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Science 3 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main categories of water pollution?

A

Point-source pollution and non-point source pollution

Point-source pollution is released from distinct, confined locations, while non-point source pollution comes from large areas.

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2
Q

Define pathogens in the context of water pollution.

A

Pathogens are parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can cause diseases when humans or other organisms contact or ingest contaminated water

Major water-borne diseases include cholera and hepatitis.

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3
Q

What is oxygen-demanding waste?

A

Material containing organic matter that depletes oxygen in water as it decomposes

Examples include food scraps, human waste, and animal waste.

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4
Q

What elements are most likely to limit growth in water bodies?

A

Nitrogen and phosphorus

Excessive amounts can lead to eutrophication.

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5
Q

What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?

A

Toxic chemicals created by humans that persist in the environment for decades and can accumulate in organisms

An example is polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are carcinogenic.

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6
Q

What are sediments in the context of water pollution?

A

Nonchemical pollutants such as sand, silt, and clay mobilized from disturbed soil

Major sources include housing development, road construction, and agriculture.

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7
Q

What is thermal pollution?

A

Increase in water temperature due to human activities, impacting oxygen levels and aquatic life

Common sources include industrial cooling processes.

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8
Q

What are the major sources of ocean pollution?

A

Oil spills from offshore drilling and oil tankers

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 is a notable example.

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: Wastewater refers to all water from houses and buildings that is destined for a _______.

A

[sewage treatment plant or septic system]

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10
Q

What is the role of bacteria in wastewater treatment?

A

Bacteria break down organic matter into carbon dioxide and inorganic compounds

This process helps reduce pollutants and restore oxygen levels in treated water.

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11
Q

What are the two phases of traditional sewage treatment?

A

Primary treatment and secondary treatment

Primary treatment removes 40 to 50 percent of solid waste, while secondary treatment further breaks down organic matter.

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12
Q

What significant legislation has improved water quality in the U.S.?

A

The Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986

These laws help regulate pollutants and protect water sources.

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13
Q

What are the six criteria pollutants identified by the U.S. Clean Air Act?

A
  • Sulfur dioxide
  • Nitrogen oxides
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Lead
  • Particulate matter
  • Ground-level ozone
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14
Q

How does sulfur dioxide (SO2) affect human health?

A

It harms respiratory systems and can reduce lung function

Particularly harmful for individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

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15
Q

What is sulfur dioxide (SO2) and what are its effects?

A

SO2 is a gas released when fossil fuels are burned and it harms mammalian respiratory systems, reducing lung function.

Particularly harmful for individuals with asthma or respiratory illnesses.

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16
Q

What are nitrogen oxides (NOX) and their role in air pollution?

A

NOX gases are formed from combustion and can lead to ozone formation and other air pollution components.

They also react to form nitric acid, which is harmful to ecosystems.

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17
Q

What is carbon monoxide (CO) and its health impacts?

A

CO is a colorless, odorless gas from incomplete combustion that binds with hemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport, leading to dizziness, headaches, confusion, and potentially death.

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18
Q

What are the sources and effects of lead (Pb) in the environment?

A

Lead is found in air, water, and soil, and can cause anemia and neurological impacts, particularly in young children.

Lead was historically used in gasoline until the 1970s in the U.S.

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19
Q

What is particulate matter and its health risks?

A

Particulate matter consists of solid or liquid particles in the air from combustion and is suspected of causing lung cancer and other lung ailments.

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20
Q

What is ground-level ozone and its significance?

A

Ground-level ozone (O3) is a photochemical pollutant formed by reactions involving nitrogen and sulfur oxides, harmful to plants and animals.

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21
Q

What are criteria pollutants?

A

Criteria pollutants are common air pollutants with known health impacts, regulated under the Clean Air Act’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

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22
Q

What are secondary pollutants?

A

Secondary pollutants are formed from chemical reactions in the atmosphere, such as smog and acid rain, rather than being directly emitted.

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23
Q

What are natural sources of air pollution?

A

Natural sources include volcanoes, forest fires, and living plants, which release various pollutants into the atmosphere.

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24
Q

What is atmospheric inversion and its effect on pollution?

A

Atmospheric inversion occurs when a warm air layer traps cooler air below, allowing pollutants to accumulate, especially in urban areas.

