N and P Flashcards
what is Eutrophication
Excessive plant and algal growth resluting from availability of one or more photosynthesis limiting factors
what is the single largest pollution problem we have
Eutrophication
what are some sources of Nutrient pollution (excessive N and P)
Agriculture- such as manure excess fertilizer and soil erosion
Stormwater- this moves N and P from land sources into the aquatic environment
Wastewater- Sewage treatment plants which are ment to remove excess N and P but often fail
Fossili Fuels- power generation from industrial activity
Home- pet waste, detergents and fertilizsers
what are the major effects of Nitrogen pollution
Air Quality- Nitrogen oxides in the air lead to formation of ground level ozone, this can in turn have issues on human health and increase acid raid(damage plants)
Water Quality- N and P in excess in the water will lead to eutrophication which has negative effects
Acid Rain - this is a reslut of excess nitrogen oxides in the water and air, also from fossiel fuel combustion
what are the effects of Eutrophication
Algae that grow may be producing toxins which can also impact the food chain, the large mat which is porduced can then also effect the light penitration in the water which will effect the photosythetic effects of plants on the bottom of the water level.
where does Ammonia occur from
results as a bi-product of metabolism, this product may be toxic depending on the form, NH3 is extreamly toxic whereas NH4 is less toxic as it is not uptaken by aquatic aninamls
Which form of ammonia is formed at high pH
NH3 is formed at higher pH values which is the more toxic from of the compound
Name the main Air contaminates
SOx- sullphur oxides
NOx- nitrogen oxides
PM-Particulate matter
VOC-colatile Organic compounds
CO- carbon monoxide
NH3-Ammonia
what is APEI
Air polluteant emissions at the national and provincial level
estmaties CO SOx and NOX emissions
SOx what does it effect
Linked to acid rain
Smog formation
Secondary formation of particulate matter
SOx where does it come from and how are we reducing it
89% reduction from the non-ferrous smelting and refining industry, this is due to goverments needs to fight against acid rain though putting tighter regulations on emmisions
smelter upgreades
reduced emission from coal power generation
oil and gas are a huge contributer
how is acid rain formed
SOx emmsiosn which transform to H2SO4 thus resluting in acid rain
what are some negative conisques of SOx emmisions
formation of secondary particulate matter
Adverse health effects- airway inflammation , asthma , increased repiratory hospilations
Direst expsore can impare photosysntehs
Expsoure ot aicd can cause physical damage
what are nitrogen oxides
Reslute from combustion of N contained in fuels
NOx dissolvves in water vapour to form acids in the air
formation of secondary PM
what are the main sources of NOx
Road cechicles and other transpotation
what are some of the effects of NOx emmisions
Acid rain in the form in HNO3
Formation of ozone and PM
Human health effects
Direct expsore can cause lesions and dead tissues and long with decreased growth of plants
Exposure to the acid dicretly calls for mechnainacal damage to organic matter
What are VOCs
Volatile organic compounds, these are relase from commercial prodcuts such as gas fumes and aolvents,
CEPA adresses some of thes e
VOCs interact with NOx forming ozone which plays a majour role in smoge and are precusuor to formation fo PM
what are some specifc sources of VOCs
Aerosol
Printing
Architectural coating
adhesives and ashesive removers
Biggest cause of VOCs are solvents
what is CO
Carbon Monoxide
colorless odoerless tasteless poisnous gas formed by the incomplete comdustion of hydrocarbon based fules such as from wood burning or from car exhaust
what are some effect of CO release
Impacts on health such as impacts on Carboxyhemoglobin
inhibits the bloods hemoglobin thus reducig O2 capacity
What is NH3
colourless gas w strong smell which is noticable at any conc above 50ppm
majour contrbutor to these are livestock waste and fertilizer production
Poisionous if inhaled
formation of PM also damges aquatic ecosystems
what is PM
Particulate matter, airborn particles in soild or liquird form which are either classified as primary or secondary depneding on the method of formation
what is the diffrence between primary and secondary PM
primary is the paritcle emitted at the source
secondary is formation form reactions with other compounds in the air
what are some issues with PM
health impacts- size matter
TPM - 100 microns
PM10- less then 10
PM2.5 less then 2.5
