water pollution Flashcards
effect of acid rain
- no2 contribute to the ground level o-zone, so2 has a cooling effect on the atmosphere causing environmental and health concerns
- makes bodies of water more acidic, resulting in more aluminium absorption from the soil which is carried into lakes and streams
- acid rain/fog damages forests, robs the soil of essential nutrients causing aluminium to be released making it harder for water absorption
- leaves trees/plants less healthy and more vulnerable to cold temp, insects and diseases
- physical structures are damaged like limestone buildings and cars
what are solutions towards acid rain?
curbing the release of pollutants that cause it, means burning fewer fossil fuels and setting air-quality standards
define acid rain
describes any form of precipitation that contain high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids
what causes acid rain
rotting vegetation, volcanoes, human activity
process of acid rain (6)
- humans burn fossil fuels, releasing so2 and no2 into the atmosphere
- they react w water, oxygen and other substances
- forms airborne sulfuric and nitric acid
- winds spread compounds through the atmosphere
- after acid rain reaches earth, flows across the surface in run off water
- then gets into water systems and sinks into the soil
stages in a sewage treatment plant (8)
- sewage outfall
- screening tank
- first settling tank
- oxidation pond
- second settling tank
- effluent discharge
- sludge digester
- treated sludge
process of coagulation (4)
- non potable water
- coagulant is added
- goes through a fine membrane
- chlorine is added and is potable
how do governments deal with pollution
legislation
sources of domestic waste water and what it can cause
showers, toilets, washing machines. in most countries it would be treated but it depends on the country. it can cause diseases like cholera and malaria
sources of industrial waste water and what it causes
waste water from factories w detergent, metals (manganese, mercury, copper, lead) and gases being released. include waste water that is untreated being sent out into the environment. can cause biomagnification, bioaccumulation, dieback, acid rain
sources of agriculture water waste and what it can cause
excess of nutrients, agrochemicals, from inorganic fertiliser and chemical pesticide. can cause eutrophication, biomagnification, bioaccumulation, dieback
define algae
plant like photosynthetic organism that lack true stem, root and leaves
define algal bloom
the rapid growth of algae in water, caused particularly by a surge of nutrients
define organic
derived from living organism
define eutrophication
a sequence events starting with enrichment of water by minerals/nutrients or organic matter that leads to a reduction in oxygen levels in the water and the death of aquatic animals
define agrochemical
a term for pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser
define the process: coagulation
where water is filtered and disinfected to make it potable for drinking, cooking and washing
define effluent
a discharge of liquid waste
define BOD
an increase in oxygen used by the organisms (biological oxygen demand)
name different types of water treatment
coagulation, desalination, reverse osmosis, chlorination
define biomagnification
the process in which the concentration of a substance in living things becomes higher at progressively higher levels in a food chain or web
define bioaccumulation
the build of substance and chemicals in the body of a living thing and is faster than excreted
define dieback
death of a tree or shrub that starts at the tip of the leaves or roots and spreads to the centre
define leaching
the movement of a soluble chemical or mineral away from the soil, usually caused by rainwater
