Environmental Science Semester 2 Final

What state currently has the greatest installed wind capacity?

Texas

List two reasons why dams can endanger fish populations.

can block upstream fish migration thus preventing fish populations from rising

List several additional hazardous air toxins that are regulated.

carbon dioxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride

How do photovoltaic cells generate electricity?

cells capture solar energy and convert it directly to electrical current by separating electrons from their parent atoms and accelerating them across a one way electrostatic barrier formed by the junction between two different types of semi-conductor material.

chapter 16.1

chapter 16.1

chapter 16.2

chapter 16.2

chapter 17.1

chapter 17.1

chapter 17.2

chapter 17.2

chapter 19.2

chapter 19.2

chapter 19.3

chapter 19.3

chapter 19.4

chapter 19.4

chapter 19.5

chapter 19.5

chapter 20.2

chapter 20.2

chapter 20.3

chapter 20.3

What are 3 environmental problems created by drilling for oil?

disruption of habitats, air and water pollution, and oil spills

How would you weigh the risks and benefits of nuclear power?

pros: less CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions and enough electrical power can be made in one plant. cons: uranium is scarce and radioactive waste is dangerous.

List 2 benefits of using natural gas for energy instead of coal/oil.

reliable, less costly, safer to store and easier, and environmentally friendly.

What are the six criteria pollutants in the original Clean Air Act? Why were they chosen?

sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and particulate matter. These were chosen because they contribute the largest volume of air-quality degradation and are considered the most serious threat of all air pollutants to human health and welfare.

What regions of the US have the strongest and most reliable wind?

the Great Plains and Mountain States

What country is considered to have the world's largest oil reserves as in Fig. 19.10 in the text?

venezuela

How much energy could we obtain from wind?

6 million kWh

What percentage of all water withdrawals are for agricultural uses?

70%

Define primary air pollutants and secondary air pollutants.

A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.

What is carbon capture and how might it work?

CO2 is captured an pumped into deep geologic formations

What is drip irrigation, and why is it beneficial?

Drip irrigation is a promising technology for reducing irrigation water use. These systems release carefully regulated amounts of water just above plant roots, so that nearly all water is used by the plants.

What are some policy strategies to support solar energy?

Energy policies in some states include measures to promote renewable energy. The most important has been establishment of feed-in tariffs, which require utilities to buy surplus power from small producers at a fair price. These tariffs (payments) are often essential to make small solar installations economical. Rather than pay for an expensive energy storage system, your meter simply spins backward during the day when you sell surplus electricity to your local utility.

What is stratospheric ozone and what is destroying it?

In the atmosphere ozone protects us from UV radiation. Near the earth's surface damages tissues and creates smog. Stratospheric ozone has been depleted since the 1960's. CFC's like chlorine and other halogens are used all over the world. The "hole" in the ozone is a large area around Antarctica where it is thin. In spring conditions are ideal for ozone destruction bc of high altitude ice crystals that drive photochemical reactions. Ozone re-forms naturally but not fast enough to make up for the damage

What percentage of water on the planet is fresh (nonsalty)?

Of the 2.4% of all water that is fresh, 87% is tied up in glaciers, ice caps, and snowfields.

What is an aquifer, and how is it recharged?

Porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock lying below the water table are called aquifers. Aquifers are always underlain by relatively impermeable layers of rock or clay that keep water from seeping out at the bottom. Areas where water infiltrates into an aquifer are called recharge zones. The rate at which most aquifers are refilled is very slow, however, and groundwater presently is being removed faster than it can be replenished in many areas.

What were the goals of the Montreal Protocol?

The Montreal protocol was started so they could help increase the ozone levels by switching people's technology to non-CFC. Since the protocol was enacted, the production of CFC's have been cut by more than 95%. The size of the ozone "hole" has been decreasing or has been stable in most recent years. Their impact also reduces all of the greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

What is the hydrologic cycle, and how does it redistribute water around the globe?

The hydrologic cycle begins with the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean. As moist air is lifted, it cools and water vapor condenses to form clouds. Moisture is transported around the globe until it returns to the surface as precipitation.

Where are the largest coal deposits located?

United States, Russia, and China

Define water scarcity and water stress.

Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount or when poor quality restricts its use. Water stress occurs when renewable water supplies are inadequate to satisfy essential human or ecosystems needs, bringing about increased competition among potential demands. Water stress is most likely to occur in poor countries where the per capita renewable water supply is low.

What are tar sands and what problems are associated with their mining, processing and shipping?

a mixture of mostly sand, clay, water, and a thick, molasses-like substance called bitumen. Bitumen is made of hydrocarbons, the same molecules in liquid oil. used to produce gasoline and other petroleum products. it is costly and difficult.

What are the greatest disadvantages of burning coal?

greenhouse gas emissions, nonrenewable, and coal mines cause destruction

How can methane from rotting garbage or manure be used to create electricity? What is good and bad about this process?

it's a win win because the methane is being made from those things so it's a constant renewable source and then the trash and manure is being used

What is natural gas made of and globally where is the majority of it found?

made of methane and is found mostly in the middle east and russia

What are methane hydrates and what are the obstacles to using them as a source of energy?

natural gas trapped in frozen water, as you bring it up from the ocean floor the methane escapes so they have to be in pressurized containers

What is an atmospheric temperature inversion and why is it a problem?

occur when cold air settles with warm air on top. Pollutants can accumulate and be concentrated until the weather changes.

What is the difference between active and passive solar energy?

passive: Thick-walled stone and adobe dwellings: slowly collect heat during the day and gradually release heat at night; after cooling at night buildings maintain a comfortable temperature inside. Glass-walled "sunspace" or greenhouse on the south side of a building. Brick walls, stone floors, or barrels of heat absorbing water. Trombe Wall: interior heat absorbing wall built of glass blocks enclosing a water filled space or water filled circulation tubes, so heat from solar rays can be absorbed and stored while light passes through to inside rooms. Active:generally pump a heat-absorbing fluid (air, water, or an antifreeze solution) through a collector, such as a flat, glass-covered black surface, or glass vacuum tubes.