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25
What is the process of generating electricity from primary energy sources?
Electricity is generated by converting the chemical potential energy of fuels like coal and oil into electrical potential energy through steam turbines.
26
What is coal and how is it formed?
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from tropical plants buried under sediments millions of years ago, compacted into dense carbon material.
27
What are the different types of coal based on energy content?
The types of coal, from lesser to greater energy content, are: * Peat * Lignite * Bituminous coal * Anthracite.
28
What is petroleum and how is it formed?
Petroleum is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of ocean-dwelling plankton, occurring in underground deposits and requiring extraction via wells.
29
What is the significance of natural gas in energy production?
Natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel with fewer impurities than coal and oil, producing significantly less CO2 when burned.
30
What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?
Fracking is a method of extracting oil and gas by injecting high-pressure fluids into bedrock to create fractures, allowing resource access.
31
What are the environmental concerns associated with fracking?
Concerns include hazardous chemicals in fracking fluid, water resource depletion, and potential impacts on groundwater quality.
32
What is nuclear power and how is electricity generated from it?
Nuclear power generates electricity through fission reactions of uranium, producing heat to convert water into steam for turbines.
33
What is the energy content comparison between uranium and coal?
One pound of enriched uranium has the energy content of a million gallons of gasoline, and ten tons of uranium oxide equals 260,000 tons of coal.
34
What is the energy content of a pound of enriched uranium compared to gasoline?
A pound of enriched uranium has the energy content of a million gallons of gasoline.
35
How much energy does ten tons of enriched uranium oxide contain compared to coal?
It contains roughly the same energy as 260,000 tons of coal.
36
What is the ratio of energy in uranium to that in coal?
There is 26,000 times more energy in uranium than in coal.
37
Do nuclear power plants produce air pollution during operation?
No, they do not produce any air pollution when operating.
38
What are some activities during nuclear power generation that produce air pollution?
* Construction of power plants * Mining and processing uranium ore * Transporting used fuel rods * Decommissioning plants
39
What is the estimated carbon dioxide emission per kilowatt-hour for nuclear power compared to coal?
At most 60 grams for nuclear power compared to 800 to 1,100 grams for coal.
40
What significant accident occurred at Three Mile Island in 1979?
Human error caused a cooling water valve to be closed, leading to a loss of coolant and core overheating.
41
What was the outcome of the Chernobyl accident in 1986?
An explosion and fire exposed the reactor core, resulting in at least thirty-one immediate deaths and long-term radiation exposure deaths.
42
What caused the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011?
A major earthquake triggered a tsunami that flooded the reactors.
43
What happens to spent nuclear fuel rods?
They contain highly radioactive fission fragments and require secure storage for tens of thousands of years.
44
What is the required storage method for spent fuel rods at nuclear power plants?
Stored in pools of water at least twenty feet deep, then moved to onsite cement storage canisters.
45
What site was examined as a long-term repository for spent nuclear fuel in the U.S.?
Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
46
What are the two main types of renewable energy sources?
* Solar energy * Wind energy
47
What is the solar constant?
The amount of solar energy reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere, approximately 1,370 watts per square meter.
48
What is passive solar energy?
Collection of solar energy directly from the Sun without intermediate technology.
49
What techniques are used in passive solar energy collection?
* Positioning a house for maximum sun exposure * Using dark materials to absorb more solar energy
50
What characterizes active solar energy systems?
They utilize technology such as fans, blowers, and pumps to harness solar energy.
51
What is a photovoltaic solar cell?
A device that converts solar energy directly into electrical energy using silicon dioxide.
52
What is the average energy output of a contemporary wind turbine?
Over 843,000 kWh per month.
53
What percentage of total renewable electricity does hydropower currently account for in the U.S.?
Approximately 28.7 percent.
54
What are the two main types of hydroelectric generation?
* Run-of-the-river * Water impoundment
55
What is the main advantage of solar and wind energy?
They provide heat and/or electricity without producing air or water pollution.
56
Fill in the blank: The kinetic energy of water can be used to generate _______.
[electricity]
57
True or False: Wind farms have no impact on bird populations.
False.
58
What is one environmental concern associated with wind energy?
Bird deaths due to collisions with windmills.
59
What is the aesthetic disadvantage of wind turbines?
Many people do not like living near visible or audible turbines.
60
What types of materials are required for the batteries used in energy storage?
* Lithium * Cobalt
61
What is a potential benefit of constructing a house to take advantage of passive solar energy?
Energy savings and offset pollution for decades.
62
What determines the amount of electricity generated at a hydroelectric power plant?
The vertical distance through which the water falls and the flow rate. ## Footnote Flow rate refers to the amount of water that flows past a certain point per unit of time.
