WHY DO WE NEED TO MONITOR THE ENVIRONMENT Flashcards
What oxides can exist in the air
carbon oxides
sulfur oxides
nitrogen oxides
What two ways can carbon exist as in air
- carbon dioxide
- carbon monoxide
What are the products of complete and incomplete combustion
complete: carbon dioxide
incomplete: carbon monoxide and soot
why is soot dangerous
soot is carcinogenic meaning it can be cancerous if exposed to at high concentration
why is carbon monoxide dangerous
its an odourless and toxic gas that inteferes with the body’s ability to transport blood throughout the body
why is carbon dioxide denagerous to the environment
contributes to the enhanced green house effect –> global warming –> ocean acidification –> lowering pH in oceans
Write the formula for when carbon dioxide reacts with water
CO2(g)+H2O(l) –> H2CO3(aq)
carbon dioxide reacts and dissolves in water to form carbonic acid
What causes the production of sulfur dioxide gas
burning fossil fuels
Why is sulfur dioxide (SO2) a health hazard
- cause irreversible respiratory damage
- responsible for producing acid rain
How is acid rain produced
2SO2(g) + O2(g) –> 2SO3(g) [sulfur trioxide]
SO3(g) + H2O(l) –> H2SO4(aq)
how can oxides of nitrogen be produced
burning of fossil fuels
what form do oxides of nitrogen exist in
nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide
What happens when nitrogen dioxide is exposed to light
its broken into free radicals when exposed to UV light
what do the free radicals of nitrogen dioxide form
radical species reacts with hydrocarbons and oxygen to form ozone – photochemical smog. The smog decreases visibility.
why do we monitor soil quality
overuse of fertilisers can cause nitrogen and phosphorus present fertilisers to be excessive and carried into waterways by rainwater
what happens when nitrogen and phosphorus enters water system
cause eutrophication which starves aquatic ecosystem of sunlight and oxygen
what does monitoring water quality involve monitoring
Monitoring of water quality includes measuring its:
- hardness
- heavy metal content
- pH
What does hardness of water refer to
how much magnesium or calcium ions are present
- hard water = good for drinking = bad for shower produces a scum thats harsh on skin and blocks pores
- soft water = easy to lather soap on skin –> lower pH –> corrode metal pipes
What heavy metals can be present in water
lead and mercury ions –> toxic for humans –> ingestion of excessive amounts can cause neurological issues and physics effects
How do these metals enter waterways
pb2+ –> come from lead based pigments like paints and fuels
hg2+ –> comes from chemical factories
Explain the two reasons why we monitor the pH levels of water?
- Hydrogen ions are essential for maintaining aquatic systems
- many aquatic creatures have exoskeleton consisting of calcium carbonate
- calcium carbonate dissolves in acidic solution
- low pH makes reformation of exoskeleton hard
- Great barrier reef –> water bleaching –> water acidification –> photosynthesising microorganism which gives corals their colour are expelled
