ENR 2100 Final Exam
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Today, why is agriculture pollution largely regarded as public enemy #1 in the USA? What causes the algae blooms in Lake Erie?
-1.5 billions tons of manure produced each year? -fortified by fertilizer runoff-oxygen levels drop after sewage spill; fish die
Atmosphere: Asthma facts
-Asthma is a respiratory ailment marked by inflammation and constriction of the narrow airways of the lungs. -Developing nations are seeing a rise in asthma, especially in urban centers. -The United Kingdom has the highest incidence of asthma with more than 15% of its population diagnosed in 2006. -In the U.S. asthma is the leading cause of school absences.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What are some facts about coal in the USA, how much coal do you use each day, where is coal found and mined in the USA, where are the coal-fired power plants located in the USA?
-Average person uses 5 pounds of coal per day -Top producing sites: Wy, Kentucky, and W. Virginia
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What's a fossil fuel, how is it formed, how long does it take to form, what are these fuels used for, how do they contribute to air and water pollution and climate change?
-Crude oil, natural gas, and coal are all referenced as fossil fuels -Slow process, taking tens of millions of years -transforms the remains of organism that lived tens of millions year ago
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Understand EROEI for the different power sources that humans use.
-For nations examined, the EROI for oil and gas has declined during recent decades. -Lower EROI for oil may be masked by natural gas extracted/used in oil production. -The EROI trend for US coal is ambiguous; the EROI for Chinese coal is declining. -Renewable energies lack desirable fossil fuel traits, including often higher EROI, but create fewer pollutants. -Declines in EROI of main fuels have a large impact on economies.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Geothermal energy and the electric generator, Iceland is a good example of a country that uses this energy source, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages to geothermal power, can geothermal power be used in the USA, what parts of the USA?
-Geothermal energy: a system that uses a boiler to heat water and turn into steam to generate energy -Electric generator: created in 1832 by Michael Faraday. The generator uses a copper disc that rotates between a horseshoe-shaped magnet to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy -Advantages: very little greenhouse gases produced, domestic supply. Disadvantages: toxic metals can be in water, some geothermal wells cool down and can later not be used after decade, contains co2, h2s, ch4 -Can be used in west side/mid west U.S.A (Cali, Nevada, Utah, Washington, etc.)
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Hydroelectric power, electric generator, advantages and disadvantages of this energy source, what resource is necessary to generate this type of power?
-Hydroelectric power: device connecting to reservoir where the water turns the turbine, providing the energy to generate electricity. next, the water is discharged into river or seam. Most common in eastern U.S.A -resource: water reservoir -disadvantage: destroy forests, damage culture of nearby indigenous groups
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Hydrogen Fuel cell and the hydrogen powered car, Honda FCX Clarity.
-Hydrogen fuel cell: the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by sending a negative electric current through it (electrolysis). By reversing the procedure you can produce electricity and water. -Hydrogen powered cars use zero-emission and are hydrogen powered -Honda FCX clarity sores electricity and hydrogen. The cars are not for purchase but can be leased.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: What is the IPCC, who are they, what do they do?
-Intergovernmental panel on climate change -is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations that is dedicated to providing the world with objective, scientific information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of the risk of human-induced climate change, its natural, political, and economic impacts and risks, and possible response options.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Understand the Manhattan Project and the Hanford Site and its connection to nuclear fission, know about the Columbia River, nuclear weapons, half lives, and the history of the Hanford Site and what is being done to clean up this Superfund Site today and in the future.
-Manhattan project/handford site (1942-46) -b reactor was first large-scale nuclear reactor ever built -the reactors produced plutonium-239 by irridating uranium-238 with neutrons generated by nuclear reaction
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What is Mountaintop Removal Mining, where does it occur, what are some of the consequences of this type of mining in terms of water quality, ecosystems and human communities?
-Mountaintop mining uses explosives to loosen rock and topsoil followed by the dragline technique to dig into the rock and expose the coal. -Where: West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee -Effects: destroys forests; wildlife and plant-life become more vulnerable to predatorily species, buries or damages streams (up to 1200 miles in recent years), blast explosions cause damage to home foundations and wells, destroying natural streams cause of loss of vegetation which can incur flooding.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Who is the NOAA and what do they do?
-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Know the various sources and demands for energy in the USA.
-Petroleum (37% common): most used by transportation demand -Natural gas (25%): most used by residential & commercial demand -Coal (21%): most used by electrical power demand -Renewables (8%): most used by electrical power demand -Nuclear (9%): all used by electrical power demand
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What is surface mining, subsurface mining, acid mine drainage? How does coal mining cause floods and nonpoint source pollution. What types of pollutants are associated with coal mining?
-Surface mining: in strip mining, overburden is set aside and used to refill the pit left by mining the coal before moving on to the next strip -Subsurface: methane is released; acidifying water, toxins leach from surrounding rocks, sulfates produce acid drainage and impacts nutrient cycle and local food web. This is used to create less alteration to large surface areas and create more jobs. (used to access many minerals are ores, including coal) -Acid drainage: formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals. produced by sulfate. -Flooding: soil compaction occurs where the ground can't absorbed water and surroundings are filled with overburdened Pollutants: toxic ash, small particles, nitrogen oxides, sulfate. mercury, arsenic and carbon dioxide increase in nitrogen and phosphorus; increases sulfate-feeding bacteria & produces toxic hydrogen sulfide
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: what are the Canada Tar Sands and how are they linked to climate change and freshwater resources in Canada and the USA? Know about the Ogallala Aquifer and the Keystone Pipeline.
