-as well as high nitrate and phosphate levels.

Eutrophication – “The process by which a body of water acquires a high concentration

of nutrients, especially phosphates and nitrates. These typically promote excessive
growth of algae. As the algae die and decompose, high levels of organic matter and the
decomposing organisms deplete the water of available oxygen, causing the death of other
organisms, such as fish.
Anoxia – Anoxic Event: Anoxia is a lack of oxygen caused by excessive nutrients in
waterways which triggers algae growth. When the plants die and decay, oxygen is
stripped from the water, which then turns green or milky white and gives off a strong
rotten egg odour. The lack of oxygen is often deadly for invertebrates, fish and shellfish.
People who use wells as a source of drinking water need to monitor the level of nitrates
in their well water. If you drink water that is high in nitrates, it can interfere with the
ability of your red blood cells to transport oxygen. Infants who drink water high in
nitrates may turn “bluish” and appear to have difficulty in breathing since their bodies are
not receiving enough oxygen. Just like dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH, the
amount of nitrates in water is determined by both natural processes and human
intervention. A body of water may be naturally high in nitrates or have elevated nitrate
levels as a result of careless human activities.
-Describe how soils contaminated by heavy metals can be decontaminated with
living plants.
Heavy metals are conventionally defined as elements with metallic properties (ductility,
conductivity, stability as cations, ligand specificity, etc.). The most common heavy metal
contaminants are Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Ni. Metals are natural components in soil with a
number of heavy metals being required by plants as micronutrients. However, pollution of
biosphere by toxic metals has accelerated dramatically since the beginning of the industrial
revolution. As a result of human activities such as mining and smelting of metals,
electroplating, gas exhaust, energy and fuel production, fertilizer, sewage and pesticide
application, municipal waste generation, etc. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals is toxic
to most plants. Heavy metals ions, when present at an elevated level in the environment, are
excessively absorbed by roots and translocated to shoot, leading to impaired metabolism and
reduced growth. In addition, excessive metal concentrations in contaminated soils result in
decreased soil microbial activity and soil fertility, and yield losses.
Phytoremediation of heavy metals may take one of several forms: phytoextraction,
rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization. Phytoextraction refers to processes
in which plants are used to concentrate metals from the soil into the roots and shoots of the
plant; rhizofiltration is the use of plant roots to absorb, concentrate or precipitate metals from
effluents; and phytostabilization is the use of plants to reduce the mobility of heavy metals
through absorption and precipitation by plants, thus reducing their bioavailability;
phytovolatilization is the uptake and release into the atmosphere of volatile materials such as
mercury- or arsenic-containing compounds
what are the main sources for anthropogenic sulphur dioxide (SO2)
emissions that can create acid rain? Describe the impacts that acid rain
can have on forest and lake ecosystems, as well as buildings and other
constructed structures.
Acid rain effect on Lakes and Rivers

It is in aquatic habitats that the effects of acid rain are most obvious. Acid rain
runs off the land and ends up in streams, lakes and marshes - the rain also falls
directly on these areas.

As the acidity of a lake increases, the water becomes clearer and the numbers of
fish and other water animals decline. Some species of plant and animal are
better able to survive in acidic water than others. Freshwater shrimps, snails,
mussels are the most quickly affected by acidification followed by fish such as
minnows, salmon and roach. The roe and fry (eggs and young) of the fish are the
worst affected, the acidity of the water can cause deformity in young fish and can
prevent eggs from hatching properly
The acidity of the water does not just affect species directly, it also causes
toxic substances like aluminium to be released into the water from the soil,
harming fish and other aquatic animals.Lakes, rivers and marshes each have
their own fragile ecosystem with many different species of plants and
animals all depending on one another to survive. If a species of fish
disappears, the animals which feed on it will gradually disappear too. If the
extinct fish used to feed on a particular species of large insect, that insect
population will start to grow, this in turn will affect the smaller insects or
plankton on which the larger insect feeds.

Acid rain effect on Building

Every type of material will become eroded sooner or later by the effects of
the climate. Water, wind, ice and snow all help in the erosion process but
unfortunately, acid rain can help to make this natural process even quicker.
Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer. The worst
affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock
are particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous
form as well as by acid rain.
how an AQI is determined:
 At the end of each hour, the concentration of each pollutant, measured at each
site, is converted into a number ranging from zero upwards, using a common
scale, or index. The calculated number for each pollutant is referred to as a
sub-index.
 At a given site, the highest sub-index for any given hour becomes the AQI
reading for that hour. The index is a relative scale, in that, the lower the index,
the better the air quality
Here's what the readings mean:
 If the AQI reading is below 16, the air quality is in the very good category.
 If the AQI reading is in the range of 16 to 31, the air quality is in the good
category.
 If the AQI reading is in the range of 32 to 49, the air quality is in the moderate
category, and there may be some adverse effects for very sensitive people.
 If the AQI reading is in the range of 50 to 99, the air quality is in the poor
category, and may have adverse effects for sensitive members of human and
animal populations, and may cause significant damage to vegetation and
property.
 If the AQI reading is above 99, the air quality is in the very poor category, and
may have adverse effects for a large proportion of those exposed.

2-(a)What is biomagnification? Explain how it can have a negative impact

on ecosystems
increase in concentration of a substance that occurs in a food chain as a
consequence of Persistence (can't be broken down by environmental processes),
Food chain energetics, Low (or nonexistent) rate of internal
degradation/excretion of the substance (often due to water-insolubility)
Biological magnification often refers to the process whereby certain substances
such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain, work their way into
rivers or lakes, and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn
are eaten by large birds, animals or humans. The substances become
concentrated in tissues or internal organs as they move up the chain.
(b)Describe one method by which soils contaminated by anthropogenic
(caused by human activity) hydrocarbons can be decontaminated and one
method by which soils contaminated by anthropogenic heavy metals can
be decontaminated.
The soil contamination occurs where intensive industrial activities by Humans,
inadequate waste disposal, mining, military activities or accidents have
introduced excessive amounts of contaminants. Soils only have a limited ability
to process these contaminants, through filtering or transformation.
Land farming, also known as land treatment, is a bioremediation technique that
involves the excavation of the contaminated soil and spreading it on a thin
surface. Biodegradation of pollutants is stimulated aerobically by tilling or plowing
the soil. Nutrients and minerals are also added to promote the growth of the
indigenous species. Figure shown below is a schematic representation of the
landfarming system.
According to The Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report
on underground storage tanks, before the remediation takes place the site must
be prepared by clearing and grading the soil, by installing leachate collection and
treatment systems, and also building vapor treatment facilities. Also, the report
states that if a contaminated soil is less than three feet then there is no need for
excavation.
As it can be seen in the figure, while soil moisture is controlled by periodically
sprinkling soil with water, building barriers or terraces around the contaminated
soil controls erosion. Sprinkling with water also minimizes the dust created while
tilling the soil to promote aeration.