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Polution > Intro To Pollution > Flashcards

Intro To Pollution Flashcards

1
Q

What is the pollution

A

The release of substances or forms of energy into the environment that causes harm to living organisms

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2
Q

What are four examples of human activities that cause pollution

A
  • Combustion of fossil fuels
  • Oil spills
  • Transport (vehicle emissions e.g. NOXs & particulates)
  • Agriculture & deforestation
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3
Q

What are three examples of natural processes that causes pollution

A
  • Oil leaks in natural oil fields
  • Smoke from forest/wildfire fires
  • Volcanic eruptions releasing acidic gases and dust
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4
Q

What are five factors that affect the degradation of pollutants in the environment

A
  • Temperature
  • Light levels
  • Oxygen
  • pH
  • Pollutant interactions
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5
Q

What are 5 examples of pollutants in the form of gases

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Sulphur dioxide
  • Methane
  • NOXs
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6
Q

What are 5 examples of pollutants in the form of liquids

A
  • Sewage / waste
  • Oil
  • Pesticides
  • Fertilisers
  • mine drainage
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7
Q

What are 5 examples of pollutants in the form of solids

A
  • Plastic
  • Dust / particulates
  • Heavy metals
  • Landfill waste
  • Nuclear waste
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8
Q

How does the physical state of a pollutant affect dispersal into the environment

A

Solid = Slowest dispersal / stays near source & disperses slowly

Gases = Disperses quickly under normal circumstances / up & outwards

Liquid = Disperses quickly near coasts and rivers / dilutes
Concentrates behind dams

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9
Q

What are three factors that affect dispersal

A
  • Wind velocity and water currents
  • Temperature inversions
  • Presence of adsorbent materials
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10
Q

Which two physical states of matter are called trans-boundary pollutants

A

Gases and liquids

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11
Q

What are the 15 major properties of pollution

A
  • Energy form
  • Density
  • Persistence
  • Toxicity
  • Specificity
  • Reactivity
  • Adsorption
  • Solubility
  • Bioaccumulation
  • Biomagnification
  • Synergism
  • Mutagenic action
  • Carcinogenic action
  • Teratogenic action
  • Mobility
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12
Q
A
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13
Q

What is a primary pollutant

A

First pollutant emitted/released directly into the atmosphere from the source

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14
Q

What is an example of a primary pollutant

A

CO2

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15
Q

What is a secondary pollutant

A

Formed when other pollutants react in the atmosphere

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16
Q

What is an example of a secondary pollutant

A

Carbonic acid
(CO2 reacts with water = carbonic acid)

17
Q

How does temperature affect degradation of pollutants

A
18
Q

How does light levels affect degradation of pollutants

A

Provides the activation energy that drives chemical reactions involving pollutants

19
Q

How does oxygen affect degradation of pollutants

A

Oxygen is involved in many chemical and biological reactions involving pollutants
The oxidation state affects the solubility of many metals

20
Q

How does pH affect degradation of pollutants

A

pH affects the solubility of substances

21
Q

How do pollutant interactions affect degradation of pollutants

A
22
Q

How does wind and water currents/velocity affect dispersal of pollutants

A

Velocity and direction of air & water currents affects how far a pollutant is dispersed and or diluted

23
Q

How does temperature inversion affect dispersal of pollutants

A
24
Q

How does the presence of adsorbent materials affect dispersal pollutants

A

Polution (3 decks)

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