APES Transportation Unit

 Name En-Yu Liu Date 10/17/24 Period 3

Do you understand the Big Ideas for Transportation

in the Ecological Footprints Unit

  1. Describe the troposphere and stratosphere. Where is the ozone layer located? (from textbook page 262)

The troposphere extends from sea level to around 6 mi while the stratosphere is from that to around 20 mi. The stratosphere also has much more turbulent air. The ozone layer is located between the two. 

  1. List the natural sources of air pollution. (from textbook pages 508-509)

Volcanos, forest fires, respiration, dust storms and decomposing biomass

  1. Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants. (from textbook page 499-500)

Primary pollutants come directly from sources, while secondary sources derive  from reactions from primary pollutants.

  1. Describe the Clean Air Act of 1970. What are primary and secondary standards (from class notes)

Primary standards are to provide public health protection to people first, while the secondary standards are public welfare protection of animals, plants, etc.

  1. Describe each of the following air pollutants. Include their source and their impacts on human health and the environment. (from class activity and textbook pages 496-499)

    1. Sulfur oxides, SOx

Created as a result of burning fuels that are made up of sulfur (coal, oil, gasoline). Inhaling too much Sulfur oxides can damage lung health and concentration of sulfur oxides in the air harms plant life on earth.

  1. Nitrogen oxides, NOx

Created from combustion/burning of wood, biomass and fossil fuels). Nitrogen oxides also can cause respiratory problems. It also causes an accumulation of photochemical smog which can damage aquatic life and ecosystems.

  1. Carbon monoxide

Derived from incomplete burning of fuels, malfunctioning exhaust systems, and poorly ventilated burning. Carbon monoxide bonds with hemoglobin in the bloodstream which interferes with oxygen flow.

  1. Carbon dioxide

Forms from complete burning of fossil fuels and biomass. Causes global warming and other environmental issues. Causes suffocation and headaches.

  1. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Comes from evaporation of fuels, solvents and paints, as well as improper

combustion of fuels such as gasoline. Often found with new products. 

  1. Particulate matter, both PM2.5 and PM10

Particulates that come from burning/combustion of fuels, construction, etc. Causes respiratory problems, reduces vision, and can even cause cancer.

  1. Lead

Found in gasoline, oil, coal, old paint, and batteries. Kills brain cells when ingested and can cause problems with learning and concentration.

  1. Photochemical smog

A combination of photochemical oxidants and PMs. Has the same side effects and negative impacts on humans and the environment.

  1. Industrial smog

Mixture of industrial PMs and oxidants with similar side effects to photochemical smog and PMs.

  1. Ozone depleting chemicals

Created from a combination of water, sunlight, oxygen, VOCs, and nitrous oxide. Damages lungs and breathing function, and also damages plant life. Can also damage rubber and plastic.

  1. Acid rain

Created from a chemical reaction between sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide, can cause respiratory diseases and harm plant nutrients and life.

  1. Indoor air pollutants can be a bigger threat than outdoor air pollutants. List the most common indoor air pollutants and describe their effect on human health issues. (from textbook pages 511-516)

Carbon monoxide, smoke, dust/mold, asbestos, radon, VOCs, and lead can cause respiratory diseases and problems, cancer, and respiratory allergic reactions, and in turn increase the risk of death.

  1. What are the indoor air pollutants of concern in developed countries? Developing countries? (from textbook pages 516-517)

In developed countries the main concern is a build up of toxic chemicals, especially since people spend so much time inside in wealthier countries. In developing countries the concern is the pollution that comes as a result of burning unhealthy biomass such as animal feces, since they don’t have access to healthier alternatives.

  1. Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It can infiltrate homes as it moves up through the soil and enters homes via the basement or cracks in the walls or foundation. It is also dissolved in groundwater that enters homes through a well. What are the health effects of radon-222? (from textbook page 514)

The main health concern due to overexposure of radon-222 is lung cancer.

  1. Methods to reduce air pollution include all of the following. Describe each. (from class activity Air Pollution Prevention Stations and textbook pages 523-528)

    1. Reduction at the source (power plant, factory…)

using less raw materials and materials that can cause pollution while still maintaining efficiency.

  1. Regulations (laws)

creating laws that governments and companies must follow as well

  1. Conservation (using less fuel, electricity…)

using less fuel and materials, such as during manufacturing and transportation

  1. Alternative fuels

Using more energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels

  1. Vapor recovery nozzle at gasoline pump

Capture escaped vapor from refilling car gas tanks.

  1. Catalytic converters

Speed chemical reactions between harmful pollutants and oxygen in order to change them into less toxic byproducts.

  1. Wet and dry scrubbers on industry exhaust streams

Use liquid or dry scrubbers to wash particulates in the air.

  1. Electrostatic precipitators

Removes particulates through positively charged and negatively charged ions that attract harmful pollutants.

  1. Coal often contains heavy metals such as mercury. Bacteria in the water convert it to highly toxic methylmercury. What are the negative effects of the mercury? (from Biomagnification: Should you eat those fish, textbook pages 579-581)

Methylmercury damages the central nervous system, and causes symptoms similar to cerebral palsy.

  1. What is a thermal inversion? How can it trap pollution close to the ground? (from class notes and textbook page 507)

  2. Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are extracted differently depending on where they are located. Describe how oil is extracted when it is located under the ocean. (from class notes and textbook pages 415, 427)

Thermal inversion is when warm air layers itself over cool air, trapping smog and pollution between the two causing the air to become more polluted.

  1. Oil spills in marine waters cause organisms to die from various issues. Describe each. (research online)

    1. Hydrocarbons in oil

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons cause problems when they come in contact with animals,

and are ingested. TPHs can damage the lungs, central nervous systems, liver, kidney, and reproductive systems.

  1. Oil coating the feathers or fur

Oil gums up feathers and fur, which affects motion, ability to repel water, and ability to conserve heat.

  1. Some components of oil sinking to the ocean floor, killing some bottom-dwelling organisms

Oil on the ocean floor can smother and kill smaller organisms and invertebrates that reside on the ocean floor.

  1. Some oil from oil spills washes up on beaches. Describe the economic consequences on the fishing and tourism industries. (research online)

Oil spills result in a large decrease in fishing and damages to marine population. This can lead to less tourism, or even no tourism as some places have to close down due to oil spills.

  1. Describe the laws that govern mining: (research online)

    1. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) 

Regulates environmental impacts of active and inactive coal mines.

  1. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Allows the president to respond to releases or possible releases of environmentally hazardous waste.

  1. Endangered Species Act

Protects animals that are endangered or threatened by extinction and protects their habitats.

  1. Clean Air Act

Monitors air pollution and clean air quality.

  1. Describe each of the following and the environmental impacts of each: (from fact finding presentations and textbook pages 344-347)

    1. Surface mining

Mining that is closer to the surface with the goal of removing materials. Causes dust and particulate matter to be released into the air, contamination of water, and removal of soil and habitats.

  1. Subsurface mining 

Mining that is at least 100 m below the surface. This causes pollution from extensive burning of fossil fuels, acid mine drainage/contamination, habitat destruction, dangerous conditions for workers, and disease and even death of workers. 

  1. Mineral processing

Separating the valuable resources from mined ore, which can cause the formation of acid rain.

  1. Acid mine drainage

Water that is passed through mines and can often be contaminated. Damages ecosystems and lowers ph levels.

  1. Mineral resources are not evenly distributed around the world. How do countries deal with this problem? (from textbook page 342-344) 

Countries establish reserves, which show the known possible amount of a material that can be recovered if the concentration is high enough to be mined profitably. If these reserves run out, some countries have other innovations, or recycling as a solution.