Midterm and Final Flashcards
1
Q
The ideal waste management hierarchy
A
1) source reduction
2) waste minimization
3) reuse
4) recycle
5) treatment and energy recovery
6) disposal
2
Q
define TDGR
A
transportation of dangerous goods regulations
3
Q
what regulates the interprovincial movement of dangerous goods
A
TDGR transportation of dangerous goods regulations
4
Q
what is TDGR
A
the national standards for the control of toxic substances and priority pollutants
5
Q
what regulates the importation and exportation of hazardous wastes
A
TDGR transportation of dangerous goods regulations
6
Q
the regulation of solid waste (which includes liquids) in canada is done mainly through 2 documents:
A
CEPA
TDGR
7
Q
the regulation of solid waste in alberta is overseen by
A
AEP
AER
RHA (regional health authority - biomedical waste)
8
Q
define AEPEA
A
alberta environmental protection and enhancement act
9
Q
what outlines the key principles and requirements that apply to waste management in alberta
A
AEPEA part 9
10
Q
what is part 9 of AEPEA
A
waste minimization, recycling and waste management section
applies to generators, carriers, storers, recyclers, treators, and disposers
11
Q
2 regulations under AEPEA
A
WCR waste control regulations
AUGWM alberta users guide for waste managers
12
Q
WCR (2) waste control regulations
A
admin and technical requirements for HW
includes classification, manifesting, transporting, importing, storage, land filling, and liability/financial stability
13
Q
AUGWM (2) alberta users guide for waste managers
A
interprets and explains WCR
gives extensive lists of hazardous and non-hw to minimize analytical tests during waste classificaiton
14
Q
AER main task
A
regulating and managing alberta’s hydrocarbon resources over their entire lives
15
Q
what is AER a combination of
A
ERCB energy resources conservation board
ESRD ab environmental and sustainable resources development
16
Q
AER hydrocarbon resources include
A
- conventional oil and gas production (wells)
- unconventional (oil sands)
- coal bed methane (CBM)
- coal mining
- infrastructure needed (pipelines, plants)
17
Q
AER life cycle includes
A
- application and exploration
- construction and development
- abandonment
- reclamation and remediation
18
Q
define DOW
A
dangerous oil field waste
19
Q
define biomedical waste
A
sharps, anatomical waste, medical research facility waste
20
Q
Alberta Health Services (AHS) waste types
A
biomedical waste from health care facilities (hospital/research facilities)
human, not animals/pathogenic waste
21
Q
which guidelines regulate all biomedical waste
A
CCME
22
Q
TDG regulations classify dangerous into how many classes
A
9 but 9 is no longer a TDG class, so ig 8??
23
Q
what class is corrosives in TDG and WCR
A
8
24
Q
WCR classifies hazardous wastes into how many classes
A
7
25
what is class 1 in TDG
explosives
26
what class numbers do not exist in WCR
1, 7
27
what is class 7 in TDG
radioactive materials
28
what is class 3 in both
flammable liquids
29
what is class 6 in TDG
toxic and infectious substances
30
what is class 6 in WCR
toxic substances
31
what is class 5 in both
oxidizing substances
32
what is class 2 in both
gases
33
what is class 4 in both
flammable solids
substances liable to spontaneous combustion
substances that on contact with water emit flammable gases (water-reactive substances)
34
what is class 9 in WCR
miscellaneous products and substances
35
what is/was class 9 in TDG
miscellaneous products, substances, or organisms
36
what is the criteria for bulk classification
>5kg >5L
37
what are the regulations used for bulk
WCR (AUGWM)
38
what is the criteria for lab pack
<5kg <5L
39
what are the regulations used for lab pack
TDG
40
bulk classification has 2 main approaches to classification
1) type of waste
| 2) criteria
41
type of waste refers to
the chemical properties are known and have already been classified
no new testing is required
42
what section does type of waste refer to
AUGWM T3, T4 a & b
43
criteria refers to
has not been classified and is not listed in AUGWM
