Human Ecology Exam 3 Prep PDF
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These notes cover human ecology, focusing on atmosphere and air quality topics, including the effects of pollution and specific types of pollutants. They include information about the atmosphere's layers, ozone depletion, and acid deposition.
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ATMOSPHERE AND AIR QUALITY EXAM THREE 3/18/24 tmosphere: A -this is the layer of gasses that envelope our planet -78% nitrogen gas, 21% oxygen, 0.9% Argon, and there minute concentrations of water vapor and other Gases -the atmosphere has four major layers (thermosphere, mesosphere, stra...
ATMOSPHERE AND AIR QUALITY EXAM THREE 3/18/24 tmosphere: A -this is the layer of gasses that envelope our planet -78% nitrogen gas, 21% oxygen, 0.9% Argon, and there minute concentrations of water vapor and other Gases -the atmosphere has four major layers (thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere) -Pressure, humidity, and temperature vary throughout the atmosphere LTITUDE SLIDE A Ozone concentration (milli-pascals) x axis, y axis is altitude in (km), x axis 2 is in celsius Stratosphere most of ozone (switch, troposphere comes first the stratosphere) troposphere earth's surface and air we breathe, mesosphere meteors burn up, thermosphere is outermost layer before space LIDE- S Where we leave is the troposphere, covers the surface, the air we breathe Stratosphere-high concentration of ozone Mesosphere- this is where meteors burn up Thermosphere- this is the outermost layer for space Temperature, warm and we go cooler as increasing altitude Going through the stratosphere the temp will increase Going through mesosphere the temp gets cooler Going through the thermosphere the temp will get warmer olar Energy-heats up the atmosphere S -causes air to circulate and create the seasons! Thermohaline CIrculation (water is less dense than cold water) eats rises and expands and cold air will condense and stay in the same area H -70% of solar energy is absorbed by the atmosphere and the planet’s surface -convection circulation -> land and water absorb solar energy and emit thermal infrared radiation, which warms the air and causes some water to evaporate. The difference in air temperatures results in convections as warm air rises, cools(upward), and descends past other warm air that is rising. isualization of notes SLIDE- lithosphere 70%absorbed, heat will radiate and absorb solar V energy -picks up moisture, hot is less dense and will rise up, away from planet and cools down, precipitation that happens, cool dry air is cold, dense, and is sinking - the atmosphere drives weather and climate patterns Weather-specifies atmospheric conditions in a location over a short period of time Climate- describes typical patterns if atmospheric conditions in a location over long periods of time utdoor Air Quality: O -Air pollutants- gasses and particulate material that is added to the atmosphere that can affect climate and harm living organisms ->air pollution refers to the release of air pollutants and can emanate from point and non point-sources of pollution rimary Pollutants- released directly from a source P Example :ash from volcano eruption, sulfur dioxide from power plant econdary pollutants- primary pollutants that react with one another or with constituents of the S atmosphere and form other pollutants (creates a brand new pollutant) SA Clean Air Act-1970 U -USA Environmental Protection Agency sets nationwide standards for 1) emissions of several key pollutants and 2) concentrations of major pollutants in ambient air -state and local agencies monitor and reporting to the EPA emissions of six major pollutants 1. Particulate Matter- PM10 2. Lead -Pb 3. Carbon Monoxide-CO 4. Sulfur dioxide-SO2 5. Nitrogen Oxides- NOx 6. Volatile Organic Compounds- VOCs ignificant Changes in energy consumption, technological advances, and the use of alternative S energy Resources -We have reduced pollutant emissions!!!! eclines in six D Millions emitted x axis, y axis thousand of tons, ir Pollution is a major concern globally A Toxic air Pollutants- are substances known to cause cancer, reproductive defects, or neurological development, immune systems, or respiratory problems in people and other organisms High Industry and rural areas are of concern Smog- a mixture of air pollutants that can accumulate as a result of FF combustion Industrial Smog-mainly mixture of Sulfur Dioxide and other particulates, industrial sources Photochemical Smog-mainly a mixture of VOCs and NOx, automobile sources March 27/24 zone depletion and Recovery: O -Synthetic chemicals that can complete stratospheric ozone Example are halocarbons- chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) FC reach the stratosphere unchanged and can linger there for a century or more C Reacts with oxygen which reduces the amount