u2: energy Flashcards
(147 cards)
1
Q
5 variables of calculating ecological footprints
A
- carbon foot prints: energy
- built-up land: settlements
- forests: timber + paper
- crop + pasture: food + fibre
- fisheries: seafood
2
Q
non-renewable energy
A
exist in a fixed amount and require transformation that cannot be easily replaced
3
Q
renewable energy
A
can be naturally replenished at or near the rate of consumption and reused
4
Q
non renewable energy examples
A
nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas
5
Q
renewable energy
A
biomass, hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal
6
Q
what popular non renewable resource is not a fossil fuel
A
nuclear
7
Q
what is the most widely used energy source?
A
fossil fuels
8
Q
what are the partitioning of energy across different nations
A
20% of population use 80% of energy
china: 23%, us: 17%, india: 5%, non-oecd asia: 7%, rest of the world: 48%
9
Q
what caused the spike in fossil fuel usage
A
the industrial revolution (1760s)
10
Q
first major energy source and what it has been replaced with
A
coal + petroleum
11
Q
% change equation
A
initial - final / initial = % change
12
Q
what impacts power usage
A
- development — when countries develop so does their tech which is typically derived from fossil fuels
- what they have available / accessible
- supply and demand
- what fuels the government prefers
13
Q
wood related fuels
A
wood: easy to access and the oldest fuel
charcoal: small processing, burns hotter than wood, easily accessible
14
Q
drawbacks of wood related fuels
A
- erosion
- soil degradation
- co2 changes
15
Q
peat
A
a coal precursor made of decomposed organic material
16
Q
3 types of coal
A
peat —> lignite —> bituminous —> anthracik
17
Q
least valuable coal (most impurities, least carbon)
A
lignite
18
Q
most valuable coal (least impurities, most carbon)
A
anthracik
19
Q
cleanest fossil fuel
A
natural gas
20
Q
why is natural gas the cleanest fossil fuel
A
very few impurities like lead, mercury, and more as its already a gas. still produces carbon emissions
21
Q
crude oil extraction sites
A
tar sands — a combination of clay, sand, and bituminous. (not ideal fuel)
22
Q
crude oil produces….
A
gas, diesel, jet fuel
23
Q
how is crude oil refined
A
through taking advantage of the different boiling points
24
Q
cogeneration
A
when a fuel source used for heat and electrical generation
25
countries with top 3 uranium reserves
australia, kazakhstan, canada
26
combustions chemical process
O2 —> Co2 + H2O
27
drawbacks of mining / extraction
resource usage and habitat destruction
28
pulverizing
damaging to respiratory system
29
natural gas
plants and animals caught underground (has to be pumped out)
30
fracking
piping into ground, well with clay lining to prevent water run in —> insert pips —> insert fracking fluid —> gas flows out to a container
31
problems with fracking
1. pipe not well lined contaminants water
2. VOCs in fracking fluid
3. natural gas can leak
3. disrupts tectonic plates
32
nuclear fission
a nuclear chemical process of **uranium-235** (u-235) to generate electricity
33
nuclear fission steps
U-235 is put into fuel rods —> struck by an outside neutron —> U-235 releases heat —> heat generates steam —> turbine —> generator —> electricity
34
pros of nuclear power
1. low / no CH4/Co2
2. high power output
3. low cost
4. no mining
35
cons of nuclear
1. long life hazards
2. nuclear incident
3. thermal pollution
4. high initial cost
5. constructive mining
6. nonrenewable
36
nuclear energy and radioactive energy
nuclear energy comes from U-235, isotope loses energy that is emitted in the form of a radioactive wave
37
U-235 radioactivity
U-235 stays radioactive. it gathers neurons and becomes an isotope.
