Review Packet

Description of Pollutant

Sources of pollutant

Ecological/Environmental problems related to pollutant

Health problems related to pollutant

Carbon Oxides: 

CO

  • Incomplete combustion of organic matter

  • Poorly functioning exhaust systems on cars or natural gas furnaces

  • Cooking fires

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

  • Bonds to hemoglobin and displaces O2, interfering with oxygen transport

  • Headaches

  • Can cause death, but this would be unusual in an outdoor setting

CO2

  • Combustion of fossil fuels

  • Note that it has not historically been considered an air pollutant and is not one of the air pollutants included in the Clean Air Act.

  • Affects climate by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

  • Only indirect consequences due to warming climate

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):

NO

  • All combustion in the atmosphere, including combustion of fossil fuels, along with biomass and other wood

  • Direct ozone precursor

  • Contributes to eutrophication of bodies of water

  • Respiratory irritant

NO2

  • All combustion in the atmosphere, including combustion of fossil fuels, along with biomass and other wood

  • Splits into NO and O, leading to ozone formation

  • Converts to nitric acid (HNO3) in the atmosphere, which harms aquatic life and some plants

  • Contributes to eutrophication of bodies of water

  • Respiratory irritant

N2O

  • Farming and large-scale cattle operations

    • Fertilizer

    • Animal waste

  • Some from combustion of carbon-containing substances

  • Powerful greenhouse gas (300x more effective than CO2 at warming atmosphere)

  • AKA “laughing gas” from the dentist’s office, but not found in smog in high enough concentrations to have the same effect

  • Otherwise, indirect effects due to climate change

Sulfur oxides:

SO2

  • Combustion of fuels that contain sulfur, including coal, oil, and gasoline

  • Harmful to plants

  • Converts to H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), which is a component of acid rain and damages plants and aquatic life

  • Respiratory irritant

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)- Note differences for PM2.5 and PM10



  • Combustion of FF and biofuels such as wood and manure

  • Agriculture, road construction, and other activities that release soot or particles

  • Contribution to smog

  • Blocks sunlight and impairs photosynthesis

  • Respiratory irritant

  • Can impair lung and cardiovascular function

  • Lung cancer

  • Reduces visibility

  • PM10 (smaller than 10µm) cannot be filtered out by respiratory tract – deposited in lungs

  • PM2.5 (smaller than 2.5µm) even greater health hazard. Can travel deep into respiratory tract. Tend to be toxic chemicals. Associated with high rate of cancer.

O3

  • Secondary pollutant formed by the combination of sunlight, water, oxygen, VOCs and NOx

  • Degrades plant surfaces

  • Damages plastic materials

  • Respiratory irritant

  • Reduces lung function

VOCs

  • Natural sources (e.g., trees)

  • Evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints

  • Combustion of gasoline

  • Precursor to ozone

  • Respiratory irritant

Hydrocarbons CnHn

  • Natural sources (e.g., VOCs are hydrocarbons)

  • Incomplete combustion

  • Evaporation of fuels

  • Other than VOCs, can include methane (CH4), released by livestock (from their digestive tract) and anaerobic decomposition

  • See above for VOCs

  • CH4 is a powerful greenhouse gas

  • Can be respiratory irritants

Mercury 

  • Coal, oil, gold mining

  • Bioaccumulation and biomagnification

  • Central nervous system damage


Description of Pollutant

Sources of pollutant

Ecological/Environmental problems related to pollutant

Health problems related to pollutant

Solutions 

Carbon Oxides: 

CO





Incomplete combustion (fireplaces, gas stoves, car exhaust in garages, furnaces, heaters, etc) 

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

Lethal to humans

  • Bonds to hemoglobin and displaces O2, interfering with oxygen transport

  • Headaches

  • Can cause death

air flow, carbon monoxide detectors, 

Radon-222:

Rn



Radioactive gas released by decay of uranium naturally found in rocks underground (granite especially)

(Usually enters homes through cracks in the foundation & then disperses up from basement/foundation through home)

(Can also seep into groundwater sources & enter body through drinking water)

