Human Impacts - Waste management

Question 1

The rate of accumulation of waste is a result of three main factors

Answer 1

• The rapid rate at which our population numbers are increasing
• Technology, which now allows us to manufacture just about anything we desire
• Our increasing consumer appetite

Question 2

Bad effects of dumping on an illegal site

Answer 2

• Steams close to dump sites become contaminated by toxic chemicals
• Ground water becomes toxic as poisons leach (filter down) into the soil
• The poisons settle in the aquifers and remain there

Question 3

Why is methane used as electricity?

Answer 3

• It reduces the bulk of waste material
• methane is transformed into a useful product

Question 4

Examples of Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM)

Answer 4

• Solar energy systems
• Wind turbines
• Tidal electricity from ocean wave action
• Hydro-electricity
• Thermal energy

Question 5

What is being depicted by labels 1, 2 and 3

Answer 5

1. Solid waste is compacted
   Fermented by anaerobic bacteria
2. Methane gas captured by sinking wells into the landfill sites
   Gas passed through interconnecting pipes linked to underground main gas collector
   Extracted via a blower system
3. Spark ignition generators convert gas into electricity for over 3000 households

Question 6

What is the biggest problem with using nuclear energy

Answer 6

Disposal of the radioactive waste

Question 7

Why is radioactive waste regulated by governmental agencies

Answer 7

To protect us from the harmful effects to human and environmental health

Question 8

What produces most radioactive waste?

Answer 8

• nuclear power stations
• research facilities
• medical treatment

Question 9

Explain the difference between LLW (low level waste), ILW (intermediate level waste) and HLW (high level waste)?

Answer 9

The time it takes for the waste to decompose:

• LLW decomposes in minutes
• ILW takes days or weeks to decompose
• HLW may take millions of years to decompose

Question 10

How is LLW managed?

Answer 10

LLW is secured and safely stored until no longer harmful and then disposed of

Question 11

How is ILW managed?

Answer 11

ILW encased in concrete and buried

Question 12

How is HLW managed?

Answer 12

• HLW must be treated and encased in glass before it can be stored deep underground
• No permanent solution for disposal of HLW