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HUMAN IMPACT > human impact > Flashcards

human impact Flashcards

1
Q

greenhouse effect

A

the trapping of the sun’s warmth in the atmosphere

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2
Q

greenhouse gases

A

gases in the atmosphere that absorb infrared rays and have three or more atoms

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3
Q

examples of greenhouse gases

A 
water vapour
carbon dioxide
methane
surface ozone
nitrous oxide
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4
Q

surface ozone

A

a pollutant that occurs near the earth’s surface

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5
Q

enhanced greenhouse effect

A

when human activities are responsible for the excessive release of greenhouse gases, which intensifies the greenhouse effect

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6
Q

role of trees in co2 levels

A

forests are carbon sinks, trees absorb large amounts of co2 for photosynthesis from the atmosphere. less trees, less absorption.

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7
Q

human activity that affects co2 levels

A

industrialization and deforestation

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8
Q

global warming

A

higher co2 levels in the atmosphere resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect which leads to an increase in the earth’s atmosphere

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9
Q

human activities which release the most co2

A

the burning of fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel) for electricity, transport and industrial processes

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10
Q

how to reduce co2 emissions

A

save electricity
create awareness
introduce incentives

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11
Q

human activities that release methane

A
  • industries (the production / distribution of natural gas)
  • livestock farming
  • waste from homes (landfills)
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12
Q

methane emissions issues

A

methane is much more effective at trapping heat energy and is released during natural decomposition

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13
Q

carbon footprint

A

the sum of all co2 emissions resulting from your activities during a period of time

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14
Q

carbon footprint depends on

A

how much elec / energy you use
use of air transport
your daily transport

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15
Q

ways to reduce carbon footprint

A

use less air transport
recycle
buy energy-saving appliances

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16
Q

effects of global warming

A

rise in sea levels - bc of the melting polar ice caps
rise is sea surface temp
inc in extreme weather conditions (drought, floods (sea levels)
loss of biodiversity (habitats destroyed by climate change)

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17
Q

how to combat global warming

A
  • afforestation
  • alternative energy sources
  • strategies for energy efficiency
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18
Q

desertification

A

the process during which semi-arid/arid land is transformed into a desert

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19
Q

causes of desertification

A
  • higher temperatures & changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change
  • deforestation
  • poor farming methods (overgrazing)
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20
Q

effects of desertification

A
  • loss of biodiversity (changing habitats)
  • poor soil quality
  • reduced productivity (food production is limited)
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21
Q

how to limit desertification

A
  • alternatives to fossil fuels

- reducing deforestation (forests trap and release water)

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22
Q

deforestation

A

the permanent destruction of natural, indigenous trees to clear the area for other purposes

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23
Q

causes of deforestation

A

urbanisation (for homes)
agriculture (soil for farming)
wood for fuel

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24
Q

effects of deforestation

A

soil erosion & degradation (less nutrients in the soil)
loss of biodiversity (habitats)
global warming

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25
Q

how to reduce deforestation

A

recycle paper
create awareness
plant trees

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26
Q

ozone layer

A

the layer of gas located around the earth in the stratosphere

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27
Q

ozone

A

highly reactive gas, three oxygen molecules

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28
Q

ozone depletion

A

the thinning of the ozone layer due to the release of certain chemicals and gases that contain chlorine or bromine

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29
Q

ODSs

A

stable, non-toxic gases, which migrate towards the stratosphere bc of their stability. they are broken up by UV rays and the chlorine/bromine atoms are released

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30
Q

CFCs

A

most common ODSs, used in cooling agents ie.) fridges, freezers, air conditioners

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31
Q

effects of ozone depletion

A

damage human heath: skin cancer, dna mutations
damage agriculture: major food crops are vulnerable to an inc in UV radiation
damage to materials: plas, wood, rubb are broken down by UV radiation

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32
Q

how to reduce ozone depletion

A

reduce CFC products

limit release of ODSs

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33
Q

water availability is influenced by

A

dam construction
wetland destruction
droughts and floods

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34
Q

dam

A

a barrier that is built across a river in order to block and control water flow

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35
Q

dam purposes

A

flood control (regulate river levels)
generates hydroelectricity
supply for industrial and domestic use
irrigation