-Tar sand operations produce huge amounts of acidic and toxic wastewater stored at mining sites, and is thus susceptible to leakage or flood -Ogallala aquifer flows under the Keystone Pipeline. The keystone pipeline transports crude oil and diluted bitumen from the athabasca oil sands in Alberta, canada to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma and on the gulf coast. Ogallala aquifer is important to Wyoming, south dakota , Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How has the BP Oil Spill that happened in the Gulf of Mexico affected the environment and economies of the gulf states?
-The Gulf of Mexico commercial fishing industry was estimated to have lost $247 million as a result of post- spill fisheries closures. One study projects that the overall impact of lost or degraded commercial, recreational, and mariculture fisheries in the Gulf could be $8.7 billion by 2020, with a potential loss of 22,000 jobs over the same timeframe.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How can farms reduce the amount of runoff pollution by having different zones designated for different types of vegetation and uses?
-Through watershed management -Manage the use of fertilizers and waste management -Restoring riparian areas by planting vegetated buffer zones -Encouraging other techniques to reduce excess nutrients and sediments from reaching the bay
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What are some of the problems associated with acid rain and acidified soils and waters?
-dying forests -ruins ecosystem; eggs, larvae, and young are most vulnerable -acidifies soil; decrease ability of plants to take up needed nutrients; killing plants
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Understand the process of nuclear fission, uranium, mining of uranium, electric generator, some of the advantages and disadvantages, how does a nuclear power plant generate electricity, how does it compare to coal fired power plant in terms of energy, waste, land, risks, air pollution and water pollution?
-nuclear fission: neutrons and protons bind together to create energy; create fission fragments; free neutrons; nucleus of uranium; energy -advantage: produces zero co2 greenhouse gases, operating costs are comparable to a fossil fuel power plant and the technology is available now, electricity can be produce day or night and can be fluctuated based on demand, uranium supplies should last 80 years (U.S. #1 in uranium reserves) -disadvantages: once put water back hotter which killed aquatic organisms, potentially violate clean water act , expensive to build $4b for one nuclear reactor surround by lot of water, life span of 50 years cost $200-1trillion to decommission, mining and processing of uranium ore produces hazardous waste, no long-term plan to deal with radioactive waste (some can be used to make nuclear weapons) -Compared to coal: Nuclear has less acres, less fuel requirement, less availability of fuel, less air pollution, less climate change risk, more radioactive emissions, linked to nuclear weapons, less occupational deaths
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What products are made from crude oil?
-organic chemicals -fertilizers -pesticides -plastics -soaps -synthetic fibers -explosives -paints -medicines
Renewable & Alternative Energy: How do humans handle nuclear waste? Do we have a good solution to our nuclear waste problem?
-reprocessing, burn waste product, -our best option is deep geological disposal (drilling miles into the earth and leaving it there)
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Know about VOC'S volatile organic compounds.
-vocs are released by bogs -Organic molecules that easily evaporate -can come from solvents, glue, paint, etc. -Plants naturally release VOCs -When VOC comes from human sources it can be disruptive to living organisms and contribute to ground-level ozone forming
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Why is water valuable in the production of nuclear energy?
-water produces steam -Water prevents the reactor from over heating.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Wind power, electric generator, projected use of wind turbines in the future, where are the wind farms located that generate electricity in the USA?
-wind power: uses wind direction for an upwind rotor to generate electricity. new wind farms can produce electricity in the 5-8 cents per kWh range, making wind power more competitive with the cost of fossil fuel electricity generation than other forms of renewable energy -wind turbines are predicted to increase in the next 15 years. as the 3rd projected non-hydropower at 200 billion kilowatts per year -(1999) Oregon, California, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont
Coal/Petroleum: The United States uses about __________ tons of coal per year, that is approximately ________ of the United State's electricity.
1 billion, 45%
Freshwater: Which practice requires the greatest amount of water input? producing 1 pound of beef making a cotton t-shirt flushing a toilet washing dishes
1 pound of beef
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What is your global water footprint?
1,385m^3 per year/ 1513
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Know the water cycle, condensation, precipitation, groundwater, and infiltration.
1. Evapotranspiration, plants release water vapor to the atmosphere 2. Condensation: water vapor condenses into clouds and fall into precepitation 3. Precipitation: product of condensation (ice, snow, hail) 4. Runoff: water that moves from higher to low elevations 5. Groundwater: water that soaks into the ground usually enter the ocean 6. Infiltration: water soaks to ground 7. Evaporation: solar energy heats water causing it to evaporate
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How can humans protect our water resources in terms of agriculture, watersheds, habitats and fisheries?
1. Use fertilizer with 0% phosphorus 2. Riparian areas between land and lake to decrease runoff
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Understand the Greenhouse Effect, long wave radiation, infrared radiation.
