Environmental Science 1127 Test 4
Where does all of the municipal solid waste go? About how much of it goes into landfills and how much is recycled?
54% in landfills 26% recycled 8% composted 12% incinerated
What's the difference between an energy resource and an energy reserve? Which one is bigger? How and why have resources and reserves changed in the last 30 years?
A resource is a naturally occurring substance of use to humans that can potentially be extracted. A reserve is a known deposit that can be economically extracted using current technology, under certain economic conditions. Resources are greater than reserves. Resources have decreased, but reserves of oil have increased due to our increased ability to extract oil from previously unavailable sources.
What is acid mine drainage and what are its effects on streams and other bodies of water?
Acidic mine drainage comes from coal mines, is high in sulfur, and is quite acidic. This orange outflow runs into streams and wetlands and kills plants and animals.
Biomass conversion
Advantages: Biomass can be burned to provide heat or electricity, or can be converted to alcohol or used to generate methane. Fuel wood is the primary energy source for nearly half the world's population! Solid Waste Combustion Can Be Used to Heat Water and Use it To Generate Electricity Crop Residues Left On the Field After Harvest Can Be Used for Fuel. The residue can be used as fertilizer. Sometimes crop residues are exposed to fermenting bacteria or yeast that convert carbohydrates in plant matter into ethanol. The ethanol is used as an energy source. Another possibility is pyrolysis, or the conversion of crop residues to charcoal. Disadvantages: Poor air quality in the home due to smoke, deforestation and loss of habitat, and it contributes to a loss of biodiversity. Smoke, particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons contribute to ill health. Burning trash produces air pollution, including pollutants not found in other forms of biomass, such as dioxin. The smell can be pretty awful, too.
Geothermal energy
Advantages: Disadvantages: The steam from hot magma contains hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like rotten eggs, corrodes pipes and equipment, is toxic to fish, and imited by geographic locations.
Solar energy
Advantages: The system can take advantage of the winter sun, but not get overheated in the summer. One of the great benefits of solar energy is that photovoltaics are probably the most benign method of power generation known. They are silent, produce no emissions, and use no fuel other than sunlight. Solar energy can be collected and used in either passive or active systems and can also generate electricity. Disadvantages: Must have large south facing windows. Thermal systems use large amounts of land to position the mirrors. Can be expensive.
Wind energy
Advantages: They do not cause cancer, make you miss your favorite TV show, or otherwise harm humans. Disadvantages: It can't be used everywhere, and winds are variable. You can't always depend on the wind blowing. The moving blades produce noise and some consider the windmills visual pollution. They are also hazardous to birds, although newer windmills have slower-moving rotors that many birds find easier to avoid.
Tidal power
Advantages: Tidal power is free and renewable and it doesn't generate any greenhouse gases since no fossil fuels are used. Disadvantages: Since tidal changes of roughly 16 feet are needed to produce practical amounts of power, suitable sites are limited. The spinning blades of the turbine can kill marine wildlife. The power plants can prevent the movement of wildlife into and out of estuaries and prevent spawning. They are costly to build.
Hydroelectric power
Advantages: Water to run it is free. Doesn't burn fossil fuels. It's renewable by rainfall, so the "fuel" is always available. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Relatively maintenance and operation costs. Disadvantages: Not all areas have suitable topography for it. Stream habitat is removed behind the dam. High initial investment cost. Initial construction means flooding land. Dams block migrating fish species. Construction can mean displacing people's homes.
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and how did it get there?
An island in the Pacific ocean entirely made up out of trash. Some cities dump their garbage in the ocean, ships dump their wastes there, and a lot of trash ends up there by chance.
air pollution problems
As traffic increases, so does air pollution. A centralized, efficient public transportation system solves this problem, but it is difficult to achieve with a highly dispersed population.
How have the sources of energy use changed since 1900?
Before 1940, oil accounted for less than 10% of energy consumption. By 1970, it accounted for about 30% of energy needs. Currently, it accounts for 23% of U.S. consumption. Our use of natural gas has also increased during the same time period. At first, natural gas was burned as a waste product at oil wells! Today it is primarily used for home heating and industrial purposes. Summary: Our dependency on oil decreased, but our dependency on natural gas increased.
Describe how American cities like Columbus have grown and changed in the last 100 years.
Before, a lack of control over industrial activities led to polluted, undesirable waterways. Now, much of our waterways have changed. Also, cities use to be built along waterways because they served as transportation corridors that allowed for the exploration of new land and for the transport of goods.
Which renewable energy source is the most used?
Biomass, fuel wood is the primary energy source for nearly half the world's population!
higher infrastructure costs problems
Building on agricultural land is less expensive than building within established cities. In addition, our tax laws encourage home ownership by making the interest on home loans tax deductible.
