Chapter 9 - Pollution

Sick Building Syndrome

________ is a term used to describe a combination of ailments associated with an individuals place of work or residence.

Sulfur dioxide

________ is toxic to a variety of plants and reduces crop yields.

thermal radiation

Buildings interfere with the outgoing ________ emitted by Earths surface.

Thermal pollution

________ is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature.

Pollutants

________ accumulate in fish and shellfish poisoning people, animals, and birds.

Sewer

________ and drainage overflows that can occur when the rainfall amount excess the wastewater treatment capacity.

Disease

________ causing microorganisms can result in swimmers getting sick and fish and shellfish becoming contaminated.

nitrogen saturation

It causes damage to trees at high elevations and many sensitive forest soils through ________ and by creating acidic conditions that are unhealthy for decomposers and mycorrhizal fungi.

partial oxidation

Produced from the ________ of carbon- containing compounds and forms when there is not enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide.

Exposure

________ to lead which generally occurs from lead- based paint chips from older buildings, mining, smelters, and municipal waste incineration, can occur from inhalation of polluted air and dust and the ingestion of lead in food and /or water.

amount of nutrients

The process whereby human activity increases the ________ entering surface waters.

Human activities

________ that increase the heat island effect include the operation of automobiles, air conditioners, and industry.

Rainwater

________ leaches these compounds out of the Earth, resulting in acid mine drainage and heavy- metal pollution.

sunlight penetrates

Less ________ into the water, limiting photosynthesis of marine plants and phytoplankton.

Colorless gas

________ with a penetrating, choking odor, and it readily dissolved in water to form an acidic solution.

nitrogen oxides

When ________ and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight, they form photochemical smog, a significant form of air pollution.

Oil

________ penetrates the feathers of seabirds.

Additional heat

________ is produced by burning the fuels necessary for air.

Tax incentives

________ to encourage buyers of new vehicles to switch to green vehicles.

Seabirds

________ ingest oil that covers their feathers causing kidney and liver damage.

Radon

________ is the most pervasive serious hazard for indoor air in the United States and Europe.

Cigarettes

________ are smoked by about 20 % of the worlds population.

Noise pollution

________ is unwanted human- created sound that disrupts the environment.

heavy metals

The mining process exposes ________ and sulfur compounds that were previously locked away in the Earth.

chemical reaction

Inside the converter, a catalyst stimulates a(n) ________ in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by way of catalyzed ________.

acidic chemicals

In areas where the weather is dry, ________ in the air may become incorporated into dust or smoke and fall to the ground.

variety of chemicals

A(n) ________ from industrial and agricultural sources can cause water pollution.

Excessive noise

________ can cause cardiovascular problems.

Sensory hearing loss

________ is caused by damage to the inner ear.

Sulfuric acid

________ reacts with atmospheric ammonia to form brown, solid, ammonium sulfate.

Carbon

________ in coal or oil is burned in oxygen gas to produce ________ dioxide and ________ monoxide gas.

exhaust emission

A(n) ________ control device that converts toxic chemicals in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine into less noxious substances.

Urban air

________ can be warmer than the surrounding air.

catalytic converters

Although ________ are effective at removing hydrocarbons and other harmful emissions, they do not reduce the emission of carbon dioxide produced when fossil fuels are used for fuel.

rainwater

The ________ falling on piles of mining waste transfers pollution to freshwater supplies.

Tax incentives

________ to power companies to encourage them to convert to less polluting sources of energy.

Nitrogen dioxide

________ also reacts with water vapor to produce nitric acid and nitric oxide.

Oil

________ is one of the worlds main sources of energy, but it must be transported by ships across oceans to distribute worldwide.

Acid rain

________ causes acidification of lakes and streams.

Water Pollution

________ is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities.

Sulfur

________ in oil and coal reacts with oxygen gas to produce sulfur dioxide.

Primary Pollutants

Pollution that is emitted directly into the air.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollution that results from the reaction of primary pollutants in the atmosphere forming a new pollutant.

Point Source Pollution

Occurs when the contaminant comes from an obvious source.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Occurs when the contaminant comes from a source that is not easily identifiable or from a number of sources spread over a large, widespread area.

Carbon Monoxide

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air.

Lead

Used in building construction, lead-acid batteries for vehicles, bullets and shot, fishing weights, solder, and shields for radiation.

Peroxyacyl Nitrates

Secondary pollutants, can cause respiratory problems, impair immune systems, cause eye irritation, and reduce crop yields.

Suspended Particulate Matter

Microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Asbestos

Major part of manufacturing in America started in the early 1800s and was commonly used until the mid-1970s.

Formaldehyde

Organic chemical that is prevalent in the indoor environment. It is a carcinogen that is linked to nasal and lung cancer.

Dry Deposition

In areas where the weather is dry, acidic chemicals in the air may become incorporated into dust or smoke and fall to the ground.

Wet Deposition

Refers to acid rain, fog, and snow - As this acidic water flows over and through the ground, it affects a variety of plants and animals.

Temperature Inversions

Occur when the air temperature increases with the height above the ground - can lead to pollution such as smog being trapped close to the ground with possible adverse effects on human health.