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

  • 2nd leading cause of lung cancer after smoking

EPA recommends testing homes with airborne Radon monitor

Sealing cracks in foundation can prevent it from entering and increasing ventilation in the home can disperse it if it’s detected

Mold





  • Mold develops in areas that are dark and damp and aren’t well ventilated (under sinks/showers, behind panels in walls and ceiling)

  • Black mold is a class of mold that releases spores into air

  • Especially harmful to resp. system 


  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

Worsen asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema

  • Can be removed by physically cleaning mold out and fixing the water leak or ventilation issue that lead to mold forming 

Asbestos




long, silicate particle previously used in insulation 

Phased out of use, but still remains in older buildings

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

  • Not dangerous until insulation is disturbed and asbestos particles enter air & then resp. Tract

  • lung cancer & asbestosis)

Should be removed by trained professionals with proper respiratory equipment, ventilation in the area it’s being removed from, plastic to seal off area from rest of the building

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)

PM 2.5 vs PM 10


Ex: Smoke (from indoor biomass combustion or cigarettes), dust, and asbestos

  • Dust settles in homes naturally, is disturbed by movement, entering air and then respiratory tract

Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

PM10  

Too small to be filtered out by nose hairs and trachea cilia; can irritate respiratory tract & cause inflammation

PM2.5 

More likely to travel deep into the lungs due to smaller size

  • Associated with chronic bronchitis and increased risk of lung cancer

reducing indoor sources, improving filtration, and controlling outdoor emissions 

Lead



Found in paint in old homes (EPA banned lead paint in 78’)

Paint chips off walls/windows and is eaten by small children (due to curiosity & sweet taste) or inhaled as dust

Lead water pipes can also release lead into drinking water sources (as in Flint) but it’s less common than lead paint

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

Damages central nervous system of children due to smaller size and still developing brain

  • Can be removed from home by stripping lead paint and replacing with non-lead based paint

  • Lead water pipes can be replaced by cities with copper pipes

VOCs

  • Natural sources (e.g., trees)

  • Evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints

  • Combustion of gasoline

  • Affects many animals the same way that it affects humans

  • Respiratory irritant


Column 1: Types/Effects

Column 2: Examples

Column 3: Major Sources

Infectious agents (pathogens)

Causes Diseases

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites

Human and animal wastes

Oxygen-demanding wastes

Deplete dissolved oxygen needed by aquatic species

Biodegradable animal wastes and plant debris

Sewage, animal feedlots, food processing facilities, paper mills

Plant nutrients

Cause excessive growth of algae and other species

Nitrates (NO43-) and phosphates (PO43-)

Sewage, animal wastes, inorganic fertilizers

Organic Chemicals

Some cause cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems

Oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning solvents, coal ash

Industry, farms, households, mining sites, runoff from streets and parking lots

Inorganic Chemicals

Add toxins to aquatic systems

Acids, bases, salts, metal compounds

Industry, households, mining sites, runoff from streets and parking lots

Sediments

Disrupt photosynthesis, food webs, other processes

Soil, silt

Land erosion from farms and construction and mining sites

Heavy Metals

Add toxins to aquatic systems. Also cause cancer and interfere with brain development

Lead, mercury, arsenic

Unlined landfills, household chemicals, mining refuse, industry discharges

Thermal

Make some species vulnerable to disease

Heat

Electric power and industrial plants


Polluters

Types of pollutants

Examples

Effects

Farmers



Oxygen-Demanding wastes


Plant Nutrients


Sediments

Biodegradable animal wastes

Plant Debris

Nitrates & Phosphates


Soil, Silt

Add toxins to aquatic systems.


Cause excessive growth of algae and other species. 

Disrupt photosynthesis, food webs, and other processes. 

Households


Organic Chemicals


Heavy Metals




Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning solvents

Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Add toxins to aquatic systems.


Cause cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems. 

Landfills



Heavy Metals

Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Cause cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems. 

Mining


Organic Chemicals


Heavy Metals



Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning solvents

Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Add toxins to aquatic systems.


Cause cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems. 

