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4. Pollution Sources, Pathways And Receptors > Pollution Sources, Pathways And Receptors > Flashcards

Pollution Sources, Pathways And Receptors Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of pollution

A

The deliberate or accidental introduction of contaminants (pollutants) into the environment which causes adverse changes.

Pollutants may be substances, or energy

Pollutants can be natural such as lava flow from an active volcano, or overflow from a flooding river

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2
Q

Pollution definitions from environmental permitting, England and Wales - 2010 - water

A

Pollution, in relation to a water discharge activity, or groundwater activity, means the direct or indirect introduction as a result of humans activity of substances, or hear into the air, water or land which may:

  • be harmful to human health, or the quality of aquatic or (terrestrial ecosystems dependent on aquatic ecosystems)
  • result in damage to material property
  • impair or interfere with amenities, or other legitimate uses of the environment
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3
Q

Pollution definitions from environmental permitting, England and Wales - 2010 - non water

A

Pollution - other than water discharge - means any emission as a result of human activity which:

  • may be harmful to human health or quality of environment
  • cause offence to a human sense - e.g. noise, smell
  • result in damage to material property
  • impair to interfere with other legitimate uses of the environment
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4
Q

What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants

A

Primary - produced directly from a process, e.g. ash from a volcano,m or carbon dioxide from a car exhaust

Secondary - not emitted directly but produced by a chemical reaction between primary pollutants, e.g. acid rain, ground level ozone

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5
Q

What are inorganic compounds

A

These materials do not contain carbon. They include heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic

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6
Q

What are organic compounds

A

These materials contain carbon. An organic compound is any, natural or synthetic molecule or compound containing carbon. They include

  • Glucose, fructose
  • DDT - powerful, now largely banned insecticide
  • PCBs - polychlorinated biphenyls - historically widely used as insulating oils
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7
Q

Define air pollution

A

The release of chemicals, including particulates and aerosols into the atmosphere

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8
Q

Define radioactive pollution

A

The release of radioactive substances on surfaces, or within solids, liquids or gases (including the human body), where there presence is unintended or undesirable

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9
Q

What are organometallic compounds

A

These are formed when metals react with organic molecules.

E.g. when combined with organic molecules, elemental mercury forms methylmercury, a neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system. Methyl mercury can also bioaccumulate in the food chain.

Tin is an example of a non toxic metal (used as a lining on food containers) which becomes toxic when it bonds with organic molecules to form TBT. TBT is widely used as a biocide in antifouling marine paints to discourage growth of organisms such as barnacles. However, it is extremely toxic to crustaceans such as lobsters. TBT exposure can lead to the development of male characteristics in female snail and bivalve species.

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10
Q

Definition of land pollution

A

The release of chemicals onto, or into soil, for example via spills or leakage.

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11
Q

Definition of Thermal Pollution

A

Sometimes called thermal enrichment, is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers.

Also release of chemicals which are warmer or cooler than the receiving water (usually aqueous solutions)

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12
Q

What is light pollution

A

The release of excess light, including light trespass, over illumination and astronomical interference

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13
Q

Why is light pollution harmful

A
  • Harms animals whose life cycles are dependent on the dark
  • Altering our biochemical rhythms that normally ebb and flow with natural light
  • Lost our connection to the night time skies, and the tapestries into which our ancestors wove their star studded stories, timed the planting and harvesting of crops, and deduced the physical laws governing the universe.

99% of EU and USA experience some amount of light pollution

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14
Q

Definition of noise pollution

A

Release of excess or unpleasant sound. Typical sources include roadways, aircraft, industry, and high intensity sonar.

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15
Q

What is visual pollution

A

Visual pollution is an aesthetic issue and therefore highly subjective . Typical examples are power lines, roadside billboards, fly tipping and scarred former industrial landscapes

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16
Q

Definition of water pollution

A

Release of chemicals into bodies of water

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17
Q

What must a pollutant do to become harmful (and create pollution)

A

It must come from a source, travel via a pathway and be received by a receptor. If a receptor does not receive it, there can be no pollution

E.g.spill from oil drum, travels through soil, ends up in river, stream, lake

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18
Q

What is leaching

A

In agriculture, leaching is the loss of water soluble plant nutrients from the soil, during rain and irrigation

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19
Q

Name some factors that determine the effects of a pollutant

A
  • Form - solid, liquid, gas or energy
  • Concentration in the environment
  • Chemical and/or biological properties
  • Environmental persistence and ability to bioaccumulate
  • The ‘quality’ of the receptor, e.g. stability of the ecosystem, health of an individual, materialism of construction for property etc
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20
Q

Under normal atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures, how much dissolved oxygen should be contain between its molecules

A

Water should contain 10 mg/l of oxygen to be saturated.

