Humans & Pollution

Question 1

Pollution

Answer 1

the contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms

Question 2

Naturally Occurring

Answer 2

EX: through volcanic eruptions

Question 3

Anthropogenically

Answer 3

caused by humans

EX: spilling of oil and disposal of industrial waste

Question 4

Types of Pollution

Answer 4

• noise
• air
• acid rain
• light / heat
• water
• eutrophication = fresh water pollution

Question 5

Sources of Pollution

Answer 5

• fossil fuels (release greenhouse gases, contribute to respiratory problems / acid rain)
• domestic waste (food waste, sewage, rubbish
• industrial waste (heavy metals, heat, acids)
• agricultural waste (fertilisers, animal waste, pesticides contaminate water sources)

Question 6

Point Source

Answer 6

pollution that can be traced back to a single origin / source
-localized impact is easier to manage
EX: sewage treatment plant discharge

Question 7

Non Point Source

Answer 7

pollution which cannot be traced back to a single origin / source
-more difficult to identify, manage, assign responsibility
EX: storm water runoff, water runoff from urban areas, failed septic systems

Question 8

Primary Pollutant

Answer 8

put directly into air by human activities

EX: sulfur dioxide released from burning fossil fuel

Question 9

Secondary Pollutant

Answer 9

primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or water vapour to make a new susbstance
EX: sulfur dioxide mixes with water in atmosphere and causes acid rain

Question 10

Acute Pollutants

Answer 10

intense short term exposure causes effects

Question 11

Chronic Pollutants

Answer 11

slow / long level exposure causes effects

Question 12

Persistent Pollution

Answer 12

cannot be broken down by nature / living things

Question 13

Biodegradable Pollution

Answer 13

can be broken down by nature / living things

Question 14

DDT

Answer 14

used to combat Malaria by killing mosquitos and other pests

Question 15

Silent Sprint

Answer 15

intestacies & pesticides overused to the point that they resulted in steep decline in song bird & insects
-phenomenon described in book by Rachel Carson

Question 16

Replace

Answer 16

-invest in "green" technology 
EX: wind, solar, hydropower
-water saving
EX: rain barrels, grey water use, retrofit plumbing)
-green spaces (trees) to offset carbon emissions
-product packaging made recycling 
EX: no styrofoam, plastics
-use less

Question 17

Regulate

Answer 17

• Clean Air Act (1970)
• National Environmental Policy Act (1970)
• Clean Water Act (1972)
• Safe Drinking Water Act (1974)
• Oil Pollution Act (1990)
• Food Quality Protection Act (1996)

Question 18

Restore

Answer 18

-replanting lost vegetation
EX: Million Trees Project
-rebuilding area for ecological succession
-rebuilding populations
EX: million oyster project