The Pollution of Waterways and Climate Change

Question 1

how has human activity impacted the pollution of waterways?

Answer 1

-increased urbanization particularly in the developing world often results in poor sanitation levels
-combined with increased amounts of industrial waste has resulted in many of the worlds rivers being polluted to the extent that very little life exists beyond prokaryotes and Protoctista’s can survive

Question 2

what is organic solution? what are examples of organic solutions?

Answer 2

-involves the pollution of water by organic material
-sewage, slurry and silage

Question 3

what happens if organic pollutants enter waterways?

Answer 3

-they provide a rich source of nutrients for bacteria involved in the decay process
-the rich organic food supply results in a population explosion of saprobiotic bacteria that subsequently use up much of the oxygen in the water due to aerobic respiration

Question 4

what does BOD stand for and what does it entail?

Answer 4

-biological oxygen demand
-is an indication of water quality which is measured as the usage of oxygen in water
-high levels of organic substances in the water will lead to more bacteria therefore more aerobic respiration and therefore higher BODs and vice versa

Question 5

what is eutrophication?

Answer 5

-the nutrient enrichment of waterways in particular nitrates and phosphates is referred to as eutrophication

Question 6

under natural conditions is eutrophication a major problem?

Answer 6

-it is not a problem as the amount of nutrient naturally entering waterways is very low and has little effect on aquatic ecosystems

Question 7

what are the 3 ways that nutrient enrichment of waterways can occur?

Answer 7

-if too much fertilizer is applied or is applied to sloping ground too close to waterways or applied in wet conditions

Question 8

what are the 5 steps of nutrient enrichment of waterways known as an algae bloom?

Answer 8

-the increase nitrate and phosphate causes a very large increase in algal growth known as algal bloom
-the rapid and extensive growth of the algae prevents light penetrating through the water to the plants at lower levels, which depletes the water of its nutrients
-these plants die due to a shortage of light and are decomposed by saprobiotic bacteria
-the bacteria use up the oxygen in aerobic respiration
-the shortage of oxygen results in the death of many species of invertebrates and fish, and a consequent loss of biodiversity

Question 9

due to the European Nitrates Directive what are some of the measures they have put in place to reduce the eutrophication of waterways?

Answer 9

-testing the mineral ion content of soil before application of fertilizer which ensures that only the correct amount will be applied
-only applying the fertilizer immediately prior or during periods of crop growth
-not applying fertilizer when heavy rain is forecasted
-not applying fertilizer on land that is close to waterways or if the land is sloping
-adequate storage facilities are necessary for slurry and other farm wastes that can cause water enrichment

Question 10

what are the 5 initiatives that help to promote biodiversity?

Answer 10

-Ares of Specific Scientific Interest (ASSI)
-Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
-Biodiversity Action Plans
-Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
-Northern Ireland priority habitat and species list

Question 11

what does the ASSI do to help promote biodiversity?

Answer 11

-these are areas with high conservation value that are managed in cooperation with the landowners
-over 200 ASSI’s that range in sizes
-the plan generally is that the ASSI’s are managed in a way to promote biodiversity

Question 12

what do SAC’s do to help promote biodiversity?

Answer 12

-these are areas that are given special protective status under the EU Habitats Directive to conserve threatened species and habitats
-there are over 50 SAC’s in N.I one of which being Rathlin Island

Question 13

what does the Biodiversity Action Plan do to help promote biodiversity?

Answer 13

-involve policies organized at local council levels in N.I
-includes meeting, activities (e.g. hedgerow planting) and leaflets given out to raise awareness about promoting biodiversity

Question 14

what does the DAERA do to promote biodiversity?

Answer 14

-provide financial support to farmers and landowner with the aim of supporting biodiversity and conservation in areas such as maintaining rare habitats and improves water quality

Question 15

what does the Northern Ireland Priority Habitat and Species Lists do to promote biodiversity?

Answer 15

-the Wildlife and Natural Environmental Act requires the DAERA to identify priority habitats and species which are most important to conserve and help biodiversity, this is to assist those bodies that impact on the environment
-there are nearly 500 species that have been identified including the vary rare corncrake

Question 16

what are the 2 main ways the industrial revolution impacted climate change?

Answer 16

-increased combustion of fossil fuels has added much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
-deforestation on a major scale to create land for farming, industry or urban development has reduced the amount of photosynthesis taking place and consequently the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Question 17

what was the climate like before the industrial revolution?

Answer 17

-for millions of years the carbon cycle has remained relatively balanced with the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere in photosynthesis being approximately the same as the carbon dioxide added in respiration

Question 18

what is the link between increased carbon dioxide and global warming?

Answer 18

-there is clear evidence that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are increasing
-there is clear evidence that there is a close positive correlation between increasing carbon dioxide and global temperature

Question 19

what is the effect of greenhouse gases on the cause of global warming?

Answer 19

-carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases form a layer in the atmosphere that traps heat

Question 20

what are some examples of greenhouse gases?

Answer 20

-methane
-carbon dioxide
-nitrous oxide

Question 21

how do greenhouse gases cause global warming in relation to solar wavelengths? (process of global warming)

Answer 21

-short wave solar radiation (UV) reaches the earths surface
-the radiation emitted from the earth into the atmosphere in a longer wave (infrared) radiation which gives out heat
-some of the longer wave radiation escapes the earths atmosphere and enters space but some is still left trapped
-this is retained in the atmosphere and results in the atmospheric temperatures rising

Question 22

what are some of the effects of greenhouse gases?

Answer 22

-melting of ice caps which results in rising sea levels with the risk of flooding of many lowland areas such as Holland
-the higher global temperatures will also make the water in the ocean expand

Question 23

what are climate changes a consequence of ?

Answer 23

-global warming

Question 24

what is the effect of global warming and climate change on ecosystems?

Answer 24

-the distribution of many plant and animal species change as the temperature changes
-global warming could lead to the introduction into Britain of the heat requiring mosquito a change that would have potentially deadly consequences

Question 25

what type of species are at greatest risk of harm due to global warming?

Answer 25

-species that are already rare or endangered are at greatest risk