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Questions and Answers
Activated carbon can be derived from both organic and inorganic sources.
Activated carbon can be derived from both organic and inorganic sources.
True
Electro-filters are designed to operate with low gas flows and large particles.
Electro-filters are designed to operate with low gas flows and large particles.
False
Chemical activation of carbon involves heating it to temperatures between 800 and 950 ºC.
Chemical activation of carbon involves heating it to temperatures between 800 and 950 ºC.
False
Bag filters operate by using an electric field to charge particles for separation.
Bag filters operate by using an electric field to charge particles for separation.
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One of the advantages of electro-filters is their ability to handle hot effluents up to 500 ºC.
One of the advantages of electro-filters is their ability to handle hot effluents up to 500 ºC.
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Groundwater has a constant temperature and chemical composition.
Groundwater has a constant temperature and chemical composition.
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Oxygen is present in large quantities in groundwater.
Oxygen is present in large quantities in groundwater.
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Contaminated water can still be used for the same purposes as natural water.
Contaminated water can still be used for the same purposes as natural water.
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Agricultural practices can lead to diffuse water pollution.
Agricultural practices can lead to diffuse water pollution.
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Suspended matter in water can decrease the amount of sunlight reaching underwater layers.
Suspended matter in water can decrease the amount of sunlight reaching underwater layers.
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Total dissolved solids (TDS) refer only to the organic substances in water.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) refer only to the organic substances in water.
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Contamination is measured based on the final use of the water.
Contamination is measured based on the final use of the water.
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The geological nature of the soil does not influence the chemical composition of groundwater.
The geological nature of the soil does not influence the chemical composition of groundwater.
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Waste can be utilized as fuel in specific industrial processes.
Waste can be utilized as fuel in specific industrial processes.
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Ecodesign promotes waste generation by prioritizing low-cost materials.
Ecodesign promotes waste generation by prioritizing low-cost materials.
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Recycling can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Recycling can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
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Member States are discouraged from setting recycling targets for various waste types.
Member States are discouraged from setting recycling targets for various waste types.
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Incineration is always the most efficient method of managing used materials.
Incineration is always the most efficient method of managing used materials.
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Re-use of products can create jobs and provide affordable options for consumers.
Re-use of products can create jobs and provide affordable options for consumers.
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The primary purpose of bar screening is to retain and separate floating and suspended bulky elements in wastewater.
The primary purpose of bar screening is to retain and separate floating and suspended bulky elements in wastewater.
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Grit chambers are designed to increase the number of solids in suspension in wastewater.
Grit chambers are designed to increase the number of solids in suspension in wastewater.
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Good waste management aims to prevent waste from being produced in the first place.
Good waste management aims to prevent waste from being produced in the first place.
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Spillways are used to discharge excess flow into a holding tank for treatment in the WWTP afterwards.
Spillways are used to discharge excess flow into a holding tank for treatment in the WWTP afterwards.
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Toxic chemicals released during poor combustion do not have significant health implications.
Toxic chemicals released during poor combustion do not have significant health implications.
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Bar screens can only be utilized in a horizontal orientation.
Bar screens can only be utilized in a horizontal orientation.
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Batteries can be managed by regular waste collection services.
Batteries can be managed by regular waste collection services.
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Humidity is a physical property that affects waste transformation processes.
Humidity is a physical property that affects waste transformation processes.
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The first 10-15 minutes of collected rainwater are considered uncontaminated and do not require treatment.
The first 10-15 minutes of collected rainwater are considered uncontaminated and do not require treatment.
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Recycling includes bringing materials back to their original purpose only.
Recycling includes bringing materials back to their original purpose only.
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The term BOD5 refers to the biochemical oxygen demand measured over a five-day period.
The term BOD5 refers to the biochemical oxygen demand measured over a five-day period.
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The carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio is important for composting processes.
The carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio is important for composting processes.
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Grids used in sewage treatment can only be narrow in separation between sticks, typically around 1.5 cm.
Grids used in sewage treatment can only be narrow in separation between sticks, typically around 1.5 cm.
