Pollution Flashcards
explain how features of the environment may affect the dispersal of atmospheric pollutants. (4)
wind velocity- distance travelled
wind direction- dispersal
temperature- rate of degradation
presence of the pollutants- chemical reactions/synergism
presence of UV/sunlight- photodegradation/chemical reactions
topography- reduce movement away from source/shelter
Which atmospheric pollutant is controlled by landfill tax? (1)
Methane
use tropospheric ozone to explain the meaning of secondary pollutant? (2)
formed by reactions of other pollutant(s);
trop O3 formed by breakdown of NOx to release monotonic O and reaction of O2/ interaction of NOx and O2
NO2–>NO+O
O+O2–>O3
NO+O2–>O3
Explain how tropospheric ozone increases the problems caused by acid rain. (3)
synergistic action;
ozone damages wax/cuticle/stomata;
exposes leaf to other acidic pollutant;
reacts with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur trioxide;
SO3 produces sulfuric acid;
increase damage
e.g.
corrosion
leaching of toxic metals
describe how changes to soil, caused by acidic pollution, harm plants. (2)
soil deflocculation;
nutrient leaching/solubility/loss;
enzymes denatured/proteins denatured;
reduced decomposition
describe features of lichens that make them useful in monitoring acidic atmospheric pollution. (4)
range of sensitivities (to acidic conditions);
generally distributed;
easy to find;
easy to identify;
normally common;
explain how biotic indices may be used to monitor pollution. (6)
sensitivity to pollution;
range of tolerance/different sensitivities;
lichens/aquatic invertebrates
presence/absence;
abundance;
size/state of health
easy to find/catch;
easy to identify;
describe the factors that make it more likely that a temperature inversion will occur. (3)
high pressure;
low wind speed;
valley;
clear sky;
night time;
outline the differences between smoke smogs and photochemical smogs. (5)
smog:
smoke + fog
colder days
combustion of FF
photochemical smog:
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS
warmer days
combustion of FF in car engines
suggest how the production of a named pollutant, other than smoke, may be reduced by the name of a secondary fuel. (1)
CO2/SO2/NOx are not released when an there is an increase in use of hydrogen
ozone is involved in many environmental issues.
outline how ozone is environmentally important in the following (1 mark for each)
acid rain:
oxidises SO2 to SO3
the stratosphere:
absorbs UV/prevents skin cancer
photochemical smog:
interaction with NOX
production of PANs
directly affecting living organisms:
eye/respiratory/asthma/leaf cuticle damage
suggest how the low persistence of ozone affects the severity of the pollution it causes. (1)
only short term/reduced mobility
describe how oxides of nitrogen may cause the production of a secondary pollutant. (2)
photochemical reaction to create PANs
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS
outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen. (2)
catalytic conveter;
reduces;
oxygen+nitrogen produced;
urea/ammonia treatment;
outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide… (2)
1) Use of renewable energy such as solar/wind instead.
2) Coal Washing- removes some of the sulfur before combustion
3) Use of scrubbers- installed in power plants, removes SO2 from exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
explain how lichens can be used to monitor atmospheric pollution. (4)
-lichens- sensitive=small range of tolerance as they absorb pollutants directly from the air. Reveal levels of pollution, especially sulfur dioxide.
- Can map populations using lichen indicator scores (LIS) or mapping distribution.
- If air is heavily polluted there may be no lichens present whereas in areas with cleaner air, a greater variety of shrubby and leafy lichens will be found.
Describe the methods that have been used to reduce the releases of methane. (4)
1) Improved waste management eg capture of gas from landfill.
2) better agricultural practises such as livestock diet and manure management.
