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Environmental science > Chapter 10 > Flashcards

Chapter 10 Flashcards

(120 cards)

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1
Q

What do the properties of a pollutant determine?

A

Length of time that it may cause a problem, the level of harm, and the distance it may travel.

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2
Q

How does state of matter affect a pollutant?

A

Affects its ability to be dispersed by moving water or air.

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3
Q

What does density affect?

A

Density affects its dispersal

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4
Q

Define persistence.

A

measure of the length of time that a pollutant remains in the environment before it degrades

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5
Q

What are the 3 types of degredation?

A

Biodegradation
Photodegradation
Thermaldegradation

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6
Q

Define toxicity.

A

Measure of how poisonous a substance is to living organisms

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7
Q

Define specificity.

A

Used to describe variations in toxicity to different groups or organisms.

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8
Q

What is a primary pollutant?

A

A primary pollutant is one that is released by human activities.

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9
Q

What is a secondary pollutant?

A

A secondary pollutant is one that is produced by chemical reactions between one or more primary pollutants.

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10
Q

What is adsorption?

A

The attaching of pollutants to a surface.

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11
Q

Define bioaccumulation.

A

Process by which the amount of a substance within an organism increases.

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12
Q

Define biomagnification.

A

When a substance increases in concentration as it passes along the food chain.

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13
Q

What do teratogens do?

A

Cause birth abnormalities by preventing normal gene expression. They inhibit the function of proteins and enzymes.

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14
Q

What does mobility allow?

A

High mobility allows for pollutants to travel further distances.

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15
Q

What 5 factors affect degredation?

A 
Temperature
Light Levels
Oxygen
pH
Pollutant interactions
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16
Q

What factors affect dispersal?

A

Wind and water currents

Temperature inversions

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17
Q

What factors allow a temperature inversion to form?

A

Valleys
Low wind velocity
Cloudless skies
Mist or fog during the day

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18
Q

What are the 3 strategies to control pollution?

A

Critical Pathway Analysis
Critical Group Monitoring
Emission Control Strategies

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19
Q

What is the purpose of CPA?

A

To predict the movement of potential pollutants in the environment and assess the severity and location that the pollution may occur.

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20
Q

What is CGM?

A

Specific methods of assessing the risk of public exposure to pollutants.

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21
Q

What are emission control stratergies?

A

Environmental factors affect the dispersal of pollutants and some factors can be managed e.g. location and timing

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22
Q

What are 3 types of pollution control?

A

Polluter pays principle
Precautionary principle
Selection of the control method

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23
Q

What is the polluter pays principle?

A

Incentive to prevent it is the cost of preventing are less than the costs of the damage.

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24
Q

What is the precautionary principle?

A

Assumes that waste causes pollution until research proves it doesn’t which means responsibility can’t be reduced.

