ecology - waste management

Question 1

what is happening due to more humans on earth and standard of living increasing?

Answer 1

humans are using more of earth’s resources. they are producing more waste leading to pollution

Question 2

how does pollution affect water?

Answer 2

• humans produce a lot of sewage (urine and faeces) and in some countries it is released into nearby waterways. sometimes released into rivers and streams. UK do not release untreated sewage.
• they can also be polluted with fertilisers from streams
• both fertilisers + untreated sewage cause dissolved oxygen levels to fall + kill aquatic organisms
• some toxic chemicals released into rivers from factories killing animals

Question 3

Waste from human activity is ________ ____________ in _______ ecosystems

Answer 3

reducing biodiversity, aquatic

Question 4

how are human activities polluting the air?

Answer 4

• burning coal releases acidic gases leading to acid rain
• burning release smoke
• air pollution kill plants and animals reducing biodiversity

Question 5

how is waste polluting the land?

Answer 5

• tons of waste dumped in landfills. these destroy habitats of plants and chemicals
• toxic chemicals leek out of landfills and pollute the soil
• toxic chemicals dumped onto land killing living organisms

Question 6

It is extremely important that humans carefully _____ our waste ________ and _____ of them without _______ the environment.

Answer 6

handle, materials dispose, harming