of ozone (O3) available -Ozone hole appears ->Happens every year Ozone absorbs UV! FC slide- when in atmosphere, uv cleave off chlorine and bind and break off ozone, end with 2 C oxygen bound and chlorine monoxide, unnatural major hole in atmosphere ajor ozone hole M -Antarctic pole- major concern globally -Montreal Protocol- international effort to restrict CFC production 1987 -World’s nation agreed to cut CFC production in half by 1998 -recovery! Complete recovery of Ozone hole after 2016 Acid Deposition: - The deposition of acidic or acid forming pollutants from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface - Precipitation-> acid rain-> is the main form of acid deposition - Leach nutrients out of topsoil, cause harm plant, mobilize toxic metals become more soluble, affects aquatic habitats, man made structures cid deposition slide- pollutants emitted in one location affect people in other areas (urban A areas sulfur and nitric oxide) interact water vapor form condensation, sulfuric acid and nitric acid Indoor Air Quality: Indoor air generally consists of higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air Indoor air pollutants impacts outweigh those from outdoor air pollution Sick Building Syndrome- unknown cause of specific symptoms associated with indoor pollution ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICITY 3/27/24 nvironmental health: E -Assesses environmental factors that influence our health and quality of life Four Major Types of Environmental Hazards 1. Physical Hazards-occur naturally in our environment and pose risk to human life and health (earthquake or tornado) 2. Chemical Hazards–include many synthetic chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, disinfectants and pesticides (sterilize to kill things) 3. Biological Hazards-result from ecological interaction among organisms (infectious diseases) 4. Cultural Hazards-from our place of residence, the circumstances of our socioeconomic status, our occupation, or our behavioral choices oxicology: T -the science that examines the effects of poisonous substances on humans and other organisms -poisonous vs venomous ((eat it) poisonous, (eats you) is venomous) oxicologists assess and compare substances to determine their toxicity -> the degree of harm T a chemical substance can inflict Environmental Toxicology-deal specifically with toxic substance that come from or are discharged into environment any environmental health hazards that exist…Indoors!!!! M ->Cigarette smoke -vaping -Asbestos -cleaning chemicals -paint fumes -lead poisoning -PBDE- polybrominated diphenyl ethers- -> persistent organic pollutants (POPs) Silent Spring by Rahcel Carson +++++ NOT ALL TOXIC SUBSTANCES ARE SYNTHETICS!+++ IAGRAM of textbook- human female pollutant expose to many things, breathing drinking D eating or touching you, if pregnant it could impact fetus breast milk etc Toxic Substances Categories: ON TEST 1. Carcinogens-are substances or types of radiation that cause cancer 2. Neurotoxins-assault the nervous systems 3. Endocrine disruptors-substances that infer with endocrine system Major impact effect quality of life Types of Exposure: 1. Acute Exposure-high exposure dose for a short period of time 2. Chronic Exposure-low exposure dose for long periods of time, more difficult to detect and diagnose Toxic Substances and their Effects on Ecosystems: - Airborne Substances can travel widely -> toxic chemicals can be redistributed by air currents, exerts impacts on ecosystems far from the site of release chemicals into the atmosphere –Even pristine regions can be exposed to toxic chemicals! oxic Substances tend to concentrate in water systems T -water traveling over the landscape can transport toxins to water habitats and become concentrated with those substances -Many Chemicals are soluble in water and enter organisms tissue through drinking , absorption, and feeding ome toxicants persist in the environment S -toxic substance may degrade quickly and become harmless, or it may remain unaltered (or slightly degraded) and persists for many months, years, or decades oxicants may accumulate and move up the food web TESTTTT T -Bioaccumulation- Persistent toxicants accumulate in an animal’s body such that the tissues have a greater concentration of the substance than what exists in the surrounding environment -increase in tissues than concentration - Biomagnification- toxic substances that bioaccumulate in an organism's tissues and can be transferred to other organisms as predators consume prey (bald eagles ddt) iomagnification and ddt slide- food chain being consumed, water 0.000003ppm algae uptake B water, low concentration to 0.04ppm consumed by zooplankton -small fish eat zooplankton increased to 0.5, large fish eat small fish, osprey eats large fish and now 25ppm egulating Toxic Substances: R -need to identify if substance is safe or dangerous, and if