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63 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is acid deposition?
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Acid rain, acid snow, acid fog, acid fallout.
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Explain the effects of acid rain.
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-Leach nutrients in the ground
-kill nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that nourish plants. -kill fish -release toxic metals |
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What are acid rain controls?
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-fuel switching
-coal washing -Scrubbers -fluidized bed combustion -reduced consumption of electricity |
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Describe the "Greenhouse effect."
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-Sun's rays strike the earth & some are converted to infrared radiation that is transmitted back into outer space.
-Some of the infrared is absorbed by greenhouse gases insulating the earth. -More accumulations of greenhouse gases delays the release of infrared to outer space, leading to global warming. |
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What are the greenhouse gases?
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-Carbon Dioxide
-Water vapor -Methane -Nitrous oxide -CFC's |
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What is the role of CO2 in the Greenhouse effect?
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-C02 plays a vital role in moderating the earth's temperature.
-Without CO2, the Earth's temperature would be about 90 degrees F cooler. -Increasing levels of CO2 will have an impact on global climate conditions. |
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Describe the major impacts of global warming.
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-Diminishing crop yields
-Loss of biodiversity -Rising sea levels -Human illness |
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What was the Kyoto protocol?
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-In 1997, 161 nations met to discuss global warming.
-Required developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions >5% -Exempted developing countries -2001, President Bush reversed his commitment to reducing emissions. |
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Are there feasible alternatives to address global warming concerns? What are they?
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yes:
-energy efficiency -energy conservation -alternate energy sources(wind & solar power) |
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What is the ozone layer? Where is it? Is this good ozone or bad ozone?
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-Ozone is generated in the stratosphere by the action of UV on O2.
-Amounts of ozone vary depending on location & season of the year. -Most UV radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer. -Existence of the ozone layer is of great biological significance. |
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Explain the effects of destruction of ozone.
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-As CFC's are released into the sky, chlorine & bromine atoms convert ozone into oxygen, thus reducing the amount of ozone in the atmosphere.
-This allows more UV to penetrate to Earth. -This causes health effects, damages crops, causes more smog. |
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What are UV health effects?
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-skin cancer (700,000 new cases each year)
-premature skin aging -eye damage (cataracts, blindness) -damage immune system |
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Discuss the problem with the "hole in the sky"
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-Evidence has proven a direct link between ozone layer destruction & CFC emissions
-Ozone loss continues, but situation has stabilized because of Montreal Protocol. |
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What was the Policy Response-Montreal Protocol?
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-Ozone depletion presents a major threat to life on earth
-Aimed at controlling the chemicals most responsible for ozone layer depletion. -Mostly dealt with CFC reduction, halt CFC's entirely by 1999. |
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What are air pollutants?
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-substances in the atmosphere that have harmful effects on the environment & on animals, plants, & microbes.
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What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants?
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primary: air pollution directly out of smoke stacks
seconday: primary pollutants mix with environment and creates additional pollution (ozone) |
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Which source of air pollution is easiest to control?
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Sources of air pollution include volcanoes, stationary sources(vehicles), and smoke stacks.
*smoke stacks are the easiest to control. |
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What is an inversion?
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-Under certain weather conditions (cloudy or foggy weather with still air) warm air gets sandwiched between 2 layers of cold air.
-This prevents the warm air from rising & results in the accumulation of pollutants near the ground. -Pollution can continue to accumulate unless the sun breaks through the cloud cover or winds disperse the pollutants. -Most common in river valleys |
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Describe the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the ammendments in 1990.
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-Administered by the EPA
-Foundation of air pollution control efforts in the U.S. -Calls for identifying the most widespread pollutants, by setting ambient air standards. 1990: -Tighten up emission standards-MORE -Encourage the development & use of cleaner burning fuels -Persuade people to drive less -Identified 189 toxic pollutants EPA acknowledged the need to pay more attention to the problem of accidental releases of such chemicals. |
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What are Ambient Air Standards?
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Set maximum levels of air pollutants.
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What are 2 kinds of smog?
