Waste Management

Question 1

What does the rapid increase in human population mean for the planet

Answer 1

• deforestation: increasing population means an increasing requirement for space
• we need more land for agriculture to feed the increasing population, this affects habitats and biodiversity and reduces animal and plant populations
• increase in quarrying = decrease in land for other organisms
• waste produced by humans increases if there is more humans producing it

Question 2

How do humans pollute

Answer 2

• sewage
• household waste and landfill
• farming
• industrial waste

Question 3

What is the problem with sewage

Answer 3

• more people = more sewage
• sewage leaks infect land and waterways
• if not treated it infects soil with chemicals and potentially parasites

Question 4

What is the problem with farming

Answer 4

• pesticides and chemical fertilisers can pollute land and run-off into waterways
• these chemicals can build up in food chain or cause eutrophication

Question 5

What is industrial waste

Answer 5

• from accidents such as radiations leaks (chernobyl)
• can cause devastating pollution, affect humans and animals in surrounding areas for years and years

Question 6

What is Bioaccumilation

Answer 6

• low-levels of a pollutant are taken up by small animals / fish. If they can’t be broken down they will build up
• animals further up food chain eat many of animals below them
• so levels of toxic chemicals build in the animals higher up the food chain

Question 7

Describe eutrophication

Answer 7

• Excess nitrates from fertilisers run-off into lakes and rivers
• results in uncontrolled growth of algae
• algae blooms and blocks sunlight
• plants below die (no photosynthesis)
• no photosynthesis = decreased oxygen levels
• bacteria breaking down dead plant material use up remaining oxygen in water
• this leads to anoxic conditions
• Fish and animals die due to lack of oxygen

Question 8

What is acid rain

Answer 8

Any form of precipitation with higher levels of nitric and sulfuric acids

Question 9

How is acid rain caused

Answer 9

• people burn fossil fuels
• sulfer dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into atmosphere
• gases are carried up by wind
• gasses dissolve and combine with water droplets to form acid rain in clouds
• precipitation
• it destroys plants, pollutes water and soil. It also erodes buildings