3) Use of renewable energy
Explain how the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing can be reduced (3 marks)
- not near aquifers
- Avoid sensitive areas
- collect and treat gas emissions
- noise pollution can be reduced through baffle mounds
The scientists concluded that this species of aerobic bacteria could be used effectively as a bioremediation treatment in the event of a crude oil spill. Suggest three conditions under which bacterial bioremediation of oil spills may not be effective (3 marks)
1) Anaerobic conditions
2) Extreme salinity
3) Extreme PH
4) Areas with low temperatures
Chemical dispersants may also be used to clean up oil pollution. Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of using chemical dispersants (2 marks)
Advantages:
- Breaks up oil slick so oil disperses more readily
Disadvantages:
- may be toxic to organisms
Describe the features of species that would make them suitable for use in a biotic index (4 marks)
- normally present/common
- easily identified
-easily collected - range of sensitivities
- generally distributed
Suggest why the diversity of invertebrate species increased with distance downstream from the mine (2 marks)
-downstream may be within range of tolerance
-due to lower concentrations of pollutants such as toxic metals due to dilution
Outline one factor used to identify individuals for a Critical Group Monitoring (CGM) study in Great Britain of the radioactive contamination from Chernobyl (1 mark)
- occupation that experiences high radiation exposure eg farmer, dog walker.
- where individuals live in relation to the source
Name different types of control technologies for pollutants
1) oil and radioactive waste- adsorption by polymers.
2) heavy metals and pesticides- bioremediation.
3) heavy metals- leachate collection.
4) oil and pesticides- phytoremediation.
5) satellite monitoring
How does a longer half life mean lower risk to health?
less radioactive radiation released per unit of time
Explain which type of particle poses the greatest health risk if ingested
alpha particles as they have greater ionising power whereas gamma has the lowest
Outline one method that is used to manage high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power stations (2 marks)
deep burial in a seismically stable area
Explain why PM10 samples vary at different times of the year (3 marks)
1) Temperature inversions- PM10 trapped in cold dense air.
2) periods of high rainfall- wash particulates out of the atmosphere.
3) Increased demand for heating/energy/fossil fuels/wood.
4) Increased use of vehicles (from exhaust emissions) eg car use on bank holidays
Stages in the treatment of sewage
1) Pre treatment- screens/sieves used to trap large floating items.
2) Primary treatment- effluent is stored in tanks and the faecal solids sink to the bottom. The sludge that is formed at the bottom is then removed.
3) Secondary treatment- put into aeration tanks/oxidation ponds where aerobic bacteria decompose the remaining OM.
4) Tertiary treatment- UV light/sterilising chemical used to remove bacteria and pathogens.
Compare the environmental effects of different inorganic and organic nutrient pollutants (9 marks)
Inorganic:
Nitrates- from artificial fertilisers. Cause eutrophication and also if ingested may cause blue baby syndrome or be a human carcinogen.
- Phosphates from sewage- also contribute to eutrophication, increases risks of cardiovascular disease, biodiversity loss.
- detergents
Organic:
- degraded soil particles- increase water turbidity.
- manure- eutrophication
- sewage- may contain pathogens/bacteria spreading disease
State two methods that may be used to reduce the radiation dose received by workers exposed to radioactive materials (2 marks)
1) Clothing/respiratory protection eg face masks.
2) Setting a maximum time for exposure
Describe one method that may have been used to obtain noise contour data around an airport (4 marks)
- noise monitoring stations
- systematically isolated
- 10 or more samples sites
- using calibrated sound meters
- same wind direction
Explain how two named changes in aircraft design have contributed to the reduction in aircraft noise emissions (4 marks)
1) More aerodynamic surfaces/ blended wing aircraft meaning less noise due to turbulence/vibration.
2) engine acoustic liners, absorbs engine noise
Outline how two changes in aircraft flight operation may reduce noise pollution around an airport (2 marks)
1) Change flight paths to avoid urban areas.
2) noisy aircraft banned/charged
3) lower altitude flights banned over urban areas
Discuss the extent to which improvements in technology have reduced atmospheric pollution on local, regional and global scale (25 marks)
Smoke/smoke smogs- Incomplete
combustion of coal,
diesel, wood, crop
waste. Fixed by Diesel particulate filters (DPV) Trap smoke particles and Reduce particulates in cities.
Smokeless coal
More efficient combustion
technology in diesel engines. Reduced respiratory disease
Reduced albedo of atmosphere
Reduced smoke smogs during
temperature inversions
Photochemical smogs- Catalytic converters
Vapour collection at petrol
stations. Reduced damage to non-living
objects: damage to limestone
buildings, metal structures
* Living organisms
* Direct effects of acids
* Damage to proteins
* Damage to exoskeletons
* Respiratory effects in humans
Acid rain- Control of NOx – low temp
combustion, catalytic
converters, urea sprays- Reduced acidification of soil,
water bodies, mobilising of
heavy metals. Reduced impacts
on biodiversity
Transboundary pollutant
what is mutagenic action?
