Unit C - Section 3 Flashcards
Release
Of the chemical at the source
Dispersion
Of the chemical in the atmosphere
Deposition
Of the chemical in the soil
Groundwater
When all the spaces in the soil get filled with water
Water table
The top of the ground water
Pores
Tiny spaces between soil grains
Permeable soil
One with interconnected pores
Leachate
A brown liquid that garbage makes
Hydrocarbons that dissolve
Carried by water in the soil and can spread over a wide area
Non dissolving hydrocarbon
Coats soil grains and completely fill the pores between the grains
Dispersion
Scattering of a substance away from its source
Dilution
Reduces the concentration of a pollutant by mixing the polluting substance with large quantities of air or water
Biodegradation
“Bio” means living things and “degrade” means break up
Where do micro organisms live
Soil and water
Where do algae live
The soil surface and can produce their own organic compounds by photosynthesis
Aerobic biodegradation
“Aero” means air; aerobic means with air
Anaerobic environment
“An” means without; anaerobic means without air
Phytoremediation
Technique that can be used to reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals in the soil or groundwater
“Phyto” means plant and “remediation” means concentration or cure
Photolysis
Breakdown (lysis) of compounds by sunlight (photo)
Ex: formation of the ozone
Biomagnification
The increase in concentration of a chemical or element as it moves up the food chain
Ex: Mercury
Where does Mercury come from
Emissions from coal fired power plants, waste, incinerators and commercial boilers
Crude oil
Mixture of many chemicals which contains hundreds of different molecules in all shapes and sizes
WHMIS
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
MSDSs
Material Safety Data Sheets