63
Describe the process of run-of-the-river hydro generation.
Water is diverted from a river, passed through a narrow channel, directed toward a turbine, and returned to the river.
64
What is the peak capacity of most run-of-the-river hydro plants?
Around one megawatt, enough to supply electricity to about a thousand homes.
65
Why is run-of-the-river hydro electricity generation considered variable?
It depends on natural water flow, which varies throughout the year.
66
What environmental advantage does run-of-the-river hydro have over water impoundment?
It has much less impact on aquatic plants and animals because natural high- and low-flow periods continue.
67
What issues can arise from the presence of fish ladders in hydroelectric facilities?
Some species may find it difficult to utilize them, and predatory species may watch for prey.
68
What is water impoundment in the context of hydroelectric power?
Storing water in a reservoir behind a dam to control the flow of water for electricity generation.
69
How does water impoundment compare to run-of-the-river hydro in terms of electricity generation?
Water impoundment allows for electricity generation on demand and can produce more power.
70
What are some negative environmental effects of water impoundment?
* Flooding of land * Loss of ecological communities * Displacement of people * Conversion of mercury to methyl mercury
71
What is biomass energy?
The potential energy contained in organic matter.
72
What percentage of renewable energy consumed in the U.S. comes from biomass?
Roughly 37 percent.
73
What are some sources of biomass energy?
* Wood and wood products * Animal dung * Plant remains * Municipal solid waste (MSW)
74
What is the most common biomass fuel or biofuel?
Ethanol.
75
How is ethanol produced?
By fermentation, the decomposition of sugars and starches in biomass by yeasts, bacteria, and molds.
76
What is modern carbon?
Carbon in biomass that was recently in the atmosphere.
77
How does modern carbon differ from fossil carbon?
Modern carbon was recently in the atmosphere, while fossil carbon adds to atmospheric carbon levels when burned.
78
What is geothermal energy?
The heat produced from the radioactive decay of elements deep in the Earth.
79
What percentage of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable sources?
100 percent, with 73 percent from hydroelectric and 27 percent from geothermal.
80
What are the challenges associated with tidal energy generation?
* Insufficient tidal height in many areas * Disruption of coastal ecology * Aesthetic concerns for nearby residents
81
Define energy efficiency.
A measure of how effective we are at getting usable work from a given input of energy.
82
What is the estimated global energy efficiency as per the UN Development Program World Energy Assessment (2015)?
About 37 percent.
83
What is conservation in the context of energy use?
A consumer-based approach that focuses on reducing energy use by changing users’ habits and actions.
84
List some simple conservation measures.
* Turning off lights * Driving less * Wearing warmer clothes * Taking shorter showers
85
What is the difference between conservation and increasing energy efficiency?
Conservation focuses on reducing energy use, while increasing efficiency involves using less energy to do the same work.
86
What is the goal of reducing peak demand in electricity consumption?
To decrease the greatest quantity of electricity needed at any one time.
87
How can utilities reduce peak demand?
By encouraging consumers to conduct high-electricity-demand activities during non-peak times.
88
What is the Energy Star Program?
A program that designates certain appliances that operate at specified levels of efficiency.
89
What designation do appliances receive when they operate at specified efficiency levels?
Energy Star compliant ## Footnote Energy Star designation helps consumers identify energy-efficient appliances.
90
What is the difference in energy usage between an Energy Star compliant air conditioner and a non-compliant one for the same job?
200 watts ## Footnote An Energy Star compliant air conditioner uses less energy, leading to reduced peak demand.
91
How much peak demand could be reduced if 100,000 households used Energy Star compliant air conditioners?
20 megawatts ## Footnote This reduction is approximately 4 percent of a typical power plant's output.
92
What organization was established in 1988 to prepare reviews of climate change knowledge?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ## Footnote IPCC was formed by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization.
93
What significant conclusion did the IPCC reach in its latest assessment regarding human influence?
Human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land ## Footnote This conclusion highlights the widespread and rapid changes occurring in Earth's systems.
94
What term refers to changes in the chemistry, biology, and physical properties of worldwide systems?
Global change ## Footnote Global change encompasses various environmental changes caused by human activity.
95
How do the terms global change, climate change, and global warming differ?
Global change includes environmental changes; climate change refers to variations in average weather; global warming focuses on increasing surface temperatures ## Footnote These terms are often misused interchangeably.
96
What is the greenhouse effect?
A natural process that leads to warming under a heat-trapping surface ## Footnote It explains why temperatures inside a closed car can be significantly higher than outside.
97
Name the most common greenhouse gas.
Water vapor (H2O) ## Footnote Water vapor is essential in absorbing infrared energy radiating from Earth.
98
What human activities contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases?
