Impact of Acid Rain and Phosphorus Concerns Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the adverse impact of acid rain on freshwaters?

Decreasing water acidity

Enhancing aquatic biodiversity

Improving the growth of aquatic plants

Killing insect and aquatic lifeforms (correct)

What happens when phosphorus bound to soil particles lands in lakes and reservoirs?

Water quality improves

Excessive vegetation growth stops

Fish population decreases

Eutrophication occurs (correct)

Why is phosphorus identified as the 'control nutrient' in algal growth?

To promote algae overgrowth

To reduce algae reproduction

To increase algae diversity

To prevent excess algae from developing (correct)

What is the primary goal for manure application based on the content provided?

Management for maximum nutrient efficiency Signup and view all the answers

Why should manure be applied at a rate meeting the crop's requirement for nitrogen?

To minimize nutrient runoff Signup and view all the answers

What are the two strategies for manure use mentioned in the text?

Management for maximum nutrient efficiency, and management for maximum application rate of manure Signup and view all the answers

During the 'nitrogenous' stage in the BOD process, what are organic nitrogen, ammonia, and nitrite converted to?

Nitrate Signup and view all the answers

How is the BOD value in case of animal manure impact on a body of water most commonly expressed?

Milligrams of oxygen consumed per liter of sample during 5 days incubation at 20°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate dissolved oxygen level in a saturated solution at room temperature and normal pressure?

9 mg/L Signup and view all the answers

Why is greater turbulence desirable in the reaeration process for water purification?

To improve oxygen transfer from the air to the water Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if animal manure is not properly utilized and released back into the environment?

Water pollution occurs Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient content does Table 2.4 list on a daily basis as excreted?

Nitrogen content Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between point source (PS) pollution and non point source (NPS) pollution?

PS pollution flows directly from an area, while NPS pollution flows from a pipe or conveyance form. Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is runoff from cropland and grazing livestock considered?

Non point source pollution Signup and view all the answers

Why is it mentioned that odors are the greatest challenges among airborne discharges from livestock?

Because odors present significant challenges in terms of nuisance and public complaints Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms are commonly found in livestock and poultry wastes?

Fecal coliform bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for diseases that can be transmitted from livestock to humans?

Zoonoses Signup and view all the answers

When livestock stand by a stream or river, defecate as they drink, and cause damage, what type of pollution is this scenario an example of?

Non point source (NPS) pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible solution mentioned to reduce dust production caused by animal activity?

Increase animal density to make the surface moist Signup and view all the answers

Which gas is highlighted as a 'greenhouse gas' in the text?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What is an issue associated with ammonia mentioned in the text?

Part of acid rain formation Signup and view all the answers

Why is constructing farms far away from houses suggested in the text?

To mitigate odor problems and protect nearby residents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a product of anaerobic decomposition of manure according to the text?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for careful sprinkling with water as a management option according to the text?

To minimize dust production without creating muddy conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is methemoglobinemia?

A disorder that causes an increase in the level of ferric haemoglobin in the blood Signup and view all the answers

How does methemoglobinemia affect the ability of red blood cells to release oxygen?

It decreases the ability Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of acid rain?

Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds Signup and view all the answers

How does acid rain impact infrastructure?

It causes damage to infrastructure Signup and view all the answers

Why is nitrate in drinking water particularly concerning for pregnant women?

It can lead to methemoglobinemia in infants Signup and view all the answers

What is methemoglobin?

Hemoglobin with a decreased affinity for oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nitrogenous Stage

The nitrogenous stage, also known as the second stage, combines carbonaceous and nitrogenous stages, converting organic nitrogen, ammonia (NH3), and nitrite (NO2-) to nitrate (NO3-).

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms to break down organic matter in a water sample over a 5-day incubation period at 20°C.
BOD is expressed in milligrams of oxygen consumed per liter of sample (CBOD5, 20).
A saturated solution at room temperature and normal pressure contains approximately 9 mg/L of DO.

Reaeration

Reaeration is a self-purification process that occurs in turbulent water surfaces, reducing the BOD.
Waste load dumping in downstream water streams can disrupt reaeration.

Nutrient Content of Animal Manure

Animal manure is rich in plant nutrients, making it a valuable fertilizer.
Table 2.4 lists the daily nutrient content of animal manure excreted.
Properly utilized, manure can augment or replace commercial fertilizers, reducing environmental pollution.

Methemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia is a disorder characterized by elevated levels of methemoglobin (metHb) in the blood.
Ingestion of high nitrate levels accelerates methemoglobin formation, reducing oxygen release to tissues.
Methemoglobinemia can lead to frequent abortions and calf deaths.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is a type of precipitation with high levels of hydrogen ions (low pH, approximately 5.7).
Acid rain is caused by emissions of compounds like sulfur dioxide, ammonium, carbon, and nitrogen.
Acid rain harms plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure, and is primarily caused by human activities like electricity generation, factories, and motor vehicles.

Phosphorus Concerns

Phosphorus is bound to soil particles upon application and becomes part of the soil phosphorus reservoir.
Erosion leads to excessive phosphorus levels in lakes and reservoirs, causing eutrophication.
Phosphorus is essential for algal growth and is considered the "control nutrient" to prevent excess algae development.

Manure Application Strategies

Manure application aims to improve crop production and preserve environmental quality.
Two strategies exist: (1) management for maximum nutrient efficiency and (2) management for maximum application rate of manure.
Manure application rates should be based on the nutrient present at the highest level in terms of crop needs, typically nitrogen.

Point Source vs Non-Point Source Pollution

Point source pollution comes from a pipe or other determined conveyance form.
Non-point source pollution is diffuse and comes from an area, not directly conveyed.
Large livestock operations (>1000 head) are point sources, while smaller enterprises and runoff from cropland are non-point sources.

Livestock Waste and Disease Transmission

Livestock and poultry wastes contain organisms associated with the gastrointestinal tract, including fecal coliform (FC) bacteria.
Diseases transmissible from livestock to humans are called zoonoses.

Livestock Waste Discharges into Air

Airborne discharges include dust, reduced gases from anaerobic decomposition, and odors.
Two solutions to reduce dust production: increasing animal density to create a moist surface and careful sprinkling with water.
Anaerobic decomposition of manure produces methane, a greenhouse gas, and ammonia, contributing to global warming and acid rain.
Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas that contributes to odor problems.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the adverse effects of acid rain on forests, freshwaters, soils, and ecosystems, as well as the environmental concerns related to phosphorus accumulation in soil and water bodies. Explore the impacts on aquatic life, vegetation growth, water quality degradation, and human health.