Ecosytems & Ecology, Air Toxicity, Indoor Air and Noise: Typical Sources and Impacts Flashcards
What is the General definition of Ecosystem? What is the environmental context definition of ecosystem?
- A complex network or interconnected system.
- Interaction between biological community and the physical environment.
Give two examples of large and small ecosystem?
The Earth and a leaf
Ecology?
Study of Relations and interactions b/n organisms and their environment.
Is Urban Ecosystem a subfield of ecology? If yes, what is the main difference b/n Urban Ecosystem and Natural Ecosystem?
Yes! The main difference is that Urban Ecosystem (UE) requires input from humans while Natural Ecosystem requires no assistance to keep it healthy. Also UE require large quantities of inputs and produce substantial outputs in the form of wastes
Name some of the ecological aspects of human communities.
Economics, Socio-political organization, Psychological factors, Physical factors.
Describe a Freshwater Ecosystem.
A lake that contains both plants and animals to thrive. If the plants (producer) are affected due to human interference with the ecosystem, the rest of the consumers who depend on it will also be affected.
Describe agriculture ecosystem (AG).
AG ecosystems require both loving and no living (plants and animals) things (irrigation and farm equipment). From human and natural inputs in the AG ecosystem, out comes products and wastes.
What is net ecosystem production?
Sum of the changes in organic matter stored in plants, animals and the soil organic matter pool
Define Toxicity
The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can ha humans or animals.
Acute Vs. Chronic toxicity.
Acute toxicity - harmful effects in an organism through a single or short term-exposure.
Chronic toxicity - extended period usually upon repeated or continuous exposure.
What are some of the toxic chemicals.
Lead, mercury, and carbon monoxide.
What does anthropogenic origin mean?
Human made
Air pollution
Any substance introduced into the atmosphere that has damaging effects on things and the environment.
Major causes of air pollution?
Incomplete combustion - this process produces products such as carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, flay ash, and unburned hydrocarbons.
What does VOC and PM stand for?
Volatile Organic Compounds and Particulate material
Where do most of the air contaminants cone from?
Transportation except for sulphur dioxide which come from electric utilities
What is particulate matter?
Mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air.
Can Particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) be dangerous?
Yes, it can enter our lungs
Can PM10 pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs
Yes
What does TPM stand for?
Total Particulate Matter - airborne particulate matter with an upper size limit of approximately 100 um
When were the standards set for PM 2.5. Give examples of PM 2.5.
- Combustion particles, organic compounds, metals, etc.
When were the standards set for PM10 and name some particles of that size
- Dust, pollen, mould
PM 0.5 to PM 10 can reach the lungs?
Yes
What principal causes of “acid rain”
Sulphuric & Nitric Acids
What does air pollution do to trees and soil?
- Weakens trees as opposed to killing them
- Damages the leaves, limiting the nutrients available to the tree
- Dissolved nutrients in the soil, therefore less nutrients for the trees
What is released from soils?
Aluminum
Low pH and high aluminum levels are _____ to fish
Toxic
Where does most of the anthropogenic sulphur oxide emissions cone from?
Fossil fuel combustion in stationary sources.
What is Ground-Level Ozone made up of?
NOx + VOC + Heat & Sunlight
What is one of the pollutant that can seriously affect crop plants?
O3 as it damages the leaves directly
What effect does O3 have on humans?
-chest pain, coughing, damage the lungs,
Name some heavy metals
Lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, etc.
What are some of the hydrocarbons? Why is it dangerous to humans?
Gasoline, diesel, heating oil. Most hydrocarbons are carcinogenic to the lungs
What does IAQ stand for and what is importance of it?
Indoor Air Quality. Improper care of Ventilation causes build-up of air contaminants within the building.
What does ETS stand for?
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
What is know as passive smoking, second hand smoking, or involuntary smoking?
Environmental Tobacco Smoking which is listed as human carcinogen.
Which asbestos are safer? Friable or non-friable asbestos?
Non-friable asbestos are safer
Which chemical is the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers.
Radon
Is noise pollution considered as an environmental pollution?
Yes, the immediate danger to humans is loss of hearing. Many marine animals are also affected by noise pollution from oil drills and large p
ships such as whales who use hearing to find food and survive
How can engineers prevent noise pollution?
Construction of soundproof rooms for noisy machines. “Aluminum noise barrier”.
