Unit 7 FRQ
one chlorine atom can catalyze the breakdown of as many as ___ ozone molecules before it leaves the stratosphere
100,000
In addition to a nearby mountain range, which of the following environmental conditions would be required for the process in the diagram to occur?
A cool sea breeze and a high pressure system
three non-criteria air pollutants
CO2, mercury, VOCs
Dry Scrubber
Chemical reactions Removing SOx from a combustion gas
what measuring device is used to measure CO2
Gas Sensor
secondary air pollutants
SO3, H2SO4, HNO3, O3, H2O2, Most NO3 and SO4^2
atmospheric deposition
Sedimentation of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials from the air.
Clean Air act
Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants
Calculate the ratio of the change in mean global temperature to the change in atmospheric CO2 between 140,000 years ago and 125,000 years ago. (2 points)
Temperature 140,000 years ago: -8°C (below present) Temperature 250,000 years ago: +2°C (above present) 2°C - (-8°C) = increase of 10°C Ratio of Δtemperature to Δatmospheric CO2: 10:80
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (b) the diagram of the house below shows potential sources of indoor air pollutants iv. Describe how radon would most likely enter the house in the diagram
The most common source of indoor radon is uranium in the soil or rock on which homes are built. as a radium naturally breaks, down it releases radon gas. radon gas enters homes through: • dirt floors • cracks in concrete walls and floors • floor drains • sumps
The absorption of solar energy by the stratospheric ozone causes ozone molecules to undergo chemical decomposition and formation. Describe the chemical processes that lead to this natural balance between decomposition and formation of the stratospheric ozone. (2 points)
a. Decomposition: Ozone absorbs UV radiation, producing an oxygen molecule and an oxygen atom b. Formation: an oxygen molecule reacts with an oxygen atom to form ozone
Identify a human activity that leads to the formation of tropospheric ozone as a secondary pollutant and explain why tropospheric ozone levels peak in the daytime. (2 points)
a. Human Activity: burning fossil fuels b. Peak during the daytime: sunlight is required to form tropospheric ozone
Identify and describe TWO major causes for the predicted 200 ppm increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration between 1950 and 2050. (2 points)
a. Increased fossil fuel usage for energy consumption b. Land-clearing and burning for increased food production
Identify TWO gases other than CO2 that contribute to the anthropogenic increase in mean global temperature. For each gas, describe a major human activity that leads to its release. (2 points)
a. Methane (CH4) i. Human Activity: Production of rice b. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) i. Human Activity: fertilizers
Identify one negative ecological impact and one negative human health impact that result from the formation of tropospheric ozone. (2 points)
a. Negative Ecological Impact: damages plant tissue b. Negative Health Impact: irritates eyes
what air pollutants does coal combustion release
carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, toxic metals, and particulates.
what regions have most effect from temp change
polar regions
physical and chemical water quality variables
temp change, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates, bank height
Explain the process by which CFCs lead to the destruction of stratospheric ozone. (You may use chemical equations in your answer.) (2 points)
1. Decomposition of CFC: absorption of UV radiation by CFC molecules releases chlorine atoms 2. Destruction of Ozone: chlorine atoms break down ozone molecules
Describe one major assumption that was necessary to make the prediction in part (iii) above. Discuss the validity of the assumption. (2 points)
1. Major assumption: direct relationship exists between CO2 and temperature 2. Invalid because correlation does not remain constant over time
Explain why the rapid decrease in CFC emissions has not led to a similar rapid decrease in the destruction of stratospheric ozone. (1 point)
1. The long lifetime of CFCs and chlorine in the atmosphere
Determine the net change in atmospheric CO¬2 concentration between 140,000 years ago and 125,000 years ago. (1 point)
140,000 years before present: CO2 = 200 ppm 125,000 years before present: CO2 = 280 ppm 280 ppm - 200 ppm = increase of 80 ppm
Scientists predict that between 1950 and 2050, the atmospheric CO2 concentration will increase by 200 ppm. Predict the change in mean global temperature between 1950 and 2050 using the ratio that you calculated in part (ii). (1 point)
200 ppm x 1°C/8 ppm = 25°C increase in global temperature
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (a) coal combustion releases a variety of air pollutants i. Identify one air pollutant released from the combustion of coal
-CO2 (carbon dioxide) -CO (carbon monoxide) -SO2 (sulfur dioxide) -NOx (nitrogen oxides) -lead -particulte matter -VOCs (voltile organic compounds -HCs (hydrocarbons)
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (b) the diagram of the house below shows potential sources of indoor air pollutants ii. Describe a negative effect of indoor particulate matter on human health
-exposure to inhalable particles can affect both your lungs and your heart -small particles can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream -scientific studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a variety of health impacts including: •eye, nose, and throat irritation •aggravation of coronary and respiratory disease symptoms •premature death in people with heart or lung disease
since 1880-2009, temps have increase ___%
0.8%
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (c) Another type of pollution is noise pollution. there is a growing concern over the physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution on human health. The following experiment describes a study that was performed to study the effects of noise pollution on a humans ability to learn. A total of 200 10-year-old children of similar intellectual abilities participated in a noise experiment in their classrooms. they were tested for their ability to recall the meaning of a symbol in a textbook one week after the start of the experiment. students did not know the meaning of the symbol prior to the experiment. The 200 students were split into 10 groups of 20 students and were taught the meaning of the symbol during a 15 minute lesson. five groups learned the meaning of the symbol without any noise pollution outside their classrooms. The other five groups learned the meaning of the symbol with a noise source of 55 dB outside their classrooms, maintained continuously for the 15 minute lesson. One week after the lesson, 80% of the students who were not exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol and 25% of the students exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol. ii. Describe the control for the experiment
A control group is included in the experiment to distinguish the effect of the independent variable. in this experiment the control is the group of students that were taught the meaning of a symbol without any noise pollution.