| sample has to be tested and properties are compared to properties of hazardous waste in WCR schedule 1 section 1
44
define classes
major hazardous property
45
define divisions
degree of hazard
| 3.1 is more hazardous than 3.3
46
define packing group
level of packing used when in transport
| packing group 1 is more hazardous than packing group 3
47
define flash point
lowest temperature at which a volatile liquid vaporizes to form an ignitable mixture in air
requires an ignition source
48
how are flammable solids classified
solids that can spontaneously combust as a result of friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical reactions
49
what are pyrophoric solids
spontaneously combust in air
50
define 5.1 oxidizing substances
mainly inorganics
51
define 5.2 organic peroxides
mainly organics with O-O bond (thermally unstable)
| can explosively decompose, sensitive to friction and impact
52
toxic substances: oral toxicity LD50 of
200mg/kg if s
| or 500mg/kg if l
53
toxic substances: dermal toxicity LD50 of
1000mg/kg
54
toxic substances: inhalation toxicity LC50
10 000mg/m3
55
if there is no test for packing group, use
packing group 1 to be safe
56
if there is no toxicity data available for a substance,
is it not toxic
57
corrosive pH values:
less than 2.0 or greater than 12.5
58
define TCLP test
toxic characteristic leaching procedure
59
when to use TCLP test
NR - not regulated
toxic lechate concentration >100mg/L of any substance listed in T1 of AUGWM
table 2 in excess concentrations
60
class 9 in WCR concentration
polychorinated biphenyls at a concentration >= to 50mg/kg
61
3.1 criteria
flash point less than -18C
62
3.2 criteria
flash point between -18C and 23C
63
3.3 criteria
flash point between 23C and 60.5C
64
4.1 criteria
flammable solids
65
4.2 criteria
pyrophoric solids
66
4.3 criteria
on contact with water will emit flammable gases
67
define waste by WCR standards
solid or liquid intended to be treated or disposed of but does not include recyclables
68
hazardous waste by WCR
one or more schedule 1 properties but not schedule 2
69
what is a biosolid
domestic sewage
70
waste in Alberta is divided into 2 main streams
oilfield waste - aer
| non oilfield waste - aep
71
each stream is divided into 3 divisions
non hazardous waste
hazardous waste
hazardous recyclables
72
not considered hazardous waste based on AEPEA and WCR
```
household waste
agricultural waste
domestic waste/biosolids
radioactive waste
emergency spill cleanup waste
biomedical waste
hazardous recyclables
oilfield waste
small quantities of hazardous waste (except table 4)
TDG p wastes
```
73
4 things needed in the manifest form
shipping name
classification
packing group
pin or NA
74
who's responsibility is it to classify and characterize the type of waste
the waste generator's
75
single chemical bulk classification naming class 2-6 or 8
waste ____
76
diluted single chemical, diluted with nonHW name class 2-6 or 8
leachable waste (liquid containing ____)
Not regulated (NR)
NR
NR
77
what does NOS stand for
not otherwise specified
78
mix of HW with same class, class 2-6 or 8
waste primary class state, NOS* (chemical name and amount)
class, class
assume pg 1
UN
79
mix of HW not in the same class, classes 2-6 or 8
```
waste primary class state (secondary class) NOS* (chemical in highest concentrations's name and concentration)
class, class
```
80
What do you need to transport hazardous recyclables?
Recycling Docket
81
To transport non-regulated waste?
Shipping Document or Bill of Lading
82
To ship Oil and Gas HW?
AER Alberta Oilfield Waste Form
83
3 reasons why the Manifest Form is important
1) cradle to grave tracking
2) prevents midnight dumping
3) info for first responders, receivers, and carriers to prevent accidents from improper handling
84
Copies of Manifest Form (6)
```
1 Generator mails to AEP
2 Generator keeps
Carrier takes copies 3-6
3 Receiver sends to AEP
4 Receiver keeps
5 Sent back to generator
6 Carrier keeps
```
85
How long do you have to keep the manifest form for?