What are the environmental impacts of drilling and transporting oil?
Burning oil releases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides and spills contaminate land, coasts, stream, rivers, and oceans.
What are some means of energy conservation?
Buying properly insulated windows and doors, turning off lights, turning down the heat, and decreasing our use of the air conditioner, replacing old incandescent light bulbs with high efficiency fluorescent light bulbs, buying a recent model refrigerator can decrease your electric use considerably, turn off and unplug appliances that are standby, switching to more fuel efficient transportation
Name countries with high consumption of energy. Name countries with low consumption of energy. What accounts for the differences between them?
Canada, The United States, Australia, France, Japan, Germany. Mexico, China, Brazil, Egypt, India, Bangladesh. Less-developed countries (LDCs) use most of their energy for residential purposes. In LDCs, they don't have the money to develop other energy sources unlike the developed countries.
low energy efficiency problems
Cars are inefficient transportation because they usually carry only one person. Separation of homes from businesses requires driving. Stop-and-go traffic results in more air pollution. Single-family homes are less efficient than multifamily dwellings.
How were coal and oil formed?
Coal was formed some 300 million years ago when plant material began collecting underwater. This initiated decay and formed a spongy mass of organic material. Due to geological changes, some of these deposits were covered by seas, and then covered with sediment. Pressure and heat over time transformed the organic matter into coal. Oil and natural gas originated from microscopic marine organisms that accumulated on the ocean floor and were covered by sediments. Muddy rock gradually formed shale containing dispersed oil. Natural gas often forms on top of oil.
What is composting and what kinds of materials can be composted?
Composting uses natural decomposition to transform organic material into compost, a humus-like product with many environmental benefits. Small-scale composting can be accomplished in the backyard, mixing green materials (grass clippings, vegetable scraps, etc.) and brown materials (dry leaves, twigs, soiled paper towels).
What's the main reason that all renewable sources of energy are desirable despite their disadvantages?
Energy conservation can reduce energy demands without noticeably changing standards of living.
loss of farmland problems
Flat, well-drained land is ideal for both farmland and urban development. Several states have established programs that provide protection to farmers who do not want to sell their land to developers. These programs may require farmers to put their land in a conservation easement.
We burn oil, and we also use it in other ways, such as_________________.
For plastic, gasoline, propane, jet fuel, diseal oil, and more.
Where do we get the energy to generate electricity?
How do you get the turbine to move? By creating steam. To create steam, you have to heat water. To heat water, you need to have an energy source. We get the energy from a stream.
How and when did the use of nuclear energy begin?
How: When: The U.S. built the world's first nuclear power plant in 1951.
How do fuel taxes affect transportation energy uses in Europe?
In Europe, they raise more money in fuel taxes than needed for road repair. High energy prices discourage people from using private cars for all of their transportation needs.
What environmental advantage does burning natural gas have over burning coal?
In Ohio and elsewhere, much of our dependence on coal has decreased due to fracking for natural gas. Natural gas is cheaper to extract and it is abundant. An advantage of natural gas consumption over other types of fossil fuels is that it burns more cleanly. It produces carbon dioxide and water and not the sulfur and nitrogen compounds found when burning coal and oil.
How is electricity generated?
In a power plant, a generator converts mechanical energy (turning an electromagnetic shaft, or turbine) into electrical energy (currents of electrons that can move to your house).
What units do we use to measure electrical energy use?
In kilowatt hours. A kilowatt hour is 1,000 watt hours
What are "container laws" or "bottle bills"?
In some states, there are container laws. When you buy a drink in a bottle, you pay 5 to 10 cents for the bottle. This gives you an incentive to return your bottles for cash. A national "bottle bill" would reduce litter, save energy and money, create jobs, and help conserve natural resources.
In general, how is electricity produced by a nuclear reactor?
In the production of electricity, a nuclear reactor serves the same function as a fossil-fuel boiler: it produces heat, which converts water to steam, which turns a turbine, which generates electricity.
Where is trash actually a commodity, or resource? What do people do with trash in places like India and the Philippines?
It is reused and recycled.
What features do "green" or LEED buildings have?
LEED Buildings have: recycled materials, better ventilation in buildings, and reduce water and energy use.
water pollution problems
Large impervious surface areas lead to high runoff and potential flooding.
What is leachate from landfills and how does it affect groundwater? What can be done about leachate?
