Pollution Flashcards
came from the latin word ‘pollutus’ which means made foul, unclean, or dirty
pollution
refers to any unwanted change in the environment caused by the introduction of harmful materials or the production of harmful conditions
pollution
Refers to unwanted changes in the physical, biological, and chemical state of a resource which may degrade the environment or can cause harmful effects to humans and other organisms
pollution
Is the loss of the intrinsic physical, chemical, and/or biological qualities of the resource which result in the diminution or annihilation of important ecosystem functions
pollution
Different types of pollution which include
air
water
land
noise
substances that cause pollution
pollutants
refers to a single source of which can be easily determined such as a sewage pipe or a smokestacks from a factory
point source
Easier to control and be prevented as compared to its counterpart source because the problem is often widely dispersed over a region
point source
non-point source that cannot be easily identified such as photochemical smog which may came from vehicular fumes or agricultural runoff containing pesticides
area source
can lead to war between nations because it is said that this resource is what oil was to the 20th
water shortages
refers to contamination of water bodies, referring to changes in water quality or introduction of substances causing problems to humans and other organisms or making water undesirable for intended use
water pollution
pollutants that come maybe through pipes, or sewer lines leading to a surface bodies of water such as rivers
point sources
pollutants that may include run-off chemicals from cropland or agricultural farms
nonpoint or area sources
property of water wherein extensive hydrogen bonding means water can absorb a lot of heat before changing state
thermal
Makes water an excellent coolant (e.g. sweat) and medium for metabolic reactions (absorb heat from exothermic reactions
thermal
property of water wherein dipolarity means water will stick to other water molecules via
H-bonds
cohesive
Water has a high surface tension, allowing small organisms to move on its surface
cohesive
property of water that makes it stick to surfaces that are polar or charged
adhesive
Water can move via capillary action against gravity (e.g. water moving up the xylem via transpiration)
adhesive
property of water that make it dissolve molecules that are polar or charged
solvent
Water is a good transport medium (e.g. the blood system can transport soluble materials in its plasma)
solvent
property of water that make it less dense as a solid than as a liquid (maximum density ~4oC)
density
Ice floating on water (prevents oceans from freezing as ice layer prevents exposure to cold temperature)
density
property of water that makes it visible
transparency
Aquatic plants can undergo photosynthesis
transparency
Source of pollutants and their effects
sediments
nutrients
heavy metals
pathogens
can degrade ecosystem by making the water cloudy (turbid) and smothering natural habitats on the bottoms and banks of
rivers and lakes
sediments
like nitrogen and phosphorus can lead to algal blooms that degrade rivers and lakes, and reduce their cultural and recreational value
nutrients
like copper and zinc threaten freshwater species, accumulating and making them unsafe for us to eat
heavy metals
threaten freshwater species and make people ill if they drink or swim in polluted water
pathogens
sanitation-related bacteria, trash and litter in waterways
pollutants of poverty
80 percent of the world’s wastewater is released to the environment without treatment
pollutants of poverty
chemicals and waster from industry, agricultural fertilizers, and pesticides
pollutants of growing prosperity
The use of nitrogen as a fertilizer has increased by more than 700 since 1960 with nearly all of that growth occurring in Asia
pollutants of prosperity
– micro and nano plastics pharmaceutical drugs
emerging pollutants
have proliferated throughout the world’s freshwater sources, in surface water, ground
water, and even rainwater
microplastics
Ways to conserve water
➢Use of glasses in brushing teeth or basin in washing clothes
➢Use water saving toilets and shower heads
➢Repair water leaks
➢Use recycled (gray) water for watering houseplants, lawn, and washing cars
➢Water lawns and plant during morning only
➢Turn off faucet when not in use
most of the source are solid waste and hazardous waste that are thrown into land and resulting into this kind of pollution
land pollution
refers to any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or gas
solid waste
is commonly termed as garbage or trach which is usually produced by homes and work places. Common examples are papers, cans, bottles, plastics, metals, glass, wood, yard waste and electronic or e-waste.