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Industrial smog: and irritating , grayish mixture of soot, sulfurous compounds, and water vapor (burning coal)
Photochemical smog: brownish haze caused by oxides, nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds. |
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List some of the major air pollutants.
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-Suspended particulates, PM2.5(pariculate matter smaller than 2.5 um in diameter), & PM10
-VOC's -Carbon monoxide -Sulfur oxides -Nitrogen oxides -Ozone & other photochemical oxidants. -Lead, mercury & other heavy metals -Air toxins & radon |
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What are the major sources of pollution emissions in the U.S.?
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-Sulfur dioxide is mainly produced from burning fuel, especially coal for electricity generation.
-Particulate matter sources are split between burning fuels, dust from agriculture & construction, & factory emissions. -Volatile organic compounds come primarily from factory emissions & transportation. -Carbon monoxide comes primarily from transportation |
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Describe the effects of air pollution on humans.
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Air pollution inflames respiratory passages.
It causes acute and chronic problems. acute: affects you right away (asthma) chronic: exposure affects you over time (cancer) |
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Describe the effects of air pollution on the environment.
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-Plants are very sensitive to gaseous air pollutants (more so than humans). Plants are mostly effected by exposure to ozone & other photochemical oxidants.
-Plant damage can occur directly when pollutants destroy leaves or tree bark or indirectly when toxic substances enter the soil, destroying roots & soil microorganisms. Air pollution also damages: materials & aesthetics walls windows exposed surfaces color change & material degradation. damages bridges |
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Describe the progress in limiting pollutants from motor vehicles. What is the main reason for the recent lack of progress?
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-90% reduction of vehicle exhaust emissions by 1975
-New cars today, emit 75% less pollutants than pre 1970 -The catalytic converter is the major reason for this success. The main reason for recent lack of progress is we keep purchasing bigger vehicles. |
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What are some of the best ways to prevent air pollution?
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-Cut fossil fuel use
-Remove sulfur from coal -Convert coal to liquid fuel -Use more alternate energy sources -Don't drive, use mass transit or a bike. |
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Describe the problem with indoor air pollutants?
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-Air inside the home & workplace often contains more hazardous pollutants than outdoor air.
-Many sources of indoor air pollution are common household products like cigarettes, air freshners, disinfectants, etc. |
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What is radon?
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Radioactive gas
-Comes from natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock & water, & gets into the air you breathe. -Odorless, invisible, & tasteless so it cannot be detected by human senses. |
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What are radon health risks?
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Radon has been linked with lung cancer.
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What is asbestos?
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-Collective term for a group of six fibrous siicate minerals found almost worldwide.
-No safe level of asbestos exposure. |
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Describe asbestos abatement methods and which is now considered best?
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-Encapsulation
-Enclosure -Removal Encapsulation is considered the best. |
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Discuss lead as a toxic hazard.
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-Widely used for many years:
-alloys -ingredients in paints & glazes -In cosmetics -For gutters & piping |
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What are some sources of lead exposure in the home?
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-some glazed pottery
-drinking water -lead pipes & lead solder -house paint |
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What are some emerging problems with game animals?
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-Number of animals killed on roadways now far exceeds the number killed by hunters.
-Animals are thriving in highly urbanized areas: hazards for humans -Some animals have no predators but hunters -Urbanization encroaches on the wild (explain what this means) |
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Describe the relationship between human & animal populations.
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As the number of people increase, the number of species left in the world decreases.
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What is an endangered species?
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-A species that has been reduced to the point where it is in imminent danger of becoming extinct if protection is not provided.
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What is a threatened species?
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-Species judged to be in jeopardy, but not on the brink of extinction.
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What are the 3 major causes for extinction of animal species?
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Hunting (old cause), species introduction, habitat destruction.
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Habitat destruction is the most important factor for species destruction due to 4 problems. What are they?
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Conversion: change from natural to cultivated, residential, or commercial
fragmentation: remaining wild areas too small simplification: "managing" forests by removing dead trees, straightening streams Pollution of habitat. |
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What was the Lacey Act of 1900?
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-prohibits transporting live or dead wild animals or their parts across borders without a federal permit.
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Describe the endangered species act 1973.
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-Illegal for Americans to import or trade in any product made from an endangered or threatened species.
-Use may be approved if used for a scientific purpose or to enhance the survival of the species. |
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What is the role of the US Fish & Wildlife Service?
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-List endangered or threatened species
-Protection for the habitat of endangered species -Certain species cannot be hunted, killed, collected, or injured in the US. |
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What is the role of the National Marine Fisheries Service?
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-Identifies & lists endangered & threatened ocean species.
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What is the value of wild species?
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Instrumental value:
-drugs and other scientific value. -agriculture -recreation -other commercial value Intrinsic value: wild species have value in their own right. |
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What was CITES?
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International Conference on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
-lists 675 species that cannot be commercially traded as live specimans or wildlife products. -a governing body that regulates international trade in & shipments of specified animal & plant products -Flatly prohibits trade in products from endangered species. |
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What is a renewable resource?
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-Replenish itself through reproduction despite certain quantities being taken from the source.
-Renewal can be indefinite |
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Define the term conservation.
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-Manage or regulate use so that is does not exceed the capacity of the species or system to renew itself.
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Define the term preservation.
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"stop, don't use it anymore...Preserve what's left"
-Ensure the continuity species & ecosystems regardless of their potential utility. |
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What is the Maximum Sustainable Yield?
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-the highest possible use that the system can match its own rate of replacement or maintenance.
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Define the term restoration.
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-Restoring natural systems that have been lost or damaged.
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Discuss the problem with aquatic wetlands.
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-One of nature's most productive ecosystems that are in danger from human activities such as building homes, increasing pollution, and ruining the wetland.
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What is the commercial & ecological importance of forests?
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-Lumber for housing
-biomass for fuel wood -pulp for paper -all worth $300 billion a year |
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While population growth is the primary cause of the destruction of tropical rainforests, what is the effect of road building?
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-Road building provides access to previously unavailable forest, thus encouraging population migration & expansion.
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What is the status of forest resources & management in the US?
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-Forests cover about 1/3 of the lower 48 states.
-Forests provide habitats for more than 80% of the country's wildlife species -Much of the forests that remain on private or public lands is threatened -Old growth forest has nearly disappeared. |
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What is the role of the US Forest Service?
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-155 national forests are managed by the US Forest Service
-National Forests: support >3 million cattle & sheep -supply 13% of the nation's timber -contain a network of roads 9x longer than the US highway system. -recieve more recreational visits than any other Federal public lands. |
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What reforms are needed for Federal Forests?
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-building no more roads in national forests
-Reducing waste of wood to reduce the need for tree harvesting -making sustaining biodiversity & ecological integrity the first priority of national forestry management. |
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What are some solutions for a sustainable forestry?
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-Recycle more paper to reduce the harvest of pulp-wood trees
-Grow more timber on long rotations -Using road building & logging methods that minimize soil erosion & compaction -Practice selective cutting of individual trees or small groups of most tree species. -Develop non timber forest products (latex from rubber trees, maple syrup from maple trees) -Using road building & |
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What is the status of ocean ecosystems?
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-Global fisheries are being threatened by fleets that are too efficient & too large
-Whales are still being hunted by some groups under the guise of "research" & many are endangered or threatened. -Coral reefs & mangrove trees are being damaged by a variety of human activities. |
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What is the importance of coral reefs & mangroves?
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-High biodiversity like "tropical rain forests of the ocean?
-Protect coastlines from storms & high waves -Nurseries for many fish species -Coral reefs & mangrove forests are disappearing. |
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Explain the tragedy of the commons.
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-In England, nobles would set aside land to be shared equally by all peasants. The result is that resources owned by many people or by no one became exploited.
overgrazing on the open range is an example. |
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What is a debt for nature swap?
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-Banks hold ~ $1 trillion in loans to developing countries
-Poor countries recieve debt relief in exchange for the agreement to protect land. |
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Explain the difference between, "Wise Use" vs. Private Trust.
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-The "Wise Use" movement describes an environmental backlash that minimizes the extent of problems & encourages the exploitation of resources.
Trusts- purchase or aquire land to remove it from use. |
