Environmental Issues Exam

pathogens

disease causing bacteria, viruses and other parasitic organism

three phases of sewage treatment

primary, secondary, tertiary

primary sweage treatment

involves physical processto remove large solids through physcical seperation

secondary sewage treatment

involves breaking down organic waste with bacteria

tertiary sewage treatment

advanced sewage treatment, using chemicals to remove residual pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens

Clean Water Act

the primary federal law governing water pollution, focused on rehabilitating nations water, prohibits dumping of waste,

Habitat Destruction

we have created small pockets of habitat (habitat fragmentation), which cannot sustain breeding populations. One quarter of land leased by the US. BLM for fossil fuel extractions in the last 2 years has been in wildlife corridors, or priority conservation areas

commerical products and live specimens

people from North America, European, and wealthy Asian countries import skins, live animals like birds and fish and will pay around $60K for 1lb rhino horns, $150K for rare orchids

exotic species introduction

exotic/alien species are considered among the most damagin agents of habitat alteration and degradation in the world. These species can become invasive and negatively impact an area. Examples feral cats that kill millions of birds and other small mammals a year.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

was/is a piece of legislation the US enacted to protect endangered and threatened species. It is one of the strongest wildlife laws in the world

why is there a problem with recovery plans in ESA enforcement?

1) Listing - many endangered species are delayed being lsiting because of land usage plans or they are neglected until critically low

2) Recovery Plans - many species do not have adequate recovery plans

3) Law Enforcement - there are not enough officers to cover the entire US

4) Funding - not enough of it

Using “Rationalization for the Preservation of Species” why should species be preserved?

We should preserve species because humans do not have a right to terminate other life on the Earth, we have a survival interest in protecting the environment for our own well-being, and we have an ecological interest in keeping a balanc ein the ecosystem

What can an Individual do to reduce their impact from fossil fuels?

1) use renewable energy

2) unplug appliances and electronics when not in use

3) buy a hybrid or electric vehicle

4) buy carbon offsets for plane tickets when you fly

Passive Solar Heating

absorbs and stores heat from the sun directly within the structure

Active Solar Heating

absorbs energy from sun by usuing heat absorbing fluid and pumping through collectors on the roof facing the sun, can be stored in insulated container for release as needed

Solar Thermal Heating

can collect and transform radiant energy from the sun into high temperature thermal energy (heat), which can be used directly or converted to electricity 

Photovoltaic

solar energy is converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells aka solar cells

wind energy

using wind turbines to produce electricity

geothermal energy

use energy stored in the earth’s mantle to heat and cool building and produce electricity. EPA deemed most energy, cost, and environmentally efficient method.

biomass energy

waste, plant materials, and animals wastes burned to provide heat/electricity or converted into liquid/gas biofuel

Hydro-Electric Energy

producing electricity from flowing water (rivers and streams) and trapping the water behind dmas and releasing it as needed to spin turbines and produce electricity

Ecological Services the Ocean provide for humans?

1) 40% of the world’s population lives on or near the coast

2) 25% - 30% of the CO2 created by humans is removed by the ocean and cools the earth

3) storm protection, (ex. mangrove swamps protecting mainland from ocean storms)

what does coastal development do to the coast and ocean?

destroys and pollutes habitats, erodes beaches. 

Run-Off

Nonpoint source pollution runs-off from land and creates dead zones due to fertilizer and animal waste dump.

Bleaching

warming oceans are causing the loss of coral reefs due to them becoming bleached and we will lose most of them if we don’t bring climate change under control

soil

dynamic, living body of composed minerals, organic matter, air, and water that supports terrestrial ecosystem

litter

fresh, undecomposed organic material on the soil surface (ex. fallen leaves)

humus

the stable organic matter that remains in the soil after the decomposition of litter is almost complete

How long does it take for soil to form if you start from bare rock?

500 years

How long does it take for humus to be produced

1-2 years

Provisioning Services

the tangible products thate ecosystems provide to humans including food, fresh water, fuel, etc.

Regulating Services

benefits humans receive from the moderation of natural processes by ecosystems. Ex climate regulation, air/water purification, erosion control, pollination

what is far more beneficial than conventional farming?

Organic farming, avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, and natural irridation

how much of the worlds pop. faces chronic water shortages?