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Fluorescent tubes can be disposed of in regular waste bins.
Fluorescent tubes can be disposed of in regular waste bins.
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The design of grids should consider factors such as wastewater flow rate and head loss.
The design of grids should consider factors such as wastewater flow rate and head loss.
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Organic waste cannot be used as fuel for energy production.
Organic waste cannot be used as fuel for energy production.
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Particle size distribution is not important in the recovery of wastes.
Particle size distribution is not important in the recovery of wastes.
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The heating value of waste refers to the amount of heat produced during its complete combustion.
The heating value of waste refers to the amount of heat produced during its complete combustion.
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The fermentation time for composting in a closed system is 3-4 weeks.
The fermentation time for composting in a closed system is 3-4 weeks.
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The moisture percentage in composting should be between 40 and 60%.
The moisture percentage in composting should be between 40 and 60%.
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Glass loses its properties after being recycled.
Glass loses its properties after being recycled.
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The temperature during glass recycling can reach up to 1500 ºC.
The temperature during glass recycling can reach up to 1500 ºC.
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Thermostable plastics are easy to recycle.
Thermostable plastics are easy to recycle.
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is recycled into polyester fibers and pillows.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is recycled into polyester fibers and pillows.
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Aerobic conditions in composting can be achieved by ignoring the mixing of materials.
Aerobic conditions in composting can be achieved by ignoring the mixing of materials.
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The pH level suitable for composting should be maintained between 5 and 7.
The pH level suitable for composting should be maintained between 5 and 7.
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Study Notes
Water Pollution - Lecture 1
- Over 97.2% of the world's water is in the oceans, making it unusable for humans.
- Only 0.6% of the water is usable by humans (~8.4 km³).
- The hydrological cycle involves evaporation and precipitation (approximately 5.2 *10⁵ km³/year).
- Only 20% of precipitated water falls on continents.
- Evaporation is higher over oceans than precipitations.
- Precipitations are higher than evaporation over continents.
- Human activities affect the water cycle, leading to contamination and diseases in various areas.
Characteristics of Natural Water
- Water's chemical composition has a significant influence on water cycle and climate.
- Water has covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms (~100 kcal/mol).
- Water has hydrogen bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms of different molecules (between 1 and 40 kcal/mol).
- Water cycle: evaporation, precipitation, runoff, etc.
Contaminated Water Characteristics - Lecture 1
- Water pollution occurs when the composition or physical condition of water is altered due to human activity.
- It implies water cannot be used with the same purpose as natural water.
- Contamination is measured in relation to the intended use of the water.
- Types of water pollution include concentrated sources (industrial effluents) and diffuse sources (agricultural runoff).
Physical Contaminants - Lecture 1.2.1
- Total matter: composed of suspended matter and substances removable by filtration.
- Suspended matter affects water color, sunlight penetration, and sediment deposition.
- Salinity, O2 solubility, and toxicity are quantifiable indicators of water quality.
- Other quantifiable data includes Matter in Suspension (MS), Solids in Suspension (SS), Dry Residue (DR) at 105 °C or Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Fixed Residue.
- Odor results from organic matter decomposition.
- Colour is caused by organic and inorganic pollutants (natural or anthropogenic).
- Urban wastewater (grey = recent, black = decomposed) and industrial wastewater colors vary based on contaminants.
- Temperature affects gas solubility and microbial activity.
Chemical Contaminants - Lecture 1.2.2
- Organic matter (OM): has natural (biodegradable) and urban/industrial (bio/non-biodegradable) sources.
- Detergents include surfactants and complementary chemicals (active ingredients, co-adjuvants and additives).
- Pesticides: formulations combining the active agent with other substances (inorganic/organic).
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): stable at high temperatures, non-flammable, and persistent.
- Hydrocarbons (HC) include alkanes, alkenes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic compounds, with lower water-solubility and densities than water.
- They prevent light and oxygen from passing through the water's surface.
Parameters for Organic Contamination - Lecture 1.2.2
- Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms during organic matter degradation under aerobic conditions.
