Energy resources and environmental pollution (L10) Flashcards
What are the sources of inorganic pollution
Nitrates - very soluble and may be washed off farmland
Phosphates - not very soluble therefore not washed off farmland
Enter rivers via sewage effluent
Effects of nitrates on babies
nitrates are not very toxic but are converted to nitrite in the gut
Nitrites react with haemoglobin
High levels can lead to blue baby syndrome
What is blue baby syndrome
Have more bacteria in their gut
Their haemoglobin reacts more readily with nitrites
Can be exposed to nitrates through the water used to make up formula
Nitrates and cancer
Nitrates - nitrites - nitrosamines
Research carried out on rats
Link between human food, water and cancer inconclusive
Eutrophication
Easily absorbed be algae Releases toxins Shade the submerged and rooted plants Algae population fluctuates rapidly Deoxygenation may occur
Control of inorganic nutrient pollution
Reduced use of nitrate fertilisers
Reduced ploughing and soil disturbance during periods of heavy rain
Use of less soluble, slow release fertilisers
Avoiding dumping waste manure where nutrients may be leached out
Nitrate control areas
Nitrate vulnerable zones
Techniques are particularly important in these areas
Aquifers may be exposed at the surface and can easily be contaminated
Phosphates
Can be removed from liquid effluents - addition of iron
Sources of inorganic nutrients
Sewage works Manure Silage fluids Leather tanneries Paper mills Food processing plants
What are the effects of organic nutrient pollution - Deoxygenation
If released untreated, micro-organisms feed on them, aerobic digestions = deoxygenate the river or lake = kill aerobic organisms which feed there
The effects of release of inorganic nutrients
Organic matter decays - releasing inorganic nutrients
can then cause eutrophication
