Topic 3 Environmental Chemistry

Question 1

3 Stages of transport of substances in the air

Answer 1

1. )Release Of The Chemical From Its Source
2. )Dispersion of the chemical in the atmosphere
3. )Deposition of the chemical in soil or water

Question 2

Factors that influence groundwater pollution

Answer 2

> Number and Connection Of Pores

> If the pores are connected, water can flow through them

> If the soil grains are too tightly packed, the pores are not connected and water does not flow as easily

Question 3

Is Leachate a substance

Answer 3

YES!

Question 4

Biomagnification

Answer 4

Increase in concentration as the chemical or element moves up the food chain

Question 5

Hazardous Household Chemicals

Answer 5

Chemicals that can harm people or the environment

EX.

> Paint Remover
Aerosal Can
Bleach

Question 6

WHMIS

Answer 6

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Set up by federal government to enforce labelling guidelines, protect consumers and as a common labelling system

Question 7

Ways CHEMICALS Enter Surface Water Sources

Answer 7

Air

Groundwater

Run Off from agricultural fields and industrial sites

Outflow from storm sewers

Sewage Treatment Plants

Question 8

When water lands on a farmer’s field it does 4 things

Answer 8

Evaporates

Soaks into the soil and gets taken up by plants

Runs onto the street or into a stream

Soaks through the soil and moves downward

Question 9

Is SAND permeable

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

Is CLAY permeable

Answer 10

No

Question 11

What is hydrocarbon contamination?

Answer 11

Happens because of our daily use of hydrocarbons (vehicles and industry). This is toxic to plants and animals

Question 12

Techniques to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the environment?

Answer 12

Dispersion (scattering of a substance away from its source)

Dilution (Mixing a substance with large quantities of air or water)

Biodegradation (living things breaking down organisms)

Phytoremediation (Using green plants to remove or degrade hazardous materials)

Photolysis (Breakdown of substances by sunlight)

Question 13

Can metals be retrieved from burned plants that went through Phytoremediation?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Name the 5 factors that influence biodegradation

Answer 14

Temperature (Higher is better)

Soil Moisture (Wetter is better)

pH (close to neutral (7) is best)

Oxygen Supply (More is better)

Nutrient Availability (More is better)

Question 15

What is an aerobic biodegradation?

A) Organisms that need little water
B) Organisms that need oxygen
C) Organisms that need little oxygen
D) Organisms that need water

Answer 15

B) Organisms that need oxygen

“aero” means air

Question 16

What is an anaerobic biodegradation?

A) Organisms that need little water
B) Organisms that need oxygen
C) Organisms that need little oxygen
D) Organisms that need water

Answer 16

C) Organisms that need little oxygen

“an” means opposite
“aero” means air

Question 17

Can aerobic or anaerobic break down PCBs. If so which one(s)

Answer 17

Yes, anaerobic only

Question 18

Is it safe to store a chemical in its original container?

Answer 18

YES, OF COURSE!

Question 19

Is it safe to throw unused chemicals into the garbage?

Answer 19

No, take it to a Hazardous Waste Collection Site

Question 20

Hazardous waste collection site

Answer 20

A place where toxic waste is disposed of properly

Question 21

What are 3 things that must be on a product’s label

Answer 21

> Its use

> Instructions (How to use it)

> Health and Environment effects, Toxicity to Humans

Question 22

When is it required in Alberta to report an oil spill (m (cubed))

Answer 22

When a spill exceeds 2m (cubed)