municipal solid waste
re those that are produced by industries and mines
industrial solid waste
include waste from raising animals and harvesting and processing crops and trees. Common agricultural waste
are animal manure and waste from processing operations such as peelings, seeds , sludge and other farm materials.
agricultural waste
poisonous, dangerous to health, and corrosive or flammable. It include hospital medical waste, industrial solvents, radioactive waste from nuclear plants and batteries
hazardous waste
remain in the environment for many years in an unchanged condition. Example of POPs are polychlorinated biphenyl ( PCBs) used in paints, glues, waxes and plastics transformers and electrical capacitors in industries
persistent organic pollutants
can cause liver and nervous ailments
polychlorinated biphenyl
one of the oldest method of managing waste through a mountain of garbage
open dump
most unregulated method of throwing waste. It is considered as unsanitary, tend to produce foul or undesirable odor and often spread diseases because of flies and rats.
open dump
flammable gas is being generated during decomposition process thus
may pose danger
methane
may result from open dump to nearby water bodies , ground water and to the soil.
leachate
method in which solid waste are usually placed in a hole, compacted and being covered with soil.
landfill
usually constructed above an impermeable clay layer and plastic sheets. Each day, garbage is thrown and covered with a layer of soil to reduce number of rats that may transfer diseases.
sanitary landfill
One problem associated with landfill is the production of ____ gas by microorganisms during decomposition process
methane
flammable and may lead to explosion
methane
Another problem is the contamination of surface water and ground water by ___ lthat seeps from the cracks in the lining of landfills.
leachate
the process of burning garbage or refuse. If the solid waste are being burned, it reduce the volume up to 90% and 75% by weight
incineration
produce heat which can make steam to generate electricity
incineration
can be burned readily and produce a great amount of heat
paper
produces also a lot of heat but tend to release dioxins and other hazardous compounds when incinerated
plastic
removed from solid waste before being incinerated to prevent emissions of mercury during the process
glasses
batteries
fluorescent lights
due to this, incineration is banned in the country
clean air act
is the process of converting biodegradable waste into organic fertilizer. It is a natural process of transforming organic materials eg. manure, paper , dried leaves, peelings and other biodegradable waste into compost through decomposition by microorganisms. Compost is a humus-like material needed for plantin
composting
A concrete example is a simple back-yard compost pile in which green materials such as grass, vegetable scraps are mixed with brown materials such as dry leaves and twigs. All materials are being chopped into small pieces and mixed to allow microorganisms to decomposed them.
composting
addition of worms in order to speed up the process of decomposition
vermi-composting
refers to different strategies in order to solve solid waste problem through waste reduction.
integrated waste management
rely more on materials which can be used repeatedly instead of throwing them away.
reuse
involves using of materials repeatedly thus increasing the life span of a product. It tends to decrease the use of virgin raw materialslessen energy resources, prevents pollution, creates job and saves money
reuse
reuse plastics and refillable bottlesuse of rechargeable batteries, use of reusable containers or baskets to carry items or buying used items instead of buying new ones.
reuse
consume less and purchase products that last longer, repairable or have less packaging.
reduce
use raw materials that will generate less waste during the manufacturing process. Mass transportation such as eg. LRT is a concrete example of reducing
reduce
means to collect, separate and reprocess materials into same or new products
recycling
R equires segregation of solid waste to biodegradable and non-biodegradable
recycling
- are those materials which can be decomposed by microorganisms
biodegradable
are those which cannot be degraded.
nonbiodegradable
those which recycled
recyclable
also lessen use of raw materials, lessen pollution, saves energy and money
recyclable
those which can no longer be recycled
residual
usually ends up in landfills. Recyclables are usually being sent to Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for segregation
residual
batteries, hospital waste, containers for pesticides or insecticides and other hazardous waste.
residual
causes diseases such as in an open-dumpsite in which flies and rats may transfer disease from one place to another. It also can contaminate drinking water and surface bodies of water affecting aquatic organisms
land pollution
which is burning of waste cause air pollution which in return could cause respiratory illness to humans and organisms
incineration
controlling land pollution
➢Less consumption
➢Proper waste segregation
➢Practice of 3Rs
➢Less consumption
➢Composting
form of energy that travels as waves and is measured in decibels (dB). It is caused by vibrations in the air that reaches the ears of organisms.
