What is Pollution?
15 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is pollution?

  • The introduction of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health into the environment (correct)
  • The process of recycling contaminants to make them harmless to nature and human health
  • The introduction of contaminants that have beneficial effects on nature and human health into the environment
  • The removal of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health from the environment

    • What does 'environment' refer to in the context of pollution?

  • Only the air
  • Only the land
  • Only the water
  • The water, air, or land (correct)

    • Why is pollution a concern for humans?

  • Because it affects our economic growth
  • Because we depend on water, air, and land for our survival (correct)
  • Because it has no effect on human health
  • Because it only affects wildlife

    • What is one major source of water pollution in Canada?

    <p>Municipal wastewater treatment plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much inadequately treated wastewater is dumped into the environment in Canada each year?

    <p>150 billion liters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the result of a major oil spill in Canada in 2016?

    <p>It contaminated the local population's drinking water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of natural water contamination in Canada?

    <p>Acid rain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the consequence of a smelting plant in Ontario allegedly dumping toxic substances into local water sources?

    <p>Levels of metals in the water increased to hundreds of times higher than legal limits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Canada try to prevent pollution in the first place?

    <p>By regulating what substances can be used in an industry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the natural sources of air pollution in the U.S.?

    <p>Wildfires</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the effects of long-term air pollution?

    <p>Increasing the risk of respiratory disorders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has the U.S. done to tackle and manage air pollution problems?

    <p>Reduced the content of toxic chemicals in gasoline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the sources of land pollution in Mexico?

    <p>Mining</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has Mexico done to help control land pollution?

    <p>Instituted basic policies to minimize exposure to contaminants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the aim of closing one of the world's largest landfills in Mexico?

    <p>To replace it with a recycling plant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    What is Pollution?

    • The introduction of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health into the environment
    • Can be found in water, air, or land

    Water Pollution in Canada

    • Over 150 billion liters of inadequately treated wastewater (sewage) is dumped every year
    • Sources of water contamination include:
      • Industry
      • Municipal discharge
      • Acid rain
      • Natural erosion or sedimentation
    • Examples of water pollution:
      • 2016 oil spill in Canada, 200,000 liters of tar sand crude oil leaked into the North Saskatchewan River
      • Smelting plant in Ontario allegedly dumping toxic substances into local water sources since 1963

    Tackling Water Pollution in Canada

    • Developing regulations for appropriate wastewater treatment
    • Monitoring water quality to identify contaminants and address the problem
    • Preventing pollution through regulating industry practices and product design

    Air Pollution in the U.S.

    • Sources of air pollution:
      • Natural sources (e.g. wildfires)
      • Human-based sources (e.g. automobiles, airplanes, factories, power plants)
    • Effects of air pollution:
      • Increase risk of respiratory disorders, like lung cancer
    • Examples of air pollution:
      • Wildfires in the northwestern United States in 2016, causing air pollution levels to rise to toxic levels
      • Los Angeles, with high levels of air pollution due to a large number of automobiles

    Tackling Air Pollution in the U.S.

    • Reducing toxic chemicals in gasoline
    • Promoting the development of cleaner alternative sources of energy (e.g. wind, solar)

    Land Pollution in Mexico

    • Sources of land pollution:
      • Mining
      • Landfills
      • Hazardous wastes
      • Construction and demolition waste
    • Examples of land pollution:
      • Toxic chemicals and substances (e.g. lead, arsenic, chromium) infiltrating the surrounding land
    • Steps to control land pollution:
      • Instituting policies to minimize exposure to contaminants
      • Closing dangerous industries or land pollution sites and replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives (e.g. recycling plant)

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Learn about pollution, its effects on nature and human health, and its impact on the environment in North America.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser