- What is an ecological footprint?
An ecological footprint is the amount of resources that are required by an individual or society, and the amount of waste that individual or society also produces.
- What types of resources and waste are accounted for in an ecological footprint?
Carbon emissions from fossil fuel use, the area required for food and fiber production (cropland, pastureland, forest), and waste like landfill trash and pollutants.
- Why is it important to quantify your ecological footprint?
Measuring the ecological footprint helps individuals and societies understand their environmental impact, providing a tangible way to measure and reduce resource consumption. It can guide sustainable practices and policies by identifying high-impact areas.
- What are the five layers of the atmosphere - go in order from Earth’s surface to outer space?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
- Which layer do we not want ozone in? Why?
We do not want ozone in the Troposphere because it is a ground-level pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and harm plant life. Ozone here is a component of smog and can damage lung tissue and aggravate asthma.
- Which layer contains ozone that we want? Why?
The ozone layer in the Stratosphere is crucial as it absorbs the majority of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without this ozone, life on Earth would be exposed to higher levels of UV rays, increasing the risk of skin cancer and harming ecosystems.
- How does temperature change in each layer?
In the Troposphere, temperature decreases with altitude because of the diminishing greenhouse effect. In the Stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone. The Mesosphere sees decreasing temperatures with altitude, while the Thermosphere’s temperature increases significantly due to absorption of solar radiation.
- What is ore? What has to happen to it so it’s useable?
Ore is a naturally occurring rock or mineral that contains valuable metals or minerals, such as iron, copper, or gold. To be usable, it must undergo processing to separate the desired material from impurities.
- What is overburden? How does it contribute to mining waste?
Overburden refers to the soil and rock covering valuable mineral deposits, which must be removed to access the ore. This removal can cause significant environmental disruption and contributes to mining waste.
- What are tailings? How do they contribute to water contamination?
Tailings are the waste materials left after valuable minerals have been extracted from ore. They often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which can leach into water systems, contaminating ecosystems and drinking water sources.
- What are some environmental impacts of mining?
Mining disrupts ecosystems, leads to habitat destruction, and can pollute air, soil, and water through erosion and chemical runoff. These impacts can have long-term effects on biodiversity and public health.
- What are some economic impacts of mining?
Mining creates jobs and contributes to the economy by supplying raw materials for various industries. However, it can also lead to high cleanup costs and economic instability when resources are depleted.
- What are social impacts of mining?
While mining can provide employment and infrastructure, it may displace communities, pose health risks, and create socioeconomic disparities in mining regions.
- What are primary pollutants? Where do they originate?
Primary pollutants are directly emitted from sources such as cars, factories, and natural events like volcanic eruptions. Examples include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter.
- What are secondary pollutants? Where do they originate?
Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants react with other substances in the atmosphere, often under sunlight. Examples include ground-level ozone and photochemical smog.
- What are sources and impacts of nitrous oxides?
source:
- All combustion in the atmosphere including fossil fuel combustion, wood, and other biomass burning
impact:
- Respiratory irritant, increases susceptibility to respiratory infection
- An ozone precursor, leads to formation of photochemical smog
- Converts to nitric acid in atmosphere, which is harmful to aquatic life and some vegetation
- Contributes to over-fertilization of terrestrial and aquatic systems
- What are sources and impacts of particulate matter?
source:
- Combustion of coal, oil, and diesel, and of biofuels such as manure and wood
- Agriculture, road construction, and other activities that mobilize soil, soot, and dust
impact:
- Can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular disease and reduce lung function
- May lead to premature death
- Reduces visibility and contributes to haze and smog
- What are sources and impacts of sulfur dioxide?
source:
- Combustion of fuels that contain sulfur, including coal, oil, gasoline
impact:
- Respiratory irritant, can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory ailments
- SO2 gas can harm stomata and other plant tissue
- Converts to sulfuric acid in atmosphere, which is harmful to aquatic life and some vegetation
- What are sources and impacts of volatile organic compounds?
source:
- Evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints
- Improper combustion of fuels such as gasoline
impact:
- A precursor to ozone formation
- What are sources and impacts of carbon dioxide?
source:
- Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing of land
impact:
- Affects climate and alters ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations
- What are sources and impacts of carbon monoxide?
source:
- Incomplete combustion of any kind
- Malfunctioning exhaust systems and poorly ventilated cooking fires
impact:
- Bonds to hemoglobin, thereby interfering with oxygen transport in the bloodstream
- Causes headaches at low concentrations
- Can cause death with prolonged exposure at high concentrations
- What are the sources and impacts of lead and heavy metals?
source:
- Gasoline additive, oil and gasoline, coal, old paint
impact:
- Impairs central nervous system
- At low concentrations, can have measurable effects on learning and ability to concentrate
- What is the Clean Air Act? Why is it important?
The Clean Air Act is a U.S. law that regulates air pollution by setting air quality standards for major pollutants. It has led to significant reductions in harmful emissions, improving public health and environmental quality.
- What is photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog is an air pollution phenomenon that forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants like VOCs and NOx. It can cause respiratory issues and reduces visibility, affecting both health and the environment.
