All Flashcards
What are the steps of sewage treatment?
Primary treatment (physical removal of solids), secondary treatment (biological breakdown of organic matter), and tertiary treatment (advanced removal of specific pollutants).
What are recycling processes?
Collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing into new products.
What is the significance of environmental justice?
It recognizes that pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, especially lower socioeconomic communities.
Why are increases in waste a global concern?
Increases in waste lead to pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion, impacting ecosystems and human health worldwide.
Explain the 3 R's of waste management.
Reduce (minimize waste), Reuse (find new uses for items), and Recycle (convert waste into new materials).
How do human actions create opportunities for infectious diseases to spread?
Deforestation, urbanization, and poor sanitation can increase contact between humans and disease vectors.
What is the impact of oil spills on aquatic ecosystems?
Oil spills can devastate marine life, contaminate water, and damage coastal habitats, leading to long-term ecological and economic impacts.
What is the impact of landfills on terrestrial ecosystems?
Landfills can leach pollutants into soil and groundwater, produce methane, and take up large areas of land, destroying habitats.
What is the impact of mining on terrestrial ecosystems?
Mining destroys habitats, causes soil erosion, and can release toxic chemicals into the environment.
Explain the connection between pollution and human health.
Pollution can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption.
Why are children and the elderly more vulnerable to the health effects of pollution?
Children's bodies are still developing, and the elderly often have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of pollutants.
Explain the importance of wetlands.
Wetlands act as natural filters for pollutants, provide important habitats for wildlife, and help control flooding.
Why is reducing waste at the source the most effective waste management method?
It minimizes the amount of waste generated, conserving resources and reducing the need for disposal.
How can reducing waste at the source promote sustainability?
It minimizes resource consumption, energy use, and pollution associated with waste disposal.
How can recycling promote sustainability?
It conserves resources, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the need for landfills.
How can reusing items promote sustainability?
It reduces waste, conserves resources, and minimizes the environmental impact of producing new items.