Environmental Concerns: Wastes and Pollution

Environment

All the external conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting the growth and development of an organism or a community of organisms.

Natural Hazards

Caused by forces either internal to the earth’s surface or on the surface itself.

i.e. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes.

Results of Natural Hazards

Contaminated water and food Warmer temperatures Loss of shelter for people and

animals. i.e. Hurricane Katrina

Residues and Wastes from Human Activities

Urine and feces Garbage Agricultural waste Transportation wastes such as

carbon monoxide

Factors Contributing to Environmental Hazards

Urbanization Industrialization Population Growth among humans Production and use of disposable

products and containers.

What does Urbanization lead to?

Urbanization is the process in where people come together and live in cities.

This leads to overcrowding and inadequate space for the disposal of waste.

Types of Waste

Solid waste Hazardous waste

Solid Waste

Solid refuse from households, agriculture and businesses.

Solid waste is managed by the use of landfills, which spread the waste in layers and then covers the waste with dirt.

Solid waste is traced to four major sources: mining, gas, and oil production, agriculture, industry, and municipalities.

Solid Waste Management

Collection, transportation, storage, and disposal of waste by incineration or in landfill.

80% of the money spent on solid waste management is spent on collecting the waste.

Hazardous Waste

Solid waste or a combination of solid waste that is dangerous to human health or the environment.

To be classified as hazardous, waste must first be identified as solid waste.

This can be liquids, gaseous materials or semisolids.

Hazardous Waste Management

Overseen and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Most common method is underground injection-pumps hazardous waste into wells up to 10,000 feet below earth’s surface.

Other methods include: special landfills, incineration, and treatment.

Air Pollution

Contamination of the air that interferes with the comfort, safety, and health of living organisms.

Air Pollution

Chemicals found in air pollution can cause cancer, birth defects, brain and nerve damage, and long-term injury to the lungs.

Sources of Air Pollution

Transportation Electric power plants fueled by oil

and coal. Industry, mills, and refineries.

Clean Air Act

EPA sets limits on how much of a pollutant can be in the air anywhere in the United States.

Six Pollutants they monitor: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Standards created by the EPA for allowable concentration levels of outdoor air pollutants.

Concerns about Air Pollution

Acid Rain-results from emissions of burning fossil fuels that react with water vapor.

Global Warming Destruction of the ozone layer Thermal Inversion-occurs when

warm air traps cooler air, this reaction traps pollutants including photochemical smog.

Water and Its Pollution

Water Pollution- any physical or chemical change in the water that can harm living organisms or make it unfit for other uses.

Types of Water Pollution

Biological Pollutants-pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, viruses, and other living organisms that enter our water through runoff.

Chemical Pollutants-industrial solvents, pesticides, and herbicides.

Water Quality in the U.S.

Has deteriorated because of population growth, increased chemical manufacturing, reckless land-use, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Strategies to Keep Water Clean

Sedimentation-the water is permitted to stand so that the large particles will settle out.

Filtration-the water passes through filters in order to remove any solids and dissolved chemicals that may remain.

Disinfection-adding chlorine to kill things such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

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