Concentration will vary with pressure and temperature, but if it drops by 50% to 5 mg/l fish will become distressed and die

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21
Q

Why is organic matter a water pollutant

A

Organic matter is naturally present in surface water from decaying vegetation and runoff from field, but if levels rise significantly, oxygen from the water is rapidly consumes due to the action of aerobic bacteria

22
Q

examples or water polluting organic matter

A
  • Sewage
  • Farm Slurry (manure and water)
  • Industrial discharges, or spills of organic substances such as milk from farms or tankers

Excesses in water is referred to as high organic load. Under normal circumstances the consumed oxygen is replaced at the surface, but in a high organic load the exchange rate is too low.

High temps and low flows make it worse

23
Q

When are water sources most vulnerable to deoxygenation

A

At night. During the day photosynthesis helps with the oxygen replenishment, but at night this stops. As aquatic plants and organisms continue to respire, this depletes the oxygen

24
Q

What is the BOD test

A

Biological demand test.

Determines the level of organic pollutants in the water.

25
Q

How does a BOD test work

A

A water sample is seeded microorganisms and stored for 5 days in a dark room at 20 degrees to prevent oxygen production

Most pristine rivers will have a BOD level below 1 mg/l. Moderately polluted rivers have values in the range of 2 - 8 mg/l.

An alternative and quicker test is the COD test - chemical oxygen demand

26
Q

What is a COD test

A

Commonly used to quickly provide an indirect measure on water pollution, as quicker than a BOD. Uses a specific indicate reagent.

Is less specific

27
Q

Why is oil a water deoxygenating pollutant

A

Oil forms a layer on the surface, restricting or even preventing oxygen exchange.

May also coat aquatic plant leaves inhibiting photosynthesis

28
Q

Why are pesticides harmful as a water pollutant

A

Pesticides used in agriculture and horticulture may reach water courses, through run off or drift, both diffuse sources.

They remain active in water causing damage to food webs; both target and non target species may be killed.

29
Q

What is leachate

A

A leachate is any liquid that, in the course of passing through matter, extracts soluble, or suspended solids, or any other component of the material through which it has passed.

30
Q

Why is ‘flow rate’ a pollutant

A

This input of material, even clean water, from a point source with a high flow rate may cause scarification of banks and river beds, releasing buried pollutants and disturbing suspended solids.

31
Q

Why are nitrates and phosphates a water pollutant

A

These are normally introduced from a diffuse source, for example fertiliser runoff. Excess nitrates may be produced following ammonia ingress

The resultant excessive growth of water plants, notably algae, restricts oxygen exchange.

Algae decay further reduces oxygen levels as eutrophication progresses.

32
Q

Define Thermal pollution (water)

A

Water is used as a coolant in power stations. If the water is returned to water courses without re-cooling, it may lead to localised increased in water temp and decreased oxygen levels.

If prolonged, may promote growth of bacteria and algae.

Can also prevent breeding and extreme temps may result in thermal shock, killing fish and invertebrates.

33
Q

Why are ‘Suspended Solids’ a water pollutant

A

E.g from construction activities, wind blown dust all increase turbidity (cloudiness).

Moderate level can restrict fish gills, inhibit hunting behaviour and settle on plants reducing photosynthesis

Once on riverbed can bury bottom dwelling organisms, leading to lack of food for feeders

Sediment deposits can bury organic matter, resulting in anaerobic decomposition, leading to toxic methane and hydrogen gases

Breeding grounds can be destroyed

34
Q

How are acids and alkalis harmful as water pollutants

A

Normal pH for fish and aquatic animals is around 7. Moderate changes can cause habitat changes, the creation of secondary pollutants and result in death. Niche species are especially vulnerable.

