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Chapter 19 Land Pollution

2Section 19.1 – Solid Wastes Solid wastes – all garbage and sludge

products from agriculture, forestry, mining, and municipalities. Includes: garbage, trash, junk, scrap and sewage.

Garbage Disposal in the Past. People disposed of garbage in the streets. 1892 – outbreaks of typhoid fever (bacterial

disease) and cholera (intestinal bacterial infection) forced NY officials to establish better sanitary condition's.

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Section 19.1 – Solid Wastes1900 – Garbage collected from the streets,

loaded into barges and dumped into the ocean.

Landfills were established to solve the problem of the polluted waters.

Landfill – a site where wastes are disposed of by burying them.

About 70% of today’s garbage is dumped in landfills.

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Section 19.1 – Solid Wastes Problems with landfills.

Space Odor Disease Pests Rainfall carries pollutants to

soli and water. Also known as leaching.

Sanitary Landfills Cover waste with layers of soil. Produces methane gas (combustible) Leaching of toxic substances. To prevent need impermeable liners.

5Section 19.2 – Hazardous WastesEffects of Hazardous MaterialsHazardous wastes – solid, liquid, or gaseous

wastes that are potentially harmful to humans and the environment, even in low concentrations.

Problems Containers leak, wastes enters land and water.

Gases (known as oxides) are released into the atmosphere.

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Location Year Nature of Damage

Minamata, Japan 1959 By 1983, 300 people killed from mercury discharged into waterways

Detroit, Michigan 1966 Nuclear breeder core meltdown

Flixborough, UK 1974 22 dead in chemical plant explosion

Seveso, Italy 1976 190 injured in dioxin (gas) leak

Love Canal, NY 1970s Toxic waste dump responsible for birth defects and illnesses

Elizabeth, NJ 1979 30 people injured when explosion produced toxic smoke over city

3 Mile Island, near Harrisburg, PA

1979 Partial nuclear core meltdown and release of radioactive gas and water

Woburn, Massachusetts 1979 15 dead from leukemia associated with nearby toxic waste dump

Chernobyl, Ukraine 1986 Explosion and fire released huge amounts of radiation

Hagersville, Ontario 1990 Tire fire lasting 17 days produced toxic smoke over city

Accidents Involving Hazardous Waste

7Section 19.2 – Hazardous WastesClassification of Hazardous Materials1. Reactive wastes – can explode.

Sodium – Metal comes in contact with water

2. Corrosive wastes – can eat through steel and many other materials.

Battery acid and lye (drain-cleaning products).

8Section 19.2 – Hazardous Wastes3. Ignitable wastes – Can burst into flames at

relatively low temperatures.- Immediate danger to smoke and fire and fumes.

4. Toxic wastes – chemicals that are poisonous to people

- Can cause birth defects, cancer and health problems.

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Section 19.2 – Hazardous Wastes5. Radioactive wastes – radiation that can

harm people and other organisms.- Nuclear power plants, medical and scientific

research

6. Medical Wastes – Old medicines, medicine containers, lab equipment, lab specimens, used syringes, blood vials, and tissue samples.

10Section 19.2 – Hazardous WastesHazardous Home Wastes

Ammonia Bleach

Toilet-bowl cleaners Drain cleaners Oven cleaners Disinfectants

Furniture polish Medicines

Paints Oil

Pesticides

11Section 19.3 – Topsoil erosion Erosion – natural forces that carry

away soil. Major causes are wind and running

water. Activities such as overgrazing,

cultivation, deforestation and poor irrigation causes soil loss and desertification.

About 30% of earth’s land has undergone desertification

In the U.S., parts of AZ, CO, CA and TX are at risk.

12Section 19.3 – Topsoil erosionThe Grand Canyon

13Section 19.3 – Topsoil erosionSoil Conservation and Land Management1. Strip-Cropping – Farmland is plowed so that plowed trips are separated by planted strips.

- Having at least part of the land covered by vegetation reduces topsoil loss.

2. Shelter Belts – Rows of trees are planted along the edges of a field.

- Also known as windbreaks.- They slow down the wind to

prevent soil loss.

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Section 19.4 – Controlling Pollution on LandReducing the Volume of Waste Disposable items make up about ¼ of all

wastes placed in landfills. Reusable items can eliminate that fraction.

50% of waste by communities is paper products Recycling can also eliminate that number. Don’t trash biodegradable products.

Biodegradable – substances decompose easily and enrich the soil.

Can be used to make a compost pile. Plant waste and certain food waste are used.