38
three mile island
- water pump failed allowing water in
- fuel began melting down
- no explosion or long term radiation
39
chernobyl
- closed for testing
- power turned off during simulation
- extra power was supposed to allow cooling
- **control rods didnt drop**
40
fukushima
- **earthquake + tsunami**
- emergency shutdown
- 3 reactor meltdown's simultaneously
41
radioactive material half life
**measure of time for half an atomic nucleus to decay**
- decays into *another atom*, emits radiation
- **ten** half lives = safety
ex: cesium-137 has 30 year half life,
30 x 10 = 300 years until safe
42
mining
obtaining minerals from ground
43
refining
industry process of removing impurities from a substance
44
overburden
layer of earth and rock removed to access materials
45
spoils
unwanted rock and waste produced when mineral extraction from earths surface or subsurface like mining + extraction
46
open pit mine
process / industry obtained via an open pit
47
mountain + preremoval
removal of mountain top to access underneath
48
tailing and target
ore —> target + tailing (similar to spoils)
49
cyanide heap leaching
fluid including cyanide to ore, dissolves impurities
50
mining accessible ores and resource usage
as more accessible ores are mined it causes more resource usage to gain access to the less accessible ones
51
mining wastes
soil + rocks moved to gain access to ore. the waste (slag) + tailing that remain when minerals are removed from ore
52
mining consequences
- soil erosion — barren areas if subsoil causing desertification and increased temperature
- road's encourage invasive species
- machines causing fossil fuels
- streams near can have increased turbidity, lowered DO, and increased temp due to runoff
53
pH and Fe
when pH increases Fe —> Fe(OH)2 which leads to orange waters, increased turbidity that decreased albido and lowers DO
54
mine remediation
takes 100s of years of primary succession to return to original, returning topography (grading) —> soil enrichment for nutrients
55
importance of energy conservation
negative consequences of energy usage can be reduced via conservation and thus reduction of negative consequences
56
individual impact
- adjust thermostat
- use energy efficient appliances
57
conserve water
- shorter showers
- larger loads of laundry / cold cycle
58
conservation landscaping
- reduce irrigation energy
- use pant trees to match needs
- plant trees to block sun in summer / not in winter (disidgeous)
- evergreens for winter cover
59
xeriscaping
matching landscape / climate with plants
60
fuel economy standard
corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE) regulations in the United States, first enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, after the 1973–74 Arab Oil Embargo, to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks (trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles) produced for sale in the United States.
61
energy conservation in buildings (passive)
- solar
- windows
- insulation
- sun light
- greenroof
62
energy conservation in buildings (active)
- heating system (geothermal + solar)
- solar panels
63
primary pollutants
directly into atmosphere
64
natural pp
- pollen
- ash
- VOCs
65
anthropogenic pp
- ff combustion (Co2, Nox, So2)
66
secondary pollutants
form once in atmosphere, usually by combining w/ water vapor or atmospheric gases
67
in 1970 what did the EPA establish
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
68
6 criteria pollutants
- sulfur dioxide (so2)
- particulate matted (pm)
- lead (pb)
- ozone (o3)
- nitrogen dioxide (no2)
- carbon monoxide (co)
- **SPLONC**
69
lead exposure impacts (children)
- anemia
- low iq
- behavior disorders
- reading / learning disabilities
70
low level lead exposure impacts (adults)
- hypertension
- cardiovascular disease
71
ff combustion
fossil fuels release fossil carbon
72
what do all fossil fuels contain
carbon + hydrogen
73
carbon after combustion
co2
74
combustion equation
O2 → CO2 + H2O
75
coal impurities after combustion
- sulfur —> sulfur dioxide (so2)
- toxic metals (lead, mercury, nickel, arsenic)
- partially combust "soot"
- particulate matter (pm)
76
sulfur in coal is most present when it is formed in what biome
marine
77
what does particulate matter do
carries metals and heavy elements into lungs
78
what when burnt generates primary pollutants
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulefur
79
VOCs do what at room temperature
vaporize
80
photochemical smog equation
No + VOC + O2 + UV —> O3 + PANs
81
no2 equation
no + voc = no2
82
no equation
no2 + uv = no
83
o3 equation
o + o2 = o3
84
pans equation
no2 + voc = pans
85
how does timing impact pollutants
- nox produced early (rush hour)
- ozone peaks in afternoon (sun and temp)
86
how does temperature impact ozone
sunny and warm (+ sumner) increase production
87
photochemical smog human health impacts
- respiratory issues
- asthma
- bronchitis worsens
88
how to reduce nox
- catalytic converters
89
what do catalytic converters do
no —> o2 —> n2
90
how to reduce vocs
- gas at night
- follow gas instruction
- improve fuel efficiency
- reduce internal combustion
91
thermal inversion
reverse of normal trend—warm layer on top of cooler surface air. traps cooler and dense air
92
issues with thermal inversion
- air dosent rise
- pollutants don't disperse (increases photochem smog + pm)
93
factors that increase thermal inversion
- valleys
- mountains
- coasts
94
natural sources of co2
- respiration
- ocean outgassing
- decomposing biomass
95
geological sources of co2
- volcanic activity
96
ecosystem disturbances causing co2
- wildfires
97
whats the issue with non natural sources of co2
creates massive atmospheric buildup. the net sources + sinks is minimal in natural co2. natural sources are not fossil carbon. it builds up in excess
98
particulate matter
solid + liquid particles that are small enough for inhalation
99
how small is pm
1 micron - 0.01mm
100
how small does pm have to be to be inhalable
under 10 microns
101
pm10
2.5 + 10 microns in diameter—upper respiratory concern
102
pm2.5
under 2.5microns in diameter—lower respiratory concern
103
natural sources of pm
- pollen
- spores
- bacteria
- dust
- airborne soil
- sea salt
104
geological sources of pm
- volcanic dust
- sulfates
105
health effects of pm
- eye irritation
- skin irritation
106
co and asphyxiant
co impacts red bloods ability to carry oxygen through body
107
co and blood
co reacts with hemoglobin to a create a molecule that cant carry oxygen, this leads to dizziness, nausea, and suffocation
108
radon
naturally occurring as a result of decaying uranium in rocks or soil.
