C6.3: Interpreting And Interacting With Earth Systems Flashcards
How does the pollutant Carbon Dioxide contribute in the environment?
Increasing greenhouse effect
Glibal warming and climate change
How does the pollutant Carbon Monoxide contribute in the environment?
Toxic gas, colourless and odorless which makes it hard ti detect
Prevents oxygen from binding to haemoglobin in body
How does the pollutant Particulates contribute in the environment?
Cause respiratory problems
Global dimming
Lung disease, breathing problems
How does the pollutant Sulfur Dioxide contribute in the environment?
What are the main gases in the air today?
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon
What did the early composition of the atmosphere contain?
Little or no oxygen
A large amount of carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Small amounts of other gases
What did volcanic activity cause to happen in the early atmosphere?
Releeased CO2, nitrogen and water vapour
Where did bodies of water come from in the early atmosphere?
Condensation of water vapour
Why did carbon dioxide decrease overtime?
Dissolved into water
Carbon locked into rocks
What caused for a rise in nitrogen?
Volcanic activity
What were the statistical balances of the early atm?
4% water vapour
95% CO2
Traces of nitrogen, ammonia and methane
Average temp above 400 degrees C
What were the statistical balances of the current atm?
78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
Traces of carbon dioxide, water vapour, ammonia
Average temp 20 degrees C
How did oxygen increase in the atmosphere?
Plants made it as a product of respiration
Why is sulfur dioxide a pollutant?
Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water in clouds and falls from clouds in acid rain
What are the effects of acid rain?
Reacts with metals - weakening and damaging buildings/statues
Damages te waxy layer on the leaves of trees: more difficult for trees to absorb minerals needed for healthy growth
Makes bodies of water too acidic for aquatic life to survive, changes pH of water
What do greenhouse gases do?
Absorb energy transferred as infrared radiation from earths ruface
Release infrared radiations in all directions
Why is carbon dioxide unhealthy?
Increases greenhouse effect
Contributes to global warming and climate change
Why is carbon monoxide unhealthy?
Toxic gas
Why is particulates unhealthy?
Cause respiratory problems
Global dimming
Lung disease
Breathing problems
What is sulfur dioxide a problem of?
Combustion of fuels
Why is nitrogen oxides unhealthy?
Acid rain
What are the main greenhouse gases?
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
What is the sun radiation?
UV
What human activities increase the emission of CO2?
Burning fossil fuels, Creates CO2 when burnt
Deforestation, prevents photosynthesis
What human activities increase the emission of methane?
Landfill - the microorganisms decaying waste release methane
Cows digestive processes release methane
What are consequences of climate change?
Melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, increased flooding
Damage to coral reefs
Changes to animal migration patterns
Difficulty growing crops
Extreme weather patterns
How can we reduce the impact of Climate Change?
Replanting trees
Limit cattle farming
Use less electricity
Promote recycling
What is potable water
Water safe to drink
What does pure water consist of?
Only one type of substance - water molecules
What should potable water have?
Sufficiently low levels of dissolved salts and microbes
What may water in lakes/reservoirs or aquifiers contain?
Insoluble materials - leaves, rocks, soil
Soluble subtances - salts, pollutants, pesticides, fertilisers
What is desalination?
Removing high concentrations of dissolved salts from water
What does chlorine do to water?
Kill bacteria but DOES NOT clean
What happens in stage 1 in the transformation of water to become potable?
Water passes through a metal screen, removes large objects like leaves/twigs
What happens in stage 2 in the transformation of water to become potable?
The water is sat for a long time so all sand and soil particles sink to the bottom, then water is run off from the top
What happens in stage 3 in the transformation of water to become potable?
Aluminium sulfate and line added to the water to clump dirt so they sink to the bottom
What happens to the sludge formed when making water potable?
Dumped in a landfill site where it forms mud
What happens in stage 4 in the transformation of water to become potable?
Water is passed through a filter made of fine sant which removes remaining particles of mud so the water is clear
What happens in stage 5 in the transformation of water to become potable?
Water may look clean but may contain harmful bacteria
Small amount of chlorine added
The pH is checked and made sure it is neutral
Pumped into homes/schools/offices etc.