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (c) Another type of pollution is noise pollution. there is a growing concern over the physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution on human health. The following experiment describes a study that was performed to study the effects of noise pollution on a humans ability to learn. A total of 200 10-year-old children of similar intellectual abilities participated in a noise experiment in their classrooms. they were tested for their ability to recall the meaning of a symbol in a textbook one week after the start of the experiment. students did not know the meaning of the symbol prior to the experiment. The 200 students were split into 10 groups of 20 students and were taught the meaning of the symbol during a 15 minute lesson. five groups learned the meaning of the symbol without any noise pollution outside their classrooms. The other five groups learned the meaning of the symbol with a noise source of 55 dB outside their classrooms, maintained continuously for the 15 minute lesson. One week after the lesson, 80% of the students who were not exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol and 25% of the students exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol. i. Identify the dependent variable in the experiment
A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in an experiment. in this particular experiment the dependent variable is the success rate to which the students are able to successfully recall meaning of the symbol
biological water quality variables
BOD, total solids, DO, coliform, macroinvertebrates
primary air pollutants
CO, VOCs, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, most hydrocarbons, most suspended particles
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (c) Another type of pollution is noise pollution. there is a growing concern over the physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution on human health. The following experiment describes a study that was performed to study the effects of noise pollution on a humans ability to learn. A total of 200 10-year-old children of similar intellectual abilities participated in a noise experiment in their classrooms. they were tested for their ability to recall the meaning of a symbol in a textbook one week after the start of the experiment. students did not know the meaning of the symbol prior to the experiment. The 200 students were split into 10 groups of 20 students and were taught the meaning of the symbol during a 15 minute lesson. five groups learned the meaning of the symbol without any noise pollution outside their classrooms. The other five groups learned the meaning of the symbol with a noise source of 55 dB outside their classrooms, maintained continuously for the 15 minute lesson. One week after the lesson, 80% of the students who were not exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol and 25% of the students exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol. iv. Describe how the addition of insulation inside the walls of the classroom would most likely affect the results of the study
Insulation inside the walls of the classroom would result in an increased success rate of students who were exposed to the noise sources. This is because the insulation would decrease the decibel level, demonstrating an inverse relationship with noise levels and information obtained.
