Human Impact On Environment
Name at least 3 human impacts on the environment.
Examples:
- Pollution
- Overpopulation
- Burning fossil fuels
- Deforestation
What is the general term for any harmful change in water quality caused by human activity?
Water Pollution.
What is the term for harmful substances in the air we breathe, such as smog?
Air pollution.
What is the Air Quality Index (AQI) used for?
It is a daily report that tells people how clean or polluted the air is.
Is sunlight a renewable resource, and is coal a fossil fuel?
Yes. Sunlight is renewable because it doesn't run out, and coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel.
What are the three main types of fossil fuels that, when burned, contribute to air pollution and global climate change?
Coal, oil, and natural gas.
What do we call the specific substances, like chemicals or bacteria, that make water unsafe?
These substances are known as pollutants.
Which colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas is commonly found in car exhaust?
Carbon monoxide.
How do sewers and fecal coliform bacteria relate to waterborne diseases?
If sewers leak or fail, they release fecal coliform bacteria into water supplies, which can spread illnesses like cholera.
What do we call the thick city haze caused by air pollution, and what is the term for harmful substances in water?
The city haze is smog, and harmful substances in water are called pollutants.
What happens to animals when humans cut down large areas of forests (deforestation) to build farms or cities?
They lose their habitats (homes), which can lead to them becoming endangered or extinct because they have nowhere to live or find food.
If pollution enters a river directly from a single discharge pipe, what type of source is it, and what underground system often carries it there?
This is called point-source pollution, and it often travels through underground sewers.
How do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone?
These chemicals react in sunlight to create ground-level ozone, which often appears as a summer haze or smog.
What is the difference between particulate matter and carbon monoxide in car exhaust?
Particulate matter is tiny solid soot or dust you can sometimes see, while carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and poisonous gas.
If a factory pumps effluent directly into a river through a pipe, is that point-source pollution or non-point source?
It is point-source pollution because it comes from a single, specific location.
Explain how deforestation and the greenhouse effect both contribute to global warming.
Deforestation involves clearing forests, which removes trees that would otherwise absorb CO2. This increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
What are the risks of having fecal coliform bacteria in a water supply?
Their presence often indicates that the water is contaminated with waste, which can spread dangerous waterborne diseases like cholera or typhoid.
What happens when sulfur dioxide from burning coal reacts with water in the atmosphere, and what chemicals historically damaged the ozone layer?
It creates acid rain, which damages forests and lakes. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the chemicals that specifically damage the Earth's protective ozone layer.
Explain how sulfur dioxide leads to acid rain and how that impacts biodiversity.
Sulfur dioxide from burning coal mixes with water in the air to form acid rain, which damages forests and lakes. This kills plants and animals, reducing the variety of life, or biodiversity, in that area.
How does deforestation lead to soil erosion and a higher ecological footprint?
Removing trees leaves soil unprotected from rain (causing erosion) and reduces the Earth's ability to absorb waste, increasing our total impact.
How can conservation and better irrigation help reduce problems like smog, acid rain, or soil erosion?
Protecting nature and saving water keeps the soil healthy and prevents harmful pollution from building up in our air and rain.
In a treatment plant, what is the difference between conventional pollutants and the effluent that is eventually released?
Conventional pollutants (like grease or solids) are the common materials removed during treatment, while effluent is the treated wastewater that flows out into a nearby lake or river.
Which U.S. government body uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to enforce laws and report on particulate matter or lead levels?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the AQI to report daily air cleanliness and regulate toxic substances like lead and tiny soot particles.
What role does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) play in managing effluent and point-source pollution?
The EPA enforces laws to limit the amount of pollutants in the effluent (treated wastewater) that factories and cities discharge from a single pipe, known as a point source.
How does the EPA use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to protect people from particulate matter and waterborne diseases?
The EPA monitors the air to warn people when soot levels are high and sets rules for sewers to keep germs out of drinking water.