40 Questions
What type of pollution occurs when waste is discharged into a specific location in a receiving water body?
Point source pollution
What is another term for non-point sources of pollution?
Diffuse sources
What type of pollution occurs when there is an overflow of a sewer system during heavy rainfall?
Intermittent source pollution
Which of the following is responsible for implementing water pollution control regulations?
All of the above
What type of water supply is suitable for human consumption with conventional treatment?
Public water supply
What method of solid pollution control involves breaking down organic waste?
Composting
What is the purpose of environmental protection agencies (EPAs)?
To implement pollution control regulations
What type of water supply is suitable for industrial and commercial uses?
Industrial/commercial supply
What is the process of splitting a uranium atom's nucleus into two smaller nuclei?
Nuclear fission
What is the result of nuclear fusion?
The joining of nuclei to form larger atoms
What percentage of the nation's electricity is generated by nuclear power plants?
20%
What is the advantage of nuclear reactors in terms of emissions?
They emit no carbon emissions
How many nuclear reactors are operational in the nation's nuclear power plants?
22
What is the purpose of building nuclear power plants to withstand extreme weather?
To support the grid 24/7
What is the fuel used in nuclear reactors?
Uranium
Why are nuclear reactors always well-operated?
To avoid interruptions
How many significant chemical accidents have been reported in India over the last decade?
130
What is the primary cause of biological disasters?
Micro-organisms like bacteria or viruses
Who developed the symbol for biohazard in 1966?
Charles Baldwin
What is the classification level for bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans?
BSL-2
What is the primary protection measure for BSL-1 biohazards?
Facial protection and gloves
What is an example of a BSL-3 biohazard?
MERS coronavirus
What is the purpose of autoclaves in biohazard protection?
To sterilize equipment
What is the classification level for potentially fatal viruses like Ebola?
BSL-4
What is the primary purpose of transferring waste to a treatment plant?
For material recovery through mechanical sorting and composting
What is the main concern of occupational health and safety authorities in industrialized countries?
Exposure to toxic chemicals and micro-organisms
What are the three distinct types of operations that should be considered in waste management?
Handling and storage, collection and transportation, sorting and disposal
What is the term for reusing materials for the same purpose?
Reuse
What is the purpose of road-to-road, road-to-rail, or road-to-waterway transfer stations?
To facilitate long-distance transportation of waste
What is a common hazard associated with waste handling and storage?
Improper heavy lifting
What is the term for the recovery of materials or energy from waste?
Recycling
What is the primary goal of waste management?
To minimize the environmental impacts of waste
What is the primary source of natural radiation?
Cosmic rays
What is the effect of radiation on the human body?
Both genetic and somatic damage
How can the generation of radioactive waste be minimized?
By limiting the number of users of radioactive materials
What is the purpose of proper siting, disposal of waste, and maintenance in controlling radioactive pollution?
To prevent radioactive pollution
What is the benefit of using short-lived radionuclides in experiments?
They reduce the activity and volumes of materials used
What is the effect of radiation on the thyroid?
It causes cancer
Why is it important to avoid mixing radioactive wastes with non-radioactive wastes?
To prevent contamination of non-radioactive materials
What is the goal of promoting non-radioactive tracers and methods in biomedical assays?
To minimize the generation of radioactive waste
Study Notes
Nuclear Fission and Fusion
- Nuclear fission: a process where the nucleus of a uranium atom splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing nuclear energy
- Nuclear fusion: the joining of nuclei of small atoms to form larger atoms, producing few dangerous wastes, but requiring very high temperatures
Nuclear Energy
- As of March 2018, 22 nuclear reactors are operational in 7 nuclear power plants, generating nearly 20% of the nation's electricity without carbon emissions
- Nuclear reactors use uranium, not fossil fuels, and are designed to withstand extreme weather and provide power 24/7
Biological Disasters
- Biological disasters: natural or human-made scenarios involving disease, disability, or death on a large scale among humans, animals, and plants due to micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, or toxins
- Biohazards classified into four biosafety levels (BSL) by the US Center for Disease Control:
- BSL-1: minimal protection required, e.g., Bacillus subtilis
- BSL-2: moderate protection required, e.g., hepatitis A, B, C
- BSL-3: stringent safety protocols required, e.g., West Nile virus, anthrax
- BSL-4: potentially fatal viruses, e.g., Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa fever virus
Environmental Pollution and Management - Water
- Point sources: waste discharges into a receiving water body at a specific location
- Non-point (dispersed) sources: pollution entering a receiving water body from dispersed sources in the watershed
- Intermittent sources: from a point or source which discharges under certain circumstances
- Water pollution control regulations: national and state/provincial levels, environmental protection agencies (EPAs), and Ministries of Health
- Water supplies: public, agricultural, industrial/commercial
Environmental Pollution and Management - Soil
- Solid pollution control methods: landfilling, composting, and incineration
Environmental Pollution and Management - Solid Waste
- Solid waste management: collection, transportation, sorting, processing, and disposal
- Impacts on human health and safety, and the environment: handling and storage, collection and transportation, sorting, processing, and disposal
- Occupational health and safety: improper heavy lifting, excessive material handling, exposure to dust, micro-organisms, and toxic chemicals
- Recycling and salvaging: reuse, reclamation, and recovery of materials or energy
Environmental Pollution and Management - Radioactive
- Sources: natural (cosmic rays) and anthropogenic (nuclear power plants, X-rays, nuclear accidents)
- Effects: genetic damage, somatic damage (burns, miscarriages, eye cataracts, thyroid and cancer)
- Control: proper siting, disposal of waste, and maintenance
- Prevention of radiation: minimize waste volume and toxicity, avoid excess radioactive materials, use non-radioactive tracers, and replace hazardous chemicals
This quiz covers the basics of nuclear fission and fusion, including the processes and characteristics of each. Learn about the differences between these two types of nuclear reactions.
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