S1-S3 Flashcards

Question

What is coal

Answer 1

Coal is a black sedimentary rock which is burned to produce energy. Coal is a composed primarily of carbon. Most of the world’s energy is produced by burning coal.

Answer 2

Steam engine converts heat energy to mechanical work through steam. James Watt drastically improved the steam engine which made it viable for industrial use. The textile industry was the first to adopt the use of steam engines.

Answer 3

The industrial revolution was a period of global transition of economy from agrarian to industrial. It began in around 1760 with the advent of steam engines. Technological advances such as glass making was developed during this period. Factories were developed with the use of coal as a source of energy. The world population increased exponentially.

Answer 4

First • Steam engines • Iron production • Coal mining • Mechanization • Increase in Population Second • Internal Combustion Engines • Electricity • Railway networks • Telephones • Globalization Third • Computers • Microprocessors • Internet • Digitalization • Information Age

Answer 5

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation (about 3um to 100um). Major greenhouse gases include: carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous and nitrous oxide.

Answer 6

It is the most abundant greenhouse gas. Has a long atmospheric lifetime. IR absorption at around 14um-18um.

Answer 7

Greenhouse effect is the capture and re-emission of infrared radiation to the atmosphere by greenhouse gases. Natural Greenhouse Effect is the natural mechanism of Earth to maintain surface temperatures. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect is the caused by an increase in concentration of greenhouse gases which amplifies the greenhouse effect.

Answer 8

Burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests and farming livestock are increasingly influencing the climate and the earth's temperature. This adds enormous amounts of greenhouse gases to those naturally occurring in the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Answer 9

Most radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface and warms it. Some solar radiation is reflected by the Earth and the atmosphere. Some of the infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere. Some is absorbed and re-emitted in all directions by greenhouse gas molecules. The effect of this is to warm the Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere. Infrared radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface.

Answer 10

Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particle suspended in the atmosphere. Aerosols offset some amount of global warming increase in temperature. Clouds are formed from aerosols. These offsets global warming by reflecting the sunlight themselves. Specifically, sulfate rich aerosols are very effective in reflecting light into space. These sulfate rich aerosols are produced by burning coal and volcanic eruptions, among others.

Answer 11

The explosion of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. The explosion brought about large volcanic ashes and sulfur dioxide. The large volcanic ashes lowered the temperature in the surrounding area only for weeks. Sulfate aerosols which remained in the atmosphere years after the explosion lowered the temperature in the area for a long time.

Answer 12

Climate change are long-term variations in weather patterns and conditions on Earth. Global warming is the increase in surface temperature in the world. The world surface temperature has increased by 1.1 C from preindustrial levels to present..

Answer 13

• Melting of Ice • Habitat Destructon • Extreme weather

Answer 14

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 was the first global treaty to address climate change. Kyoto Protocol in 2005 required developed countries to reduce emissions by 5 percent of 1990 levels. Paris Agreement in 2015 was the most significant global climate agreement. It aims long-term to reach global net-zero emissions in the second half of the century.

Answer 15

also known as “contaminants of emerging concern (CEC’s)” or “emerging contaminants” chemicals known to cause major impacts on the terrestrial, aquatic life and human health as a result of their chronic and acute toxicity not been widely studied or regulated yet

Answer 16

Characteristics - EP: new or previously unrecognized chemical compounds that have been identified as harmful - OP: well-known and regulated substances that have been recognized as pollutants for a long time Regulation and Monitoring - EP: ongoing research, slow and monitoring programs due to recent recognition - OP: subject to well-established regulations and monitoring programs; have been monitored for decades Environmental and Health Impacts - EP: linked to adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health when present in drinking water supplies. - OP: known to cause a wide range of health problems and environmental damage when present in excessive quantities

Answer 17

NANOMATERIALS - prominent among the emerging pollutants that consist of very small entities in the 1-100 nm size range. - Have unique properties: high thermal stability, low permeability, high strength, high conductivity, and high surface-to- volume ratio SILOXANES (SILICONES) - Thermally and chemically very stable - Widely used in personal care products and even food additives - resistant to biodegradation and as a result are encountered in water that has received wastewater. TRIHALOMETHANES -chloroform, dibromochloromethane and etc. -most common disinfection by-products -by-products of water chlorination and are Group B carcinogens (shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals).