dangerous, then at what levels result in acute and chronic exposure -> primarily driven by research to guide policy -often have to demonstrate a substance is harmful before regulations are created oxic Substances Control Act T -Directs the EPA to monitor thousands of industrial chemicals manufactured in or imported into the USA – Very challenging to do! International REACH Program -Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals -Toxicants that are regulated internally by the EU LIMATE CHANGE 4/4/24 C Global Climate Change: Describes an array of changes in aspects of Earth’s climate such as temperature precipitation and frequency and intensity of storms -Global Warming refers to specifically an increase in Earth's average surface temperature -the sun Earth’s atmosphere and the oceans all influence climate change reenhouse Effect: G Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation the surface increases in temperature and emits infrared Radiation Greenhouse Gases (GHG) atmospheric gases absorb infrared radiation (carbon dioxide, water vapor) GHG re emit radiation to space, but most travels back downward and warms the lower atmosphere GHG have increased in the atmosphere of the planet due to anthropogenic activity (burning of fossil fuels, carbon monoxide, cutting down the forest) -more GHG, more infrared being trapped, planet is too warm –warming and cooling periods Slide-solar energy re emitted and stepped bc of greenhouse gases lobal Climate Change is a natural phenomenon G -Earth wobbles on its axis, varies in tilt, and orbit changes in distance from the sun, which alters the way solar radiation is distributed over the planet IAGRAM TEXTBOOK- planet tilted, wobbling and spinning at same time and orbiting the sun, D orbit changes from year to year, also what gives us our seasons Slide- equinox and solstice deals with tilting of our planet olar output of the sun varies over time S Oceanic circulation also shapes climate (Acidification- mess with ocean organisms) Ocean holds 50 tiered more carbon tudying Climate Change: S Historical Data about Climate Patterns helps us to understand the changes in climate patterns Paleoclimate-climate in the ancient past serves as a baseline to compare modern changes in climate Proxy Indicators- are types of indirect evidence that serve as substitutes for direct measurements Ex- ice caps, ice sheets, and glaciers have preserved tiny bubbles of ancient atmosphere Ex-sediment beds beneath bodies of water can be analyzed to learn about ancient vegetation in an area and what the climate at that time was like Ex-tree ring thickness- indicates temperature and rain patterns emperature and data, paleoclimate slide- observatory in hawaii, seasonal changes and avg is T purple line -Mauna Kea gemini telescope,look like mars lide - count outside in and date the years and measure the thickness s Thin has been a dry year compared to lots of rain its thicker limate Models: C Help to predict future climate patterns Programs that combine what is known as atmospheric circulation, ocean circulation, atmosphere-ocean interactions, and feedback cycles to simulate climate dynamics -Must validate the model by determining how well the model predicts known data (how ocean currents moving and affect temp and wind, currents move and affect temp) How to tell if it is reliable? Linear regression, put line through it, put equation, known and x in equation how well it predicts known Y Must be tested to predict the future -draw on board urrent and Future Trends and Impacts: C The scientific evidence for global climate change is extensive Temperatures continue to rise average surface temperature of the planet have risen by ~1.1°C in the past 100 years melting of glaciers results in increase sea level rise and decreases Earth’s albedo (capacity to reflect light) -> displaced people (less land) Permafrost in the arctic thawing-> increase in methane release (important greenhouse gas) *Diseases are thawing with the human that were considered ancient (zombie diseases) lide- Sea level rise trends darker the blue more greater, more inland the level trends S 1 meter rise could cause damage to a lot some areas are receiving more rain and snow than usual while other areas are receiving less xtreme weather is becoming the “new normal” E Ocean Acidification is expected to increase Organisms and ecosystems will have to adapt and change (if not we would lose organisms) -estimated that ~20-30% of all plant and animal species are threatened with extinction Human society will be impacted! -Agriculture, forestry, health, national security, economics lthough Global climate change is a national phenomenon, the current rate of change is faster A that what has been documented from historical data-> linked to anthropogenic activities xtreme Weather slide- becoming the new normal, higher precipitation events, frequency of E flooding, heat