Pollution Flashcards
Define pollution
The introduction of substances into the natural environment that cause adverse change and which damage the natural environment
How can pollutants be introduced into the environment?
Pollutants can be introduced into the environment by human activity or can be natural
What is point source pollution?
Point source pollution occurs when the pollutant is issued at one point e.g. a pipe pouring untreated sewage into a river
What is non-point source pollution?
Non-point source pollution emanates from an area e.g. exhaust emissions from all the vehicles in a city
What is incidental pollution?
Incidental pollution is a one-off event, e.g. the Chernobyl radiation leak or the Exxon Valdez oil spill
What is sustained pollution?
Sustained pollution is long-term pollution caused by on-going human activities, e.g. the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels
What are the causes of land pollution?
- Mining and quarrying
- Industry
- Energy production
- Dumping of domestic waste
What are some solutions for land pollution?
- Energy from waste plants
- Education
- Legislation
How does mining and quarrying cause land pollution?
Slag heaps leave scars. dust kicked up, soil erosion, and destruction of forests
How does industry cause land pollution?
Solid waste by-products dumped on the land
Land is too expensive to reclaim when factory closes so is left to crumble
How does energy production cause land pollution?
Overland oil pipelines leak and are an eyesore, coal ash from power stations are dumped
How does dumping of domestic waste cause land pollution?
HICs throw more away, buried in landfills, methane is produced as a result
Rainwater leaks through waste, moving toxins to aquifers
How is energy from waste plants a solution for land pollution?
In NY, 450-600 tonnes waste is collected and transported by ship to plants as far away as Ohio and South Carolina
How is education a solution for land pollution?
Organisations such as the Clean India Mission aims to ensure proper satiation exists across India
How is legislation a solution for land pollution?
Legislation can be introduced at local and global levels to reduce land pollution
Environment Act 1995
The prosecutions can be based on, and described what should happen with contaminated land
What are the causes of air pollution?
- Industrial processes
- Vehicles
- Energy production
What are some solutions to air pollution?
- Direct air carbon capture
- Catalytic converters
- Reduce fossil fuel use
How are industrial processes a cause of air pollution?
Produce sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide and particulate matter
How are vehicles a cause of air pollution?
Also produces sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide and particulate matter and CO2
How is energy production a cause of air pollution?
Burning fossil fuels produces harmful pollutants such as CO2 and SO2, causing a global warming and acid rain
These chemicals have a range of effects, from respiratory disease and cancer to deaths
How is direct carbon capture a solution for air pollution?
Sucking fans and chemical processes filter air to remove carbon
How are catalytic converters a solution to air pollution?
- Mandatory in most HICs
Reduce CO2 by 87% and no emissions by 62% over the vehicles life
How is reducing fossil fuel use a solution to air pollution?
Simply reducing dependence and use of fossil fuels will reduce pollutants
Switch to renewable energy
What are the causes of water pollution?
- Industrial waste
- Mining activities
- Chemical fertilisers
- Sewage leakage
What are some solutions for water pollution?
- Legislation
- Development
- Land use restrictions
How is industrial waste a cause of water pollution?
Toxic chemicals and non-normal temperature water are discharged
How are mining activities a cause of water pollution?
Toxic elements and heavy metals released from mining mix with water
How are chemical fertilisers a cause of water pollution?
An excess causes eutrophication, where algae blooms consume all oxygen - killing fish
How is sewage leakage a cause of water pollution?
Contaminates ground water stores and aquifers, making it unsuitable for drinking
How is legislation a solution for water pollution?
Ban in re-route waste pipes from factories and power stations, or send water through clearing and cooling processes
How is development a solution for water pollution?
Untreated sewage kills 2.2 million people each year, sewage systems should be priority
How are land use restrictions a solution for water pollution?
Limit fertiliser use in the area 10-20km from a river, water source or known aquifer to reduce the risk of eutrophication
