Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of scrubbers in air pollution control technology?
What is the primary function of scrubbers in air pollution control technology?
Which layer of Earth's atmosphere does the International Space Station orbit?
Which layer of Earth's atmosphere does the International Space Station orbit?
At what height does the exosphere begin above Earth's surface?
At what height does the exosphere begin above Earth's surface?
What type of gases can be treated as ideal with respect to temperature and pressure?
What type of gases can be treated as ideal with respect to temperature and pressure?
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Which of the following measures indicates the concentration of a gaseous pollutant?
Which of the following measures indicates the concentration of a gaseous pollutant?
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Which of the following steps is necessary when working with the ideal gas law for sulfur dioxide?
Which of the following steps is necessary when working with the ideal gas law for sulfur dioxide?
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What phenomenon can sometimes be seen in the thermosphere?
What phenomenon can sometimes be seen in the thermosphere?
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What type of scrubber uses liquid to absorb gaseous pollutants?
What type of scrubber uses liquid to absorb gaseous pollutants?
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What is the primary function of microorganisms in the context of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)?
What is the primary function of microorganisms in the context of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)?
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What does the term ThOD refer to in wastewater treatment?
What does the term ThOD refer to in wastewater treatment?
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During which step of wastewater treatment is debris such as rags and wood fragments removed?
During which step of wastewater treatment is debris such as rags and wood fragments removed?
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In the BOD rate equation, what does the term $L_o$ represent?
In the BOD rate equation, what does the term $L_o$ represent?
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What is removed in the grit removal step of wastewater treatment?
What is removed in the grit removal step of wastewater treatment?
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What happens to the primary sludge after it is removed from the primary settling tank?
What happens to the primary sludge after it is removed from the primary settling tank?
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What is the purpose of adding chemicals during the primary settling process?
What is the purpose of adding chemicals during the primary settling process?
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Which of the following describes the relationship between lower case k and capital K?
Which of the following describes the relationship between lower case k and capital K?
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Which organisms can synthesize their own food from inorganic compounds?
Which organisms can synthesize their own food from inorganic compounds?
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What is the role of saprophytes in an ecosystem?
What is the role of saprophytes in an ecosystem?
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Which of the following statements about herbivores is true?
Which of the following statements about herbivores is true?
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Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits both organisms involved?
Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits both organisms involved?
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What type of heterotroph relies on other organisms for food without killing them?
What type of heterotroph relies on other organisms for food without killing them?
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What are the primary gaseous components that ecosystems recycle?
What are the primary gaseous components that ecosystems recycle?
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Which type of carnivore actively hunts and kills its prey?
Which type of carnivore actively hunts and kills its prey?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of heterotrophs?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of heterotrophs?
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What is described as a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unharmed?
What is described as a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unharmed?
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Which of the following is an example of mutualism?
Which of the following is an example of mutualism?
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Which group of organisms primarily obtains energy from decomposing organic material?
Which group of organisms primarily obtains energy from decomposing organic material?
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What role do primary consumers play in the food chain?
What role do primary consumers play in the food chain?
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In a food web, what can be said about the flow of energy?
In a food web, what can be said about the flow of energy?
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What is the primary source of energy for primary producers?
What is the primary source of energy for primary producers?
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Which term describes the relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another?
Which term describes the relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another?
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What is an example of a secondary consumer in an ecosystem?
What is an example of a secondary consumer in an ecosystem?
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What is classified as a primary air pollutant?
What is classified as a primary air pollutant?
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Which of the following sources of air pollution is categorized as a mobile source?
Which of the following sources of air pollution is categorized as a mobile source?
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What percentage of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits?
What percentage of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits?
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What type of air pollutant is formed after the emission of precursor compounds?
What type of air pollutant is formed after the emission of precursor compounds?
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Which among the following is considered a natural source of air pollution?
Which among the following is considered a natural source of air pollution?
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Which primary air pollutant is also known for its impact as a strong greenhouse gas?
Which primary air pollutant is also known for its impact as a strong greenhouse gas?
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Which respiratory organ is NOT part of the major organs affected by air pollution?