sound
Any unwanted sound or too loud sound which can cause harm
noise
any sound above this threshold is potentially dangerous and can cause pain, and high levels can cause permanent hearing loss
80 dB
refers to the air that surrounds the Earth containing different gases. Among these are three major gases which include 21% of oxygen, 78% of nitrogen, and 0.036% of carbondioxide.
atmosphere
is vital for organisms for cellular respiration and carbon dioxide is needed by plants for photosynthesis.
oxygen
other gases, liquids, and solid particles are being added to the air by natural or human activities causing harmful effects to organisms or may alter climate
air pollution
sources of air pollutants such as dust, pollen grains from plants, forest fire or from volcanic eruption
natural sources
Large percentage of air pollutant are brought by anthropogenic or human activities
such as vehicular emissions
mobile source
smoke from factories , cigarette smoking or chemical pesticides
stationary source
- may be categorized as primary and secondary pollutants.
outdoor air pollutants
are harmful substances which are released directly in the atmosphere.
primary pollutants
primary pollutants reacted with one another or with other components of the air to form new harmful chemicals
secondary pollutants
volcanoes emitting this is a primary pollutants
sulfur dioxide
sulfur dioxide reacting with water vapor resulting in this, a secondary pollutant
sulfuric acid
usually comes from household such as burning of wood or charcoal, cooking and heating fuels in open fires or gas stoves and cigarette smoking
indoor air pollutants
what kind of pollutant
automobile emissions, burning of forests, tobacco smoking, and even cooking in gas stoves
carbon oxides
what kind of pollutants
volcanic eruptions, forest fires, methane ( a natural gas and produces in marshy places) and marine algae
carbon oxides
is produced as a colorless, tasteless and toxic gas from incomplete burning fossil fuels such as coal , gasoline and wood
carbon monoxides
effects include asthma, headache, mental impairement or even lung cancer and death high levels in atmosphere results to global warming
carbon oxides
nitrogen monoxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)from automobiles
sources include
nitrogen oxides
effects include photochemical smog
nitrogen oxides
Formed from chemical interactions between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen.
nitrogen oxides
are gases produced from sulfur and oxygen
sulfur oxides
Volcanoes Sulfur-containing fuel (coal and oil) and industrial processes
sulfur oxides
Acid rain which can damage plants, corrode metals and can irritate respiratory tracts of humans and animals
what effect
sulfur oxides
A colourless gas , toxic even at low concentration and as an egg rotten smell
hydrogen sulfides
volcanic eruptions and natural decay of animal and plants Industrial processes like oil refineries, paper mills, natural gas plants and chemical manufacturing industries
what kind of source
hydrogen sulfides
acid rain is an effect of
hydrogen sulfides
Consist of different solid and liquied particles suspended in the atmosphere
particulates
dust, soot and asbestos fibers that are brought by many natural processes and human activities fires and volcanic eruption
what source
particulates
Exist as gases in the atmosphere or those that evaporate such as hydrocarbons and methane
volatile organic compounds
source
atmosphere or those that evaporate such as hydrocarbons and methane methane from rice paddies, natural gas wells and landfills transportation, power plants, chemical plants and petroleum refineries
volatile organic compounds
when being inhaled by humans and animals may lead to difficulty in breathing and other related health diseases such as lung cancer , chronic bronchitis and respiratory problems.
