Environmental Science Chapter 15 Part 2

Questions and Answers

How are most industrial wastes disposed of, and how has this changed over the past 25 years?

Most industries dispose of their waste through municipal sewage treatment systems. Industries are no longer allowed to use water and return it to its source in poor condition since 1972.

What is thermal pollution and how can it be controlled?

Thermal pollution occurs when an industry removes water from a source for cooling purposes and then returns the heated water. It can be controlled by using cooling ponds, cooling towers, and dry towers.

Describe primary, secondary, and tertiary sewage treatment.

Primary sewage treatment removes larger particles through screens and settling in ponds. Secondary treatment involves bacteria degrading organic material, and tertiary treatment employs various techniques to remove remaining dissolved pollutants.

What are the types of wastes associated with agriculture?

Agricultural waste includes animal manure, excess feed, and fertilizer and pesticide spillage. Signup and view all the answers

Why is stormwater management more of a problem in an urban area than in a rural area?

In urban areas, storm-water runoff from streets and buildings is often directly added to the sewer system, while in rural areas, it either infiltrates the soil or runs into river systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is groundwater mining?

Groundwater mining occurs when water is removed from an aquifer faster than it is replaced. Signup and view all the answers

How does irrigation increase salinity?

Irrigated plants extract the water they need, leaving salts behind that cause the natural water to become more concentrated. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major water services provided by metropolitan areas?

Metropolitan areas provide a water supply for humans and industrial needs, wastewater collection and treatment, and storm-water collection and management. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Industrial Waste Disposal

Most industrial waste is disposed of through municipal sewage treatment systems.
Since 1972, industries are prohibited from returning polluted water to its source without prior treatment.
Water must be cleaned before it is reintroduced into natural waterways.

Thermal Pollution

Occurs when industries extract water for cooling and return it heated to its source.
Can be controlled using methods like cooling ponds, cooling towers, and dry towers.

Sewage Treatment Stages

Primary treatment: Filters out larger particles via screens and allows settling in ponds or lagoons.
Secondary treatment: Follows primary treatment, using bacteria to degrade organic material in wastewater.
Tertiary treatment: Employs various techniques to eliminate dissolved pollutants remaining after primary and secondary treatments.

Agricultural Waste Types

Includes animal manure, excess animal feed, and spillage of fertilizers and pesticides.

Stormwater Management Challenges

In urban areas, stormwater runoff from streets and buildings is routed directly to sewer systems for municipal treatment.
In contrast, rural areas allow stormwater to either infiltrate the soil or flow into rivers.

Groundwater Mining

Refers to the extraction of water from aquifers at a rate faster than it can naturally replenish.

Irrigation and Salinity

Irrigation practices can increase soil salinity as extracted water leaves behind concentrated salts.

Water Services in Metropolitan Areas

Metropolitan regions must provide essential services:
- Safe water supply for human and industrial usage
- Wastewater collection and treatment systems
- Stormwater collection and management.

Description

Explore key concepts from Chapter 15 Part 2 of Environmental Science, focusing on industrial waste disposal methods and thermal pollution. This quiz will test your understanding of how waste management practices have evolved and the strategies to control thermal pollution. Prepare to deepen your knowledge of environmental impact and regulations.