- Chemical oxygen demand (COD) measures the amount of oxygen consumed by chemical reactions in organic matter degradation.
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Oxygen Demand (TOD) are other relevant indicators.
- Understanding BOD5 (5-day BOD) and BOD20 (20-day BOD) is necessary for assessing the total organic contamination.
- Reference values for water quality: Highly pure waters = BOD5 < 3mgO2/L ; Contaminated waters = BOD5 >8 mgO2/L.
General Water Quality Indicators - Lecture 1.2.2
- Turbidity is an interference to light passing through water, caused by suspended matter, suspended/dissolved matter.
- It's measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU's).
- Conductivity is the ability of water to conduct electricity, which depends on ion concentration.
- Water hardness is due to Ca², Mg² and other cations like Fe² and Mn².
Biological Contaminants - Lecture 1.2.3
- Biological contaminants include microorganisms (bacteria, algae, and viruses).
- These contaminants are present in wastewater, particularly in urban areas and can be a cause of eutrophication.
- Coliform bacteria indicate fecal contamination, while biotic indexes and toxicity assays measure the response of aquatic organisms to contaminants.
Contaminated Water Treatment - Lecture 2
- Wastewater sources: urban (conventional/separated sewers) and industrial sources.
- Home wastewaters are relatively consistent in flow & composition.
- Industrial wastewaters have varying compositions, including non-biodegradable chemical compounds or heavy metals.
- The type of wastewater impacts treatment choices.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Lecture 2.3
- Wastewater treatment plants are crucial in treating wastewater to achieve specific levels of purity.
- The treatment stages include pretreatment, primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments.
- Pretreatment involves removing coarse particles like sediment, sand, grease, etc.
- Primary wastewater treatment focuses on removing sediment, which reduces BOD5 (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) by 30-40%.
- Secondary treatment employs biological or chemical processes to remove organic matter, thus reducing the BOD5 further.
- Tertiary treatment achieves the final purification of wastewater for reuse or discharge.
Sewage Sludge - Lecture 3
- Sewage sludge is produced during wastewater treatment processes.
- Sludge includes different types of organic and inorganic matters, in both solid and liquid form.
- Sludge is typically treated by stabilization (chemical, thermal, or biological), conditioning, dehydration (filtration, pressing, centrifuging, or drying beds), and disposal through landfill or incineration.
- Different treatment options exist for managing sewage sludge, and the best option depends on the specific characteristics of the sludge and the desired final application.
Air Pollution - Lecture 4
- The atmosphere layers are: Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere and Troposphere.
- The homosphere is the lower layer and characterized by its homogenous composition.
- The heterosphere is found above, with a varying composition.
- Air pollutants include sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon oxides (CO, CO₂), and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
- Atmospheric contamination impacts climate and ecosystems.
Management of Solid Contaminants in Gases - Lecture 5
- Solids and particles in gases present a varied composition and characteristics.
- Different physical and chemical processes are used to remove the particles in these solid contaminants.
- Mechanical separators (gravity chambers, cyclones, etc.) and electrostatic precipitators for solid removal are used.
- Scrubbers and filters are used for gases' cleaning and removal or trapping.
Management of Gaseous Pollutants - Lecture 6
- Absorption removes gaseous contaminants by dissolving them in a liquid (absorbent).
- Adsorption uses a solid adsorbent to retain contaminants.
- Incineration involves the combustion of the gaseous pollutants to achieve higher temperatures destroying the pollutants.
- Catalytic reduction chemically converts gaseous pollutants, using a catalyst, into less harmful products.
Industrial Waste - Lecture 9
- Industrial wastes are generated from different manufacturing and industrial processes.
- EU legislation and List of Wastes categorize various industrial wastes.
- Hazardous waste characteristics are defined by the EU for safe processing and treatment.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts in environmental science related to water pollution and filtration methods. Topics include the properties of activated carbon, the operation of electro-filters, and the impact of agricultural practices on water quality. Test your knowledge on the interaction between groundwater composition, contamination, and purification techniques.