waves, longer droughts, ON EXAM eat waves- are caused by the burning of fossil fuels which adds to greenhouse gasses H trapping in heat energy, pushing up average temperatures and extreme temperatures onger droughts- is caused by warmer temperatures, which enhances evaporation, which dries L the soil and vegetation esponding to Climate Change: R Mitigation-strategy to reduce the severity of the problem (reduce greenhouse gas emissions) Adaptation strategies- cushion ourselves from the impact of climate change orking Solutions: W Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions Reduce energy consumption Develop technologies to capture carbon and store it Advancements in transportation International Efforts: Challenging to get 200 nations to agree PRIL 9 2024 A Toxicity and global climate change quiz overnment and Climate Change: G USA House of Representative passed legislation to create a cap and trade system in which industries and utilities would compete to reduce emission for financial in 2009 ayors from more than 1000 cities have signed on to the US Mayors Climate protection M Agreement, committing their cities to pursue policies to “meet” or “beat” the Kyoto protocol Guidelines (reduce emissions but not ratified) arbon Markets: C Economists and scientists have been working to out a dollar amount or price on carbon The more carbon emitted, the more you will have to pay Carbon Trading System is one that permits are traded for the emission of CO2 Carbon Tax-a type of green tax on co2 emissions, this tax is for consumers not for polluters Carbon neutrality-entities try to achieve no net carbon emitted to the environment OSSIL FUELS AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY F Sources of energy: Most of Earth's energy comes from the Sun Internal energy of earth (core) Energy that emanates from Earth’s core, makes geothermal power available Tidal energy is generated from the ocean current on-Renewable Energy Resources: N Oil Coal Natural Gas 19.1 Table IN TEXTBOOK ossil Fuels (FF): F Have a high energy content What do you need it for ? Electricity, Industry, and transportation FF are formed for ancient organic matter over the course of millions of years oal-hard, blackish substance formed from OM (organic matter) compressed under very high C pressure, creating dense, solid carbon structures Oil- thick, blackish liquid consisting of many types of hydrocarbon molecules -the process of refining, hydrocarbon molecules are separated by size and are chemically transformed to create specialized fuels, to create lubricating oils, asphalts, and the precursors of plastics Natural Gas-a gas consisting if primarily of methane (CH4)and lesser, variable amounts of other volatile hydrocarbons roblem: We are depleting the fossil fuel reserves!! P Non-Renewable energy resource (use faster than replenished) We have known world usage of Fossil Fuel will peak and run out since the 1950’s Have to find alternative solutions* Obtain fossil fuels: 1. Mountaintop mining for coal Causes Landslides and rocks and create rams to disrupt rivers, pollutants causes problem with freshwater resources 2. Below Ground Acid mine drainage, airshafts goes into mine tunnels and rainwater comes in contact with minerals in tunnels, drains into mine and goes into streams and rivers, has rusting color (rotten eggs smell) (iron and sulfur) 3. Drilling for oil In terrestrial and oceanic habitats Offshore oil rigs 4. Hydraulic fracturing of shale for oil and gas -Fracking, REVIEW IN TEXTBOOK Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use: Release of Pollutants into the environment Burning fossil fuel increase C and in the Atmosphere (carbon and increases in GHG, warming of planet and the oceans and in acidification) Increase in habitat destruction and can negatively impact biodiversity enewable Energy Resources: R Goal: Provide energy for three types of applications 1. To generate electricity 2. To heat air and water 3. To fuel vehicles A lot of interests in renewables due to concerns of Fossil Fuels (advancements in technology and in new jobs) Much debate in some nations over the Feasibility of completely switching to renewables and away from Fossil Fuels 1. S olar Energy- Every day the Earth receives enough solar energy to power human consumptions for 25 Years Passive Solar Energy Collection- buildings are designed to maximize absorption of sunlight winter yet the interior is kept cool in the summer Active Solar Energy Collection- makes use of devices to focus move or store solar energy- uses mechanical and electrical equipment Window pane to let light in Solar panel Solar energy captures enefits: Sun is expected to burn for 4-5 billion years B Decentralized power control over energy Does not emit greenhouse gas or other pollutants Disadvantages: upfront costs of technology is expensive eed to be in an area exposed to a lot of solar energy all the