pollution Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is pollution?
The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.
Define air pollution.
The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that can affect human health and the environment.
True or False: Water pollution only affects oceans.
False.
What are primary pollutants?
Pollutants that are emitted directly from a source, such as carbon monoxide from vehicles.
Give an example of a secondary pollutant.
Ozone formed from the reaction of sunlight with pollutants like volatile organic compounds.
What is a pollutant?
A substance that causes pollution.
Fill in the blank: The ________ Law states that as the concentration of pollutants increases, the health impact also increases.
Dose-response
Name one major source of land pollution.
Agricultural runoff.
What is eutrophication?
A process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.
True or False: Noise pollution can have effects on human health.
True.
What is the main cause of acid rain?
Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from industrial processes.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The warming of Earth’s surface due to trapped heat by greenhouse gases.
Define solid waste.
Any garbage or refuse that is in solid form, often from households or businesses.
What is the significance of the Clean Air Act?
A U.S. law aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level.
What is bioremediation?
The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from soil and water.
Fill in the blank: ________ is the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials.
Recycling
What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
Organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation and can accumulate in living organisms.
True or False: All pollutants are visible to the naked eye.
False.
What role do trees play in reducing air pollution?
They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality.
What is the purpose of environmental impact assessments?
To evaluate the potential effects of a proposed project on the environment.
Name a health effect associated with air pollution.
Respiratory diseases such as asthma.
What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
To regulate and enforce national standards for environmental protection.
Define ‘point source pollution’.
Pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source.
What is ‘non-point source pollution’?
Pollution that comes from multiple, diffuse sources, such as agricultural runoff.