POLLUTION SCIENCE TEST

exponential growth

a growth pattern in which individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate, so that the larger the population, the faster it grows

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Population Growth for humans is growing exponentially. The birth rate is higher than the death rate. Population began growing more rapidly after the Industrial Revolution with improved medical care and health practices, as well as increases in technology to produce more food and keep food safe.

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Overpopulation occurs when the number of humans grows beyond what the available resources can support. This contributes to climate change, habitat loss, and human conflict.

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Air Pollution Point sources of pollution are specific, identifiable pollution sources.

(Examples: a sewer that drains into a river, a leaking oil tanker, or a smokestack from a factory)

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Nonpoint sources of pollution are widely spread and cannot be tied to a specific region.

(Examples: city air, agricultural runoff, erosion sediment)

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Natural causes of air pollution include forest fires and volcanic eruptions. However, humans emit MUCH more pollutants than natural causes.

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Smog forms when certain gases and chemicals react with sunlight to create a thick brownish haze that can cause breathing problems and diseases of the eyes and throat.

Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from traffic and manufacturing react with sunlight to create ozone which are toxic to humans.

During temperature inversions, the pollutants get trapped at the surface where they can harm human health.

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Acid rain is precipitation that is more acidic than normal because of air pollution.

Coal and oil are burned, producing nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They react with water vapor in the air to produce nitric and sulfuric acids.

The acids become part of precipitation and fall back to Earth harming plants and animals and damaging metal and stone.

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wetlands It is a specific habitat for many organisms.

• Wetlands also reduce the pollution of water by filtering it naturally.

• They also stop erosion and prevent flowing.

WETLANDS

Wetlands are areas in which water covers the soil for all or most of the year.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES

are either always available or are naturally replaced in a relatively short time.

Examples are wind, sunlight, water, trees

NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES

are not replaced within a relatively short time frame.

Examples are metals, minerals, oil, coal

DEFORESTATION

Deforestation is the removal of forests to use the land for other reasons.

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

is using trees as a resource in a way that ensures we can continue to use them in the future.

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Clear cutting removes all trees at once and is not considered sustainable forest management. It is easier and cheaper for logging companies.

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Selective cutting removes only some trees, while leaving a mix of tree sizes and species in the forest.

While this practice is more difficult and expensive, it is a more sustainable use of forests.

STRIP MINING

removes the top layer of dirt, exposing the mineral or ore underneath. It removes all the vegetation, takes habitats away from organisms, and leaves the land exposed to erosion and nutrient depletion.

DESERTFICATION

is the advance of desert-like conditions into areas that were previously fertile. It can be brought on by extended drought conditions, the overgrazing of livestock, deforestation, and improper farming practices.

NUTRIENT DEPLETION

is the loss of essential soil nutrients. It can be brought on by improper agricultural practices and erosion.

Farmers need to rotate crops each season, leave stalks in fields or plant winter grasses, and make sure to not overuse chemicals.

LANDFILLS

are areas holding our waste and trash.

They are designed to protect the surrounding areas from pollution but must be managed properly. The bottom should be lined with a layer of clay or plastic to prevent leachate and pollutants from entering the groundwater or surrounding soil.

Landfills can fill up quickly and once capped, they can only be used for public land like parks or sporting arenas.

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97% of water on Earth is in the oceans and undrinkable for human use due to the high salt content. Most of the remaining 3% of freshwater is frozen in polar ice caps or far underground.

Since we have so little water available for human use, it is a very limited resource. (Even though water is technically renewable.)

SEDIMENT

are the small particles of rocks and sand that wash into the water from erosion.

It covers up the food, nests, and eggs of animals and blocks the sunlight for photosynthesis in plants.

AQUACULTURE

is the breeding, raising, and harvesting of fish in a controlled environment for the specific purpose of selling as food.

It can cause water pollution and spread disease among wild populations.

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Trash and specifically plastic is harmful to water creatures. The plastic can break down into smaller microplastics which are mistaken for food by fish and birds. Animals can also get tangled in fishing nets and lines.

THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH

is an immense area in the middle of the ocean filled with trash and microplastics.

It is spread throughout the water column and moves with the waves and wind, making it nearly impossible to clean up.

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Dead zones are created by agricultural runoff of fertilizers and animal waste.

They are washed into streams and rivers that lead to the ocean.

The excessive nutrients cause algae to overgrow, removing oxygen from the water and killing the aquatic organisms.

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Oil Spills are devastating to ecosystems.

•It coats the fur and feathers of animal bodies.

•It harms animals when they swallow the oil.

• It remains in their systems and builds up through the food chain.

• It stays in the water and sediment.

• It can take years for the environment to recover.