time N Intermittent resource 2. W ind Power Harness wind power from airs movement by using wind turbines, mechanical assemblies that convert the winds kinetic energy or energy or motion into electrical energy Wind turbines are often erected in groups; call a wind farm Along coastlines -> wind speeds on average are ~20% greater over water than over land, air is less turbulent over water Palm springs california slide has windmills enefits: No emissions of greenhouse gasses or other pollutants B Can get a return on final investment Can be used at multiple spatial scales Landowners can lease their land for wind development isadvantages: Expensive upfront D Need to be in an area with a lot of wind Intermittent resources Folks might not like having a wind turbine nearby Birds and bats sometimes are killed when they fly into the turbine . Geothermal Energy- 04/11/24 3 -thermal energy that arises from beneath the earth's surface -Can be harnessed directly from geysers at the surface, but most often wells must be drilled down hundreds or thousands of meters toward heated groundwater sources -Geothermal power plants harness the energy of naturally heated underground water and steam to generate electricity lide about geothermal plant- magma heat up ground and aquifers,heated, drill wells down, S bring up steam, extracted make electricity, geysers pop up enefits: B -reduce greenhouse gas and pollutants compared to FF combustion -Jobs isadvantages: D -Geothermal power plant cannot operate indefinitely -geothermal activity in the earth's crust naturally shifts over time -restricted to regions where we can tap energy from naturally heated groundwater . Ocean Energy Sources (and Freshwater) 4 -harness the energy from tides, waves, and currents - Wave energy we harness the motion of the oceans waves and convert their energy into electricity -Tidal Energy- harness by erecting dams across the outlets of tidal basins. The incoming tide flows through sluice gates and is trapped behind them. Then, as the outgoing tide passes through the gates, it turns turbines to generate electricity. -River hydroelectric dams- harness the movement of river water Sihwa lake slide- turbine, gets trapped in, comes out and makes electricity Hydrogen and fuel cells TEXTBOOK ON EXAM MANAGING ANTHROPOGENIC WASTE 4/11/24 aste Management: W Waste- any unwanted material or substance that results from human activity or process unicipal solid waste- non liquid waste that comes from homes, institutions, and small M businesses Ex:(restaurants, bakery etc) Industrial Solid Waste- in non liquid waste, included waste from the production of consumer foods, mining, agriculture, and petroleum extraction and refining azardous Waste- refers to solid or liquid waste that is toxic, chemically reactive, flammable, or H corrosive Waste Management Goals: 1) Minimize the amount of waste we generate 2) Recovering discarded materials finding new ways to recycle them ex:recompting programs 3) Disposing of waste safely and effectively Steps to reduce waste slide- reduces waste in trash can or land field ete, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, OTHER slide- P Recycle sign does not mean recycle, each number shows where what materials go in the recycle bin, lower number is easier to recycle, higher the number the more difficult it is to recycle Make sure to sort them accordingly Wash them before recycling them unicipal Solid Waste: M -Developed countries create more waste than developing countries - People in developing nations consume fewer resources and goods-> generate less waste -Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle->Upcycling is becoming more trendy/popular -RECYCLING involves the collection of used items and breaking them down so that their materials can be reprocessed to manufacture new items must collect items, take them to materials recovery facilities, sorted, cleaned, and shredded in preparation for reprocessing for new goods -COMPOSTING- is the conversion of organic waste to mulch or humus through natural decomposition roblems: P -Only some materials can be recycled->chemical complex -Cost of the product does not include the cost of recycling or the environment impacts -Not all Materials can be composted ate in Plastic slide- created in 1908 and don't boon till WW2, created market for plastic and F went it ended they created purpose called throw away living, most plastic have been lost (92%), some form in environment or end up in landfill TABLE 22.2 slide roblems pt2: P There are financial incentives to help address waste anitary Landfills: S -Waste is buried in the ground or piled up in large mounds engineered to prevent waste from contaminating the environment and threatening public health - Waste is partially decomposed by bacteria and compresses under it owns weight to take up less space -Soiled is layered along with the waste to speed decomposition, reduce