1. solar radiation passes through atmosphere 2. net incoming solar radiation (less goes through) 3. some radiation reflects back to atmosphere and earth 's surface (less goes through) 4. solar energy is absorbed by land and converts to long wavelengths that radiate back to the atmosphere (more radiation) 5. some infared radiation is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gas molecule and warms the earth 6. some infrared radiation passes through atmosphere and loses in space (more radiation)
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How much carbon dioxide is emitted from burning coal, oil, natural gas, propane, etc. and how do they compare in terms of amounts released to the atmosphere? Which fuel is best in terms of preventing global warming?
72 percent of Carbon Dioxide is emitted. 21 percent: Power stations, 16.8 percent Industrial processes, 14.0 transportation fuels. 10 percent is for the land use of bio mass burning (the 7th least (out of 8) cause), Nitrous Oxide is the best fuel at preventing global warming where it only accounts for 9 percent of greenhouse gases.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What are some examples of nonpoint source runoff pollution in urban, mining, forestry and agriculture areas?
A collection of companies working to get access to Pebble Mine.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What is a greenhouse gas? How does the Greenhouse Effect work?
A gas that absorbs radiant energy within the thermal infrared range. Effect is the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without this atmosphere. Radiatively active gases in a planet's atmosphere radiate energy in ALL directions
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Know about algae blooms and excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
Algae blooms tend to happen in the late summer to early fall when growth conditions are perfect. (warm water temp, plenty of sunlight, and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the lank) The single cell photosynthetic phytoplankton Coccolithopores cause it by upwelling nutrients from sediment in ocean floor which lead to an exploding of phytoplankton. Excess nitrogen and phosphorous provide explanation for waters decline. Promotes high algae and bacterial growth, low dissolved oxygen and loss of aquatic life.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How does an electric generator work, what is electromagnetic generation and how are copper and magnets used to generate of electricity?
An electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction is produced when a conductor is moved back and forth by a magnet, the magnet applies force of the electrons in the copper causing them to move and produce an alternating current of electricity
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How much water do you use each day at home?
Avg person about 80-100, average household more than 300 gals.
Freshwater: Which statement about water use is incorrect?
Because of their unsustainable practices, per capita water use in developing countries is far greater than in developed nations. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 3 people lack sufficient access to clean water. In some areas of the world, there is enough water, but people do not have enough money to purchase or dig wells to access it. Middle Eastern nations are among the most water-stressed countries in the world. As the population increases, water scarcity and sanitation issues will also increase.
Freshwater: If you wanted to have a snack, but also wanted to be conscious of your water consumption, which would be the most wise choice for your snack?
Beef burrito, apple, PB&J sandwich, chicken sandwich, corn on the cob *apple
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How much water is used to grow the plants we use for food and clothes?
Blue jeans: 2,900 gals 1 ream of paper: 1,250 cotton shirt: 766
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Where is Bristol Bay, what is the Pebble Mine and how will it affect the fishing industry, ecosystem, economy.
Bristol bay is in Alaska. Pebble Mine is a deposit and largest source of copper metal and gold worth $200m. Pebble has a toxic effect from copper, changes sensory smell for salmon (less able to find predators and pray), brings in money.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Acid rain, causes, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, how does burning coal lead to acid rain?
Burning coal releases nitrogen and sulfur dioxide from power plants, prevailing winds traveling miles. In the air when these two chemical gases react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals they form acidic compounds.
Atmosphere: Which of the following is NOT one of the six Criteria air pollutants monitored by the EPA?
CO2
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How does carbon capture and storage/sequestration work, is it economically feasible to do right now, how expensive is it, is it a permanent solution?
Carbon capture and storage is a practice of storing carbon underground in effort to reduce global warming. When carbon leaves the emission source (factory, power plant) it travels into a liquefier/compressor that follows a storage tank and pump and evaporator that will inject the carbon in an aquifer below the underground in a cap rock, impermeable layer -expensive -if a leak occurs it can kill humans or animals at surface
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How do catalytic converters work in cars? What pollutants do they target?
Catalytic converters target carbon monoxide by using platinum and rhodium to help reduce NOx emissions (when a no2 molecule contacts the catalyst, the catalyst rips the nitrogen atom out, freeing the oxygen). Then, the nitrogen atoms form together to form N2. Lastly, the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are burned over a catalyst. The catalyst aids the reaction of CO and hydrocarbons with remaining oxygen in the catalyst.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What types of meat do most humans eat? How much do we consume each year?
Chickens(52b), ducks(2.6b), pigs(1.3), rabbits(1.1), and turkeys(633m).
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Know about coal ash ponds, what contaminates are in these ponds, where are they located, and how they can cause water pollution.
Coal ash waste ponds are waste products of coal combustion produced by coal-fired power plants. Contains heavy metal toxins: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, radium, selenium, thorium and uranium. There are coal ponds in Ohio, N. Carolina and Tennessee etc. These typically occur directly from storm water pipes.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What is coal? What is its chemical structure? What types of pollutants are associated with coal?
Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock mostly composed of coal formed by ancient plants. Coal consists of oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Pollutants arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, radium, selenium, thorium and uranium are all associated with coal.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How does coal forms, how long does it take?
