Geology 103 Final
Geology 103 with Mckay at University of Tennessee - Knoxville
About this deck
By: Leah Scruggs
Textbook:
Environmental Science: Systems And Solutions
Created: 2012-05-02
Size: 53 flashcards
Views: 178
Textbook:
Environmental Science: Systems And SolutionsCreated: 2012-05-02
Size: 53 flashcards
Views: 178
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Pollution
society's excess outputs into the environment.
pollution output= # of individuals x pollution per individual
Misconceptions About Pollution
-Purity in Nature
-Zero Risk
-Zero Pollution
Purity in Nature
nothing is pure in nature
Zero Pollution
unrealistic goal to accomplish, modern society cant exist without producing some pollutants, economically impossible to achieve.
Zero Risk
we can only minimize risk but not eliminate it
U.S. Pollution Control
-Rights-Based Control
-Technology-Based Control
-Benefit-Cost Control
Rights-Based Control
we have the right to the cleanest environment possible. (often is not attainable)
Technology-Based Control
sets standards based on "best technology"
Benefit-cost Based Control
a compromise between risk and cost.
History of Pollution
-natural is as old as Earth.
-volcanic gases contain toxic sulfur dioxide.
-arsenic is a deadly poison often found in soil.
Output Management of Pollutants
-remove pollutants before wastes are discharged.
-remediate polluted sites.
-restore formerly polluted ecosystems.
*too expensive and ineffective
Input Pollution Control
-efficiency improvements
-reuse and recycle
-substitution with less hazardous materials.
*can lead to lower production of pollutants
Implementing Pollution Controls (3 basic methods)
-Persuasion
-Regulation
-Incentive
Dose Response Assessment
LD-50
-most appropriate for acute exposure.
-any substance can cause harm in large amounts, even salt and vitamins
Toxicity is determined by
measuring the sensitivity of individuals to chemical
Chronic Toxicity
-LD-50 tests are not appropriate for this because..
-bioconcentration in food chain
-differences in persistance of pollutants
-some impacts may take years to show (cancer, etc)
Toxic Chemical Interactions
-Additive Effects
-Antagonistic Effects
-Synergistic Effects
Additive Effects
two pollutants are worse than one
Antagonistic Effects
1 pollutant cancels out effects of another
Synergistic Effects
the combined effects of two pollutants maybe much worse than just adding their individual effects.
Polluted Streams in East, Tn.
303d list is list of all polluted streams with their pollutant and the area effected.
Water Purification in Nature
-water cycle purifies water by....
- physical processes which remove or dilute pollutant
- chemical & microbial processes break down polluants
These chemicals aren't easily removed by natural filtration or sedimentation.
-small particles (viruses)
-dissolved contaminants
These contaminants arent easily broken down by chemical or biological processes.
-pesticides, PCBs, industrial solvents
-arsenic, heavy metals and radionuclides.
Sources of Water Pollutants
-industrial and construction
-agricultural
-domestic and municipal wastes
Recipients of Pollutants by characterization
- rivers and streams
-lakes and wetlands
-groundwater
-marine waters and estuaries
Drinking Water Treatment
water supplies can be treated to...
-kill microorganisms-remove particles and sediments
-aeration to break down chemicals and improve taste.
-treatments to remove toxins and heavy metals.
Reducing Water Pollution
-reducing amount of waste produced
-improved wastewater treatment
-clean up of contaminated water bodies and aquifers.
-source water protection------ identifying and protecting important water sources.
Clean Up of Contaminated Waters
-clean up of rivers and lakes is expensive and often takes decades but can be successful.
-clean up of oceans and beaches is difficult because of input from other countries.
-clean up of groudwater is very difficult; slow flusing or dilution in aquifers.
Legal and Social Solutions for Water Pollution
-Cuyahoga River fire led to creation of federal and state environmental laws and agencies....
- Clean Water Act of 1972
- Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
- Environmental Protection Agency
- SUPERFUND for clean up of highly toxic sites
- TN Department of Environment & Conservation.