odor, and lessen infestation by posts Incineration of Waste: -Is a controlled process which trash is burned at high temperatures -The resulting ash contains toxins that are disposed of in hazardous waste uge pits in ground, put trash there and self compresses, pins, have lining, gasses to H contaminate land water, decomposed, layers of soil Industrial Solid Waste: -Businesses that dispose of their own waste on site must design and manage their landfills in ways that meet state local, and/or tribal guidelines Businesses can pay to have their waste disposed of Industrial Ecology: Goal is to make industry sustainable -integrates principles from engineering, chemistry, ecology, and economics to redesign industrial systems to reduce inputs and to maximize both physical and economic efficiency raditional Brewery Process in TEXTBOOK- beer in waste generation, Could have been used T as animal feed -when add substrate of mushrooms, can be better process for that /16/24 DISCUSSION DUE on Thursday 4 Hazardous Waste- Defined by meeting at least one of these EPA criteria: 1)Ignitable-likely to catch fire 2)corrosive- apt to corrode metals in storage tanks or equipment 3) Reactive- chemically unstable and readily able ti react with with compounds, often explosively or by producing noxious fumes 4)toxic-harmful to humans and wildlife health when inhaled, ingested, or touched AT LEAST 1 rganic Compounds O Heavy Metals isposal of Hazardous Waste: D -Used to not be regulated ->lack of knowledge! -Designated sites or special collection days to gather household hazardous waste or designated facilities for the exchange and reuse of substances -Under The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the EPA set standards by which states manage hazardous waste -Expensive-$$$- can lead to illegal dumping andfill sites, designated for hazardous waste only L Surface impoundments- shallow depression lined with plastic Deep well injection-drill well deep beneath the water table ormer military and industrial sites remain contaminated with hazardous waste- Superfund F program (EPA) hazardous sites are identified and action is taken to protect groundwater and to clean up these sites if possible and restrict access to the public USTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION 4/16/24 S Sustainability: Sustainability-means living in a way that can be lived for far into the future so that there are resources that can support future populations Sustainable development: development meets the needs if the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs ->Environmental protection, Economic well being, and social justice nvironmental protection can enhance economic opportunity E -> transition to a more sustainable economy, some industries will decline while others spring to take their place olks want to live in areas that can have clean air, clean water, intact forests, public and open F spaces - Safeguarding the environment tends to enhance wealth, health, and the quality of life We are part of the environment! —-when folks think of themselves being part of the environment, then there tends be a shift in their perception of how they are connected to the environment —Environmental personhood ustainable Strategies: S -1. Political engagement ->many of the environmental and consumer protection laws we all benefit from came about because citizens pressured their representatives to act! . Consumer Power 2 -> Each of us also wields influence through the choices we make as consumers vote with your wallet via purchasing products that are eco friendly energy star, fair trade logos, SLIDE- have logos and as a consumer, . Quality of Life 3 -> Prioritizing friends, family, leisure time, memorable experiences over material consumption . Population Stability 4 -> if developing nations pass through the demographic transition, then humanity may be able to show population growth while creating more prosperous and equitable society REVIEW ON TEST TABLE 24.2 Major Approaches to Sustainability SLIDE ustainability on Campuses: S Student -led campus sustainability efforts are growing and thriving worldwide Students have amazing power to effect change! Example: starting recycling programs, composting programs, and promoting water conservation TABLE 24.1 - ways to go green udits are often useful to gather baseline information on what an institution is doing or how A much resources it is consuming -helps set priorities and goals -once changes are implemented, the institution can monitor progress by comparing future measurements to the audit’s baseline data ometimes Universities have competition -> brings competitive spirit and have fun S Organizations that assist campus efforts Universities may have their own sustainability institute XPLAIN 2 SUSTAINABILITY EXAM 3 campus recycling bike map, energy, transportation, E water conservation, get something specific -
