Unit 3 study guide: pollution

Which pollutant reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen?

Carbon monoxide.

What are catalytic converters?

A device incorporated in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, containing a catalyst for converting pollutant gases into less harmful ones.

What 2 chemicals can lead to acid rain?

sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

What are the 7 air pollutant impacts?

Anthropogenic, stationary sources, mobile sources, controlled burn, fumes, waste deposition, military sources, and natural sources.

Why does ground water accumulate?

It starts with water on the surface. Precipitation works it's way through the soil quickly, but it takes longer to infiltrate the rocks below.Rain and snowmelt continue to recharge aquifers.

What is point source pollution? Non-point pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources.point source pollution "any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack".

What are the 4 sources of air toxins?

Stationary, mobile,point and nonpoint sources.

What is the difference between primary 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 are the 2 underlying causes of water pollution?

Agriculture and factories.

What is a watershed?

An area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.

What is the clean Air Act? Whatbdid it phase out?

Both bills also added provisions requiring the phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals, roughly according to the schedule outlined in international negotiations.

What process removes salt from ocean water?

Desalination

How can groundwater be accessed?

Drilling a hole into the ground.

What EPA criteria pollutant can cause learning disabilites?

Lead (Pb)

What does imperable mean?

Not allowing fluid to pass through.

List 2 examples of point source water pollutants? 2 example of non-point sources?

Point source: discharges from wastewater treatment plants; operational wastes from industries. Nonpoint: excess fertilizers and oil.

What is the process of water speeding down through the ground?

Recharge

What causes smog in a city like LA? Why does it stay around the city?

Smog which occurs mainly because of air pollution, can also be defined as a mixture of various gases with dust and water vapor. Smog also refers to hazy air that makes breathing difficult.

What causes eutrophication? Why is it a problem for freshwater?

The problems caused by an excess of dissolved nutrients in freshwater systems. Aquatic plants need two essential nutrients to grow: nitrogen and phosphorus. In a healthy lake the nutrients occur in small amounts. But in large quantities, they can cause a major water pollution problem.

What are aqueducts?

an artificial channel for conveying water, typically in the form of a bridge supported by tall columns across a valley.