Coal was formed by ancient plants and animals accumulating in moist peat bogs (4,000-100,000 years). With pressure and time it takes over a hundred million years. Coal in Eastern USA (300m years) in Western USA (150m). Essentially, when vegetation dies in forest swamp areas and submerge into the swamp they decompose to form a peat. Over time, pressure builds on this beat and sediments layer to increase heat and pressure creating a hard coal.The longer the peat is compressed the harder and blacker the coal will become
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Know about coal ash waste ponds and the environmental problems associated with these storage ponds. How safe are they? Are they a permanent solution to coal waste?
Coal-fired plants generate tons of toxic fly ash and store this pollutant in open ponds. (Ohio, Kentucky, W.V., Tn). Waste is extremely toxic to all living organisms due the toxins of mercury, lead, arsenic, chromium, selenium and uranium. Can be dangerous to nearby ecosystems that provide drinking water for communities. If a coal spill occurs it brings all the waste up. A potential solution can be clean coal technology (reduce pollution by capturing matter) yet, still won't eliminate toxic byproducts or stop mining.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What is a confined aquifer, unconfined aquifer, saltwater intrusion, well, water table?
Confined: when layer separates from unconfined aquifer by impermeable rock Unconfined: when water seeps from the ground above the aquifer Saltwater intrusion: movement of saline water to aquifers which can lead to drinking contamination Well: structure that is dug into the ground and tunnels to water Water table: in the saturated zone and top of groundwater, zone where pores of ground are saturated with water
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Coriolis Effect, global wind patterns, polar easterlies, westerlies, trade winds.
Coriolis effect: earths rotation from west to east causes wind and water to swerve to right in Northern Hemisphere and to the left in Southern Hemisphere ("deflection")
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Understand how corn is used to make ethanol for fuel in the USA and about our domestic push for an electric car versus electric cars manufactured in other countries such as Japan.
Corn-based ethanol boomed in the 1970s after the oil shock, as a domestic alternative to middle eastern oil. This boosted economies in farm states and sprung up corn based refineries worth $7 billion. GM motors tweaked their cars so it can easily accept corn ethanol.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Where is Crater Lake and what type of lake is it?
Crater Lake is in Oregon an example of an oligotrophic lake. Oligotrophic lakes have very little algae and very little nutrients and typically extremely clean.
Freshwater: Which statement about recycled water projects is true?
Depends on community and relationship
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How much water does it take to grow the food you eat each day? How much water does it take to grow 1-pound of beef or chicken or pork or other types of fruits and vegtables?
Diet/day: 1,000 gallons Chicken: 518 Beef: 1,847 Pork: 718 Fruit/Veggies: 60-150 -apple 84 -corn 109 -potato 31
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA (environmental protection agency) government organization that oversees the clean air act; which helps decrease acid deposition in the U.S.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Where did Earth's water most likely originate? How much is salt water, how much is freshwater, how much freshwater is accessible to humans?
Earth's water most likely came from the meteoroid carbonaceous (chondrite). Saltwater: 97.5% Freshwater: 2.5% Accessible: ?
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What are some of the differences between coal mined in the eastern USA and coal mined in the western states?
East: 300m years old, has top coal producing states ( Kentucky, W. Virginia), eastern coal more significant, 12,000 BTU of energy/pound of coal West: 150m years old (around time where dinosaurs were alive), Wyoming has average of 8,5000 BTU energy/lb
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How does a wastewater treatment facility work, what is primary, secondary and tertiary treatment?
Facility: water supply is stored, water is treated before use so its safe to drink, quality of water is fully or partially restored by the sewage treatment before the treated effluent is dispersed into a nearby body of water, after, sewer tines collect the water Primary: removes suspended and floating particles by mechanical processes Secondary: reduces the water's biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) by using microorganisms to decompose suspended organic material Tertiary: advanced wastewater treatment methods that are sometimes employed to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations using a variety of chemical, biological and physical processes
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What dissolved oxygen concentrations do fish prefer to live in?
Fish prefer little runoff pollution, low nitrogen and phosphorous, high oxygen, and high biodiversity.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Where is Earth's freshwater located (e.g., glaciers, groundwater, surface water), what is it used for and how much (e.g., agriculture, industry and cities).
Glaciers and ice caps: 60% Surface waters, lakes, and rivers: 10% Groundwater (deep and out of reach): 30% of that... Agriculture: 70% Industrial processes: 22% Cities and homes for drinking, washing, and watering: 8%
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Where is Grand Lake St. Marys and what type of lake is it?
Grand Lake is surrounded by farmland in Western Ohio. It is a eutrophic lake with very little algae, serving as a threat to both humans and animals.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, ozone, water vapor. Know their lifetimes in the atmosphere, know where they originate.
Greenhouse gases originate when infrared radiation is absorbed in the atmosphere and trap the radiation. Carbon dioxide (co2): lifetime of years to centuries CH4 (methane): lifetime 10-15 years N2O(nitrous oxide/laughing gas): lifetime 114 years CFCs: 10-100 years Ozone: 23 days water vapor: 9 days
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What is ground level ozone, what causes it, how is it different from the ozone that exists in the stratosphere in our ozone layer?