Polluters

Types of pollutants

Examples

Effects

Industrial



Organic Chemicals


Inorganic Chemicals

Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning solvents

Acids, Bases, Salts, Metal Compounds

Add toxins to aquatic systems.


Add toxins to aquatic systems. 

Power plants


Thermal

Heat

Make some species vulnerable to disease

Construction

Sediments


Soil, Silt

Disrupt photosynthesis, food webs, and other processes. 


NON-Energy Source and brief description of how it is used (for electricity? for fuel? Does it have different forms? etc.) 

Advantages of Use

(at least 3 for each)

Disadvantages of Use

( at least 3 for each)

Oil- 



Decaying organic matter trapped under rock, compressed into oil. Crude oil is converted into many products, including petroleum gas, gasoline, jet fuel, naphtha (for plastic), motor oil, and diesel fuel. 


Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Fairly high net energy ratio for industrial heat, space heating, and transportation. Meaning it’s fairly easy to extract for the energy it yields.

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • CO2 emissions

  • Pollutants such as PM, SOx, NOx, 

  • Oil spills

  • Habitat loss and fragmentation when infrastructure is built

Natural Gas-


Decaying plant and animal life (mostly marine). trapped under rock. Used for transportation, heating, and cooking.

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Fairly high net energy ratio for space heating and transportation

  • Fewer CO2 emissions than other fossil fuels

  • Fewer pollutants than other fossil fuels (no mercury)

  • More efficient than coal when used for electricity compared to coal (30% lost as heat)





Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Still produces CO2

  • Still produces pollutants such as SOx and NOx

  • Habitat destruction

Coal-


Fossilized remains of ancient organisms (mainly plants) found underground. Burned as fuel to heat homes or in power plants to heat steam, which turns turbines, which then turn generators, producing electricity.


Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Very high net energy ratio for industrial heat

  • Readily available

  • US has large reserves

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • High CO2 emissions (more than any other FF)

  • High pollutants (PM, SOx, NOx, mercury, lead, arsenic) to waterways where wildlife is harmed

  • Pollutants to air, causing respiratory symptoms in animals, acid rain, and other problems

  • Mining requires environmental degradation and habitat destruction

  • Not efficient when used for energy (much is lost as heat - 70%)

Nuclear-


Fission of Uranium-235 generates energy used to heat turbine and turn a generator, producing electricity.

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Low/no CO2 or other GHG emissions

  • No air pollution (NOx or SOx)

  • High net energy 

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Mining for uranium causes habitat destruction and environmental degradation

  • Spent fuel rods can remain radioactive for millions of years

  • Mine tailings and other waste can be radioactive

  • Thermal pollution

  • Accidental leakage of radioactive material can cause increased cancers, death, mutations in humans and other organisms

Biomass/Biofuels- 


Biomass: Organic matter such as wood, charcoal, dried animal waste, dead leaves/brush. Used mainly for heating homes and cooking.


Biofuels: Liquid fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol created from biomass. Used as replacement fuels for gasoline.

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Low cost

  • Readily available without expensive infrastructure or industry

  • No “additional carbon” introduced into atmosphere

    • Modern vs fossil carbon

Many possible answers. Including: 


  • Pollutants such as CO (carbon monoxide), NOx → respiratory irritants

  • Deforestation 

    • Habitat destruction

    • Loss of air/water filtration

  • Ethanol used as substitute for gasoline → lower net energy that gasoline

  • Biodiesel produces more GHG than FFs


Energy Source and brief description of how it is used (for electricity? for fuel? etc.) 

Advantages of Use

Disadvantages of Use 

Hydropower - 

Kinetic energy of moving water 🌊 → spins a turbine (mechanical energy) ⚙ → turbine powers generator ⚡

Water moves either with natural current of river or tides, or by falling vertically through channel in a dam

By far the largest renewable source of electricity globally

China, Brazil, and US = 3 biggest hydroelectricity producers

Tidal energy (for electricity generation) uses kinetic energy from movement of water due to gravitational pull of moon 






  • Reservoir & dam can be tourist attractions

  • Jobs are created to maintain the dam

  • Reliable electricity source generated for surrounding area

  • No air pollutants released during electricity generation (no PM/SOx/NOx)