2 years
86
Elements who's nuclei are unstable
236U
250Th
90Sk
137Cs
87
3 Basic types of radiation
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Rays
88
Alpha Particles
H nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons)
most dangerous if ingested
stopped by paper and skin
89
Beta Particles
High energy electrons
| Stopped by plywood
90
Gamma Rays
High energy electromagnetic radiation
| Stopped by meters of concrete or water
91
Define Half Life
the length of time it takes for half of a radionuclide to decay to a more stable form
92
Hazards of Radionuclides (4)
- can alter chemical and physical properties of material, changes DNA (mutations and cancer)
- bioaccumulation of particles inhaled and ingested
- some can mimic essential nutrients
- nuclear terrorism (eg Alexander Linvinenka Po 210 poisoning)
93
What does SR mimic
Ca in bones
94
What does Cs mimic
K in muscles
95
What does I mimic
iodine in the thyroid
96
5 Major Sources of Radiation
```
1 inhalation of radon
2 medical diagnosis (x-rays)
3 cosmic radiation
4 Gamma rays from soil and rx
5 Internal sources (eg K40 and C14)
```
97
3 main categories of radioactive waste based on origin
1 NORM
2 Radioactive wastes from nuclear fuel cycle (energy production)
3 Atomic weapons produced from plutonium
98
NORM define
Naturally occurring radioactive materials
99
Most common NORMS (2)
U
| Th
100
TENORM define
technology enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials
(concentrated NORMS by human activities)
101
5 industries where NORMS are an issue
```
1 Oil and Gas
2 Mineral extraction and processing
3 Forestry products
4 Water treatment facilities
5 tunneling and underground work
```
102
NORMS in oil and gas industry
Ba, Ca, SR, Ra, Sulfates precipitate out of the inside of tubing during production
Ra found in sludge, field pits, and lagoons
103
NORM in mineral extraction and processing
phosphate fertilizers
104
NORM in water treatment facilities
Rn gas may be released
105
Nuclear Fuel Cycle (7 steps)
- uranium mining and milling
- refining and uranium enrichment
- fuel fabrication
- fuel consumption in nuclear reactors
- fuel reprocessing
- waste solidification
- burial of solidified waste or reprocessing
106
Levels of radioactive waste
HLRW high level radioactive waste
ILRW intermediate
LLRW low
LLRW uranium mine and mill waste
107
HLRW
produces ionizing radiation with a strong ability to penetrate matter
108
eg of HLRW
spent nuclear reactor fuel rods
| small amounts of medical isotopes
109
ILRW
requires isolation and containment beyond several hundred years
110
eg of ILRW
radioactive sources used in radiation therapy
| used reactor components
111
LLRW
loses all or most of radiation in ~300 years
112
eg of LLRW
minimal radioactive materials used in nuclear power plants (eg. paper towels, floor sweepings, PPE)
113
LLRW Uranium mine and mill waste
waste generated by the mining and milling of uranium ore
114
eg LLRW Uranium mine and mill waste
tailings from mining operations
115
when did nuclear power plants come online
1940s - 1950s
116
requirement for disposal in Canada
that the radionuclides be isolated from the biosphere for the lifetime of the radioactivity
117
disposal options (2)
interim storage
| long term storage
118
long term storage
permanent storage for 1000s of years
119
goals of long term storage
no long term monitoring will be required by future generations
there will be negligible risk to the biosphere in the future
120
disposal options for HLRW
significant heat needs cooling
| radioactivity needs shielding
121
Interim storage of HLRW
fuel rods placed in wet storage
on-site
deep pools that provide cooling and shielding
once cooled: dry storage
above ground steel/concrete containers
122
Long term storage of HLRW disposal site criteria (3)
- geomorphically and structurally stable (no erosion or earthquakes)
- isolated from fractured bedrock
- isolated from gw
123
previous disposal sites for HLRW
- buried in Antarctic
- subduction zones on ocean floor (problems, high P causes ruptures of barrels, and they are not buried)
- within geological units (no gw flow)
124
Deep geological forations for HLRW disposal include (4)
1 deep crystalline rx (intrusive ign eg granite)
2 deep salt beds