Ground level ozone is the atmosphere nearest to you, created by NOx and VOC reacting with oxygen in the presence of sunlight. Stratospheric is natural and protects us whereas ground level is man-made and harmful to us.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What do a healthy versus unhealth Chesapeake Bay look like? Know about algae blooms, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen, sunlight and photosynthesis.
Healthy: oxygen, cold-flowing, free of litter Unhealthy: litter, algae blooms, little oxygen
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How does coal with high sulfur content form?
High sulfur coal was formed in salt water swamps. (Low sulfur coal was formed under freshwater conditions. )
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Know about hypoxia, biological oxygen demand, sediment pollution.
Hpoxia: when excess nutrients have impacted the ecosystem to the point of making a deadzone where organisms are unable to survive Biological oxygen demand: amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period. Sediment pollution: occurs when contaminated sediments are supplied directly to water bodies.
Atmosphere: Anthropogenic
Human-induced changes on the natural environment ex. controlled burns
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Energy return on energy invested (EROEI) is the ratio of the usable energy that is obtained from a specific energy source compared to the amount of energy needs to extra that source. Based on the Ratio of Energy Returned on Energy Invested, which renewable energy source ranks the highest in return in the United States?
Hydroelectric
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How does an electrostatic precipitator work?
Imparts a negative charge in the particles of dirty gas by the attraction of a positively charged precipitator wall, and then fall off into a collector.
Coal/Petroleum: Which of the following choices is NOT true about coal?
It is a renewable source
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How do lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) get into the atmosphere?
Lead: gasoline, soil erosion, and volcanoes Mercury: burning coal, forest fires, and volcanoes Can enter through water supply or acidic rain
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Know about asbestos, Libby, Montana, health concerns associated with this pollutant.
Libby is a mining destination in Montana from 1963-1990 that contained asbestos. This particle caused the death of 250/2600 citizens who contracted asbestos disease. Inhaled/swallowed asbestos particles build up and could possibly block entry to the esophogaus, larynx, alveoli and heart. Ultimately, asbestos prevents the exchange of oxygen and carbon decided between the lungs and red blood cells. Swallowed asbestos fibers can build up and cause cancer.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How much livestock waste is generated each year to grow the meat we eat? How much energy is required to grow 100 calories of meat versus 100 calories of vegetables?
Livestock: 3 tons of manure Meat: 0.04959375 Vegetables: 0.0030625 gal (x16 times for meat)
Earth's Freshwater Resources:Do all humans have access to clean safe freshwater?
No. Several countries in Africa and Southern Europe, Australia and Middle East. have 50 percent less improved drinking water sources compared to the rest of the world. About a billion people are without.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How is oil mined and refined for humans to use?
Oil derricks are used to retrieve oil from underground. Crude oil goes through a furnace of 600 degrees Celsius (1040 F) producing higher density where heavy oil sink and lower density where oil vapor rises. Heavy oils are used for residue/fuel oil (roads, roofing, ships, factories, and central heating). Oil vapor is used for naphtha and small compounds of gas (liquefied petroleum gas, raw material for chemicals and plastics).
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How is oil mined in the ocean, how is it connected to climate change?
Oil derricks inject water or steam on the ground or platforms in the ocean and drills down as much as 9,000 meters (5.5 miles) to push out the oil or gas
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Know the differences between oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic lake.
Oligotrophic: little nutrients, clear cold deep blue water, rocky drop-offs, high dissolved oxygen Mesotrophic: middle nutrients, some algae(typically in summer), sediment buildup Eutrophic: high in nutrients, shallow and murky, sediment buildup, plants dominate shoreline, warm water with little oxygen
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How does the poultry industry contribute to freshwater pollution in the Chesapeake Bay?
On the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore, large-scale chicken farms dominate the landscape. These factory farms produce a bountiful supply of cheap chicken, but also an excess of chicken manure.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Is humanity's goal for carbon free power realistic and are their countries trying to achieve this right now?
Other alternative are available. Cost and waste are the main depicting factors.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Particulate matter, size, PM2.5 and PM10.
Particulate matter: solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere Size matters when it comes to particle; smaller particles serve as a higher threat because it is easier to enter tissue PM 44 (or smaller): stay suspended and can be inhaled PM 10: can collect in the respiratory system and irritate tissue PM 2.5: can enter cells and the bloodstream if breathed in
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Know the different types of coal, peat, lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, anthracite.
Peat: not coal yet as it is very young, used as energy in Ireland peat bogs and other places Lignite: young coal, soft and brown, low energy content; 13m BTU/ton, use in Poland and other similar places Sub-bituminous: young, common in U.S., 18m BTU/ton, used in coal-fired power plants Bituminous: most widespread in US, 300m y/o, high energy; 24m BTU/ton, used in coal-fired power plants Anthracite: hardest coal, found in Pennsylvania, 23m BTU/ton, high sulfur content, supplies have been exhausted, 90% carbon content
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Provide examples of point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. Which one does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate using the U.S. Clean Water Act?
Point: Grandpa's cheese barn Nonpoint: one of the many farms near the highway Clean Water Act is meant to regulate point source pollution, where a single identifiable source can be found.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What and where is the McCracken Power Plant?