Answer 18

- can disrupt the crucial endocrine gland activities and reproductive functions of organisms. - aquatic organisms including fish, frogs, and reptiles such as alligators exposed to such substances - annual usage of millions of kilograms of nonionic surfactants makes them a significant factor as water pollutants

Answer 19

- poorly biodegradable substances and are sometimes referred to as persistent organic pollutants - found in water include benzene, chloroform, methyl chloride, styrene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethane, and toluene. In addition to their potential toxicity, biorefractive compounds can cause taste and odor problems in water. - They are not completely removed by biological treatment

Answer 20

- (radioactive isotopes) are produced as fission products of heavy nuclei of such elements as uranium or plutonium. They are also produced by the reaction of neutrons with stable nuclei. - formed in large quantities as waste products in nuclear power generation. Their ultimate disposal is a problem that has caused much controversy regarding the widespread use of nuclear power

Answer 21

1. municipal wastewater commonly known as sewage 2. industrial wastewater from a variety of commercial operations

Answer 22

1. Primary - initial stage of wastewater treatment; physical removal of large solids from raw sewage or wastewater 2. Secondary - involves biological to break down organic matter; further reducing the concentration of organic matter and suspended solids 3. Tertiary - known as advanced wastewater treatment

Answer 23

1. Screening 2. Comminution 3. Grit removal 4. Sedimentation

Answer 24

1. Aeration of water 2. Membrane filtration process 3. Trickling filter 4. Rotating Biological Reactors (Contactors)

Answer 25

1. Suspended Solids - Diatomaceous filtration - Sand filtration - Ultrafiltration 2. Dissolved Organic Materials - Adsorption on activated carbon - Adsorbent synthetic polymers - Oxidation 3. Dissolved Inorganic Compounds - Electrodialysis - Reverse osmosis - Biological treatment by an activated sludge - Sorption by activated carbon

Answer 26

1. Chlorine dioxide 2. Green ozone 3. Ferrate and percarbonate 4. UV radiation and photocatalytic process

Answer 27

(i) not necessarily a new compound (ii) a compound that has long existed in the environment but whose presence has only recently been detected and whose significance is beginning to be recognized (iii) a long-known compound whose potential negative impact on humans and the environment has only recently been realized

Answer 28

1. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPS) - cosmetics and health care products 2. Hormones and Steroids - synthetic and natural steroid hormones such as gestagens, estrogens, and androgen 3. Antiseptics - Triclosan is an antiseptic/antibacterial agent frequently found in toothpaste, soaps, clothing and more 4. Perfluoronated Compounds (PFCs) - most common are perfluorocarbon sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs). 5. Pesticides 6. Plasticizers - BPA 7. Flame Retardants - polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) 8. Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) - halogenic acetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethane (THMs)

Answer 29

Health concerns: Many emerging contaminants have been associated with adverse health effects, including hormonal disruption, carcinogenicity, and developmental issues. Environmental impact: These contaminants can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm wildlife, and alter the balance of aquatic habitats. Regulatory compliance: As the awareness of emerging contaminants grows, regulatory agencies are increasingly setting standards and guidelines for their presence in drinking water and wastewater. Public awareness: Concerns about emerging contaminants have raised public awareness and expectations regarding water quality and safety.

Answer 30

•to comply with regulatory requirements, •to identify long and short term trends, •to detect accidental releases, or •to develop a data base or inventory of pollutant levels.

Answer 31

1. surface water sampling 2. groundwater well sampling

Answer 32

 Proper purging of the well to remove stagnant water before sample collection.  Collection of representative samples from specific depths or depth intervals.  Preservation of samples based on analytical requirements (e.g., refrigeration, filtration, acidification).  Documentation of well and sample information for accurate data interpretation.

Answer 33

1. Time integration - Passive samplers provide time-weighted average concentrations of contaminants over the deployment period, offering insights into long-term trends. 2. Reduced disruption - They minimize the need for continuous active sampling, making them suitable for remote or less accessible locations. 3. Sensitive detection - Passive samplers can detect contaminants at low concentrations, including trace levels. 4. Applications - Time-integrated (passive) sampling techniques are widely used in environmental monitoring, ecological risk assessments, and studies related to air quality, water quality, sediment contamination, and soil pollution. They are valuable for tracking trends, assessing long-term exposure, and identifying pollution sources.

Answer 34

Methodology (1) • Active collection of discrete samples at specific time points • Involves the use of bottles, pumps, or equipment for point-in-time measurements. (2) • Utilizes passive samplers with sorbent materials to accumulate contaminants over time • Provides time weighted average concentrations Deployment (1) • Collects snapshots of contaminant levels at the moment of collection • Typically used for short-term sampling (2) • Deploys for extended periods (weeks to months) • Offers insights into long-term trends Advantages (1) • Suitable for high-resolution monitoring • Often less expensive for short-term sampling • Can be used for various sample types and parameters (2) • Requires less active, suitable for remote or less accessible locations • Provides time-integrated data, reducing the need for frequent sampling • Detects contaminants at low concentration Including trace levels Limitations (1) • May miss episodic events or peak contaminant concentrations • Can be a labor-intensive and costly for frequent sampling • May disturb the environment during sample collection (2) • May not capture short-term fluctuations in contaminant levels • Deployment period must be carefully chosen to ensure accurate results • Limited to contaminants that can diffuse into the sorbent material