Ecosytems & Ecology, Air Toxicity, Indoor Air and Noise: Typical Sources and Impacts

Question 1

What is the General definition of Ecosystem? What is the environmental context definition of ecosystem?

Answer 1

• A complex network or interconnected system.

- Interaction between biological community and the physical environment.

Question 2

Give two examples of large and small ecosystem?

Answer 2

The Earth and a leaf

Question 3

Ecology?

Answer 3

Study of Relations and interactions b/n organisms and their environment.

Question 4

Is Urban Ecosystem a subfield of ecology? If yes, what is the main difference b/n Urban Ecosystem and Natural Ecosystem?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Name some of the ecological aspects of human communities.

Answer 5

Economics, Socio-political organization, Psychological factors, Physical factors.

Question 6

Describe a Freshwater Ecosystem.

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Describe agriculture ecosystem (AG).

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What is net ecosystem production?

Answer 8

Sum of the changes in organic matter stored in plants, animals and the soil organic matter pool

Question 9

Define Toxicity

Answer 9

The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can ha humans or animals.

Question 10

Acute Vs. Chronic toxicity.

Answer 10

Acute toxicity - harmful effects in an organism through a single or short term-exposure.

Chronic toxicity - extended period usually upon repeated or continuous exposure.

Question 11

What are some of the toxic chemicals.

Answer 11

Lead, mercury, and carbon monoxide.

Question 12

What does anthropogenic origin mean?

Answer 12

Human made

Question 13

Air pollution

Answer 13

Any substance introduced into the atmosphere that has damaging effects on things and the environment.

Question 14

Major causes of air pollution?

Answer 14

Incomplete combustion - this process produces products such as carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, flay ash, and unburned hydrocarbons.

Question 15

What does VOC and PM stand for?

Answer 15

Volatile Organic Compounds and Particulate material

Question 16

Where do most of the air contaminants cone from?

Answer 16

Transportation except for sulphur dioxide which come from electric utilities

Question 17

What is particulate matter?

Answer 17

Mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air.

Question 18

Can Particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) be dangerous?

Answer 18

Yes, it can enter our lungs

Question 19

Can PM10 pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

What does TPM stand for?

Answer 20

Total Particulate Matter - airborne particulate matter with an upper size limit of approximately 100 um

Question 21

When were the standards set for PM 2.5. Give examples of PM 2.5.

Answer 21

1997. Combustion particles, organic compounds, metals, etc.

Question 22

When were the standards set for PM10 and name some particles of that size

Answer 22

1987. Dust, pollen, mould

Question 23

PM 0.5 to PM 10 can reach the lungs?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

What principal causes of “acid rain”

Answer 24

Sulphuric & Nitric Acids

Question 25

What does air pollution do to trees and soil?

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

What is released from soils?

Answer 26

Aluminum

Question 27

Low pH and high aluminum levels are _____ to fish

Answer 27

Toxic

Question 28

Where does most of the anthropogenic sulphur oxide emissions cone from?

Answer 28

Fossil fuel combustion in stationary sources.

Question 29

What is Ground-Level Ozone made up of?

Answer 29

NOx + VOC + Heat & Sunlight

Question 30

What is one of the pollutant that can seriously affect crop plants?

Answer 30

O3 as it damages the leaves directly

Question 31

What effect does O3 have on humans?

Answer 31

-chest pain, coughing, damage the lungs,

Question 32

Name some heavy metals

Answer 32

Lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, etc.

Question 33

What are some of the hydrocarbons? Why is it dangerous to humans?

Answer 33

Gasoline, diesel, heating oil. Most hydrocarbons are carcinogenic to the lungs

Question 34

What does IAQ stand for and what is importance of it?

Answer 34

Indoor Air Quality. Improper care of Ventilation causes build-up of air contaminants within the building.

Question 35

What does ETS stand for?

Answer 35

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Question 36

What is know as passive smoking, second hand smoking, or involuntary smoking?

Answer 36

Environmental Tobacco Smoking which is listed as human carcinogen.

Question 37

Which asbestos are safer? Friable or non-friable asbestos?

Answer 37

Non-friable asbestos are safer

Question 38

Which chemical is the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers.

Answer 38

Radon

Question 39

Is noise pollution considered as an environmental pollution?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

How can engineers prevent noise pollution?

Answer 40

Construction of soundproof rooms for noisy machines. “Aluminum noise barrier”.