3 deep shale beds
4 thick unsaturated zones with arid regions
125
advantages of HLRW disposal in deep salt beds
1 dry
2 fractures self seal
3 heat
126
disadvantages of HLRW disposal in deep salt beds
1 can dissolve - large caverns
2 can dissolve to create corrosive brines
3 halite can creep (soft flow)
127
Hare report in 1977 concluded what
HLRW should be stored in granite rock with salt as the second choice
128
NWMO
nuclear waste management organization
| -taken over by CNSC
129
CNSC
Canadian Nuclear safety commission
130
CNSC mandated conditions for HLRW long-term disposal (3)
1 deep underground storage in Canadian shield
2 decentralized storage at reactor sites
3 centralized storage in a disposal area
131
```
disopsal vault
lithology
mineral value
depth
storage containers
gw flow
buffer material
backfill
```
```
granites of Canadian shield
low, no change of mining disturbing
500-1000 m
corrosive resistant containers that last 1000s years
low exposure to gw, low k and K
bentonite
vaults, tunnels, shafts at closures
```
132
Cigar Lake Uranium Deposit
11% of worlds uranium deposits
| in sandstones, buffer is clays
133
US department of defense Waste Isolation Pilot Program (WIPP)
```
3rd deepest DGP... in new mexico
halite
still radioactive
operational life 20-35 years from 1999
collapsed when full, 13 layers of soil and concrete, salt creep, 75 years until full isolation
```
granite pillar warning etched with 6 official UN languages
134
DGP
Deep geologic repository
135
Legacy (low and intermediate level)
outdated and unused research facilities and buildings, buried and stored
136
Historical (low level)
soils contaminated with U and Rd
| owner no longer responsible
137
ongoing (low and intermediate level)
currently being generated from nuclear power plants, research, and medical isotope processing
138
Interim storage of intermediate level radioactive wastes
shielding needed but no cooling
139
Yucca mountain, USA
in 2004 the courts ruled that 10 000 years is not enough, into the 300 000s
140
cooling mechanisms
water or air
141
shielding mechanisms
~ 3m water
| ~ 1m concrete
142
over the past 30 years, alberta's waste management has mostly been
disposal
143
key focus of alberta waste managementmun plan is the environment (4)
air
water
soil/land
human health
144
AWMS divided into 5 branches based on economics
```
agriculture (90% recovery)
forestry (65% recovery)
oil and gas (40% recovery)
residential waste (25% recovery)
commercial waste (20% recovery)
```
145
municipal waste is divided into (2)
residential
| non-residential (eg construction, commercial, institutions, some industrial)
146
calgarys recycling goal
80/20 by 2020
147
why recycle (4)
save landfill space
conserve energy
save natural resources
create jobs
148
calgary's waste divided into 12 programs/streams
```
bluecart
greencart
blackcart
bottle depots
household hazardous wastes
used motor oil
tires
electronics
scrap metal
paints
sewage (Calgro)
home appliances
```
149
residential access in calgary (7)
```
curbside pick up
municipal roundups
throw-n-go @ landfills
year round drop locations
seasonal drop locations
recycling buisnesses
stay at home (eg composting)
```
150
what is monitored for in sewage
threats to human health, e coli - fecal coliform tests
151
problems (2) with direct release of sewage into environment
release of disease causing agents
| eutrophicaiton
152
disease causing agents in sewage
bacteria. virus. protereozoc, parasitic worms
153
eutrophication
(adding N and P, increasing the volume of plants in a body of water)
hypoxia (decreased DO) kills fish
154
sanitary sewage options
```
ocean dumping
incineration
landfilling
land application
wastewater treatment facility
```
155
ocean dumping
underdeveloped countries
USA banned it 1991
st johns NL, 2009 "the bubble"
Victoria, BC, 2006 gov said pls no more (lots of heavy metals in ocean & hydrocarbons)
156
incineration
after being dewatered, can be burnt to generate electricity
157
land filling
running out of space in landfills
158
land applicaiton
can replace fertilizers (Calgro)
159
waste water treatment facility
best option
| main purpose to remove suspended solids and pathogens
160
water treatment facilities (3)
primary (physical removal of large solid debris)