Identify the type of solar radiation that is absorbed by the stratospheric ozone, and describe one human health benefit that results from the absorption of this solar energy. (2 points)
a. Type of solar radiation: UV radiation b. Health Benefit: low rates of skin cancer
temperature water test/what does it mean
affects solubility of oxygen in water, rate of photosynthesis of aquatic plants, metabolic rate of aquatic organisms, and the susceptibility of aquatic speices to toxins and disease
UV-B/UV-C ray description
causes potential damage to DNA and tissues, stratospheric ozone protects us (from 99% of it)
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (b) the diagram of the house below shows potential sources of indoor air pollutants i. based on the diagram, identify which of the labeled sources of indoor air pollutants would most likely release particulate matter
combustion sources in indoor settings, including tobacco, wood and coal heating and cooking appliances, and fireplaces can release harmful combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter directly into the indoor environment
total dissolved solids water test/what does it mean
come from many sources, large concentrations affect nutrient transport in living cells, makes water taste bad, and interferes with industrial processes
dissolved oxygen water test/what does it mean
essential for a diversity of organisms in body of water. expressed in ppm. affects DO levels: temperature, salinity, altitude (pressure)
pH water test/what does it mean
hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. measurement of these determines if acid or base. 7-neutral, >7 base, <7 acid. Organisms can only withstand so much fluctuation away from neutral pH
effects of acid deposition
lowering the pH of lake water, decreasing species diversity of aquatic organisms, mobilizing metals that are found in soils and releasing these into surface waters, damaging statues monuments and buildings
turbidity water test/what does it mean
measures clarity of water. turbid water clog the gills of fish, hinder disinfection processes, and carry entrapped pollutants downstream, block sunlight (prevent photosyn and increases water temp). measured in NTU
what does the cobustion of fossil fuels release
nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (c) Another type of pollution is noise pollution. there is a growing concern over the physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution on human health. The following experiment describes a study that was performed to study the effects of noise pollution on a humans ability to learn. A total of 200 10-year-old children of similar intellectual abilities participated in a noise experiment in their classrooms. they were tested for their ability to recall the meaning of a symbol in a textbook one week after the start of the experiment. students did not know the meaning of the symbol prior to the experiment. The 200 students were split into 10 groups of 20 students and were taught the meaning of the symbol during a 15 minute lesson. five groups learned the meaning of the symbol without any noise pollution outside their classrooms. The other five groups learned the meaning of the symbol with a noise source of 55 dB outside their classrooms, maintained continuously for the 15 minute lesson. One week after the lesson, 80% of the students who were not exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol and 25% of the students exposed to the noise sources were able to successfully recall the meaning of the symbol. iii. based on the described experiment, state a valid hypothesis for the experiment
noise pollution decreases the amount of students who were able to successfully recall the meaning of a symbol.
anthropogenic air pollution sources
on road vehicles, power plants, industrial processes, waste disposal
CFC's
organic compound used in refrigeration and air conditioning, propellants in aerosol cans, "blowing agents" to inject air into foam products like styrofoam
UV-A ray description
passes through atmosphere, contributes to skin cancer
nitrogen and phosphorous water test/what does it mean
plants need N and P to grow, rain washes nitrates and phosphates from cultivated land. in water they increase rate of plant growth (eutrophication). subsequent death of these plants and alga depletes oxygen lebels, killing organisms and contributes to sediment buildup
coliform bacteria test/what does it mean
presence of coliforms indicates that harmful pathogens might also be present. source=human and animal feces
what type of pollutants are air pollutants
primary or secondary
primary and secondary pollutants of acid rain
primary- SO2, Nox secondary- sulfuric acid, nitric acid
what does nitrogen oxides lead too
production of ozone, formation of photochemical smog, and convert to nitric acid in the atmosphere, causing acid rain.
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (b) the diagram of the house below shows potential sources of indoor air pollutants iii. Describe a source of radon that could lead to indoor air pollution
radon has a variety of sources, including uranium, and contains rocks like granite, shell, phosphate rock, and pitchblende. radon can escape from the sources and migrate into the surrounding air and water supplies. it can be found in well water, natural gas sources, and building materials
how can air quality be affected
release of sulfur dioxide during the burning of fossil fuels, mainly diesel fuels.
Air and noise pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors. They can have natural sources or be released from anthropogenic sources. (a) coal combustion releases a variety of air pollutants ii. Describe one method to reduce the air pollutants released from a coal burning power plant
scientist have found different ways to reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide released from coal burning power plants. one option is to use coal that contains less sulfur. another option is to wash the coal to remove some of the sulfur. the power plant can also install equipment called scrubbers, which remove the sulfur dioxide from gases leaving the smokestack. a great way to reduce pollution is to produce energy without using fossil fuels, instead people can use renewable energy sources. car manufactures are required to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants released by cars using catalytic converters. This piece of equipment has reduced the amount of nitrogen oxide released by cars
stratospheric ozone formation and breakdown (natural)
step 1- UV-C radiation breaks bonds holding oxygen molecule, leaves two free O molecules step 2- sometimes free O result in ozone step 3- ozone is broken down into O2 and free oxygen atoms when it absorbs both UV-C and UV-B UV light
anthropogenic contributions to ozone destruction
step 1- cl breaks ozone's bonds and pulls off one atom O, forming chlorine monoxide and O2 step 2- free oxygen atoms pulls oxygen atom from CLO, liberating CL and creation one O molecules
natural sources air pollution
volcanoes, lightning, forest fires, plants
biochemical oxygen demand test/what does it mean
when BOD surpass amount of DO, water can become anoxic. High BOD coupled with low DO can cause water quality to decrease and kill many animals
how is photochemical smog formed
when sunlight acts on nitrogen oxides and they react with oxygen to form ozone