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25
What are the 4 control methods?
Production prevention Prevention of release Post-release remediation Alternative processes
26
What does ALARA stand for?
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
27
What does BATNEEC stand for?
Best Available Technology, Not Entailing, Excessive Cost
28
What two factors can effect the behaviour of pollutants?
Wind - rapid movement over large areas | EM radiation and UV light - chemical reactions can occur
29
What are the main sources of smoke?
``` Combustion of: Coal Diesel Combustible wastes Crop waste Wood fuel Grasslands Forest Areas ```
30
What are the effects of smoke pollution?
Respiratory problems Reduced photosynthesis Can damage buildings Reduce temperatures - high albedo
31
What are smoke smogs?
The combination of smoke and fog
32
What are the 5 smoke pollution control measures?
``` Legislation - Clean Air Act Domestic sources Transport sources Industrial sources More efficient combustion technology ```
33
What pollutants are involved in photochemical smogs?
Primary and Secondary | UV light
34
What are the sources of primary pollutants for photochemical smogs?
Urban areas - NOx | Presence of sunlight and toxic SP - PANS
35
What are the effects of photochemical pollutants?
NOx - respiratory infections PANs - irritation and breathing difficulty Tropospheric ozone - respiratory infections and contributes to PAN production
36
How can photochemical smog be controlled?
Use of catalytic converters Vapours at petrol stations can be condensed and used Activated carbon filter where the hydrocarbons adsorb onto the carbon particles
37
How does acid rain form?
Naturally occurring CO2 in the atmosphere dissolves which forms a dilute carbonic acid concentration
38
What are the main pollutants in acid rain?
Sulfur dioxides dissolve in water to produce sulfurous acid Sulfur dioxide may be oxidised to produce sulfur trioxide NOx dissolve to produce nitrous and nitric acid
39
What are the effects of acid rain on non-living things?
Corrodes metals Corrodes railway damage Corrodes power lines Damages limestone structures
40
What are the direct impacts of acid rains on organisms?
Exposed tissue will be damaged (fish eggs) Lichens are sensitive to acidic conditions Sulfur dioxide can create breathing difficulties
41
What are the indirect impacts of acid rains on organisms?
Solubility of metal ions is affected Can leach metals ions from the soil Inhibit enzyme actions Metal ions that have been leach can have human health impacts
42
What are the ways of controlling acid rain?
Control of oxides of sulphur | Control of oxides of nitrogen
43
What are the control of oxides of sulphur?
``` Natural gas Crude oil desulfurisation Coal desulfurisation Flue gas desulfurisation Dry flue gas desulfurisation Wet flue gas desulfurisation ```
44
What are the control of oxides of nitrogen?
Low-temperature combustion Catalytic convertors Urea sprays
45
What are the effects of tropospheric ozone?
Toxic to plants Reduces plant growth Involved in the production of secondary pollutants
46
How can tropospheric ozone be controlled?
Reducing levels of primary pollutants | Reduction in nitrogen oxides
47
What are the effects of CO?
Binds to haemoglobin and prevents it from carrying blood | Can increase health problems caused by chronic heart disease
48
How can CO be controlled?
Use of catalytic converters
49
What are the features that can affect the harm of pollutants in water?
Effluent quantity Volume of water Residence time of the water
50
What factors affect degradation?
``` High sunlight/UV levels may cause photochemical degradation Dissolved oxygen Higher temperature Removal of water Dispersal ```
51
What are the effects of thermal pollution?
Ecological effects e.g. killing of aquatic organisms | Deoxygenation of water
52
What physiological changes can high water temperature cause?
``` Increased metabolic rates Increased rate of development Non-indigenous species introduced Pollutant toxicity is often greater Resistance to disease may be reduced ```
53
What is the way of controlling thermal pollution?
Cooling towers
54
What are the causes of oil pollution?
Waste lubricating oil Accidental releases Oil exploration
55
What are the effects of oil pollution?
Some parts of crude oil are toxic Can cover aquifer life Can cause birds to drown Can cause birds feathers to stick Can reduce the amount of oxygen that can dissolve into water Marine animals who use smell may have difficulties
56
How can oil pollution be controlled?
``` Recycling of oil releases Better Shipping routes Better navigation systems Inert gas systems Tanks washing procedures Oily waste water disposal Double hull Twin engine ships Separate oil and ballast tanks Oil interceptors Bund walls ```
57
What are the 7 ways of controlling oil spills?
``` Booms Skimmers Absorbent materials Detergents Polymerising agents Steam washing Bioremediation ```
58
What are the direct effects of pesticide pollution on living organisms?
DDT could affect birds and low concentrations could cause thin eggshells
59
What are the indirect effects of pesticide pollution on living organisms?
Reduction in one species could affect interspecies relationships and food chains
60
What are the methods to reduce pesticide pollution?
