Urbanization & Waste Management Flashcards
Urbanization
Pros:
- High runoff
- Low water quality
- Low air quality
- High waste
Cons:
- High public transport
- Low land requirements
- High education
Coastal urbanization
- Salt-water intrusion
- Rising sea levels due to glaciers melting - warming oceans
- ocean volume
Urban sprawl
Unrestricted growth in many urban areas of housing, commercial development, and roads over large expanses of land, with little concern for urban planning
permeable pavement
solution to urbanization problems
green roofs
provide habitat, fight global warming
(Sanitary) Landfill
- clay bottom layer
- systems of pipes to collect leachate for treatment
- methane recovery systems
- clay cap
- groundwater monitoring system
Waste incineration
Some countries use energy from waste incineration.
- Reduces volume of landfills
- Releases air pollutants
Impacts of landfills
- Bottom could leak
- can attract pests
- often built near low income areas
Things not taken by landfills
- Car tires
- Motor oil
- Antifreeze
Which R is the best?
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
Recycling
Pros:
- Reduces volume of landfills
- More energy efficient to convert materials
Cons:
- More expensive than tossing away
- Processing plants need fossil fuels
- Some materials have finite recycling life
Composting
Creation of humus via decomposition.
- Can Reduce landfill volume
- May attract pests
Recycling E-waste
electronics contain valuable metals. Contains hazardous chemicals:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
