1B2 Identifying and Addressing Adverse Impacts Flashcards
Describe how science and engineering help mitigate environmental and societal issues such as acid rain, pollution, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, plastic waste, and biodiversity loss.
Define:
Acid rain
A form of precipitation that is highly acidic and harms the environment.
Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) react with water vapor, creating sulfuric and nitric acids that fall as acidic precipitation.
True or False:
Acid rain only negatively affects bodies of water.
False
Acid rain also damages forests, weakens soil nutrients, and corrodes buildings and monuments.
How does acid rain affect soil?
It decreases soil fertility.
Acid rain causes the leaching of vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the soil, which diminishes its fertility and harms plant growth.
Fill in the blank:
Acid rain lowers the _______ of water bodies.
pH level
pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity, and acid rain lowers the pH level of water bodies, making them more acidic.
What is a major source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions?
Coal-fired power plants.
Burning coal releases SO₂, which is a primary contributor to acid rain formation.
How can acid rain damage buildings?
It corrodes stone and metal surfaces.
Acid rain reacts with building materials, especially limestone and marble, leading to surface erosion.
Define:
Eutrophication
The buildup of excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, in water, causing imbalances in the environment.
Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus promote algae blooms, which deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.
Fill in the blank:
Eutrophication is often caused by agricultural _______.
runoff
Fertilizers rich in nitrogen and phosphorus wash into water bodies during rain, triggering the process.
What role do algae play in eutrophication?
They form algal blooms.
Algal blooms block sunlight and deplete oxygen in the water, harming aquatic organisms.
How does industrial waste affect water quality?
It contaminates water with toxins.
Heavy metals and chemicals from industrial waste can poison aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems.
True or False:
Eutrophication improves biodiversity in water ecosystems.
False
It reduces biodiversity by creating oxygen-deprived “dead zones” where most organisms cannot survive. For example, the Gulf of Mexico experiences large dead zones due to agricultural runoff.
Fill in the blank:
__________ is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment that cause damage to ecosystems.
Pollution
Pollution can come from various sources, such as factories, vehicles, and agricultural runoff, and has harmful effects on air, water, and soil quality.
Define:
Air pollution
The contamination of the air by harmful substances.
This is caused by the release of pollutants like gases, particulate matter, and chemicals into the atmosphere, often from industrial, vehicular, and agricultural activities.
What is a major health effect of air pollution?
Respiratory diseases
Pollutants like particulate matter can cause conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
How can air pollution be reduced?
By using clean energy sources.
Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power reduce harmful emissions compared to fossil fuels.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane absorb heat from the Earth’s surface and prevent it from escaping into space, leading to a warming of the planet.
What is the primary greenhouse gas contributing to global warming?
Carbon dioxide
(CO₂)
CO₂ is released by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fill in the blank:
Ocean acidification occurs due to excess ______ ______ in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide
(CO₂)
When CO₂ is absorbed by the ocean, it forms carbonic acid, lowering the pH and disrupting marine ecosystems, particularly organisms like corals, mollusks, and plankton that rely on calcium carbonate.
True or False:
Ocean acidification only affects coral reefs.
False
Ocean acidification affects a wide range of marine organisms, including shellfish, plankton, and fish, by interfering with their ability to build shells and skeletons.
Which sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions?
Energy production
Fossil fuel combustion for electricity and heating produces the highest levels of CO₂ emissions.
True or False:
Greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
True
This process is known as the greenhouse effect, which warms the Earth.
True or False:
Methane is more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat and contributing to climate change.
True
Methane is more potent than CO₂ in trapping heat, with a higher Global Warming Potential (GWP), despite being present in smaller amounts.
What is one effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Increasing energy efficiency.
Using energy-efficient appliances, buildings, and vehicles lowers energy consumption, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
True or False:
The ozone layer is essential for regulating Earth’s climate.
False
The ozone layer primarily protects against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, not directly regulating Earth’s climate.
What is one consequence of rising sea levels?
Coastal flooding
Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities due to melting ice caps and thermal expansion.
What chemicals primarily cause ozone layer depletion?
Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
CFCs, found in older refrigerators and air conditioners, break down ozone in the stratosphere.
Fill in the blank:
The ozone layer protects Earth from harmful _______ radiation.
ultraviolet
(UV)
UV radiation can cause skin cancer and cataracts, among other health issues.
