Vocab 126-136 (Solid Waste and Weather/Climate) Flashcards
Main component of municipal solid waste (MSW)
paper (most is loandfilled)
Sanitary landfill problems and solutions:
- problem = leachate; solution = liner with collection system problem = methane gas; solution = collect gas and burn problem = volume of garbage; solution = compact and reduce
Incineration advantages:
volume of waste reduced by 90% and waste heat can be used
Incineration disadvantages:
toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride, dioxins), scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators needed, ash disposal (contains heavy metals)
Best way to solve waste problems:
reduce the amounts of waste at the source (source reduction)
ENSO
El Nino Souther Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the S. Pacifc
During an El Nino year:
trade winds weaken and warm 3water sloshed back to SA
During a non El Nino year:
easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing the upwelling of nutrient-rich water off the west coast of South America.
Effects of El Nino:
- upwelling decreases disrupting food chains
- N U.S has mild winters
- SW U.S has increased rainfall, less Atlantic hurricanes
Effects of El Nino:
- upwelling decreases disrupting food chains
- N. U.S has mild winters
- SW U.S has increased rainfall
- less Atlantic hurricanes
Temperature Inversion
layer of dense , cool air trapped under a layer of warm dense air, pollution in trapped later may build to harmful levels; frequent in L.A, California and Mexico City, Mexico
Surface Forest Fire
usually burn under growth and leaf litter on forest floor
Crown Forest Fire
may start on ground but eventually leap from treetop to treetop
Ground Forest Fire
go underground, may smolder for days or weeks, difficult to detect and extinguish. (ex/ peat bogs).
