Pollution management (topic 5) (pages 276-301)
KEY
BLUE WRITING HIGHLIGHTED : Tasks for today complete for homework
BLACK WRITING HIGHLIGHTED: Extra reading
ORANGE WRITING
: Links to other topics you’ve already studied
BLUE WRITING :
: Pollution management strategies link
RED WRITING HIGHLIGHTED : CLASS EXPERTS: E.g. Gabby, Hannah & Jack
(p …….)
: Text book page reference
RED WRITING
: Your notes ‘My notes!!!!’
BLACK WRITING
: Specification reference and notes
5.1 Nature of pollution
5.1.1
Define Pollution: (p276)
5.1.2 (p277)
Define Point source pollution:
Define Non point source pollution:
5.1.3 State the major sources of pollutants
Read about lead as an example of a pollutant from Bill Bryson’s book ‘A short history of
nearly everything’
5.2 Detection and monitoring of pollution
5.2.1 Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) – an indirect method of assessing water
pollution levels. (p278)
5.2.3 Biotic index (p279-280)
5.3 Approaches to pollution management (p282 & 283)
Strategies for reducing long term impacts of pollutants can be directed at three levels
in the process:
1) Altering the human activity
2) Regulating and reducing quantities of pollutant released at the point of emission
3) Cleaning up the pollutant and restoring ecosystems after pollution has occurred.
Q) What are the advantages of employing the earlier strategies over the later ones?
Q) Why is collaboration important in the effective management of pollution?
Lead offers a good case study
5.3.3 Evaluate the costs and benefits to society of the World Health Organization’s ban
on the use of the pesticide DDT.
(Case study p280) (See also p 11 & p 14 1962 Rachel Carson publishes Silent Spring, this
is a major landmark) / specification reference: 7.1.4 Outline the key historical
influences on the development of the modern environmental movement)
Complete questions 1-3
5.4 Eutrophication (p286)
5.4.1
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Outline the process of eutrophication
increase in nitrates and phosphates
rapid growth of algae
accumulation of organic matter
high rate of decomposition
Lack of oxygen
Positive feedback occurs because the high rate of decomposition leads to a further
increase in nitrates and phosphates.
1.1.6 Positive feedback leads to increasing change in a system
(see page p 79‘ feedback’)
5.4.2 The Impacts of eutrophication
Death of aerobic organisms
Increased turbidity
Loss of macrophytes
Reduction in length of food chains
Loss of species diversity
5.4.3 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies with respect to
eutrophication. (p287)
FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TRY TO THINK OF AN EXAMPLE
1) ALTERING THE HUMAN ACTIVITY
2) REGULATING AND REDUCING POLLUTANTS AT THE POINT OF EMISSION
3) CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION
5.5 Solid domestic waste (p284)
5.5.1 Outline the types of SDW
5.5.2 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic
(municipal) waste
recycling
incineration
composting
landfill
5.6 Depletion of stratospheric ozone (288)
After a discussion of lead Bill Bryson tells of Thomas Midgeleys other legacy CFC’s
CLASS EXPERTS: In Woo, Steve, Elaine & Richard
5.6.1 Outline the overall structure and composition of the atmosphere
Read the first two pages of chapter 17 ‘Into the troposphere from Bill Bryson’s book ‘A
short history of nearly everything’
5.6.2 Ultraviolet radiation is absorbed during the formation and destruction of ozone
from oxygen
O3O2
UV is absorbed
5.6.3 Explain the interaction between ozone and halogenated organic gases
An organic compound is one with Carbon in it
A halogen is an element found in group 6 of the periodic table (e.g. Chlorine and fluorine)
CFC stands for Chlorofluorocarbon
In upper atmosphere Cl is liberated from these otherwise fairly stable compounds
This reacts with O so that less Ozone is reformed
O + O2  O3
DISTURBANCE OF THE EQUILIBRIUM OF THE OZONE PRODUCTION SYSTEM
1.1.5 Explain the nature of equilibria (see page 77-79)
5.6.4 State the effects of UV radiation on living tissues and biological productivity
MUTATION – damages health, damages phytoplankton and their consumers zooplankton.
5.6.5 Describe three methods of reducing the manufacture and release of ozonedepleting substances
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Recycling refrigerants – fridges may be returned to the manufacurer
Alternative propellants – CO2 or propane could be used in aerosol cans
Replace gas-blown plastics (research this online and add notes)
5.6.6 Describe and evaluate the role of national and international organizations in
reducing the emissions of ozone-depleting substances.
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UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
MONTREAL PROTOCOL
DIFFICULTIES OF ENFORCEMENT
WHAT STEPS ARE NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TAKING TO COMPLY WITH
AGREEMENTS
P 205 of Bill Bryson’s book has been photocopied and there is a relevant paragraph
there
5.7 Urban air pollution (p293)
CLASS EXPERTS: Pearl, Katrina, Gina & Jackie
5.7.1 State the source and outline the effect of tropospheric ozone
NO2 absorbs sunlight and releases oxygen; which that combines with oxygen in the air
to form ozone.
Ozone is a toxid gas and an oxidizing agent. It damages crops and forests, irritates
eyes, can cause breathing difficulties.
5.7.2 Outline the formation of photochemical smog
CAUSED BY FOSSIL FUEL USE
Photochemical smog is a mixture of about one hundred primary and secondary pollutants
formed under the influence of sunlight. Ozone is the main pollutant.
Rain cleans the air and wind disperses the fog
Beijing and Los Angeles are examples of valleys; which trap the smog at times.
5.7.3 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for urban air pollution.
5.8 Acid deposition (p295)
CLASS EXPERTS: Gabby, Hannah & Jack
5.8.1 Outline the chemistry leading to the formation of acidified precipitations
Dry deposition :– nitrates and phosphates
Wet deposition : – sulphuric and nitric acids
5.8.2 Describe three possible effects of acid deposition on soil, water and living
organisms. (p296)
1) DIRECT EFFECT – Acid effects on coniferous forests in Germany (the black
forest) leaves and buds show signs of yellowing (loss of chlorophyll) and also
lesions
2) TOXIC EFFECT – Aluminium ions are leached out of soil and have toxic effects on
fish
3) NUTRIENT EFFECT – leaching of calcium which is a nutrient for plants
5.8.3 Explain why the effect of acid deposition is regional rather than global
(p297 add notes if unsure)
Regions downwind of major industrial regions are adversely affected by acid rain
Geology some rocks and soils lower the acidity of water (calcium carbonate – limestone)
5.8.4 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for acid deposition (p298)
Fossil fuel combustion
Reducing demand for electricity and private cars, switching to renewable energy
Clean up measures at “end of pipe” locations (points of emission)
International agreements
Spreading ground limestone in Swedish Lakes in the early 1980s
See bottom of page 298
TOPIC 7: Environmental value systems
“Understanding environmental value systems is a central theme in this
course. This topic should be used in the analysis of environmental issues
throughout the course, as well as being taught as a discrete unit.”
A REMINDER
7.1.6 Justify your personal viewpoint on environmental issues
REFER to page 47 of the specification – where do you fall on the
continuum? What impact does your environmental philosophy have on
your view of the problems of pollution and how pollution should be
managed?