3.1 - Transport of Materials Through Air, Soil, and Water

Question 1

What are the 3 stages of transport through air?

Answer 1

1. Release of the chemical
2. Dispersion through the atmosphere
3. Deposition in soil or water

Question 2

How is the direction and distance travelled of a material through air determined? What are the results of precipitation in this situation?

Answer 2

• Direction and distance travelled are determined by the chemical’s properties, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation
• Precipitation causes deposition closer to the source

Question 3

In what situation is it difficult to trace the source of airborne pollutants?

Answer 3

It is difficult to trace the source of airborne pollutants that have traveled long distances

Question 4

What is the groundwater zone?

Answer 4

The area of soil underground, where all pores are filled with water

Question 5

What is the water table?

Answer 5

The top of the groundwater zone

Question 6

Why do contaminants in groundwater become more concentrated over time?

Answer 6

Because groundwater moves slowly, contaminants become more concentrated over time (see table on textbook page 239 for examples)

Question 7

What is a permeable soil?

Answer 7

Has interconnected pores allowing water to flow more freely. The more permeable the soil, the faster pollutants can disperse

Question 8

What happens if the concentration of a chemical in surface water is low?

Answer 8

If the concentration of a chemical in surface water is low, it is easily dispersed and carried away

Question 9

What happens to substances that don’t easily dissolve in water?

Answer 9

Substances that don’t dissolve easily in water attach to solids, sink and become concentrated at the bottom of the water (affecting organisms and drinking water)

Question 10

What is leachate?

Answer 10

Water that has soaked through the soil and moved downward, dissolving substances and carrying them along

Question 11

True or false:

Water can move just as easily in all types of soils.

Answer 11

Water moves more easily through some soil types than others

- Ex. Clay is impermeable

Question 12

How can the movement of chemicals in soil be slowed?

Answer 12

Organic material in soil can absorb chemicals, slowing the movement of the chemical

Question 13

What happens if a chemical reaction occurs in soils?

Answer 13

Chemical reactions can occur in soils, changing the chemicals
- Ex. Neutralization

Question 14

How can soil become contaminated?

Answer 14

Some hydrocarbons (toxic) coat soil grains and completely fill pores, contaminating the soil