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36
Q

disadv of dam construction

A

loss of biodiversity (habitats can flood and river banks can dry out)
water loss through evaporation (large surface)
prevention of seasonal river flooding, can reduce soil fertility

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37
Q

wetland

A

a piece of land saturated by surface or groundwater, has waterlogged soil and aquatic plants

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38
Q

role of wetlands

A

purify water by acting as filters
store water (ensure reliable water supply)
replenish the water table

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39
Q

factors that affect wetland survival

A

draining for grazing and crops
pollution
urban development

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40
Q

poor farming practices that reduce water availability

A

inefficient irrigation methods (large quantities of water are lost thru evaporation w spray irrigation)
overgrazing (leads to wind and water erosion)

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41
Q

reducing poor farming practices

A
  • introduce contour ploughing on slopes
  • drip irrigation
  • crop rotation to avoid soil leaching
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42
Q

how alien plants deplete the water table

A

usually need more water to survive than ind plants, many have developed root systems which can absorb groundwater at deeper levels

43
Q

reducing the effect of alien plants

A

create awareness
remove them through chem, mech, bio control
plant more indigenous plants

44
Q

aquifer

A

the underground layer of permeable rock that is saturated with water and from which underground water can be extracted through a borehole

45
Q

when water is extracted from the ground faster than it is replenished

A
  • lowered water table, aquifers are depleted
  • salinisation of ground water (salt water from the coast seeps in to replace the freshwater)
  • water in rivers and lakes is reduced
46
Q

examples of water wastage

A
  • leaking pipes & dripping taps
  • bathing instead of showering
  • poor farming practices
  • water pollution (sewage)
47
Q

reducing water wastage

A

reducing leakage
create awareness
desalination of sea/mine water

48
Q

water quality

A

the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water

49
Q

areas in which water is used

A

domestic
agriculture
industrial & mining

50
Q

things which affect water quality

A

pollutants
mining
alien invasive

51
Q

effects of pollutants on water quality

A
  • when water is contaminated w sewage, the harmful microorganisms can cause disease
  • heavy metals in industrial waste water end up in water bodies
52
Q

thermal pollution

A

when warm water is pumped into rivers and oceans by factories

53
Q

reducing industrial pollution

A
  • strict measures to reduce industry waste
  • recycling wastewater
  • cooling of wastewater before release
54
Q

agricultural pollutants

A

insecticides and pesticides that are sprayed onto crops accumulate in rivers and dams after heavy rains

55
Q

leaching

A

when artificial fertilizer does not cling to soil particles and is washed away by rain

56
Q

surface run-off

A

nutrient rich water that eventually ends up in rivers and dams

57
Q

algal bloom

A

large amounts of minerals in the water which cause a drastic increase in the growth of freshwater algae

58
Q

eutrophication

A

excessive richness of nutrients in a body of water due to run-off from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life

59
Q

effects of mining on water quality

A

large quantities of water are used in processing raw materials in mines. this contaminated water is released and pollutes the environment.

60
Q

acid mine water (AMD) (drainage)

A

formed when reactive minerals in rocks are exposed to water in mining activities to form acids

61
Q

invasive plants

A

alien plants that flourish, successfully out-competing indigenous plants
- can cause eutrophication

62
Q

reasons for water purification

A
  • many available freshwater sources are contaminated

- many people in rural areas do not have access to safe water (have to purify their own)

63
Q

food security

A

exists when all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their nutritional needs for a healthy life

64
Q

factors influencing food security

A
  • exponential human population growth (due to better medical field, increased agricultural productivity)
  • droughts and floods (crops fail, livestock are lost)
  • poor farming practices : monoculture
65
Q

monoculture

A

a farming practice where a single crop or plant species is planted on the same piece of land for a number of years (soil nutrients become depleted, crop size and quality decreases)

66
Q

genetic modification

A

the deliberate changing of an organism’s traits by manipulating its genetic material

67
Q

advantages of GM food

A
  • greater crop yields
  • high nutritional value
  • longer shelflife
  • animals produce more meat, milk, eggs
68
Q

disadvantages of GM food

A
  • can affect human health (causes allergies)

