Air, Soil, and Water Transport

Transports of Materials through Air, Soil, and Water

• Transportation of airborne chemicals occurs in three stages: release at the source, dispersion in various directions, and deposition in soil or water.
• The direction and distance of airborne chemicals are determined by pollutant properties, wind speed, prevailing wind direction, and precipitation.
• Airborne pollutants are an international concern because they can travel across borders.
• Many countries have signed international agreements and anti-pollution laws to limit the spread of airborne pollutants.

Transport in Groundwater

• Groundwater fills all spaces in the soil and lacks air.
• The water table is the top of the groundwater zone.
• The slow movement of groundwater prevents the easy dispersal of chemicals, potentially concentrating contaminants over time.
• Water movement is affected by the number and connection of pores in the soil.
• Tightly packed, unconnected pores impede water movement.
• Groundwater contaminants include minerals, organic substances, heavy metals, fossil fuels, inorganic substances, micro-organisms, and household chemicals.

Surface Water

• Contamination sources for surface water include air, groundwater, runoff from agricultural fields and industrial sites, and outflow from storm sewers/sewage treatment plants.
• Chemicals that do not disperse lead to increased local pollutant concentrations
• Low pollutant concentrations are easily dispersed.

Problem Contaminants

• "Problem" contaminants often exhibit low solubility in water, making them hard to remove.
• They attach to soil and solids, settling in sediments.
• These contaminants sink and accumulate in lake or riverbeds.
• High concentrations are often found near the pollution source.
• Problem contaminants are persistent, long-lasting, and difficult to clean up, requiring specialized treatment methods.

Monitoring Water Sources

• Monitoring water sources ensures safe drinking water for communities.
• Early detection of contaminants includes identifying chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals.
• Tracing pollution helps track contamination from industries, agriculture, or natural causes.
• Monitoring facilitates action to minimize or remove pollutants and to protect public health.
• Monitoring maintains long-term environmental sustainability and preserves future water quality.

Water on Fields

• Water landing on soil will evaporate, soak into the soil which can be taken up by plants, run off onto streets or streams, or soak through the soil, dissolving and carrying substances along with it.
• Hydrocarbon contamination is difficult to clean up because they do not dissolve and are toxic to plants and animals.

Transport in Soil

• Water that moves downwards through soil is called leachate.
• Soil composition affects how fast pollutants are carried through it, with permeability playing a key role.
• More permeable soil allows pollutants to move through faster, contaminating the soil and groundwater.
• Organic material in soil slows chemical movement because it absorbs them.

Changing Concentrations

• Dispersion is the scattering of a substance away from its source, resulting in low concentrations over a larger area.
• Dilution reduces the concentration of a pollutant by mixing it with large quantities of air or water.
• Fast-flowing rivers or air masses can disperse or dilute chemicals quickly.

Nature's Cleanup

• Biodegradation is the breakdown of pollutants by organisms like earthworms, bacteria, and fungi.
• Aerobic biodegradation requires oxygen and anaerobic biodegradation occurs without oxygen.
• Temperature, soil moisture, pH, oxygen supply, and nutrient availability affect biodegradation.
• Large organic molecules are broken down inside or outside bacteria in a decomposition process.

Phytoremediation and Photolysis

• Phytoremediation uses plants to remove harmful chemicals, reducing their concentration in the soil.
• "Phyto" means plant and "remediation" means correction or cure.
• Plants have been used to clean up metals, hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, radioactive materials, explosives, and landfill leachates.
• Some plants absorb and accumulate large amounts of metals from the soil.
• Photolysis is a process where substances degrade from exposure to light.
• Photolysis is the breakdown of compounds by sunlight, for example, Nitrates

Biomagnification

• Biomagnification describes the increase in concentration of a chemical or element as it moves up the food chain

Oil Spills - Impact

• The composition of oil changes once spilled, lighter molecules disperse in the air/water. "Tar balls", are heavy hydrocarbons that wash ashore or sink.
• Bacteria breaks down the pollutant oil for consumption.
• Hydrocarbons can be toxic in concentrations as low as 1 ppb, and can persist in the environment for more than 10 years.
• Floating algae can be killed and invertebrates cannot survive reduced oxygen, loss of food and the toxins from the hydrocarbons.
• Fish are physically deformed, habitats are lost as are food resources.
• Seabirds and mammals become covered with oil: Oily feathers cannot protect birds and oily fur cannot protect mammals such as sea otters from cold temperatures.
• Commercial fishers can no longer fish, people who rely on wildlife for their food must often buy groceries from stores.
• The tourist trade decreases since recreational users (campers and kayakers) will avoid contaminated areas.

Hazardous Products

• A household product is considered hazardous if it is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive.

Product Safety

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide critical information about product composition, characteristics, health effects, first aid procedures, safe handling and storage, and proper disposal methods.
• Store products in original containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas with flammables stored away from heat sources.
• Regularly check for leaks or damage and lock chemicals away from children and pets.
• Place products upright/secure in the vehicle trunk, separate from the passenger areas and ensure that they're properly sealed.
• Be aware of weather conditions during transport.

Proper Disposal

• Never pour chemicals down drains or on soil.
• Don't mix different products together.
• Use designated hazardous waste collection sites.
• Keep product in original containers when possible.
• Always follow local disposal guidelines

Environmental Impact

• Improper disposal leads to soil pollution, groundwater contamination, harm to wildlife/ecosystems, and air quality issues.