109
how many us homes are effects by radon
1 in 15
110
clean air act
regulates emissions of air pollutants that impact human health
111
CAA automobile emissions
- removal of lead in gas
- encouraging cleaner transit technology
112
CAA acid rain
- determine levels of how much pollution is industry
- promotes tech to reduce so2 and no
113
alternative fuels
- natural gas
- propane
- ethanol
- electricity
- biofuels
114
CAA requires EPA to develop what
fuel program (RF), increase volume of renewable fuels
115
onboard vapor recovery system
catch vapors and burn in cars combustion chamber
116
catalytic converters process
co, no2, vocs —> catalytic converters —> o2, co2, h2o, nitrogen, some n2o
117
how are nitrogen and pollutants reduced with Electrostatic Precipitators
catalyst by removing oxygen that breaks up nitrogen oxides —> nitrogen and oxygen gasses. opposite chemical reaction oxidation and turns carbon monoxide —> carbon dioxide. oxidation turns unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust into carbon dioxide and water.
118
scrubbers
remove pollutants from exhaust streams.
119
what pollutants does the CAA require scrubbers for
so2, n2o
120
acid rain pH
4.3
121
rain pH
5.6
122
vehicles burning ff cause what
emitting nox that reacts with water and creates nitrous acid and nitric acid
123
what do coal power plants emit
nox + so2 (reacts w water)
124
natural sources of so2, nox, and co2
- volcanoes
- geysers
- hot springs
125
acid rain forest and soil impacts
- aluminum toxicity: aluminum ions leech soils and are toxic to aquatic life are plants
- calcium deficiency: trees roots are unable to take calcium when aluminum ions are present
- reduced photosynthesis: damages and changes soil chemistry meaning less photosynthesis
126
soils that buffer and neutralize acid rain
soils rich with magnesium, calcium, and limestone
127
what locations are vulnerable to acid rain mode
lakes surrounded by granite that have nutrient poor soils. forests and lakes of NE + high elevations typically have these coditions
128
MSW
municipal solid waste waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public.
129
MSW stats
paper 27%, glass 4.5%, metal 9.1%, plastic 12.8%, rubber/leather 9%, wood 6.2%, yard trimmings 13.5%, food 14.6%
130
e-waste
electronic waste. contains mercury and lead.
131
capped landfill
place a cover over the contaminated landfill
132
open landfill drawbacks
- odor
- bad waste containment of solids and leachate
- flammable (methane)
- animal disturbances
- low aesthetic value
133
sanitary landfill set up
- liner made of clay or plastic
- garbage
- leachate and methane (CH4) collector/monitor
- when it's full: capped and monitored
134
methane in landfills
methane in landfills comes from anaerobic decomposition (decomposition where no air is present) which produces methane and is a huge consequence of landfills
135
waste disposal methods
- incinerated (monitored by CAA)
creates less anaerobic activity, more useful landfill for longer, produces ash, leads to air pollution
- illegal dumping
convenient, it contaminates soil and water
- can be in the ocean
convenient, easy, no dedicated area to trash, no "away" currents move it around, contaminates water, harms marine life
- cargo ships can lose it
nurdle (precursor to many plastic items), loosely connected currents (gyre, can create garbage patches
136
RCRA
resource conservation and recovery act (1976) governing the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste.
137
CERCLA
comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (1980) gave the federal government broad authority to regulate hazardous substances, to respond to releases of hazardous substance, and to develop long-term solutions for the nation's most serious hazardous waste problems.
138
food recovery hierarchy (most 2 least)
- source reduction (reduce volume and surplus of food)
- feed hungry (food banks)
- feed animals (food scrap 2 animals)
- industrial use (recover energy)
- composting (soil amendment)
- landfill (last resort)
139
what can be composted?
- yard debris
- food waste
- paper products
- compostable plastics
140
CWA
clean water act. establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters.
141
SDWA
the safe drinking water act. all waters actually or potentially designed for drinking use, whether from above ground or underground sources.
142
waste to energy plants
trash creates methane which is flammable. incineration -> gas -> turbine -> energy. low quality, needs h20 and impurity removal
143
primary sewage treatment
physical. removal of debris (rocks, sticks, rags, toys, other large objects) removed with screen tanks, fats and oils rise and are scraped off. sludge can be placed back into the ecosystem.
144
secondary sewage treatment
biological. bacteria perform anaerobic decomposition to break down organic matter. produces co2 and sludge. aeration tank stablizes water. clarifier is used to catch any large objects that were missed.
145
tertiary sewage treatment
physical and chemical. removal of final impurities and pollutants (Nitrogen and phosphorus based chemical) remove final bacterias
146
who monitors water quality in sewage treatment?
CWA, SDWA
147
what disinfectants are used in tertiary sewage treatment
chlorine, o3, uv
