Pollution - W3 Flashcards
Define: Pollution
Release of substances of forms of energy into the environment that cause harm, especially to living organisms
Name a pollutant that is a SOLID
WHY is it a pollutant?
Debris
Why? Can harm physical habitats and transport chemical pollutants e.g carbon monoxide
Name a pollutant that is a GAS
WHY is it a pollutant?
Burning of fossil fuels (e.g coal, gas)
Why? Rising temperatures and higher disease risks
Name a pollutant that is a LIQUID
WHY is it a pollutant?
Oil spills, liquid pesticides, petroleum such as gas and diesel
Why? (Oil spills) destroys insulating ability and water repellency of bird feathers
What forms can pollutants come in?
Noise
Heat
Ionising radiation
Light
What is an ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANT?
WHY is it a pollutant?
Car exhaust -
Harmful because when breathed in it deprives the heart of oxygen
What is a WATER POLLUTANT?
WHY is it a pollutant?
Waste water and sewage -
Because it can damage bodies of water that support wildlife
What is a HEAVY METAL POLLUTANT?
WHY is it a pollutant?
Lead and Copper -
Exposure to high levels can cause kidney and brain damage
What is a FORM of ENERGY POLLUTANT?
WHY is it a pollutant?
Coal -
Leads to acid rain and global warming which traps heat and contributes to global climate change
Why does ATMOSPHERIC pollution behave differently to other pollutants?
Rapid distribution due to wind leads and dispersal over a large area
Interactions with EM radiation can cause chemical reactions to occur
What is the source of ACID RAIN sources?
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) when combustion or oxidation of materials e.g coal is burned
SO2 dissolves in water to produce sulphurous acid
Sulphuric acid is then formed which is much more damaging
What are two examples of ACID RAIN impacts?
pH’s denature (shape of an enzyme’s active site changes)
Damages tissues with living cells exposed to the environment e.g plant root hair cells
What are three examples of LIGHT pollution?
Changes the migration patterns of Atlantic Salmon
Decreases the chances of male fireflies finding a mate
Confuses hatching sea turtles which are found by the sea by the illuminated horizon of the water
What are 5 examples of dissolved and suspended pollutants of water?
Pesticides Incenticides Carbon Carbon dioxide Plant material
Intro to WATER pollution: 7 sentences
The water cycle is a natural purification process, water vapour produced by evaporation is pure. When it falls and travels to a body of water it may carry dissolved or suspended pollutants. When the water evaporates again, the pollutants are left behind