25%

many of the worls major rivers are shared by _ of more population and it causes…

2, and there are often disputes over water usage and distribution

where is in the worst drought in __ yrs and what does it contribute to?

the middle east, and it contributs to political instability (civil war in Syria)

no developing nation in _or _ is considered water secure

asia pacific

3 main consequences of water overuse

water/ecosystem degradation, groundwater depletion, erosion/land subsidence

drip irrigation

minimize water loss, reduces soil erosion, cost effective

xeriscaping

landscaping method that uses water conserving methods to reduce need for supllemental irrigation

gray water

reduces demand for freshwater by recycling water from showers, sinks, and laundry for non-potable uses like toilet flusing or irrigation

desalination

the lessening of salt in water for human consumption

point sources

comes from an identifiable source, like a pipe or ditch,

non point sources

when rain/snowmelt carry pollutants from widespread areas into bodies of water

water pollutants cause…

major health problems (infectious agents,endocrine disorders, oraganic chemicals), causes ecosystem disruption (plant nutrients) causes both health and ecosysteem disruption (plastics)

infectious agents

(causes health problems) from bacter, viruses and parasites, man source from runoff off improperly treated human and animal waste

endocrine disruptors

personal care products (shampoo, sunscreens) that mimic/interfere with hormone function resulting in odd organ functioningand higher rates of breast/prostate cancer

organic chemicals

pesticides, plastics, detergents.oil/gas. from industrial waste, cleaners, surface runoff

bioaccumilation

build up of stubsense in. an organism

biomagnification

rise in concentration of harmful substance to increase at higher levels of the food chaiin/each successive trophic level of the food chain

Plant nutrients

( causes ecosystem disruption) come from fertilizers, sewage, manure and cleaners (detergents)

cultural eutrophication

the process of a body of water becoming excessively filled with nutrients (nitrogen/phosphorus) due to human activities like agricultural runoff and sewage.

wetlands

an area saturated with water, supporting a unique plant and animal life adapted to these conditions

Plastics

(causes both health and ecosystem disruption) sources are every kind of plastic coming from land, washing into streams rivers and lakes, and eventually into our oceans, 80% comes from land, 20% from ships/dumping

solutions to water pollution

1) proper waste disposal (wastewater treatment)

2) effective cleanup of oil and gas spills

3) reducing plastic and chemical use

4) manage agricultural runoff

air pollutants

any substance in the air at a concentration high enough to cause hamr to humans/animals/plants

smog

intense form of air pollution that forms a dense haze, made heavier by smoke ans chemical fumes

3 categories of impacts under air pollution and human health

respitory disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer

Clean Air Act

US federal law that regulates emissions and air quality to protectpublic health by setting national standards for pollutants from sources like power plants and vehicles.

sick building syndrome

building occupants experince a range of acute health issues from the builing they spend lots of time in, such as irritation and headaches, usually due to poor ventilation, renewly renovated with chemicals in the air, or run off gassing materials

greenhouse effect

natural process by which Earth’s atmosphere traps heat from the sun making earth warm enough to support life by green house gasses

global climate change

long-term shift in weather patterns, temperature, precipitation, wind, by human activities like burning fossil fuels which increase greenhouse gasses

Effects of GCC to Artic and Antartic Regions

GCC is causing rapid warming of both areas leading to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers which causes sea levels to rise. Leads to extreme weather and degredation of polar habitats

how does GCC effect plants and animals?

GCC causes habitat loss/destruction, forcing migration of species, disrupting ecosystems

how GCC effects water scarcity

degraded water quality from runoff, droughts from change in climate, and changes in freshwater sources (decline in rainfall)

2 carbon dioxide sinks

wetlands (storing carbon in saturated soil), the ocean (dissolution, marine life uses cabron to buildi shells)

3 things an individual can do to mitigate climate change

1) reducing energy consumption

2) adopting sustainable transportation

3) adopting a more sustainable diet

How can governments mititgate climate change?

through creation of policies that reduce greenhouse emissions, trasitioning to renewable enrgy, improving energy efficiency, increasing carbon sinks. (ex. stick and carrot approach for green investments)

meltdown

ecological impacts of major nuclear accidents (contamination, radioactive plume, bioaccumilation)

radioation sickness

serious illness caused by exposure to high doese of ionizing radiation over a short period. Nausea, vomiting, headaches)

most of the worlds radioactive wastes are

in storea at the site of all nuclear power plants

the growth of nuclear power plants are _ due to …

static, due to high costs, fear of meltdowns, and radioactive waste produced

Food and Drug Admin

US gov agency that protects public health by ensuring the safety and security of drugs, medical devices, and the nations food supply

Toxic Substances Control Act

created by the EPA to regulate chemical subtances to prevent unreasonable risks to human health (screening of new chemicals before use, tesing of chemicals, restricting and banning chemicals)

hazardous wastes

any waste that isignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic, waste with potential to be harmful to humans or environemnt

superfund

gives EPA funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites to protect human health

e-waste

discarded electronic equipment like computers, smartphones, and TVs, concerning because it can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadium