Pollution
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Organochlorines
High toxicity to insects, low toxicity to mammals
Organophosphates
High toxicity to insects, high toxicity to mammals
Pyrethroids
High toxicity to insects, low toxicity to mammals
Stockholm Convention (2001)
Banned organochlorides and organophosphates
Organic waste
Any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or an animal
Sources of organic waste (7)
• Sewage disposal • Livestock farming • Aquaculture • Fluids from silage • Leather production • Food processing • Paper mills
Effects of organic nutrient pollution
• Deoxygenation og water • Spread of disease • Inderect eutrophication
3 methods of radioactive waste storage
• Vitrification (embedded in glass) • Encapsulation (in stainless steel containers) • Deep geological burial (in seismically stable area, concrete)
Forms of pollution (10)
• Atmospheric pollution • Thermal • Oil • Pesticide • Inorganic nutrient • Organic nutrient • Heavy metal • Solid waste • Noise • Ionising radiation
Properties of pollutants (11)
• State of matter • Density • Persistence • Toxicity • Specificity • Solubility • Bioaccumulation • Biomagnification • Synergism • Mode of action • Mobility
How does temperature affect pollutant degradation?
Most chemical reactions occur more rapidly at higher temperatures, such as sewage. HOWEVER This may be bad as it could cause to faster on-set of negative environmental impact, such as deoxygenation
How do light levels affect pollutant degredation?
Can provide activation energy for chemical reactions that degrade pollutants, such as photochemical smogs
How can oxygen affect pollutant degredation?
Involved in many chemical reactions, such as oxidation of sulphur ores to produce SO2 Oxidation may also affect the solubility of many metals
How can pH affect pollutant degredation?
Increased pH can increase the solubity, and therefore mobility, of pollutants like heavy metals
Give two examples of how the presense of one pollutant can affect the behaviour of another
• Interaction of NOx and hydrocarbons to produce photochemical smogs • Combined effects of phosphates and nitrates in eutrophication
How is carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere?
The combustion of carbon-based materials with a shortage of oxygen
What are the effects of carbon monoxide concentration on human health?
Binds to haemoglobin and prevents it from carrying oxygen to tissues around the body. This may lead to brain damage and possible death. Low concentrations of CO can increase health problems caused by chronic heart disease
What is the main method to control carbon monoxide pollution
Exhaust catalytic converters oxidise CO to CO2
What factors affect the dilution of pollutants in water bodies? (3)
• Effluent quantity • Water volume • Water residence time
How does organic nutrient pollution lead to deoxygenation? (4)
• Provides food for microorganisms in the water • Their aerobic digestion uses up oxygen • These microorganisms can also cover the river or lake bed, preventing light reaching macrophytes • Can also cause eutrophication as microbial decay releases inorganic nutrients
Name 3 diseases that spread via sewage and contaminated water
• Cholera • Typhoid • Dysentry
ONT: Pre-treatment
The removal of solid objects such as paper, plastic and road grit
ONT: Primary treatment
The seperation of most organic solids from fluids
ONT: Secondary treatment
The digestion and breakdown of the remaining organic matter in the fluids