Power plant on campus that was finished in 1918 operating as coal-fired power plant until 2004 when it transitioned to natural gas. It cost $70m to switch but resulted in a 78 percent reduction in air pollution from the plant.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What countries produce and consume the most oil?
Produce: 1. Middle East, 2. Other, 3. Russia, 4. Europe, 5. U.S. Consume: 1. U.S., 2. China, 3. Japan, 4. India
Freshwater: Which statement about recycled water projects is true?
Public perception of recycled water projects depends on how plagued their community is by water-scarcity issues.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What happens to the plastic you throw away?
Rainwater ushers mismanaged waste from land into local waterways, which feed into larger tributaries and rivers, which in turn empty into oceans. In this way, plastic from far inland can travel many miles to the coastline." According to some sources, just ten rivers contribute 95% of river-based ocean pollution.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: What is energy return on energy investiment (EROEI)?
Ratio of the amount of usable energy to VS. the amount of energy used to obtain that energy resource. Coal 8:1 Oil 15:1 Nuclear 6:1 Wind 20:1
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Understand how mine reclamation works and what is done with overburden waste material.
Reclamation is a controversial process which requires the minded area to be restore to it's pre-mining setting. This involves use of alkaline materials to neutralize acids in the soil; priority for vegetation. Overburden waste that was dumped is smoothed over to produce a slope. Grasses will be planted on this slope. (Trees do not grow well unless the soil is properly prepared and laid down)
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: know about riparian areas how they work.
Riparian areas are the division between land and a waterway. These areas slow runoff and give rainwater time to soak into the ground.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How are scrubbers and limestone used to "clean" coal and lower the emissions that come out of the smokestack at a coal fired power plant.
Scrubbers: desulfurizes chemicals found in the power plant's exhaust, when this chemical in the scrubber combats with the pollution it causes it to precipitate/settle out Limestone: fluidized-bed combustion combines coal and limestone to neutralize acidic compounds; this produces less nitrogen and removes sulfur from the coal and ultimately gives off less heat; co2
Earth's Freshwater Resources: How does sewage treatment work in Arcata, California?
Sewage from the City of Arcata is treated and released to Humboldt Bay via complex flow routing through a number of contiguous ponds, wetlands, and marshes. ... Disinfected wastewater may be discharged either to Humboldt Bay or to enhancement marshes. Enhancement marshes purify the wastewater and provide wetland habitat. Mimics nature to effectively purify water Removes big suspended solids Uses wetland that has natural organisms to remove chemicals from water;much cheaper andefficient
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Photovoltaics (solar cells) to generate electricity.
Solar cells operate by n-type silicon with free electrons and p-type silicon with free holes have the absence of electrons. when n-type and p-type silicon come into contact, and electric forms within the cell
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Where do greenhouse gases come from?
Solar energy is absorbed by the earth's surface and heat causes long wave radiation to the sky. The radiation is absorbed and re-emmitted by greenhouse gas molecules that then warm the atmosphere.
Renewable & Alternative Energy: What is one criticism of nuclear energy development projects abroad?
Some methods of power generation create radioisotopes that can be used in weapons.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What are human's staple foods, what meats do we rely on for protein?
Staple foods: principal edible plants essential to people's diets; 80,000 edible plants. 30 provide 95% of our nutrition and 8 supply 75% For meat we rely on pork, poultry, and beef
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Where do sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollutants come from what problems do they cause?
Sulfur dioxide derives from burins fuel that contains sulfur such as coal. Industries, volcanoes, and dust are responsible. Exposure can cause irritation to the respiration system and harmful to plant tissue, creatures, and even concrete structures. Nitrogen oxide derives from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures. Vehicles, industry, nitrification by soil and aquatic bacteria (burning gasoline) are responsible. Exposure can cause irritation to respiratory system, damages plants, organisms, and concrete structures. Lastly, over fertilizes ecosystems and cause eutrophication: algae ecosystem with excess nutrients.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What is a Superfund Site, where are they located, how pays for them, how much do they cost, know about the Duwamish River and South Park sites in Washington, USA.
Superfund is a Federal Program to clean up hazardous waste sites in the USA. Administered by the EPA but polluters pay part of the cleanup. There are sites all across the nation.
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: The U.S. Clean Air Act, 6 pollutants it focuses on.
The 1970 act authorizes the EPA to set limits on the amount of these air pollutants. It focuses on the 6 pollutants Pb, particulate matter, so2, nox, co, o3. In 2007 the EPA received court approval to regulate
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What is the Clean Water Act, when was it passed, what does it do, who oversees this law? Are most water resources in the USA safe for people today?
The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to develop criteria for determine when water has become unsafe for people. It was passed in 1972 and standards were set in motion of best management practices to reduce pollution entering the bay. (Renamed in 1977 from Water Pollution Control Act) goals: eliminate the discharge of pollutants in waterways, attain water quality levels that make waterways safe for fish and to swim in.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Where is the Colorado River, what is its significance, what is the water used for, know about the Hoover Dam and salinization.
