Unit 7: Pollution, APES

Compare point vs. nonpoint sources of pollution, give 3 examples for both.

A point source of pollution is a distinct location from which pollution is distinctly produced. Examples include a factory, a wastewater facility, or a landfill. A nonpoint source of pollution is a more diffuse area that produces pollution. Examples include an entire farming region, a suburban community, or parking lots.

What is the thermal inversion? What pollutants are trapped close to the ground by thermal inversion?

A thermal inversion is when a warm layer of air traps cool air below it closer to the earth's surface. The pollutants that are trapped close to the ground are CO, CO2, particulates, and other ground-level air pollutants.

What are acid rain and acid deposition? Which oxides produce acid rain? How do acid rain and deposition affect the environment? What can we use to neutralize the effect of acid rain?

Acid rain is rain with a low pH and acidic character. Acid deposition is deposition with a pH lower than 5.6. Acid rain and deposition can lower the pH of bodies of water and erode structures. To neutralize the effect of acid rain, limestone is added to it.

Explain the environmental and human effects of each of the listed indoor air pollutants: CO, asbestos, radon, VOCs, particulates and tobacco smoke.

CO increases greenhouse gasses, contributing to the greenhouse effect and can cause respiratory issues in humans. Asbestos can contaminate air, water, and soil as well as cause asbestosis and lung disease. Radon can cause lung cancer in humans. VOCs can create formic acid and CO2, and can cause burning in eyes and throat and breathing difficulties. Particulates can settle in soil and can irritate lungs. Tobacco smoke can pollute the air and cause cancer in humans.

What does the Clean Air Act do?

Development of federal and state regulations to limit emission from stationary and mobile sources.

What are the natural sources of CO2 and particulate matter?

Natural sources of CO2 are cellular respiration. Natural sources of particulate matter are natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions.

Identify the sources and effects of 6 major air pollutants on the environment and human health: nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxide, ozone, and lead

Nitrogen oxides primarily come from motor vehicles and stationary fossil fuel combustion along with natural sources such as lightning and forest fires. Carbon monoxide comes from vehicle combustion and incomplete carbon combustion. Particulate matter comes primarily from the combustion of biomatter along with diesel-powered vehicles. Sulfur oxides come from the combustion of fuels containing sulfur. Ozone is a secondary pollutant and created when sunlight, water, VOCs, and Nitrogen oxides combine. Lead comes from oil and gas or old paint.

What is the definition of noise pollution? Explain activities that result in noise pollution in urban areas. How does it affect humans and animals?

Noise pollution is harmful levels of unnatural noise. Some activities that result in noise pollution are construction, cars and other loud machinery, and music. Noise pollution can disrupt circadian rhythms in both humans and animals, leading to confused animals.

Describe how oil spills and mercury in the water can affect aquatic life.

Oil spills and mercury can affect aquatic life by altering their environment and harming the animals.

Explain the causes of photochemical smog and methods to reduce it - How is it formed? Which environmental factors (time of the day for example) affect the formation of photochemical smog? How does ozone affect human health? What is the main cause of photochemical smog in urban areas? What are some methods that can reduce this pollutant? Include formulas in Figure 47.1.

Photochemical smog is caused by sunlight, NOx and VOCs combining. Methods to reduce photochemical smog include reducing the primary pollutants such as reducing NOx or VOCs. Environmental factors that affect the formation of smog include time of day and atmospheric temperature. The brighter the sun, the more smog will be produced. Ozone can cause respiratory issues in humans. The main cause of smog in urban areas are VOCs. This can be reduced by controlling VOCs emissions.

Differentiate between Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants and list examples.

Primary air pollutants are pollutants that come straight from a source of pollution. This includes CO, CO2, SO, NOx, and particulate matter. Secondary air pollutants are primary pollutants that have been transformed. This includes ozone, sulfates, and nitrates.

Explain the methods used to reduce air pollutants (CO, NOx, SO2, lead, PM, ozone).

SO2 can be reduced by a process known as fluidized bed combustion. NOx can be reduced by controlling burn temperatures, and catalytic converters can be installed in automobiles. Particulate matter can be reduced through gravitational settling. Catalytic converters also reduce carbon monoxide. Lead can be reduced by removing it as an additive to gasoline. Ozone can be reduced by reducing NOx emissions.

What does the Clean Water Act do? What does the Safe Drinking Water Act do?

The Clean Water Act defines the legal limits for EPA regulated pollutants. The Safe Drinking Water Act protects sources of drinking water by regulating the amount of chemicals allowed.

Describe processes in wastewater treatment: primary and secondary treatment.

The primary treatment allows the solid waste to settle into a sludge layer. The remaining wastewater then undergoes a secondary treatment in which bacteria is used to break down the organic matter into carbon dioxide and other inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The secondary treatment also aerates the water by adding oxygen and promotes the growth of aerobic bacteria. Then the treated water settles and the settled particles are added to the sludge from before. The remaining water is disinfected and released into a lake or river.

Describe the effects of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

Thermal shock can occur due to thermal pollution, and animals can suffocate due to the lack of dissolved oxygen in warmer water.

What are VOCs? What are their natural and anthropogenic sources?

VOCs are volatile organic compounds, or compounds that evaporate at normal atmospheric conditions. Natural sources can be conifer trees, while anthropogenic sources can be hydrocarbons.

Explain eutrophication as an environmental problem. How does it affect dissolved oxygen?

When NPK fertilizers deposit nitrogen into ponds and other bodies of water, the nitrogen leads to an explosion of bacteria, and those bacteria consume all of the oxygen, leading to a drastic decrease in oxygen.