``` Restrictions on use Use of non-persistent pesticides Use of more specific pesticides Use of systemic pesticides Application timing Non-pesticide techniques ```
61
What are the effects of inorganic pollution?
``` Cultural eutrophication Effects of nitrates on human health Effects of nitrates on babies Nitrates and cancer Control of inorganic nutrients ```
62
What are the effects of organic nutrient pollution?
Deoxygenation Pathogens Inorganic nutrient release
63
How can organic effluents be treated?
``` Pre-treatment Primary treatment Secondary treatment Tertiary treatment Sludge treatment ```
64
What are the effects of acid mine drainage?
Acidic solutions have similar effects to acid rain | Solutions can often contain toxic metals
65
How can acid mine drainage be controlled?
Can be passed through crushed limestone to neutralise the acids
66
What are the key properties of heavy metals?
Inhibit enzyme function May be stored in fat droplets if liposoluble More soluble at lower pH
67
What are the sources of lead pollution?
Lead-acid batteries | Lead flashing
68
How can lead pollution be controlled?
``` Water pipes Petrol additives Electrical solder Fishing weights Shotgun pellets ```
69
What are the sources of mercury?
``` Batteries Fluorescent lights Thermometers Chemical plants Combustion of coal ```
70
How can mercury pollution be controlled
Replacement of mercury thermometers Removal from effluents Ion exchange filters Disposal at high pH to reduce solubility
71
What is cadmium pollution caused by?
Disposal of nickel-cadmium batteries | incineration of pigments
72
What are the effects of cadmium?
Brain damage and Paralysis Lung Cancer Kidney Failure Skeletal Collapse
73
What are the effects of iron pollution?
Can cause deoxygenation when oxidised in water | Drainage through spoil heaps can leach it into water
74
How can iron pollution be controlled?
Collection of spoil heap drainage and passing to over mesh screens to oxidise the iron
75
What are the sources of solid wastes?
Mining and construction wastes - Mine overburden/Mine spoil heaps/Demolition waste Domestic and commercian municipal waste -paper/packaging/containers/domestic appliances/clothing Industrial waste
76
What are the properties of solid waste?
``` Degradability Flammability Release of radioactivity toxicity Conditions that affect degradation ```
77
What manufacturing methods increase waste?
Built-in obsolescence Disposable products Overpackaging
78
What factors affect waste disposal methods?
``` Population density Mass of waste produced Properties of waste Land availability Availability of recycling technology Environmental awareness Regulatory framework and legislation Household income Waste processing costs ```
79
What are the features of good landfill site management?
Separation of waste Polymer liner to prevent the escape of leachate fluids Perimeter fence to prevent escaping litter Regular covering with soil Collection and treatment of leachate Collection of methane Impermeable cap Deodorising sprays Dispersal of flammable materials No dumping of chemicals which could react together
80
What are the disadvantages of landfill?
``` Potential resource value is lost Use large areas of land Organic matter decays anaerobically Toxic leachate may leak Habitats and farmland may be lost Transport to site can create noise and congestion ```
81
How can spoil heaps be managed?
``` Stability Drainage Lack of nutrients pH Contamination Topography Toxic leachates Heavy metals Flammable wastes ```
82
What are the advantages of incineration?
Volume of ash is less than original waste Heat produced can be used for heating No sorting is needed Flammable materials can be burnt in purpose build stations
83
What are the disadvantages of incineration?
Resource value may be lost Toxic dioxins may be produced Fuel used to maintain combustion is expensive Wastes need to have wet waste removed Costs associated with treatment of atmospheric pollutants
84
What are the features of good domestic waste incinerators?
``` Recyclable wastes are removed Waste with high water content is removed Temperature is kept high Heat produced is harnessed for use Atmospheric pollution is controlled Some materials may need additional treatment Heavy metals can be removed ```
85
What is encapsulation?
Hazardous waste containing heavy metals are put in containers with a cement slurry
86
What is vitrification?
Powdered radioactive waste is mixed with molten glass and poured into stainless steel containers
87
What is the logarithmic dB scale?
An increase by 10dB represents a 10 fold increase in volume
88
What is the frequency range of human hearing?
20-20,000Hz
89
What are the 3 effects of noise pollution on buildings?
Acoustic Fatigue Vibration Damage Shock Impacts
90
What are the effects of noise on living organisms?
``` Hearing damage Stree-related health problems Behavioural changes Communication problems Livestock - panic Disturbance to breeding birds Reduced feeding success (hearing food) Hearing damage/behavioural changes ```
91
What methods are used by military aircraft to avoid noise pollution?
``` Major urban areas are avoided 13 Major avoidance areas Varied flight paths 20 low flying areas Can request temporary low-level flight request Low flying timetables Compensation for damages May avoid sensitive areas ```