  • Allows for control of downstream seasonal flooding

  • No GHG emissions when producing electricity (initial construction does require cement & machines that emit GHGs)




  • Reservoir floods habitats behind dam (forests/wetlands → gone; river becomes a lake)

  • Sedimentation changes upstream & downstream conditions

  • Upstream becomes warmer (less O2) and rocky streambed habitats covered in sediment

  • Downstream wetlands especially suffer since nutrients in sediment doesn’t reach them

  • FF combustion during dam construction, increased evap. due to larger surface area of reservoir, and methane release due to anaerobic decomp. of organic matter in reservoir

  • human homes & businesses must be relocated due to reservoir flooding, Initial construction is very expensive (does create long-term jobs though), sediment buildup must be dredged (removed by crane) eventually

  • Loss of ecosystem services from downstream wetlands, potential loss of fishing revenue if salmon breeding is disrupted

  • Tidal:

    • Limited use bc it can only be used in coastal areas

    • Many coastlines do not have sufficient difference between high and low tide levels.

    • Power cables must be routed through sensitive coastal or estuarine ecosystems.

Solar (include passive, active, CST, and photovoltaic cells) Passive solar: absorbing or blocking heat from the sun, w/out use of mechanical/electrical equip.

Active solar: use of mechanical/electrical equip. to capture sun’s heat (solar water heaters or CST - concentrated solar thermal), or convert light rays directly into electricity (PV cells)

Photovoltaic Cells (PV)Aka “solar panels”; contain semiconductor (usually silicon) that emits low voltage electrical current when exposed to sun

Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST)Heliostats (mirrors) reflect sun’s rays onto a central water tower in order to heat water to produce steam to turn a turbine → electricity




  • PV cells on a roof can directly power the building, or send excess electricity back to the grid for other users (earning you a credit from your utility company)

  • No air pollutants (PM, SOx, NOx) released to gen. electricity

  • No CO2 released when gen. electricity

  • Renewable, unlike FFs which will run out

  • No mining of fossil fuels for electricity production

  • A drawback is intermittency (solar energy can only be generated during the day)

  • A drawback is habitat destruction & light beams frying birds in mid air

  • Semiconductor metals (silicon) still need to be mined to produce PV cells (solar panels)

  • This can disrupt habitats & pollute water with mine tailings, air with PM

  • Silicon is a limited resource 

  • Solar panel farms can displace habitats

Wind -

Kinetic energy of moving air (wind) spins a turbine; generator converts mechanical energy of turbine into electricity


Avg. turbine can power 460 homes

Avg. wind turbine has 15-30% capacity factor (% of total possible energy it could generate)

Only produces electricity in 8-55 mph winds

Motorized drive within shaft can turn the turbine to face wind

  • Non-depletable (isn’t decreased by its use) - even better than renewable!

  • No GHG emissions or air pollutants released when generating electricity

  • No CO2 (climate change) or NOx/SOx/PM as with burning FFs

  • Can share land uses (don’t destroy habitat or cause soil/water contamination as FFs do)

  • Intermittency (isn’t always available) can’t replace base-load power (sources that are always available like FFs, nuclear or Geothermal)

  • Can’t replace base-load power (sources that are always available like FFs, nuclear or Geothermal)

  • Can kill birds and bats (especially larger, migratory birds)

  • Can be considered an eyesore or source of noise pollution by some

Geothermal - 

Natural radioactive decay of elements deep in earth’s core gives off heat, driving magma convection currents which carry heat to upper portion of mantle, close to earth’s surface.

Water can be piped down into the ground and heated by this heat from the mantle

(Hot water can be converted into steam → turbine → elect. or be used to heat homes directly).