Secondary (biological treatment)
tertiary (chemical treatment)
161
primary treatment
- screening
| - gravitational settling techniques
162
second treatment (biological treatment)
trickling filters (aeration)
activated sludge processes (enters tanks, after a few hours of digesting the particles fall to the bottom - secondary sludge)
biological P & N reactors (aner, anoxic, aerobic tanks)
163
1st anerobic tank
No DO
| optimum growth of P removing bacteria
164
anoxic tank
low o2 levels
| optimum growth of N removing bacteria (no3 - n2)
165
aerobic tank
```
high co2
bacteria for
- p removal
- nh3 to no3
-oxidation of organic matter
```
166
disadvantages of these tanks
- high operator skill to ensure optimum conditions
| - still need a chemical standby facility if this fails, to meet guidelines
167
advantages of these tanks
"green solution"
| less sludge generated
168
tertiary treatment
removes dissolved metals, heavy metals, and pathogens and N and P
chemical, physical, and/or biological treatment
169
tertiary possible treatments
1 Cl2 (kills everything, linked to cancers bladder, rectal, pancreatic)
2 uv disinfection (sterilizes, bonnybrooke and european countries)
3 BPNR Calgary in 1999
4 Alum to remove P ($$$)
170
disposal options for primary and secondary sludges (5)
ocean dumping
incineration
landfilling
anaerobic digestion (sludges in digesters at 35C sludge to CO2 and CH4)
application as a soil fertilizer (after digesting, humus can be a replacement for chemical fertilizer)
171
Bonny Brooke Waste Water Treatment Plant in Calgary
largest BPNR in canada
treats 500 000m3/day
move to bioreactor was due to cost of chemicals (alum) in 1999
172
primary and secondary sludges at bonny brooke
```
dewatering (thickening)
anaerobic digesters to generate heat and kill bacteria
sludge goes to sheppard landfill lagoons
goes to calgro
applied to fields
```
173
Calgro
city and province in 1983
biosolids
terra-gators are the applicator trucks
174
health concerns with biosolid application to fields
```
odors (little to no)
pathogens (most removed in anaerobic digestors)
heavy metals (low industrialization in Calgary, so low concentrations)
```
175
regulations for biosolid applications
crop restrictions
minimum N/P/metal ratios
max application rates
agricultural land pH requirements (6.5 and up to prevent leaching)
seasonal restrictions on land application (no frozen ground or snow/ice)
176
crop restrictions
not allowed on fields used to grow root vegies, fruit, tabaco, dairy
can be applied for forage, seed crops, trees, commercial sod
177
minimum N/P/metal ratios
eliminate high metal containing sludges
178
max application rates
at least 3 growing years between applications
| N concentration less than 250 kg/Ha before that
179
septic tanks
1/3 of sewage disposal in US
180
septic tanks and water wells
H2O must be upgradient
| min distance of 25-30 m
181
septic tank design
septic tank
| absorption/drainage field
182
drainage field
perforated pipes and gravel or crushed stone
183
geological considerations in drainage field
soil type (k soils)
depth to water table (unsat. zone, lots of O2)
depth to redrx ( more than 1.2m below field)
topography (slope less than 15 degrees)
184
evolution of the waste stream
anaerobic digestion of the organics (within tank)
aerobic oxidatin of OM and NH4 (field)
anaerobic denitrification (rare - No3 to N2)
185
anaerobic digestion of the organics (within tank)
produces CO2, CH4, NH4
tank leaks can release pathogens
careful of cleaches and drain cleaners - will destroy bacteria
186
aerobic oxidatin of OM and NH4 (field)
Om oxidized to CO2
| NH4 oxidized to NO3 and H+ (limestone to the field to buffer acids)
187
contaminants associated with septic tanks
```
CO2
CH4
NH4
trace metals
pathogens
```
188
contaminants associated with drainage fields
CO2
NO3
Ca (from limestone)
189
aerobic spray systems (4)
```
tank 1 (like septic tank, or primary WWTP)
tank 2 (like drainage field, or secondary WWTP)
tank 3 (tertiary WWTP)
Sprinkler system
```
190
tank 1
solids settle out
191
tank 2
air is pumped to promote aerobic digestion
ch4 to co2
nh4 to no3
192
tank 3
kill bacteria with cl
193
sprinkler system
discharges water onto land surface
| recycling