92
How does civil aircraft noise affect things?
Airliners cruise at high altitudes Located next to urban areas Level of noise nuisance is controlled by times and flights
93
How are airports designed and located?
``` Location away from major population centres Taxi areas away from residential areas Engine test areas Acoustic insulation Land-use restrictions Noise deflection/absorption Multiple landing runways ```
94
How can aircraft engine design be used to reduce noise pollution?
High bypass-ratio engines Chevron nozzles Engine hush kits Engine acoustic liners
95
How can aircraft body design be used to reduce noise pollution?
Blended aircraft wing Aerodynamics Lighter Aircraft
96
How can aircraft operation be controlled to reduce noise?
Take-off angle Flightpath planning Constant descent angle Night flight restrictions
97
How can noisier aircraft be controlled?
Noise limits Charges for noisier aircraft Restricted flight times Quota count system
98
What are the sources of railway noise?
``` Wheel vibration Engine noise Pantograph turbulence Braking squeal Wheel noise ```
99
How can the sources of railway noise be reduced?
Wheel vibration - Track polishing Engine noise - Sound-absorbing suspension Pantograph turbulence - Aerodynamic fairing Braking squeal - Use of composite breaks Wheel noise - Good carriage suspension
100
What are the sources of road noise?
Wheel noise Vehicle air turbulence Engine noise General road vehicle noise
101
How can the sources of road noise be reduced?
Wheel noise - Sound-absorbing road materials Vehicle air turbulence - Improved aerodynamics Engine noise - Acoustic insulation General road vehicle noise - Rerouting traffic/traffic management/Fences/double glazing
102
What are the sources of industrial noise?
``` Air compressors and pumps Stamping machines Metal conveyors Mine blasting Pile-driving on land Pile driving at sea Marine seismic surveys ```
103
How can the sources of industrial noise be reduced?
Air compressors and pumps - Silencers Stamping machines - alternative processes Metal conveyors - use of nylon bearings/wheels/rollers Mine blasting - Baffle mounds/regular timing Pile-driving on land - Drilling instead of driving Pile driving at sea - air bubble curtains Marine seismic surveys Acoustic surveys to detect cetaceans
104
How can domestic noise be controlled?
``` Domestic appliances with acoustic absorbers Wearing ear defenders Volume limiters Selection of quieter domestic appliances Control of pet dogs ```
105
What are the 4 ways of measuring traffic noise level?
LA10 LA90 Traffic noise index L10(18h)
106
What are the 3 ways of measuring aircraft noise level?
Effective Perceived Noise Levels Noise and Number Index Leq 57dB
107
How can ionising radiation be used in industry?
Measuring thickness of rolled materials Testing aircraft jet turbines Strengthening polymersOil and gas exploration to test rock porosity
108
How can ionising radiation be used in healthcare?
Sterilising heat-sensitive equipment Cancer treatment X-rays and CT scans
109
How can ionising radiation be used in agriculture?
Pest control Sterile male Production of mutations
110
How can ionising radiation be used in scientific research?
Radio-labelled tracers
111
How can ionising radiation be used in nuclear fission and fusion?
Nuclear weapons Nuclear electricity Ship propulsion
112
What are the 5 areas ionising radiation can be used?
``` Industry Healthcare Agriculture Scientific research Nuclear fission and fusion ```
113
What are the 6 risks and benefits of the use of ionising radiation?
Symptoms make take a long time to show Some effects can be difficult to identify Accurate data on human impacts isn't always available People who benefit and those who risk may not be in the same place Risks associated may be offset by other risks
114
What are the 9 ways you can be exposed to radiation?
``` Cosmic Gamma rays from the lithosphere Internal radiation from the body Radiation from ground Medical exposure Occupational exposure Atomic weapons fallout Consumer products Industrial radiation discharges ```
115
What factors affect the impact of ionising radiation?
Properties of different types of ionising radiation Half-life and health risks Effects of ionising radiation on living tissue Exposure and contamination Activation products
116
What are the 6 effects of ionising radiation on living tissue?
``` Damage to the nucleus of the cell Damage to other parts of the cell Somatic effects Gonadic effects Chronic effects Acute effects ```
117
What are the 2 principles of controls?
ALARA - as low as reasonably achievable | BATNEEC - best available technology not entailing excessive costs
118
What are the 6 strategies to reduce exposure?
``` Closed sources Materials to absorb the radiation Protective clothing Distance from the source (does received= 1/distance^2) Reducing the period of exposure Decontamination ```
119
What units are used to measure ionising radiation?
Becquerel - measure the activity of the source Gray - measure of absorbed dose Sievert - measure of effective dose
120
How can radiation workers be monitored?
Personal dosemeters Photographic film badges Air monitors Contamination monitors

Environmental science (14 decks)

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