air pollutants
- cause corrosion of paints and metals, and destroys chlorophyll
acid deposition
destruction of chlorophyll in plants and make them susceptible to insect attacks
chlorosis
cause leaching of essential plant nutrients such as calcium and magnesium in soil
acid rain
- eggs and fry of many fish species are killed when the pH drops to about
ph 5
prevents the entry of the harmful ultraviolet rays (UV-A and UV-B ) on Earth’s surface
ozone layer
at troposphere, this is harmful. is a molecule that consist of three molecules of oxygen (O3)
ozone
in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet light and split into oxygen molecule and oxygen atom. Further reaction lead to recombination of oxygen atoms and oxygen molecules and allows ozone to be formed again and absorb ultraviolet light
ozone
During 1985, it was discovered that there was a significant thinning at the Antartic
termed as the
ozone hole
such as cholorfluorocarbon (CFC’s), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC)’ and methyl bromide cause depletion of ozone layer.
ozone depleting substances
ozone depletion started during the discovery of this in 1930 which was known for its trade name as Freons
chlorofluorocarbon
areodorless , nontoxic, non-flammable , inexpensive coolants in air conditioners, propellants in aerosol spray cans and cleaning agents for computer chips
chlorofluorocarbon
Chlorine and bromine which are present in the OD’s act as this
ozone eaters
- eact and reduce quantity of ozone present in the atmosphere. As a result, harmful UV rays could reach the Earth’s surface.
chlorine and bromine
ozone depletion can kill them affecting food chain and reduce crop yield as source of food
phytoplankton
Several gases in the atmosphere such as carbondioxide (CO2), nitrous oxides (N2O), sulfur oxides (SO2), chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and methane (CH4) are known as
greenhouse gases
prevent escape of long wave radiation of sunlight to go back to space
greenhouse gases
provides warm environment that favors organism or else it will become too cold.
However, excessive amount of
greenhouse gases results to more
heating leading to global warming.
greenhouse effect
Deforestation, combustion of fossil fuels
what greenhouse gas
Carbondioxide (CO2)
what greenhouse gas
Deforestation, combustion of fossil fuels and commercial fertilizers
nitrous oxide
Decomposing materials, livestock and rice field, bacteria in wet lands
what greenhouse gas
methane
Deforestation, combustion of fossil fuels, air conditioners, aerosols, refrigerants and cleaning solvents for computers
what greenhouse gas
chlorofluorocarbon
Volcanoes, combustion of fossil fuels
what greenhouse gas
sulfur dioxides
percent of co2
75
percent of methane
17
percent of nitrous oxide
6
percent of fluorinate gases
2
is characterized by unpredictable weather and rainfall patterns. It also lead to melting of polar ice caps resulting to rising sea levels and flooding , disruption of water cycle, human health diseases, threathens biodiversity, affects agriculture and decline in food supply.
climate change
nclude vehicles and automobiles. Use of unleaded gasoline, biodiesel , electronic means of transportation and mass transit are ways to lessen automobile emission of lead and carbon in the air. Burning of fossil fuels in industries must be controlled and reduced. There are technologies that aids to reduce emissions of air pollutants in
industries. Smokestacks fitted with
filters, scrubbers remove particulate matter to be released in the air.
mobile sources
provides a framework for international and national efforts to protect the air. This law set limits on the level of specific air pollutants . It includes banning of incinerators, reduction of emissions of SO2 and NO2 in factories, and limiting the use of ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluocarbon (CFC’s) that damage the ozone layer.
