Environmental Chemistry Unit Review

A process that takes used water and returns it to the environment with minimal pollutants.

The initial step in wastewater treatment, where large solids and sediments are physically separated.

The second stage in wastewater treatment, where bacteria decompose organic matter, resulting in the removal of 'biosolids' and further purification with chlorine, ozone, or UV light.

The final stage of wastewater treatment, where water percolates through a plant bed to remove phosphates and nitrates.

A large underground container that traps grease and large solids from sewage, commonly used in rural areas.

A method of waste disposal where garbage is compacted and covered with earth and clay daily to prevent leachate from reaching groundwater.

Liquid that drains from a landfill and can be contaminated with various chemicals and pollutants.

A clay liner used at the bottom of sanitary landfills to prevent the harmful leachate from leaking into groundwater.

Methane is a gas produced when organic matter decays without oxygen, like in landfills. It's captured and used as fuel to prevent environmental harm.

Secure landfills are designed to contain hazardous waste, preventing pollution from escaping the site.

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas releases carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other harmful gases.

Industrial processes like electricity generation, mining, and fertilizer production can release harmful chemicals into the air, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Natural gas with a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is called 'sour gas'. It's treated to remove sulfur dioxide before being used as fuel.

Rain or snow with a pH lower than 5.6, caused by acidic compounds like sulfuric and nitric acid.

The rapid decrease in water pH during spring melt when acidic deposits accumulate over winter.

A process used in power plants to neutralize sulfur dioxide emissions, using limestone and water to absorb sulfur particles.

A device in cars that converts harmful exhaust gases into less harmful ones using a catalyst (like platinum), reducing CO and NOx emissions.

The acidic compounds in the atmosphere, primarily sulfuric, nitric and nitrous acid, that contribute to acid rain and snow.

Chemicals that produce acidic substances; have a pH less than 7. They tend to taste sour and feel stinging.

Chemicals that produce basic substances; have a pH greater than 7. They tend to taste bitter and feel slippery.

Substances that change color when they react with acids or bases. Examples include litmus paper and universal indicator.

A reaction between an acid and a base, where both are used up, producing salt and water.

A scale from 0 to 14 that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic.

Rainwater that has become acidic due to pollutants in the atmosphere, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. It can have a pH as low as 3.

A process that uses indicators to determine the pH of a substance. It involves matching the color of the indicator with a chart to find the corresponding pH value.

Acid rain is a significant environmental problem that can harm ecosystems, damage buildings, and impact human health. Methods to neutralize acids include using bases, such as limestone, to reduce acidity levels in affected areas.

Large molecules made of repeating smaller units called monomers.

The building blocks of polymers, like the links in a chain.

Organic compounds essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. They are needed in large amounts.

Provide energy for metabolism and are found in foods like rice, grains, potatoes, and fruits.

Form structural components for the body, help with chemical reactions, and are found in meat, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, etc.

Store chemical energy, provide insulation, and are found in vegetable oils, nut oils, legumes, and some dairy products.

Make up DNA and RNA, which are essential for genetic information and protein synthesis.

Minerals needed in significant amounts for healthy bones, teeth, and other bodily functions.

Pollution is any change to the environment that negatively affects living organisms.

A point source is a specific, identifiable location where pollution is coming from, like a factory.

A non-point source is a wide area where pollution is coming from, but it's not easily identified, like runoff from farmland.

Dilution is when pollution is getting less concentrated, like adding fresh water to a polluted stream. Concentration is the opposite, where pollution gets stronger.

Water quality is measured in five categories by the government: drinking water, recreation, aquatic life, agriculture, and industrial use.

Using living organisms like fish, plants, worms, and insects to assess water quality. Their presence or absence, and their health, indicate the overall quality of the water.

Microscopic organisms, mainly bacteria, that can cause health problems if present in water. Their presence indicates potential contamination and risk.

The amount of oxygen dissolved in water, essential for aquatic life, insects, and microorganisms. It is affected by temperature, photosynthesis, turbulence, and the number of organisms using it.

A way to express the concentration of pollutants in water, representing one unit of the pollutant per million or billion units of water.

The substance being dissolved in a solution, like salt in water.

The substance that dissolves the solute, like water in a saltwater solution.

A measure of the amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent. It is often expressed as parts per million (ppm).

The process of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution by adding more solvent.

The amount of a toxic substance that causes 50% of test animals to die if they are given a specific dose at once.

The measure of how poisonous a substance is.

A substance that can cause serious health problems or death when ingested or absorbed into the body.

A measure of the concentration of a substance in a solution. It is expressed as parts per million (ppm).

A substance that gets broken down by bacteria in the environment.

Pesticides that persist in the environment and are not easily broken down.

A combination of chemicals that can be more deadly than each individual chemical on its own.

The process of breaking down waste materials into less harmful substances, often by using microorganisms like bacteria.

The amount of a substance that is needed to kill 50% of a population of test animals.

The maximum dosage of a substance that can be given to a specific weight of an animal before reaching the LD50.

The amount of caffeine that is needed to kill 50% of a population of test animals.

The maximum dosage of caffeine that can be given to a 55 kg person before reaching the LD50.

Side effects of consuming caffeine above the recommended daily dose.

A chemical or substance that is poisonous or harmful to living organisms.

The ability of a substance to cause harm to living organisms.

The process of breaking down waste materials into less harmful substances, often by using microorganisms like bacteria.