True or False:
The Montreal Protocol successfully reduced ozone-depleting substances.
True
Signed in 1987, the Montreal Protocol resulted in the global phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting chemicals, leading to significant recovery of the ozone layer.
How does ozone layer depletion affect the environment?
Increased UV radiation exposure.
This can harm human health and disrupt ecosystems, especially marine life.
What is one long-term consequence of ozone layer depletion?
Increased skin cancer rates.
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, and can also lead to cataracts and weakened immune systems.
Why are plastics considered an environmental issue?
They do not degrade in the environment for many, many years.
Plastics persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing pollution.
What is a biodegradable plastic?
Plastic that decomposes naturally in the environment.
A biodegradable plastic is designed to decompose faster than traditional plastic, but it still requires specific conditions to break down completely.
True or False:
Biodegradable plastics are completely harmless.
False
Although they degrade faster, they can still pose a threat to ecosystems if not properly disposed of.
True or False:
Recycling plastics reduces pollution.
True
Recycling plastics reduces the need for new plastic production and helps cut down on plastic waste.
Which plastic waste is a common pollutant in oceans?
Single-use plastics
Items like plastic bags, bottles, and straws often end up in the ocean, causing harm to marine life.
What do waste-to-energy plants do?
Convert waste into electricity.
Waste-to-energy plants burn municipal solid waste to generate electricity, helping reduce landfill space while also providing an alternative energy source.
For example, some plants use the heat generated from burning waste to produce steam that drives turbines.
What is composting?
Decomposing organic waste into fertilizer.
Composting recycles organic matter into nutrient-rich soil that benefits agriculture.
What is the term for the large-scale removal of forests for agricultural or urban development?
Deforestation
Deforestation reduces biodiversity, increases carbon emissions, and disrupts the water cycle, leading to environmental degradation.
How does reforestation help combat climate change?
By absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Reforestation increases the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels.
True or False:
Recycling reduces the need for raw materials.
True
Recycling materials like metal, paper, and glass reduces the need to extract new resources.
What is one disadvantage of incinerating waste?
It can release harmful air pollutants.
Incineration can release harmful air pollutants, including dioxins and particulate matter, though modern plants use technologies to reduce these emissions.
What does the term “zero waste” mean?
The goal of reducing waste to near zero by reusing, recycling, and composting.
Zero waste aims to divert all waste from landfills and incineration through sustainable practices.
What harmful gas is released from landfills?
Methane
Decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Fill in the blank:
________ describes the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms found in a particular area or on the planet?
Biodiversity
It is crucial for ecosystem health and stability, as it supports ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
What is an invasive species?
A non-native species that causes harm to the environment.
Invasive species, such as the zebra mussel in North American lakes, can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food chains, and alter habitats, leading to long-term ecological damage.
Fill in the blank:
The loss of habitat primarily leads to _______ _________.
species extinction
A loss of biodiversity and increased habitat destruction disrupts ecosystems and food chains.
Fill in the blank:
The process by which animals and plants adapt to changing environments over generations is called ________.
Evolution
Evolution through natural selection allows species to survive and thrive in changing environmental conditions.
True or False:
Biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability.
True
A diverse ecosystem is more resilient to environmental changes and provides essential services.
How can plastic pollution affect marine food chains?
It can enter the food chain through ingestion by marine animals.
Small plastics are consumed by fish, which are then eaten by larger predators, accumulating in the food chain.
What is one effective way to protect biodiversity?
Establishing protected areas.
Wildlife reserves and protected areas help conserve ecosystems, prevent habitat destruction, and provide safe spaces for endangered species to thrive
True or False:
Climate change is caused only by natural factors.
False
Human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, are the primary drivers of climate change, although natural factors also play a role.
What is one effect of global warming on polar regions?
Melting ice sheets.
Rising global temperatures cause ice sheets and glaciers in polar regions to melt, which contributes to the rising of sea levels and threatens coastal areas worldwide.
Which activity is responsible for the majority of freshwater use?
Agriculture
Irrigation for crops accounts for about 70% of global freshwater usage, making agriculture the largest consumer of freshwater resources.
What is one way to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation?
Using electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline-powered cars, helping reduce overall carbon emissions.
