INTRO TO POLLUTION Flashcards
Any undesirable change in the
physical, chemical or biological
characteristics of any component of
the environment (air, water, soil),
which can cause harmful effects on
various forms of life or property.
pollution
The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms
pollution
can occur naturally
or unnaturally
pollution
example of naturally occuring causes of pollution
volcanic eruption
example of unnaturally occuring causes of pollution
spilling of oil and disposal or industrial wastes
2 types of pollution sources
point source and non point source
Single, identifiable sources.
point source
Dispersed and often difficult to
identify
non point source
Can be monitored and controlled
by a permit system.
point source
Associated with stormwater or
runoff
nonpoint source
Factories, industry, municipal
treatment plants.
point source
Chemicals added to the atmosphere by natural events or human activities in high enough concentrations to be harmful.
air pollution
when concentrated gases exceed safe limits.
air pollution
2 categories of air pollution
primary and secondary pollutants
Emitted directly from identifiable source.
primary pollutants
Produced in the atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take place among primary pollutants
secondary pollutants
Colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas that forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials.
carbon monoxide (CO)
Colorless and odorless gas
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Gases produced by the chemical interactions between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at high temperature
Nitrogen Oxide and Nitric Acid (NOx)
Both ____ and ____ play a role in the formation of photochemical smog
NO (95%) ; NO2
(5%)
Gas, colorless and odorless in low concentrations, but with irritating
odor in high concentrations.
Sulfur Oxides (SOx)
Causes acid precipitation
Sulfur Oxides (SOx)
how many people were fatally exposed to high SOx and smoke concentrations in London (1952)?
4,000
In the _____, more than ____ lakes in ______ were found with acidity exceeding the natural limits, and in half of them fish populations had dramatically reduced
70s ; 18,000 ; sweden
Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods.
particulate matter
Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods.
Particulate Matter
colorless and highly reactive gas, is a major ingredient of photochemical
smog.
ozone
secondary pollutant that forms from the primary pollutants such
as Volatile Organic Compounds (Hydrocarbons) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. Its formation is mainly from the automobile emission
ozone
most cleanest cities
calamba, philippines
most polluted regional cities
jakarta, indonesia
most polluted air in the world (2018)
bangladesh
Contamination of water bodies (e.g.
lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and
groundwater), very often by human
activities.
water pollution
occurs when pollutants are
discharged directly or indirectly into
water bodies without enough treatment to get rid of harmful compound
water pollution
Occurs as a result of release of pollutants into the ground
to natural underground water reservoirs known as
aquifers.
groundwater pollution
Hazardous substances coming into contact with this surface water (rivers, lakes, lagoons, and oceans), dissolving or mixing physically with the water.
surface water pollution
process where too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to bodies of water and
can act like fertilizer, causing
excessive growth of algae.
nutrient pollution
reduces light penetration in stream, clogs gills of fish and aquatic
invertebrates.
sediment
act as fertilizer for algae & aquatic plants which can cause highly
varying dissolved oxygen levels. At low DO levels, the aquatic life has the potential to be harmed
nutrients
can impact life and contaminate drinking water supplies
toxics
indicator of possible viruses present in the system.
bacteria pathogens
pollutants from agriculture
sediment, nutrients, toxics, bactera/pathogens
Most polluted river in the world
Top 1 - Ganges river (india)
Top 6 - Marilao river (philippines)
also known as Mother Ganga, is the holiest river in India for people of the Hindu faith, believing it is the form of the goddess Ganga on Earth.
ganges river
increase of toxic substance in an organism
bioaccumulation
biomagnification
increase of toxic substance when going along a food chain from lower to higher level
in an organism
bioaccumulation
between trophic levels
biomagnification
water pollution solutions
prevent groundwater contamination
reduce nonpoint runoff
reuse treated wastewater for drinking and irrigation
find substitutes for toxic pollutants
work with nature to treat sewage
practice the three R’s (reduce reuse recycle)
reduce air pollution
reduce poverty
slow population growth
occurs when the presence
of toxic chemicals, pollutants or
contaminants in the soil is in high enough concentrations to be of risk to plants, wildlife, humans and the soil
soil pollution
major causes of soil pollutioin
industrial waste
deforestation
excessive use of fertilizers and pesticide
garbage pollution
effects of soil pollution
climate change, loss of soil fertility, impact on human health
how to reduce soil pollution
reforestation, controlled farming practices, bioremediation, three R’s, use of biodegradable products, reduce use of pesticides and fertilizeres, use of sanitary landfills
pollution goes to
air, water, land
A mixture of chemicals formed under the influence of sunlight in cities with heavy traffic
Photochemical smog
most polluted city in the world
Gurugram city, India
Volatile organic compounds
Hydrocarbons
Natural underground water reservoirs
Aquifers
Nutrients pollution
Eutrophication
Source of carbon monoxide (CO)
vehicle exhaust
Burning of forests
Tabaco smoke
source of nitrogen oxide and nitric acid (NOx)
Automobile engines, fossil fuels, industrial plants
Source of carbon dioxide
Deforestation
Burning of fossil fuels
Source of sulfur dioxide
Smelting of sulfide ores
Burning of fossil fuels