clean air act of 1970
come from households, industry, electricity generation and transport
burning of fossil fuel
exemplified by chemical and mining industries
industrial processes and solvent use
most farm-related emissions come in the form of methane (CH4) from cattle belching and nitrous oxide (N2O) from natural or synthetic fertilizers and wastes to soils
agriculture
these treatment plants produce direct emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O)
waste treatment
emit water vapor and toxic gases into the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide,
sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide,
hydrochloric acid, and carbon monoxide
volcanic eruptions
emitted through wind erosion and wildfires
windblown dust or soil dust
contribute to direct scattering of solar radiation and is believed to be an important source of cloud droplets in the remote marine environment
sea-salt sprays (sea salt aerosol)
produced and emitted by plants and other organisms in gaseous form, specifically composed of carbon
volatile organic compounds
a colorless non flammable gas with a sweetish odor, commonly known as laughing gas
nitrous oxide
found naturally produced in oceans and rain forest, a powerful gas produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers
nitrous oxide
has an atmospheric lifetime of 110 years, greenhouse gas and ozone destroyer
nitrous oxide
inorganic colorless odorless nonflammable non toxic but extremely potent greenhouse gas
sulfur hexafluoride
hypervalent molecule consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom
persistent with an atmospheric lifetime of more than a thousand years
sulfur hexafluoride
comes from electric power plants, excellent electrical insulator
sulfur hexafluoride
global warming potential of 23,900x that of CO2 when compared over a 100 year period
sulfur hexafluoride
organic compound cthat contains fluorine and hydrogen atoms
hydrofluorocarbons
most common type of organofluorine compounds (organic compounds) that contain the carbon-fluorine bond
hydroflourocarbons
frequently used in air conditioning and as refrigerants
hydrofluorocarbons
contributes to global warming, with thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide
HFCs
group of manmade chemicals composed of carbon and fluorine only
perfluorocarbons
used as solvents in the electronics industry and as refrigerants
PFCs
replaces CFCs in manufacuring semiconductors, emitted as a by-product during aluminum production
perfluorocarbons
powerful greenhouse gas as alternatives to ozone depleting substances
PFCs
used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and foams as aerosol propellants
CFCs
present in fire extinguishers
halons
as a dry cleaning solven and a refrigenrant, also in fire extinguishers
carbon tetrachloride
as a solven present in mny consumer products
methyl chloroform
in fire suppression systems
hydrobromofluorocarbons
for fumigation of soil, structures and goods to be imported or exported
methyl bromide
as a fire extinguishing agent
bromochloromethane
in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, and foams
hydrochlorofluorocarbons
long-term increase in the earth’s average surface temperature and the large scale changes in global, regional, and local weather patterns
climate change
Result from that increase, caused by a significant increase in the levels of greenhouse gases that are produced by the use of fossil fuels
climate change
otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,
provides the necessary policy
framework, institutional mechanisms and mandate to the local government unites (LGUs) to achieve 25% waste reduction
*
RA 9003
This Act establishes a comprehensive air pollution control policy for the country by preserving and protecting air quality, establishing an air quality management system, prohibiting certain forms of waste disposal, and regulating emissions.
RA 8749
an international treaty adopted in 1997 that aimed to reduce the emission of gases
that contribute to global warming.
kyoto protocol
global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
montreal protocol
is CO2 the gas with highest global warming potential
no
It’s the process of converting biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizer through decomposition.
composting
The following directly contribute to water pollution, except:
incineration
Which of the following is NOT a green house gas
oxygen
Carbon tetrachloride present in fire extinguisher is considered an ozone depleting substance
t/f
true
Which of the following is NOT a cause of water pollution
cigarette smoking
__ is the process of burning garbage or refuse
incineration
The good ozone is located in which of the following atmospheric layers?
stratosphere
POP’s stands for __ organic pollutants
persistent
The following activities contribute to global warming, except:
photosynthesis
Water pollution usually leads to nutrient enrichment or eutrophication resulting to fish kill
t/f
true
__ is a method in which solid waste
are usually placed in a hole, compacted and being covered with so
landfill
Which of the following waste disposal methods has been banned by the Philippine Clean Air Act.
incineration
Climate change is a long-term increase in the earth’s average surface temperature
true
Riding a bike, best exemplifies which of the following waste reduction practices?
reduce
an increase in the atmospheric temperature caused by trapping and absorption of infrared radiation or heat by greenhouse gases.
greenhouse effect
_ is the process of converting
biodegradable waste into organic fertilizer
composting
Waste reduction is based on three R’s: reuse, reduce and __
recylce
Which of the following is considered NON-point source of pollutant?
photochemical smog
It’s the most unregulated method of waste management.
open dump
Pollution that can traced to a definite source and place where it enters the water is aid to come from a ____
point source
Ozone-depleting chemical are very harmful in the troposphere.
t/f
false
Ozone layer protects us from harmful radiowaves
t/f
false
___ solid waste is commonly termed as garbage or trach which is usually produced by homes and work places
municipal