Air Pollution
Two Global Environmental Threats
-destruction of ozone in upper atmosphere
-global climate change
Human Causes of Air Pollution
-car exhausts,power plants, agriculture, smoking
Natural Causes of Air Pollution
-volcanoes, forest fires, dust storms
EPA "Criteria Pollutants" (Big 6)
- particulates
- sulfer dioxide
- carbon monoxide
- nitrogen dioxide
- ozone
- lead
Particulates
- caused by incomplete burning of fossil fuels
- can contain toxic chemicals, damaging to lungs
- size and composition vary with type of fuel (wood and coal are worst) and type of heat source (furnace, stove or engine... high temps are better)
Sulfur Oxide
- sulfur containing fossil fuels, especially coal.
- mine smelters (copper, lead, zinc)
- Large impact on ecosystem (direct toxicity, acid rain which is caused by sulfur compounds from power plants/smelters)
- damages to both physical and biological environment
Reducing Sulfur Oxide
-most effective way to reduce ____ ____ is to reduce the amount of _____ _____ produced.
-switch to low sulfur coal or mineral ore.
Problems with Reducing Sulfur Oxides
-most coal in eastern US is high in sulfur
-western coal is low in sulfur but far away
-the richest mineral ores are often rich in sulfur.
Legal and Social Solutions to Air Pollution in US
- Federal Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, which researched impacts but no regulations were made.
-Revisions to Clean Air Act in 1963, 1967 and 1970, which...
- set air quality standards
- auto emission regluations
- smoke stack emission regulation
Knox County Air Quality
- 15th worst in US for particulates in 2008.
-24th worst in US for particulates in 2011.
- Worst in TN for ozone (smog)
Dealing with Indoor Air Quality Problems
- 1st step is Education
-Regulations (no smoking in workplace, schools, etc) (standards for building ventilation and construction materials)
-Detection of Problems (radon detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, mold odor)
Global Air Pollution over the years has created....
-increase in atmosphere temperature at Earth's surface.
-ocean surface temperature
-geophysical borehole temp patterns.
-retreat of glaciers and polar ice caps.
* Earth is heating up 10x faster than at end of Ice Age.
International Action on Air Pollution
-1992- Earth Summit, 160 countries signed the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change.
-1997- Kyoto Protocol was developed and ratified in 2001 and signed by 178 nations but US and Australia didnt sign.
Will Durant
-US philosopher and historian
- co author of The Story of Civilization.
Smog and Photochemical Pollutants
- produced by mixture of pollutants like volatile organics, nitrogen oxide and ozone.
Benefit-Cost Approach
- seeks to reduce pollution to acceptable levels while minimizing economic costs.
Bioassays
determine if a chemical is toxic
3 stages of Pesticides
-inorganic
Dealing with Global Warming
3 basic approaches
-the waiting strategy
-the worst case scenario strategy
-the compromise strategy
Ways to Reduce the possibilities of Global Warming
-reduced fossil fuel use
-reforestation and revegetation
-carbon sequestration (injection of carbon into deep aquifers or into deep ocean; very expensive and not certain if it will work)
Greenhouse Gases
-Carbon Dioxide responsible for 50-70% of current abnormal global warming.
-other greenhouse gases... (CFC's, methane, nitrogen oxides)
Consequences of Global Warming
-uncertain of effects
-probable environmental alterations created by global warming include....
- changing climate and weather patterns
- rising sea levels
- rapid ecosystem changes & species loss.
About this deck
By: Leah Scruggs
Textbook: Environmental Science: Systems And Solutions
Created: 2012-05-02
Size: 53 flashcards
Views: 178
Textbook:
Environmental Science: Systems And SolutionsCreated: 2012-05-02
Size: 53 flashcards
Views: 178
About StudyBlue
STUDYBLUE makes things that make you better at school.
Things like online flashcards with photos and audio.
Things like personalized quizzes and friendly reminders about when (and what) to study next.
Think of it as a digital backpack™: access to all of your study materials online and on your phone.
STUDYBLUE exists to make studying efficient and effective for every student, for free. Join us.
“I have been getting MUCH better grades on all my tests for school. Flash cards, notes, and quizzes are great on here. Thanks!”
Kathy
Kathy