Geothermal for electricity: naturally heated water reservoirs underground are drilled into & piped up to the surface (or water can be piped down into naturally heated rock layers

  • Potentially renewable, only if water is piped back into the ground for reuse

  • Much less CO2 emission than FF electricity

  • No release of (PM/SOx/NOx/CO) as is case with FFs


  • Not everywhere on earth has access to geothermal energy reaching close enough to surface to access it

  • Hydrogen sulfide can be released, which is toxic and can be lethal to humans & animals

  • Cost of drilling that deep in the earth can be very high initially

    • Sometimes so high that it’s not even worth it

Hydrogen Fuel Cells -

Use hydrogen as a renewable, alternative fuel source to fossil fuels

H2 gas and O2 are the inputs used to generate electricity; H2O is given off as a waste product

H2 gas enters fuel cell where it’s split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-) by an electrolyte membrane that only lets protons pass through

Electrons take an alternative route (circuit) around the membrane, which generates an electrical current

Most common application is in vehicles

Replaces gasoline (non-renewable, GHG releasing & air polluting) with H fuel (no air pollutants released & only H2O vapor)

  • Because H2 gas can be stored in pressurized tanks, it can be transported for use creating electricity later, in a different location

  • Unlike solar, hydro, and wind where the electricity must be used as soon as it’s generated & relatively closely to the location of generation

  • Can also be used as a fuel for vehicles (replacing gasoline) or to create ammonia for fertilizer, or in the chemical industry  

  • As a gasoline replacement, it emits no air pollutants (NOx/PM/CO) and only H2O (tech. a GHG) no CO2

  • Manufacture of many different industrial chemicals requires H2 gas

  • Can be stored as liquid or gas, making it easy to transport

  • H fuel cells are ~80% efficient in converting chemical energy in H2 & O2 into electricity (Coal PP = 35% efficient)

  • Since 95% of H2 production requires methane (CH4), H fuel cells are based on a non-renewable & CO2 releasing energy source

  • If electrolysis is used to produce H2, it’s only as sustainable as the electricity source

  • Widespread H fuel cell use would require building widespread H distribution network (similar to current system for gasoline)

  • H fuel stored in gas form in vehicles would require much larger tanks than current gasoline tanks


Biome

Salinity Type (0.33 for each)

Distinguishing Characteristics (0.67 for each)

Threats (0.33 for each)



Streams and Rivers 

Freshwater

<1% Salt concentration

  • Flowing (lotic) water

  • “Riparian” habitats- area adjacent to river or stream

  • Fast moving water= high oxygen content---supports trout

  • Slow moving = inc. in sediments and nutrients 

  • deliver nutrients to ecosystems

  • Diversion

  • Dams

  • Channeling



Lakes and Ponds 


Freshwater

<1% Salt concentration

  • Standing (lentic) bodies of water enclosed by land

  • Spring and fall overturn

  • May be described as 

    • Oligotrohic

    • Mesotrophic

    • Eutrophic 

  • pollution


Wetlands 




Freshwater

<1% Salt concentration

  • Lowland areas saturated where soils are saturated with water at least part of the time of a year.

    • Marshes- wetlands with emergent grasses

    • Swamps- wetlands with emergent woody vegetation

    • Bogs – wetlands rich in decomposing plant material- acidic soils, mosses

  • Essential Ecosystem services- flood control, water filtration and purification

  • Drained for agriculture and development


Estuaries 




Fresh water meets salt water

Variable salinity 

  • Highly productive due to high nutrient content

  • Area essential for fish nurseries, bird nesting/ reproduction

  • Ecosystem services- filter pollutants

  • Mangrove forests- decrease erosion and provide habitats for marine organisms

  • Drained for agriculture and development


Coastal/ Intertidal 



Marine

~3% salt concentration

  • Communities subjected to daily variation in water levels, temperature and sunlight

  • Animal adaptations to withstand mechanical force of waves

  • Destroyed by pollution and human activity


Coral Reef 




Marine

~3% salt concentration

  • Symbiotic relationship between corals and algae

  • Shallow region- light penetrates- high photosynthesis

  • High biodiversity

  • Sediment pollution blocks sunlight, lower pH, warmer temperatures= coral bleaching

  • High nutrient load from runoff allows algae to outcompete coral


Open Ocean




Marine

~3% salt concentration

  • Waters constantly mixed by currents

  • Plankton live in photic zone

  • Includes benthic and abyssal zones with no light, and little nutrients

  • Large free swimming organisms

  • Plastic pollution in the gyres