Environmental Chapter 12

how can pollutants from the United States cause acid precipitation in Canada

pollutants from the united states can cause acid precipitation in canada because pollutants may be released in one area and fall to the ground hundreds of kilometers away

acid precipitation

precipitation, such as rain, sleet, or snow, that contains high concentration of acids, often because of the pollution of the atmosphere

how does the pH of pure water compare with that of acid precipitation

pure water has a pH of 7.0. acid precipitation has a pH of less than 5.0

smog

urban air pollution composed of a mixture of smoke and fog produced from industrial pollutants and burning fuels

describe the way in which smog forms

Smog results from chemical reactions that involve sunlight, air, automobile exhaust, and ozone.

define the term temperature inversion. explain how temperature inversion traps pollutants near earth's surface

Temperature inversion is the atmospheric condition in which warm air traps cooler air near Earth's surface. The warmer air above keeps the cooler air at the surface from moving upward, so pollutants are trapped below with the cooler air.

describe the long term effects and the short term effects of air pollution on health

The short term effects of air pollution on people's health include headache; nausea; irritation to the eyes, nose and throat; tightness in the chest; coughing; and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Long term effects on health that have been linked to air pollution include emphysema, lung cancer, and heart disease.

describe three ways in which acid precipitation can affect humans

1. The toxic metals in crops, water, and fish can then poison the human body when consumed. 2. Increase in respiratory problems in children 2. Decrease of fish influence the livelihood of commercial fishers and people involved in the sport fishing industry.

name five primary air pollutants, and give important sources for each

1. Carbon monoxide: comes from cars, trucks, buses, small engines, and some industrial processes 2. Nitrogen oxides: comes from burning fuels in vehicles, power plants and industrial boilers 3. sulfur dioxide: comes mostly from burning fossil fuels 4. volatile organic compounds: come from burning fuels, vehicles are a major source 5. particulate matter: most come from construction, agriculture, forestry, and fires. Vehicles and industrial processes also contribute to particulates

describe the harmful effects that acid precipitation can have on plants, soils, and aquatic ecosystems

Acid precipitation can cause a drop in the pH of soil and water called acidification. This changes the balance of a soil's chemistry in several ways which can negatively affect plants by releasing toxic metals into the roots of plants. Acid precipitation can effect aquatic ecosystems known as acid shock (rapid change in the water's pH). This phenomenon may kill large numbers of fish and affect the reproduction of fish and amphibians

describe a way in which countries are working together to solve the problem of acid precipitation

Canada and the United States signed the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement in 1991. Both countries agreed to reduce emissions that flow across the Canada- U.S. boundary.

describe several solutions to the energy waste associated with light pollution

One solution to energy waste includes shielding light so it is directed downward. Using time controls so that light is used only when needed and using low pressure sodium sources -- the most energy efficient sour of light-- where possible are two other solutions.

name the two major sources of air pollution in urban areas

Most air pollution comes from motor vehicles and industry.

describe some of the human health problems caused by noise pollution

Noise pollution is irritating and damages our hearing by destroying cells in our ears.

explain ways in which noise pollution and light pollution are similar and ways they are different

They are similar because they are most prevalent in urban areas and they are different because noise pollution can cause direct hazard to human health while light pollution does not.

describe two ways in which indoor air pollution can be prevented

Ventilation or mixing outdoor air with indoor air, is necessary for good air quality indoors.

explain how acid precipitation forms

When fossil fuels are burned, they release oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. When the oxides combine with water in the atmosphere. they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall as acid precipitation.

secondary pollutant

a pollutant that forms in the atmosphere by chemical reaction with primary air pollutants, natural components in the air, or both

primary pollutant

a pollutant that is put directly into the atmosphere by human or natural activity

name two pollution-control devices. state how they help to limit the amount of pollutants in air

a scrubber reduces pollution by moving gases through a spray of water that dissolves many pollutants. an electrostatic precipitator reduces pollution by removing dust particles from smokestacks

sick-building syndrome

a set of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, eye irritation, and dizziness, that may affect workers in modern, airtight office buildings; believed to be caused by indoor pollutants

ph

a value that is used to express the acidity or alkalinity (basicity) of a system; each whole number on the scale indicates, a tenfold change in acidity; a pH of 7 is neutral, a pH of less than 7 is acidic, and a pH of greater than 7 is basic

why is ground level ozone an example of secondary pollutant

ground level ozone is a secondary pollutant because it forms when primary pollutants react with oxygen in the presence of UV radiation

asbestos

several minerals that form in long, thin fibers and that are valued for their strength and resistance to heat

why is sick-buliding syndrome most common in hot places

sick building syndrome is most common in hot places because buildings are tightly sealed against the heat. this type of environment encourages the growth of fungi that can cause allergic reactions

temperature inversion

the atmospheric condition in which warm air traps cooler air near Earth's surface

air pollution

the contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources

decibel

the most common unit used to measure loudness (dB)

acid shock

the sudden runoff of a large amounts of highly acidic water into lakes and streams when snow melts in the spring or when heavy rains follow a drought

what are three sources of light pollution in a city

three sources of light pollution in a city are billboards, the lighting of building exteriors, and poor quality street lights