Pollution

Question 1

point source

Answer 1

from a specific location such as a pipe

Question 2

nonpoint source

Answer 2

from over an area such as runoff

Question 3

BOD

Answer 3

biological oxygen demand; amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials

Question 4

eutrophication

Answer 4

rapid algal growth caused by an excess of nitrates (NO3-) and phosphates [PO4(3-)] in water

Question 5

hypoxia

Answer 5

when aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops and the water cannot support life

Question 6

minamata disease

Answer 6

(1932-1968, Japan) mental impairments caused by methylmercury (CH3Hg+) poisoning

Question 7

primary air pollutants

Answer 7

produced by humans and nature (CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, particulates)

Question 8

particulate matter

Answer 8

source: burning fossil fuels and diesel exhaust
effect: reduces visibility and respiratory irritation
reduction: filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alt. energy)

Question 9

nitrogen oxides (NO3)

Answer 9

source: auto exhaust
effects: acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone
equation for acid formation: NO + O2 = NO2 + H2O = HNO3
reduction: catalytic converter

Question 10

sulfur oxides (SO3)

Answer 10

source: coal burning
effects: acid deposition, respiratory irritation, damages plants
equation for acid formation: SO2 + O2 = SO3 + H2O = H2SO4
reduction: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel)

Question 11

carbon oxides (CO and CO2)

Answer 11

source: auto exhaust, incomplete combustion
effects: CO binds to hemoglobin, reducing blood’s ability to carry O2; CO2 contributes to
global warming
reduction: catalytic converter, emission testing, oxygenated fuel, mass transit

Question 12

ozone (O3)

Answer 12

formation: secondary pollutant,
NO2 + uv = NO + O* O* + O2 = O3, with VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
effects: respiratory irritant, plant damage
reduction: reduce NO and VOC emissions

Question 13

radon (Rn)

Answer 13

naturally occurring colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, found in some types of soil and rock, can seep into homes and buildings, formed from the decay of uranium (U), causes lung cancer

Question 14

photochemical smog

Answer 14

formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC, O*)

Question 15

acid deposition

Answer 15

caused by sulfuric and nitric acids (H2SO4, HNO3), resulting in lowered pH of surface waters

Question 16

greenhouse gases

Answer 16

ex: H2P, CO2, O3, CFCs, methane (CH4)
effect: they trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy, causing earth to warm

Question 17

greenhouse gases

Answer 17

ex: H2P, CO2, O3, CFCs, methane (CH4)
effect: they trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy, causing earth to warm

Question 18

effects of global warming

Answer 18

rising sea level (thermal expansion), extreme weather, drought, famine, extinctions

Question 19

causes of ozone depletion

Answer 19

CFCs, methyl chloroform or trichloromethane (CHCl3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), halon (haloalkanes), methyl bromide (CH3Br) - all of which attack stratospheric ozone

Question 20

effects of ozone depletion

Answer 20

increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth

Question 21

LD50

Answer 21

the amount of a chemical that kills 50% of the animals in a test population

Question 22

mutagen

Answer 22

causes hereditary changes through mutations

Question 23

teratogen

Answer 23

causes fetus deformities

Question 24

carcinogen

Answer 24

causes cancer

Question 25

threshold dose

Answer 25

the maximum dose that has no mesureable effect

Question 26

temperature inversion

Answer 26

layer of dense cool air trapped under a layer of warm dense air, pollution trapped in layer may build to harmful levels (common in LA and Mexico City)

Question 27

sources of mercury

Answer 27

burning coal, compact flourescent bulbs

Question 28

major source of sulfur

Answer 28

burning coal