- can be unaffordably expensive in the long run

69
Q

biodiversity

A

the biological diversity and variety of life in a particular area

70
Q

importance of maintaining biodiversity

A

IMPROVES

  • air quality (plants species purify air)
  • water quality (wetland ecosystems cleanse wastes and treat sweage)
  • soil quality (some species can condition soils and break down org matter)
71
Q

threats to biodiversity

A
  • habitat destruction
  • poaching and hunting wildlife
  • pollution leading to cc
  • alien invasive plants
72
Q

how habitat destruction occurs

A

occurs through:

  • urbanisation
  • deforestation
  • mining (trees and topsoil are removed so that mines can be developed)
73
Q

poaching

A
  • the illegal hunting / trapping of animals and removal of plants
  • often targets endangered species
74
Q

mechanical control of alien plants

A
  • plants and trees are cut down or burned, labor intensive
75
Q

chemical control of alien plants

A

herbicides, is effective but can adversely affect the surrounding plant and animal species, pollutes water and soil

76
Q

biological control of alien plants

A
  • natural enemies (insects eg) from the plants natural habitat used
  • deliberately effect the plants with pathogenic viruses
77
Q

indigenous knowledge

A

the knowledge indigenous cultures / communities gained through their interaction with the environment. they determined which plants are edible, poisonous and which store water.

78
Q

sustainable use

A

the use of resources to fulfil human needs while ensuring there is sufficient supply for future gens

79
Q

where is devil’s claw found

A

in the Kalahari desert in SA, Namibia, Botswana

80
Q

uses for devil’s claw

A

can be used to treat arthritis and rheumatism

can also be used as: a sedative, diuretic

81
Q

sustainable use of devil’s claw

A

very difficult to cultivate, cannot be harvested without a permit

82
Q

where rooibos is found

A

endemic to the Cederberg Mountain in WC

83
Q

uses for rooibos

A
  • caffeine free
  • rich in anti-oxidants
  • calming effect
  • relieves digestive problems
84
Q

fynbos

A

the type of vegetation that occurs exclusively in the SWern area of WC

85
Q

fynbos consists of

A

reeds, ericas and proteas

86
Q

threats to fynbos survival

A
  • invasive alien plants
  • fires caused by human error at the wrong time and too frequently can wipe out species (some fynbos only flower after a fire)
  • urbanisation
87
Q

measures for sustainable fynbos survival

A
  • eradicating alien plants

- controlled fires at the right time which are essential for seed germination

88
Q

where african potato grows

A

in natural grasslands in the eastern summer rainfall regions of SA

89
Q

african potato reproduction

A

do not grow from seeds easily: they reproduce by division of their corm to form new plants. therefore, removal of the corm drastically reduces their numbers

90
Q

african potato uses

A
  • strengthen the immune system\

- can treat TB, UTIs and constipation

91
Q

solid waste

A

is solid or semi-solid insoluble material such as garbage, sewage sludge, etc

92
Q

main categories of waste

A

general

hazardous

93
Q

general waste

A

waste that does not pose an immediate danger or threat to health or the environment

94
Q

general waste examples

A

household waste

waste from cons sites, businesses

95
Q

hazardous wastes

A

waste that contains harmful/toxic/explosive substances that will effect health & the environment

96
Q

landfill site

A

a site where waste is dumped into a giant hole in the ground and covered with soil

97
Q

hazards landfills near residential areas pose

A
  • attract pests

- dust and odors

98
Q

phytoremediation

A

the use of green plants to remove toxic substances from soil water sediment air to render them harmless

99
Q

management and rehabilitation of dumpsites

A
  • waste is compacted to reduce volume and covered w soil everyday to prevent further air contact
  • rain water that filters through it accumulates in pipes and is tested regularly for the levels of chemicals. this water is treated to prevent contamination.
  • methane gas is used as an energy source.
100
Q

advantages of recycling

A

less waste is generated
less space is used for landfills
reduces the cost of municipal waste disposal

101
Q

household waste categories

A

dry - recyclable
wet - non recyclable
hazardous - should not be placed in household bins
organic - can be used for compost

102
Q

process of generating elec from methane

A

drawn into pipes from landfill sites and collected and burned at a central points. this drives a generator which generates elec.

  • has reduced impact of greenhouse gas emissions (O and CO2)
  • less emissions from powerplants
103
Q

nuclear waste is produced by

A

power plants
mining industires
the use of radioactive materials

104
Q

three groups of radioactivity level

A

low, intermediate, high level

HUMAN IMPACT (2 decks)

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