Which respiratory organ is NOT part of the major organs affected by air pollution?
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What is the composition of photochemical smog primarily formed from?
What is the composition of photochemical smog primarily formed from?
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What is a fundamental priority for an organization in effective environmental management?
What is a fundamental priority for an organization in effective environmental management?
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Which of the following is a component of the 'Plan, Do, Check, Act' model in EMS?
Which of the following is a component of the 'Plan, Do, Check, Act' model in EMS?
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Which step is crucial for the effective building of an EMS?
Which step is crucial for the effective building of an EMS?
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What type of knowledge do employees primarily provide in the context of EMS?
What type of knowledge do employees primarily provide in the context of EMS?
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What should an organization evaluate when building an EMS?
What should an organization evaluate when building an EMS?
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Which of the following best describes the role of the champion in EMS?
Which of the following best describes the role of the champion in EMS?
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During the EMS building process, what is an essential aspect of the modified plan?
During the EMS building process, what is an essential aspect of the modified plan?
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What misconception might leaders have when implementing an EMS?
What misconception might leaders have when implementing an EMS?
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Study Notes
Environmental Science and Engineering
- This presentation covers introductions to environmental science and engineering.
- It includes topics about ecosystems, symbiotic relationships, food chains/webs, biogeochemical cycles.
- Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) include describing ecosystem components, differentiating relationships between components, and explaining biogeochemical cycles' importance in environmental pollution.
Science
- Science is systematized knowledge.
- Natural Science includes environmental science.
- Social Science studies how people live together.
Ecology
- Ecology is the study of how living things relate to each other and their environment.
- 'Oikos' is a Greek word meaning
houseorplace to live.
Ecological Organization
- Population: all members of a species in one location
- Community: interacting populations in an area
- Ecosystem: living community and physical environment
- Biosphere: portion of the Earth where life exists; numerous complex ecosystems.
- Interactions between abiotic and biotic factors are crucial for stable ecosystems.
Ecosystems
- A functional unit of nature where living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
- Size varies from small ponds to large forests/seas.
- Classifications include:
- Terrestrial (forest, grassland, desert)
- Aquatic (pond, lake, wetland, river, estuary)
- Natural (terrestrial & aquatic)
- Man-made (aquarium, zoo, garden, orchard)
Major Components of Ecosystems
- Inorganic substances (e.g., C, N, S, P, O2, CO2, H2O)
- Organic compounds (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids)
- Climatic regime (temperature, humidity, sunlight, water)
- Producers (autotrophs like green plants)
- Macro-consumers (heterotrophs, animal consumers)
- Micro-consumers (saprotrophs/osmotrophs, bacteria, fungi)
Human Influences on Ecosystems
- The presentation discusses how humans influence ecosystems.
Nutritional Relationships
- Autotrophs: synthesize their own food from inorganic compounds.
- Heterotrophs: depend on other organisms for food.
- Saprophytes: decomposers that feed on dead organic matter.
- Herbivores: plant eaters
- Carnivores: meat eaters
- Omnivores: eat both plants and meat
- Predators: kill and eat prey.
- Scavengers: feed on dead animals.
Symbiotic Relationships
- Symbiosis: living together in close association.
- Types:
- Mutualism: both organisms benefit. (e.g., nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes)
- Commensalism: one organism benefits, the other is unharmed. (e.g., barnacles on whales)
- Parasitism: one organism benefits, the other is harmed. (e.g., athlete's foot fungus)
Food Chain and Food Web
- Food chain: energy transfer from green plants through organisms (eating and being eaten).
- Food web: complex energy flow in natural communities (more complicated than a single food chain).
- Food web interactions: Producers → Primary Consumers → Secondary Consumers → Decomposers
Example problem (Deer)
- A deer eats 25 kg of herbaceous material per day.
- Dry matter (DM) is 20% of the material, containing 10 MJ per kg DM.
- 25% is excreted, 80% of digested material is lost to heat/waste.
- 20% of digested energy makes body tissue, equals 7.5 MJ daily.
