Environmental Chemistry Topic 2

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

ppm

parts per million

LD50

the point at which 50 percent of the test organisms die from a toxin.

ozone

A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two.

nitrogen oxides

(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.

sulfur dioxide

A colorless, corrosive gas directly damaging to both plants and animals.

carbon dioxide

(CO2) Sources include the combustion of fossil fuels. Effects: greenhouse gas-contributes to global warming. Reduction accomplished by increased fuel efficiency (gas mileage), mass transit (reduction).

pollution

Release of harmful materials into the environment

greenhouse effect

Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases

dissolved oxygen

oxygen dissolved in water, dissolved oxygen is important for fish and other aquatic animals

toxins

poisonous or harmful substances

pesticides

Chemicals used on plants that do not harm the plants, but kill pests and have negative repercussions on other species who ingest the chemicals.

fertilizers

a substance that provides nutrients to help crops grow better

herbicides

compounds that are toxic to plants

acid rain

Rain containing nitric and sulfuric acids

ground water

water that filters down through soil and fills the spaces between particles of rock and soil

biodegradeable

capable of being readily decomposed into harmless substances by microorganisms

hazardous waste

Any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if it is not properly disposed of

sanitary landfill

A place to deposit solid waste, where a layer of earth is bulldozed over garbage each day to reduce emissions of gases and odors from the decaying trash, to minimize fires, and to discourage vermin.

leachate

water that has passed through buried wastes in a landfill

secure landfills

a solid waste disposal site lined and capped with an impermeable barrier to prevent leakage or leaching. drain tiles, sampling wells, and vent systems provide monitoring and pollution control

dispersion

a spreading, scattering or separating

dilution

Adding water to a solution in order to decrease the concentration

Water Acidity - pH

As the acidity increases, the water quality decreases

Heavy metals

Natural metals found in the soil and rocks near the water may leech into the water supply. This can be toxic at certain levels. Copper, Lead or Mercury

Phosphorus and Nitrogen

Can come from sewage and fertilizer runoff