Leachate is the water that trickles through the trash and can end up in groundwater in an un-lined landfill. It is filled with contaminants from the trash, including heavy metals, which are toxic. A municipal solid waste landfill is typically constructed above an impermeable clay layer, lined with an impermeable membrane. It includes mechanisms for dealing with liquid and gas materials generated by the contents of the landfill. New landfills have complex bottom layers to trap contaminant-laden leachate.
transportation problems
Little thought is given to transportation corridors (roads, railways, bus routes).This drives the need for more roads. Reliance on the car requires constant road building and upkeep.
What gaseous emission can be collected from landfills and used to generate electricity? How is it produced?
Methane gas. Methane is a gas that is produced by bacteria when they decompose organic matter, like food waste.
What kinds of materials are in municipal solid waste?
Municipal solid waste consists of all the materials people in a region no longer want. Municipal solid waste is everything we throw in the trash to be taken to a landfill disposed of elsewhere. It includes: yard trimmings, textiles, paper and paperboard, metals, plastics, wood, and food.
What is the main source of energy to produce electricity in the U.S.?
Nearly all of the electrical energy that is produced is a result of burning fossil fuels. Coal (51% of U.S. electricity) Nuclear Power (20%) Natural Gas (17%) Hydropower (7%) Petroleum (3%) Geothermal Power (<1%) Solar Power (<1%) Wind Power (<1%) Biomass (<1%)
What are renewable and nonrenewable energy sources? Give some examples.
Nonrenewable energy sources are those whose resources are being used faster than can be replenished. These include coal, oil, and natural gas. Renewable energy sources replenish themselves or are continuously present as a feature of the environment. These include solar, geothermal, tidal and wind energy.
Where (what continents) are cities currently growing the most?
North America, Japan, and China
What are some of the issues related to the disposal of nuclear wastes?
Nuclear concerns include accidents, waste disposal, and thermal pollution.
How is producing energy using nuclear power plants different from producing energy by burning coal? Name two differences.
Nuclear power plants release steam and hot water but not carbon dioxide or other air pollutants.
What are the environmental issues associated with exporting trash and what types of trash are exported?
Often, the shipped waste consists of hazardous materials that are not properly disposed of in the other countries. The remaining material is thrown into open dumps causing soil and water contamination.
What are the three main types of fossil fuels?
Oil, coal, and natural gases Oil: 36% Coal: 25% Natural Gas: 19%
How has energy use by humans changed throughout human history?
Once we began to farm, communities developed. As they grew, their needs quickly outstripped wood production, and new fuel sources such as coal had to be utilized. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, goods were manufactured on a small scale in private homes. During the Industrial Revolution, machines replaced human and animal labor in the manufacture and transportation of goods.
What elements are used to create nuclear chain reactions?
Only certain kinds of atoms are suitable for development of a nuclear chain reaction. The two most common are uranium-235 and plutonium-239. In a nuclear chain reaction, splitting nuclei release neutrons, which themselves strike more nuclei, in turn releasing even more neutrons.
What were the general events of the nuclear accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima? What did they all involve? Have there been lasting effects?
Pennsylvania's Three-Mile Island Accident in 1979: We Narrowly Escaped High Fatalities. If the overheated radioactive materials had leaked out, people nearby would have suffered from radiation poisoning. There were fears at the time of a complete meltdown and further release of hazardous materials. The crippled reactor was defueled in 1990 at a cost of about $1 billion. The other reactor at the site is still in use. Ukraine's Chernobyl Accident in 1986 Resulted in Death and a Permanently Abandonned City. A consequence of the Chernobyl accident in particular has been a deepened public concern over nuclear reactor safety, and many countries halted construction of new plants. Japan's Fukushima Power Plant Resulted in Deaths and a Contaminated Town. In March 2011, an earthquake and the subsequent tsunami hit the east coast of Japan. The Fukushima nuclear power plant suffered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The accident in Japan had the result of dampening enthusiasm for nuclear power in several countries. Because nuclear power does not release greenhouse gases, many countries had started to plan or build new reactors. At least one country, Germany, altered its plans regarding nuclear power as a result of the Japanese accident.
What are some factors that land use planners should take into consideration when planning urban areas?
Plan housing near jobs and shopping, plan for walking and biking and not long distance car-driving to get to shops and work, and plan the city first, rather than allow sprawl to happen.
What are some of the health effects of exposure to high levels of radiation?
Radiation poisoning causes cellular degradation due to damage to DNA. Symptoms can be acute medical problems and can include death. Chronic exposure can lead to cancer.
Define the following: radioactivity, isotope.
Radioactivity is the spontaneous decay of an atom's nucleus. Isotopes that can decay are called radioactive. Isotope: These forms differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus. For example, carbon has a form with 6 protons and 6 neutrons and another form with 6 protons and 8 neutrons. These different forms are called isotopes.
Why are toilet paper, tissues and paper towels made of recycled paper more expensive than non-recycled paper products?