Environmental Considerations
- Earth is a closed system for matter, except for small amounts of cosmic debris entering.
- Chemical processes of life derive from elements present in Earth's crust.
- Matter cycles continually through Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.
Gas Cycles
- Discusses the carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle, including processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nitrification.
Sedimentary Cycles
- Details the phosphorus cycle and the sulfur cycle, and their associated processes.
Group Assignment #1
- Defines significant steps required for each cycle (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, water.)
Air Pollution
- Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment.
- It's the presence of one or more contaminants.
- WHO data show almost all of the global population breathes air exceeding guideline limits.
- Different types and sources, with short- and long-term averages, are provided.
- The presented material covers pollutants, their sources (mobile, stationary, area, natural), and effects.
Effects of Air Pollution on Health
- Air pollution's effects on health include respiratory tract (URT) issues
- nose, pharynx, larynx, and trachea irritation,
- lung function issues (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer).
- A danger of carbon monoxide (CO).
Effects of Air Pollution on Vegetation
- Ozone, affecting palisade cells (causing red spots that turn white and are called flecks)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), leading to necrosis of leaves when present in high levels.
- Sulfur dioxide, causing discoloration of vegetation.
- Effects on plants are described via impacts on chloroplasts and reduced cell wall strength.
Global Warming
- Global warming is long-term heating of Earth's surface since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).
- Primarily due to human activities, like burning fossil fuels.
- Greenhouse gas levels increase in Earth's atmosphere.
- The greenhouse effect is discussed (atmosphere letting solar radiation through).
The Earth's Atmosphere
- Details the layers of Earth’s atmosphere (exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere).
- Specific characteristics associated with each layer are described, such as altitude, temperature, particle density, presence of the ozone layer, and functions/activities in the layer (weather, jet planes).
Physical and Chemical Fundamentals
- Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT, density of gas (ρ = MP/GMW * 22.414 * T2/273K * 101.325 kPa/P2 V/ a * 1,000 L/m³))
- Units of Measurement (micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), parts per million (ppm), micrometer(µm))
- Conversion Equations for gas concentration from µg/m³ to ppm
Wastewater Treatment Process
- Covers the following stages:
- Screening and Pumping
- Grit Removal
- Primary Settling
- Aeration/Activated Sludge
- Secondary Settling
- Filtration
- Disinfection
- Sludge Treatment (primary sludge from the bottom of clarifiers in step three, with continuous flow of waste activated sludge from the aeration step, must be treated to reduce volume and produce a usable end product.)
- Details for each step to remove impurities and convert wastewater to a useful end product..
Solid Waste Management
- What is solid waste/refuse: Discarded household, commercial, non-hazardous institutional and industrial.
- Different kinds of solid waste/refuse are described (e.g., garbage, rubbish, and trash)
- Ecological solid waste management: systematic management of solid waste.
- Main objectives: to remove discarded materials from inhabited places and to dispose accordingly.
- Key steps in collection: what types of solid wastes are collected, from whom, choice of containers, crew size, and methods.
- Collection methods: curbside (alley pickup), set-out (set-back), backyard pickup.
Noise Pollution
- Characteristics of sound, and what is noise.
- Classifications (community noise, occupational noise, sources of noise pollution).
- Effects of noise (hearing problems, sleep disorders, cardiovascular issues).
- Noise control (reduction design methods, sound insulation, absorption, and vibration damping).
Environmental Management System
- Introduces Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
- Includes related standards (like ISO 14001:2015), the roles of the DENR, and advantages/benefits of EMS implantation.
- Steps and action plans in implementing an EMS are detailed (including roles, responsibilities, budgets, schedules, and human resources involvement aspects).
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process
- Steps of an EIA process are detailed (Screening, Scoping, Impact Assessment, Impact Management, EIA Report, Monitoring, and Review and Licensing).
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
- Details of an ECC, including content, validity, and associated penalties.
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Description
Test your knowledge on air pollution control technologies and the Earth's atmosphere with this quiz. Questions cover scrubbers, atmospheric layers, and properties of gases. Perfect for students and enthusiasts in environmental science or related fields.