35
Q

What are the two main oxides of sulphur (Air pollution)

A

Sulphur Dioxide - SO2 - Known as SOx (most common)

Sulphur Trioxide - SO3 - Known as SOX

36
Q

What is Sulphur Dioxide

A
  • Most common of oxides of sulphur as air pollution
  • SO2
  • Produced naturally when sulphur containing compounds are heated in the presence of oxygen (volcano eruptions)
  • Produced anthropogenically through refining metal ores containing sulphides , and combustion of fossil fuels which contain sulphur compounds as impurities
37
Q

What are the impacts of Sulphur Dioxide

A
  • Long term expose can cause lung damage and damage to plants
  • Directly toxic and high concentrations can cause death
  • dissolves in water vapour, and water in cell tissue to form sulphuric acids and sulphurous
  • Short terms exposure causes eye irritation
38
Q

Effects of Sulphur dissolving in water vapour

A

forms gaseous aside solicitor with oxides of nitrogen compounds which falls as acid rain. Consequences of this are:

  • dissolution of metals form spoils leading to soil and water pollution
  • Acidification of Rivers and seas leading to localised habitat damage
  • Death of coniferous trees
  • Damage to steel structures and building made of rocks, limestone and marble which contain calcium carbonate. Acids in the rain react with the calcium compounds and create potentially toxic levels of gypsum
39
Q

What are the three oxides of nitrogen

A

Nitrous Oxide - N2O - Predominantly formed through microbial activity and not a significant pollutant, although is an ozone depleting compound

Primary pollutants - involved in formation of ground level smog:
Nitric Oxide - NO - Formed during production of coal and in vehicle exhausts
Nitrogen Dioxide - NO2 - Formed during production of coal and in vehicle exhausts

Collectively known as NOX. Also contribute to acid rain

40
Q

What are the two oxides of carbon

A 
Carbon Monoxide (asphyxiant and highly reactive pollutant in ground level smog)
Carbon Dioxide

Principle source of both is burning fossil fuels,

41
Q

Chemical formula of methane

A

CO4

GHGS, main constituent of natural gas, occurs with crude oil and coal mines.

Also produced in anaerobic digestion

42
Q

What are volatile organic compounds

A

VOC is a term used to describe a range of unrelated solvents which are liquid at normal temperatures and pressures, but release vapour into the atmosphere by evaporation.

May contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine and sulphur

Most common are petrol and diesel, paints, solvents, glues.

These compounds are used in manufacturing of plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints, varnishes, adhesives, and antifreeze.

These react with sunlight to produce secondary pollutants - O3 and PANs

Pans and O3 cause eye irritation and damaged lung tissue

43
Q

What is smog made up of

A

Smog - Smoke + Fog - visible air pollution

Composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, smoke and particulate matter, ozone’s, Marion monoxide
Comes from

Coal emissions
Vehicular emissions
Industrial emissions
Forest and agricultural fires

44
Q

What is modern smog

A

Type of air pollution derived from vehicular emissions and industrial emissions that react in the atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary pollutants- they form photochemical smog

45
Q

What is a temperature inversion

A

Normally we have cold temp on top and low temp below. This inverts, and the new warm air on top traps in the smog. We cannot control the inversions as these are weather events,but we can control the content of the smog.

46
Q

What is particulate matter

A

This refers to a wide range of substances including:

Dust
Grit
Fibres
Aerosols
Mists
Vapours
Fumes
47
Q

How does particulate matter cause damage

A

Depends on size and properties

PM2.5 - matter smaller than 2.5 microns diameter

PM10 - Matter smaller than 10 microns diameter

Some heavy metals are toxic, some fibres can cause disabling lung conditions.

Effects of inhaling are:

  • asthma
  • lung cancer
  • cardiovascular disease
  • respiratory issues
  • birth defects
  • premature death
48
Q

How is Ozone produced (o3)

A

By the interaction of UV rays which cause oxygen molecules to split and recombine to form O3.

This layer absorbs further UV, preventing it from reaching the earths surface

49
Q

Effects of excessive UV light (through historic depletion of Ozone layer)

A

Increased sunburn and skin cancer
Increased ground level ozone
Reduces photosynthesis in plants
Cyanobacteria are particularly sensitive

Seasonal holes in the ozone layer form in the Antarctic during the polar winter.

50
Q

What is/was cause of stratospheric ozone depletion

A

Release of synthetic compounds:

  • chlorofluorocarbons - CFCs
  • Hydrochlorofluourocarbons - HCFCs
  • Halon
  • Methly chloroform

These compounds break down in the atmosphere to form halogen atoms such as chlorine and bromine which in turn break down Ozone

N2O is a naturally occurring odeon depleter and therefore harder to restrict as per Montreal protocol

51
Q

What was the Montreal Protocol

A

International agreement in 1987 and subsequent amendments to restrict manufacture and use of key substances (CFCs, HCFCs, Halon, Methyl Chloroform).

52
Q

What is photochemical smog

A

High levels of O3 and Nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, caused by the action of sunlight on primary pollutants

These secondary pollutants can damage and weaken crops, decrease yield and make them more susceptible to insects

4. Pollution Sources, Pathways And Receptors (1 decks)

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