5.1 – Nature of PollutionIB Topics 5.1.1-5.1.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

PollutionThe contamination of

the Earth and atmosphere to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.

Can be natural/human caused

Can be deliberate/accidental

PollutionCan be matter

(solid, liquid, gas) or energy (noise, light, heat)

Major Pollution Sources: Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse gas

Sulfur Dioxide Acid deposition

(tree/fish death) Photochemical

Smog Respiratory

problems Carbon Monoxide

Binds hemoglobin, can cause death

Major Pollution Sources: Domestic Waste

Organic Waste (food/sewage) Eutrophication Fills landfills

Waste Paper/Plastics/Glass/Metals Fills landfills Reduces natural

resources Energy used to

produce causes pollution

Major Pollution Sources: Industrial Waste

Heavy Metals Poisoning

Fluorides Poisoning

Heat Reduces dissolved

oxygen Lead

Disabilities in children

Acids Corrosive

Major Pollution Sources: Agricultural Waste

Nitrates Eutrophication

Organic Waste Eutrophication

Pesticides Accumulate up food

chains

Point Source Pollution Pollution released

from a single, identifiable source.

Examples: A factory

smokestack or exhaust pipe

A sewage pipe A specific

incident A very bright

light

Non-point Source Pollution Release of

pollutants from dispersed origins

Examples: Agricultural

runoff Vehicle exhaust Urban runoff

5.2 Detection and monitoring of pollutionIB Topics 5.2.1-5.2.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Pollution Monitoring Biochemical

Oxygen Demand (BOD) A measure of the

amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms to break down the organic material in water

Source of Pollutant BOD (mg DO)

Unpolluted River 0-5

Treated Sewage 20-60

Raw Sewage 350

Cattle Manure 10,000

Paper Pulp Mill 25,000

Pollution Monitoring Indicator Species

Organisms that show something about the environment by their presence, absence, or abundance.

5.3 – Approaches to pollution managementIB Topics 5.3.1-5.3.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Pollution Management Strategies

Replace-Regulate-Restore

Pollution Management Strategies

ReplaceDevelop alternate

technologiesAdopt alternate

lifestyles

Pollution Management Strategies

Regulate Setting and

imposing standards

Introducing measures for extracting the pollutant from waste

Pollution Management StrategiesRestore

Extracting and removing pollutant from ecosystem

Replanting and restocking with plant/animal populations

5.4 - EutrophicationIB Topics 5.4.1-5.4.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Eutrophication The addition of

excess nutrients to a water ecosystem, causing algae to bloom

Usually nitrates and phosphates Detergents Fertilizers Livestock

drainage Sewage

Eutrophication Process1. Fertilizers wash

into lake2. Algae bloom, light

to plants decreases, plants die

3. More algae=more zooplankton=more small fish

4. Algae die and are decomposed by bacteria, oxygen level goes down, everything dies

5. Turbidity increases

Eutrophication Management Replace

Stop/change fertilizers/waste

Plant buffer zones Regulate

Limit pollutants Restore

Pump air through lake

Dredge lake bottom Remove algae

physically or by algicides

Reintroduce species

5.5 – Solid domestic wasteIB Topics 5.5.1-5.5.2

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Types of Solid Domestic Waste Garden

Waste/Kitchen Waste

Glass, wood, metal, plastics

Paper Textiles Diapers

Solutions to Waste Landfill

Pros: Cons:

Compost Pros: Cons:

Recycle (or Reuse) Pros: Cons:

Incineration Pros: Cons:

5.6 – Depletion of Stratospheric OzoneIB Topics 5.6.1-5.6.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Atmosphere Structure Main Components:

Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (20%) Argon (1%) CO2 (.038%)

Temperature and pressure vary with altitude

Ozone Layer

Ozone (O3) is more concentrated in the low stratosphere (12-20mi)

O3 absorbs UV radiation in a process that converts O2to O3 and back

UV Radiation (UV-B) Blocked by ozone Causes eye

damage, cataracts, sunburn, and skin cancer in humans (and some animals)

Can damage plants and phytoplankton

Ozone Depleting Substances

CFCs Refrigerants 1987 Montreal

Protocol called for a sharp reduction in CFCs and other Ozone Depleting Substances

5.7 – Urban air pollutionIB Topics 5.7.1-5.7.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Tropospheric Ozone Ozone is a pollutant in

the troposphere and causes eye/lung problems

Pollution from burning fossil fuels can react with sunlight to form ozone (O3) NOx

Hydrocarbons VOCs

Photochemical Smog VOCs, Hydrocarbons,

Nitrogen Oxides react to form ozone and brown gas.

Happens primarily in warm dry places, can by compounded by surrounding mountains

5.8 – Acid depositionIB Topics 5.8.1-5.8.3

Topic 5 – Pollution Management

Emissions Sulfur Dioxide and

Nitrogen Oxides are emitted from industry, vehicles, urban areas, livestock, and natural causes

They fall to the ground as dry deposition or wet deposition

Wet Deposition (Acid Rain) SO2 and Nox form

H2SO4 and HNO3 in the atmosphere and fall to the ground as precipitation

Effects of Acid Rain Acidified Lakes Acidified Soil Release of heavy

metals Trees and forests

Management of Acid Rain Prevention/

Reduction of pollution

Soil/Water conditioners