Mutagens= agents causing changes in chemical structure of DNA by damaging chromosomes by rearrangement of DNA structure. Changes are known as mutations
what is synergism and what does it involve?
-Involves 2+ pollutants where their effects interact to create diff effect, usually more serious one
-Pollutants themselves don’t interact to produce new pollutant (would be secondary pollutant), it’s their effects that interact, eg ozone damages leaf cuticles & enables sulfur dioxide to cause more damage to newly exposed living cells
mutagenic action- what are gonadic and somatic effects?
-Gonadic effects (cells in ovaries/testes); mutation in egg/sperm cell/embryo may cause birth abnormality in offspring produced
-Somatic effects (general body cells); mutation in body cell may make it behave abnormally as damaged DNA can’t control normal cell function. Death of individual cells—> rarely issue as can be replaced by division of other healthy cells. Serious consequences of these are if not killed= cancer
teratogenic action?
-Teratogens; cause birth abnormalities by preventing normal gene expression. They don’t change DNA structure but inhibit function of proteins & enzymes that DNA would’ve normally controlled.
what are the factors allowing temperature inversions to form?
-Valleys; where colder denser air can collect
-Low wind velocity; so air layers w/ diff temps don’t mix
-Cloudless skies; so infrared energy can be radiated from ground, allowing ground to cool down
-Mist/fog during day; water vapour that condenses in cooler ground layer has ↑ albedo & will reflect sunlight + slow heating of ground that would cause temp inversion to ke broken down
what is the purpose of the Critical Pathway Analysis (CPA)?
-Predict movement of potential pollutants in environment to assess severity & location of pollution that may occur
-If potential pollutant would be diluted & dispersed/carried to locations where impacts would be acceptable—> no further action may be needed
General strategies to control pollution; what are the factors that may be included in Critical Pathway Analysis (CPA)?
-Properties of the pollutant; state of matter, density, solubility in water/lipids, chemical stability
-Features of the environment; wind & water currents, geology, pH, O2 availability, temperature
what are examples of pollution control methods?
-Production prevention; desulfurisation of fossil fuels before combustion
-Prevention of release; electrostatic precipitators for smoke control & catalytic converters for control of NOx, CO, hydrocarbons in vehicle exhaust emissions
-Post-release remediation; oil spill clean-up methods & phytoremediation of land contaminated w/ heavy metals
-Alternative processes; use of electric vehicles instead of diesel/petrol ones, use of pyrethroid pesticides instead of more polluting organochlorines, eg DDT & use of renewable energy resources instead of fossil fuels
BATNEEC
the Best Available Technology, Not Entailing Excessive Cost
‘ALARA’
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
what are the effects of smoke pollution on other living organisms?
-↓ photosynthesis as smoke blocks
-Substances in smoke particles may be toxic, eg heavy metals & acids
Smoke and smoke smogs; what are the effects of smoke pollution on non-living objects?
-Smoke particles can damage buildings due to acids & organic solvents they may contain
-Cleaning dirty buildings → expensive
how can transport sources be smoke pollution control measures?
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) fitted in exhaust pipes of diesel engines trap up to 80% of smoke particles
Smoke and smoke smogs; industrial sources- how can bag filters be used as smoke pollution control measures?
Remove smoke particles from effluent gases by trapping them on fabric titter
industrial sources- how can scrubbers be used as smoke pollution control measures?
Uses fine water spray to wash out suspended solid particulate matter & dissolve soluble gaseous pollutants
Use the information in the text and your own knowledge to explain why the discharge of low levels of inorganic mercury compounds caused such serious health effects.
[5 marks]
- Lack of dilution/dispersal as bay
is enclosed - Liposolubility allows storage in fat
- Bioaccumulation as concentration
in organisms increases - Biomagnification as concentration
increases along food chains - Persistence as compounds do
not degrade - Neurotoxic as mercury inhibits
nerve cell enzymes - Teratogen as gene interference
causes birth abnormalities - Adsorption onto sediment
particles increases concentration
in sediments