Recycled paper, toilet paper and tissues are often at least as expensive as paper products made from freshly cut trees. Why is this? It's not because recycled paper is more expensive to make. It's because government subsidies artificially lower the cost of virgin forest materials compared to recycled materials!
Which of our appliances consumes the most electricity?
Refrigerators
What are the main uses of energy in the U.S. and other industrialized countries?
Residential: 22% Industrial uses: 31% Transportation: 28% Commercial: 19%
What are some of the benefits of recycling?
Resource conservation Pollution reduction Energy savings Job creation Less need for landfills and incinerators
What is "smart growth?"
Smart growth emphasizes developing "livable" cities and towns.
What would smarter suburbs look like?
Smarter suburbs would have mix land uses (have stores and workplaces near homes), they would take advantage of compact building designs (for energy efficiency), create a range of housing opportunities and choices (apartments and homes), and create walk-able neighborhoods and foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Describe source reduction as a way to decrease the amount of trash we generate. Specifically, review the design changes in plastic bottles and the ideas of reduced packaging and re-using items.
Source reduction is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, using and reusing materials so that the amount of waste or its toxicity is reduced. Since the 2-liter soft drink bottle was introduced in 1977, its weight has been reduced by 25%. As a result, 250 million pounds of plastic have been kept out of the waste stream. In some cases, like in the case of the lighter plastic bottle, manufacturing processes have been redesigned to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
Describe surface, underground and mountaintop removal coal mining and their impacts.
Surface mining (strip mining), which is the process of removing material on top of a vein, is efficient but destructive. Strip mining is cheaper and safer than underground mining, however, it often makes land unfit for other use. Underground mining minimizes surface disturbance, but is costly and dangerous. One of the methods of surface mining is called mountaintop removal, in which entire mountains are leveled and the top layers of living organisms, soil and rock are jettisoned down the mountain into streams and valleys. The coal is then easier to remove. Over 500 of the mountain peaks of the Appalachian Mountains have been destroyed in order to remove the coal beneath them. This practice is enormously damaging to the natural ecosystem.
What factors led to greater and greater energy use?
The Industrial Revolution, cars, appliances and more, led to greater and greater energy consumption.
Why do we call fossil fuels nonrenewable fuels?
The fossil fuels are considered to be nonrenewable because we have no way to manufacture them. They were formed hundreds of millions of years ago by natural processes. When they are gone, we will not be able to replace them.
What are the environmental issues associated with burning trash?
The primary risks of incineration involve air quality problems, toxicity of the byproducts, and disposal of ash.
death of the central city problems
The separation created by urban sprawl can make it harder for emergency vehicles to reach its patients.
What is the urban planning commission in Central Ohio and what kind of work do they do?
The urban planning commission in Central Ohio is The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), and they are involved in many aspects of city planning, including a few that concentrate on transportation and environmental issues.
What is thermal pollution? How do nuclear plants cause thermal pollution?
Thermal pollution is the addition of waste heat to the environment. It is especially dangerous in aquatic systems.
You could argue that urban centers are efficient uses of land. Why?
They only make up 3% of all land use
What factors influence the cost of a barrel of oil?
Unrest in oil-producing areas, major weather problems like hurricanes, in areas of production or refinement, and political issues in both producing and consuming nations.
loss of sense of community problems
Urban sprawl creates to separation
What is urban sprawl and what contributes to it?
Urban sprawl is the unplanned growth of cities. Zoning ordinances that isolate employment and shopping services away from housing locations, and low-density planning aimed at creating automobile access to increasing expanses of land are two factors that contribute to Urban sprawl.
Describe energy consumption trends over time.
Well, this won't surprise you. Since 1965, energy consumption around the world has increased quite dramatically. Much of that increase has been in India and China as their economies have developed.
wetland destruction problems
Wetlands are areas that periodically are covered with water. Many have been drained, filled, or used as landfills. The U.S. has lost 53% of wetlands since the European immigration began (not including Alaska). Wetlands play a crucial role in the reproductive phase of many organisms. They also provide sediment filtration and nitrogen removal.
What environmental impacts does burning coal have?
When we burn coal, many pollutants are released. Increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other materials are implicated in global warming. Coal burning releases radioactive and toxic metals into the atmosphere. Coal combustion is responsible for 25% of all atmospheric mercury pollution in the U.S. Ash from coal combustion is stored in open storage ponds which are at risk of catastrophic failures causing millions of dollars in damages and polluting local water supplies. Coal burning releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides, particulates, and carbon dioxide which contribute to acid rain, air pollution, and global warming.
How do we use natural gas?
Widely used for heating homes in the U.S.