The Colorado river starts in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado then flows from the grand canon, arizona-nevada, Mx, and ending in between Baja California and Sonora. It provides water for 25m proper in Denver, LV, salt take city, Albuquerque, Phoenix, la, and San Diego. it also supplies irrigation water for 3.5 million acres worth 1.5b per year. It had 49 dams. The Hoover Dam is creating a drought and is stopping the run to the sea of Gulf of California for 50 years. Water that is withdrawn from the Colorado River for agriculture has resulted in salinization of irrigated soil in some areas. This happens when water soaks in soil instead of running off, these waters have a small amount of salt from water being used by plants and evaporated in air.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Know about the connection between the Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada, freshwater resources and the Keystone Pipeline and the Ogallala Aquifer
The Keystone Pipeline transports synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from the Athabasca oil sands in Alberta, Canada, to refiners in Illinois and Oklahoma (midwest states). Ogallala is important to eight states (Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Texas)
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What causes the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, what River is involved, what type of damage does this pollution cause in terms of ecosystem and economy of the Gulf region?
The Mississippi River collects and deposits large amounts of water pollutants in the Gulf of Mexico. Causes a loss of fish habitat or force them to move to to other areas to survive. Decreased reproductive capabilities in fish species causes a collapse of the ecosystem and drains the economic success of fishing industries. For example, a reduction in the average size of shrimp caught.
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Where is the Yellow River and what is its significance in terms of providing freshwater to who?
The Yellow (Huang) River is in China. 140M people depend on the river for water to drink or irrigate its fields
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How is the Cuyahoga River and the Clean Water Act tied together in history?
The cuyahoga river repeatedly caught on fire in the mid 1900s due to the amount of chemicals and oil that was constantly being discharged into the water. The Clean Water act was then designed to prevent point source pollution.
Earth's Freshwater: hydrological cycle (water cycle)
The cycle through which water in the hydrosphere moves; includes such processes as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and surface and groundwater runoff and infiltration
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How is the growing population of humans land our need for energy linked to climate change?
The population growth (7 billion in 200 years) coincides with the increase in the demand on co2 and our use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas which promote greenhouse gases and ultimately the heated blanket of the atmosphere
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Watch the history of atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 800,000 years.
There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there has been for 800,000 years — since before our species evolved. On Saturday (May 11), the levels of the greenhouse gas reached 415 parts per million (ppm)
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What type of pollutants are in a coal ash waste pond, where do these pollutants come from and how are they stored?
These pollutants come from coal-burning power plants that produce ash with the toxins of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, radium, selenium, thorium and uranium
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Concentrated solar power plant, where are examples located, how does it work?
These power plant uses a system of mirrors to concentrate the sun's energy on a small area and use the heat generated (usually by a steam turbine) to make electricity. used nationally in places like Spain
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How is Seattle, Washington trying to protect its freshwater resources and the Puget Sound?
They made a historic commitment to protect and restore Puget Sound by authorizing $451 million worth of habitat restoration, as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The president signed it Dec. 16. 2016
Earths Freshwater: Which of the following represents the largest single use of water in a typical US household?
Toilets (27%)
Coal/Petroleum: True or False: Coal is the main fossil fuel source used to produce electricity.
True
Freshwater: Which of the following countries would you expect to have the greatest water footprint?
U.S.A
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What are the different types of greenhouse gases?
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What's the Waterkeeper Alliance and who is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Waterkeeper is an organization that focuses on providing a voice for communities to stand up for their right to clean water and for the use of water resources locally and globally. Movement is for fishable, swimmable, and drinkable waterways worldwide. Their belief is that the best way to achieve this is through the water keeper method of grassroots advocacy. Robert is the founder.
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What is a watershed?
Watershed is the outline of the hilltops around the rivers. Water on the outside of the outline flows away (upstream/outstream) -all the uphill land surrounding a river and its streams that can feed water into that river.
Coal/Petroleum: Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with mountaintop removal mining?
While having environmental impacts, it leads to greater employment for residents.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: How has oil production changed worldwide over the past 50+ years and how is it projected to change in the coming 50+ years?
Worldwide it has been used almost to its peak because of the dramatic increase and America was quoted to be addicted oil. Increase in world population and industrialization in India and China play a part in it. In 50 years it is predicated to cause excessive environmental damage. Reserves are predicted to last 40 years for crude oil and 60-100 years for natural gas.
Atmosphere: cap and trade
a method for managing pollution in which a limit is placed on emissions and businesses or countries can buy and sell emissions allowances
Freshwater: Lake Erie experiences large algal blooms due to an increase in nutrients added to the system. What is one of the major contributors to this nutrient load?
agricultural runoff
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What are the leading causes of water pollution in the USA today?
agriculture pollution, runoff, industrial pollution, littering, and sewage spills
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Lead (Pb), particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3).
air pollutants that the EPA/U.S. clean air act focuses on
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Air pollution, primary air pollutant and secondary air pollutant.
air pollution: various chemicals present in the atmosphere that threaten organisms and/or materials primary air pollutant: enter directly into atmosphere (dust, methane, lead, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chlorine, and benzene secondary air pollutant: form when primary pollutants reacts with other air pollutants/natural pollutants (sulfuric acid, ozone, nitric acid)
Atmosphere: Given the relationship between asthma and air pollution, where would you raise a family to decrease the risk of asthma?