* Combustion of fossil fuels * Clearing of land ## Footnote These activities release carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.
99
What is global warming?
Increased warming of Earth’s atmosphere and surface due to heat-trapping gases ## Footnote It is a significant component of global change.
100
What has been the increase in atmospheric CO2 since 1750?
50 percent ## Footnote This increase is significant in the context of climate change.
101
How much has the global average temperature increased since 1880?
About 2°F ## Footnote This seemingly small increase can have significant impacts on global processes.
102
What indirect measurements indicate higher global temperatures than in the last 150,000 years?
Tree rings and coral growth patterns ## Footnote These biological indicators provide historical temperature data.
103
What is expected to happen to global mean sea level by 2100?
Rise by 0.1 to 0.9 meters ## Footnote This is primarily due to melting glaciers.
104
What is one predicted effect of global warming on crop requirements?
Greater irrigation requirements ## Footnote Increased temperatures will lead to higher demands for water in agriculture.
105
How will precipitation patterns change due to global warming?
Higher rainfall amounts with increased flooding and soil erosion ## Footnote Models differ on which areas will receive the most rainfall.
106
What impact will global warming have on ecosystems?
Changes in natural processes and fragmentation effects ## Footnote Some species may face extinction due to rapid temperature changes.
107
What effect will rising sea levels have on coastal communities?
Threatened inundation and contamination of drinking water ## Footnote Coastal areas and islands are particularly vulnerable to these changes.
108
What is a major consequence of global warming on trees?
Many species may be threatened by extinction due to rapid temperature changes. ## Footnote Rapid temperature change does not allow every population of organisms time to adapt.
109
How will global warming affect human populations?
Rising sea levels will threaten coastal communities and open ocean islands through inundation and contamination of drinking water. ## Footnote Erosion of coastal areas is also a significant concern.
110
What is predicted to happen to water availability in landlocked regions due to climate change?
A general decrease in water availability is predicted. ## Footnote This will impact human populations and agriculture.
111
What health risks are associated with climate change?
Diseases such as West Nile virus and malaria will extend to new areas; heat waves will cause more deaths among vulnerable populations. ## Footnote Infectious diseases and bacterial illnesses are expected to spread.
112
True or False: Climate change is only an environmental issue.
False. Climate change also has economic and environmental justice consequences. ## Footnote Poorer communities are disproportionately affected by climate change.
113
What are the primary U.S. laws governing water quality?
The Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Water Resources Development Acts. ## Footnote These laws ensure the safety of municipal water systems.
114
What are the six U.S. criteria air pollutants?
* Sulfur dioxide * Nitrogen oxides * Carbon monoxide * Lead * Particulate matter * Ozone ## Footnote These pollutants can cause damage to human health and ecosystems.
115
What is the greenhouse effect?
A natural process that leads to warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. ## Footnote Common greenhouse gases include water vapor.
116
Fill in the blank: The greatest anthropogenic source of global warming is the burning of _______.
fossil fuels
117
What is the impact of CO2 on global warming?
CO2 is the greatest contributor to total anthropogenic radiative forcing due to its high concentration. ## Footnote Its impact is measured by its relative GHG efficiency.
118
What are the projected future effects of global warming?
* Weather and climate changes * Disruption of natural ecosystem processes * Loss of biodiversity * Health, social, and economic problems for humans ## Footnote Global average temperature has increased significantly over the past century.
119
What is biomass energy?
Potential energy contained in organic matter, used widely in both developing and developed countries. ## Footnote Examples include wood, municipal solid waste, and ethanol.
120
What is the difference between active solar and passive solar energy?
* Active solar uses mechanical devices (e.g., photovoltaic cells) * Passive solar collects energy without intermediate technology (e.g., solar cookers) ## Footnote Both are methods of harnessing solar energy.
121
True or False: Nuclear power has no environmental hazards.
False. Major hazards include accidents and radioactive waste. ## Footnote Disposal of radioactive waste remains a significant issue.
122
What is the role of wind power in energy generation?
Wind power is the fastest growing source of electricity worldwide. ## Footnote Wind turbines convert kinetic energy into electrical energy.
123
What is hydropower?
Energy harnessed from the movement of water, typically through dammed systems or run-of-the-river methods. ## Footnote It is considered one of the cleanest forms of energy.
124
What is the significance of the 2015 Paris Agreement?
It provides a framework for countries to reduce GHG emissions and support frontline countries impacted by climate change. ## Footnote Global policy agreements are necessary to address climate change effectively.
125
What is the main concern regarding the future of fossil fuel reserves in the U.S.?
Fossil fuel reserves are shrinking, indicating the current energy program is not sustainable. ## Footnote Total energy consumption is projected to increase.

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