What are the steps that we should take to combat E-waste generation and disposal? - correct answers
EPR or product stewardship
What are some of the risk assessment techniques that allowed us to determine that there was a
problem? - correct answers-soil contamination caused vegetation to die (dermal contact exposure)
-air pollution in the form of strange odors (respiratory exposure)
-epidemiological studies
Which are the following are true about the goals of environmental laws (with respect to waste
management) in the United States? - correct answers-conservation of energy and natural resources
-assurance that wastes are managed in an environmentally-sound manner
-permit programs that provide information on the types of pollutants that are emitted, the emission
levels, the monitoring of the emissions, and the plans to decrease the emissions
-protection of public health and the environment from the hazards of waste disposal
-reduction or elimination of waste
In integrated waste management there is a hierarchy of strategies to deal with products which are
designed to minimize how much we actually consider as waste. Correctly order these steps so that the
hierarchy makes sense. - correct answers1-reduction of the amount of materials that have no usefulness
in the manufacturing
2-recovery of by-products that may be used in the fabrication of different products
3-employment of techniques such as aerobic composting or anaerobic digestion to reduce organics
4-placement in structures consisting of bottom and side liner systems, leachate collection and removal
systems, final cover systems, gas collection and removal systems, and groundwater monitoring systems
One of the big takeaways from this section of the course is an understanding of, or rather a definition
for, what "waste" is. Which of the following statements provides a good sense of this idea of what waste
is? - correct answers-refuse which is considered ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic are labeled as
hazardous
, -garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air
pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained
gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from
community activities
Figure 5.18 in our textbook provides an illustration of water use in different sectors from the years 1900
to 2025. Which of the following is true about water use in agricultural applications? - correct answers-
Irrigation makes up about 68% of the global water use
-from 2000 to 2025, there is an estimated 400 km^3/yr increase in comsumption
Soil is formed in layers, typically referred to as "horizons." Deeper layers____________tend to be higher
in organics content - correct answersB and C horizons
Upper layers________are more likely to have greater_________ - correct answers-mineral content
-A and O horizons
Physically, soils contain solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. Overall soil health is good if it_____ and
________are available for plant growth. - correct answers-readily infiltrates water
-cycles nutrients like N,P,K,Ca
Food miles is defined as the distance food travels from production to consumption. Briefly discuss the
pros and cons of using "food miles" to argue for an increase in food security. - correct answersareas
where food is grown and produced provides better food security for the community. people can see
where there food is coming from and how much is available. there are many pros and cons. one of the
cons of using food miles to increase food security is that different foods can only be grown in certain
climates and regions of the world and are then exported. the pros of discussing food miles is that it will
provide a push for other areas to find ways to grow crops to keep fresh food closer to home.
In section 10. 3 of our text there is a discussion of the "Great Acceleration." Which of the following is
true about the role modern agriculture has played in this great acceleration? - correct answers-growth
of monocultures (same crops) leads to soil nutrient depletion
-reduction of forests provides greater land for agriculture
-drainage of wetlands effectively removed useless swamps yielding organic-rich soils