away from major highway systems
Renewable & Alternative Energy: Choose the energy source that is most renewable.
biodiesel
Coal and Petroleum: The three principle fossil fuels are __________________.
coal, oil, and natural gas
Earth's Freshwater Resources: Understand what hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) is and where it is occurring in the USA and Ohio. Also, know about fracking wastewater injection wells, natural gas, methane and oil.
drill through underground aquifers to reach energy resources; can release compounds that are deep underground, such as uranium, to the surface In Ohio: Eastern half, large portions of shale basins that bear natural gas ; can be used for domestic energy production -Garfield County, Colorado
Atmosphere: particulate pollution
fine particles of solid material suspended in the air: soot, pollen
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: How much nitrogen pollution is released by forested, suburban and agriculture land?
forested: 10kg suburban: 25kg agricultural: 70kg
Coal and Petroleum: Which of the following is the heaviest fraction refined during the distillation process?
fuel oil
Atmosphere: Which of the following air pollutants can cause damage to the nervous, excretory, immune, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems; biomagnify in food chains; and was officially banned from the U.S. gas supply in 1996?
lead (Pb)
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What are some indoor pollutants that you are exposed to each day?
lead (pb), dust, pet dander, mold, tobacco smoke
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: Know the three zones of a freshwater lake, littoral, limnetic and profundal and their characteristics.
littoral: shallow water near shore, where sunlight penetrates tot permit photosynthesis limnetic: open water as far down as sunlight penetrates to permit photosynthesis profundal: deep water where sunlight does not penetrate; bacteria and decomposers
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Natural air pollution versus anthropogenic air pollution.
natural air pollution: volcanic gases, wildfire, sandstorms ashes, fog, ozone, etc. anthropogenic: caused by human activity (vehicle exhaust, industry emissions, coal-fired power plants, indoor burning of solid fuels)
Coal and Petroleum: Which currently contributes most to energy independence in the United States?
natural gas reserves
Coal/Petroleum: Which currently contributes most to energy independence in the United States?
natural gas reserves
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What types of pollution affects different countries around the world?
outdoor air pollution (1.3m deaths), indoor air pollution (2m deaths)
Renewable & Alternative Energy: photovoltaic energy
photovoltaic cells convert solar energy directly into electricity.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Coal is generally formed from high heat and pressure turning _____________ into a fossil fuel. Oil and natural gas are generally formed from high heat and pressure turning ______________ into a fossil fuel.
plant life/marine life
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What are some of water's properties that make it so useful for life, what is water.org?
polarity, "universal" solvent, high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, cohesion, adhesion and lower density when frozen. Water.org is a nonprofit founded by Matt Damon that works to bring water and sanitation to the world. They offer small loans atto get people access to safe water/sanitatiton. They have changed 25m lives.
Atmosphere: You are driving a car. The emissions coming out of the automobile tailpipe are considered to be _________.
primary pollutants
Coal/Petroleum: Which of the following choices is NOT true about coal?
reduced water temperatures in water bodies
Protecting Earths freshwater: A small lake ecosystem is being degraded. As a first step in assessment, scientists take samples of the water and determine if it has an excess of nitrogen, causing eutrophication. To remedy this problem, programs should be implemented that...
restore native habitats of fish and plants in and around the lake.
Environmental Cost of Coal & Petroleum: Compared to the rest of the world, the United States ranks ______________ in oil production.
seventh
Earth's Freshwater Resources: What are some of the chemicals in our drinking water that wastewater treatment facilities do NOT remove from our drinking water?
steroids, herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, nonprescription drugs, insect repellent, detergent metabolites, plasticizers, fire retardants, insecticides, antibiotics, hormones, par's, antioxidants, solvent
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: What is carbon capture and storage and how does it work?
technology that controls NOx and Sox pollution by combating the negative particle
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How does coal lead to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
the carbon-based fuel mixes with oxygen to produce co2
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: Atmospheric circulation and heat exchange.
the greatest solar input occurs at the equator and warm air rises and moves toward the poles (North and South)
Coal/Petroleum: The negatives involved in removing contaminants from coal before using it are ____________________.
the hazardous waste created and the energy needed to complete the process lowers the EROEI
Protecting Earth's Atmosphere: How is carbon dioxide and methane linked to global climate change?
these chemical gases absorb the heat and warm the atmosphere
Protecting Earths freshwater: Plants help improve water quality because __________________.
they
Atmosphere: In the United States, the number one cause of lung cancer is ___________ followed by ________ as the second leading cause.
tobacco smoke; radon
Protecting Earth's Freshwater: What is water pollution, point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution, runoff pollution? What are some pollutants found in our freshwater resources?
water pollution: earths natura l processes move pollutants into water which makes conditions unsafe for drinking and other uses point source: some industrial and agricultural sources discharge pollutants directly into a body of water non point: Major source a variety of sources contribute pollutants that can run off the surface of the land during rainfall and enter the water; air pollutants can fall directly with the rain runoff pollution" runoff pollution: major source of pollution where the water runs along a surface, it picks up *litter, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizers, and other toxic substance*
