1.0g/ml.
(B) Most crude, residual and used oils are DNAPLs with densities from about 0.6g/ml
(C) DNAPLs sink into the aquifer and into the under ground water.
(D) They are dense non-aqueous phase liquids.
Page 3 of 5
13. Which one of the following is the primary mechanism for vapour transport in the vadose
zone?
(A) Vapor advection.
(B) Vapor diffusion.
(C) Vapor pressure.
(D) Henry’s law constant.
14. The geologic characterization component of a site investigation provides insight
regarding?
(A) Contaminants nature and properties
(B) Contaminant distribution and transport
(C) Contaminants source and date of release
(D)Contaminants quantity and quality
15. The physical transport of crude oil and refined products through the subsurface is a
function of the following except?
(A) Product chemistry
(B) The hydraulic conductivity (K) of the soil or rock
(C) Density and diffusion constant
(D) The presence of a driving mechanism
Question 1B:
For questions 16 to 20, fill in the gaps with the most appropriate words. (5 Marks)
16. Vertical migration of hydrocarbons ceases when they encounter water __________
__________
17. An expert opinion is worth no more than the _________ ________ upon which it is
based.
18. The ability of a chlorinated solvent to enter the smaller openings between the soil grains
is a function of the _________ ________ between the chlorinated solvent and other
liquids
19. ________or________ alkanes ranging from C1 toC40 have been identified in crude oil
and usually comprise 15% to 20% of crude oil.
Page 4 of 5
20. When multiple aerial photographs are obtained from different elevations and angles,
_________, which is also known as___________, is required.
Section B: Answer all questions (30 Marks)
1. Write a short note on the identification of biased environmental data and give a brief
explanation on the specific types of the biases.
(5 Marks)
2. Define environmental forensics and give a brief explanation on groundwater
characterization
(5 Marks)
3. Give the meaning of the term unsaturated zone and write a short note on chemical
reactions in this zone.
(5 Marks)
4. Define soil and give a short note on soil gas survey.
(5 Marks)
5. Write about the Henry’s law constant
(5 marks)
6. Elaborate on the impact of co-solvency in the vadose zone
Section C: Answer any two questions(20 Marks)
1. Write an essay on petroleum hydrocarbons as environmental pollutants. (10 Marks)
2. Write a detailed essay on the transport and fate of chlorinated solvents in the vadose
zone.
(10 Marks)
3. Write an easy on aerial photography as an environmental forensic technique. (10 marks)
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