Choose 2 of the following questions and answer completely. You must answer all items in each question. Use complete sentences. Check grammar, punctuation and spelling. Each answer must be 500-800 words and should include appropriately formatted references and citations. Each answer will be worth 5 points.
1. The water cycle is one important aspect of the biosphere. Briefly describe the movement of water through the water cycle. Water is continuously moving through, around, and above the Earth as ice, liquid water, and water vapor depending on the cycle, elevation, and surrounding elements. Three contributing factors are: Accounting-Where things are, Controls-What factors control the distribution and the cycle, and Cycle-Where things are going. This will transform water into a module supporting the biosphere. The presence of water as a liquid, gas, and solid revolves around the Earth with chemical and physical properties storing heat, acting as a inert solvent, and transporting nutrients. This transportation of water and exchanged energy converts from one state to another driving the climate and weather system. This is the largest chemical flux on the planet It does not look like there is a starting point for this cycle. Water stores in lakes and the ocean, transpires into the air creating condensation, precipitation back onto the planet's surface creating runoff, running into the ground creating ground water, and eventually making its way back to lakes and the ocean. This terrestrial system is continuous supporting life on the planet.
Then, explain how various pollutants enter different phases of the water cycle as a result of business practices. When pollutants enter the water cycle, what are the immediate and long-term effects on the environment? Various pollutants entering the water cycle from business practices are: Industrial Waste- Oil spills, City sewage, Dirt, Gravel, Scrap metal, Trash, Weed grass, Solvents, Gases held in containers, Liquids held in containers, Scrap lumber, Dry cleaning fluids, Embalming fluids, Gases, and waste from manufacturing. Chemicals- Cleaning fluids, Cleaning solvents, Paints, Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum, Human Waste- Garbage generating from businesses and residences, Electronics, Plastic Agriculture Waste- Fertilizers, Pesticides, Pesticide residues, Herbicides, Nitrogen, Run-off water, and Sanitation materials. The immediate effects begin the breaking down of toxins that begin to spread through the water. As time passes on, these toxins begin to affect the molecule composing the water affecting wildlife, plants, oxygen, and the weather. Once this occurs, it begins to spread throughout the environment effecting the food supply chain eventually reaching humans. Now it can create health hazardous, birth defects, and death.
What steps could businesses take to prevent these pollutants from entering the water cycle? Provide specific examples to support your answers. The steps business can take to prevent these pollutants from entering the water cycle start with the use of organic and water base materials, environmental friendly compounds breaking down easily after use, and containment, storage, and proper disposal of all chemicals by certified down-line vendors. All major manufactures have a research and development department that needs to continuously check for new and improved processes that allow for less air, water, and land pollutant chemicals. Organic compounds need strong consideration in all manufacturing for the reduction of pollutants entering the water cycle.
2. Consider the following hierarchy of waste management technologies in decreasing order of preference:
1. Waste reduction
2. Reuse of material
3. On-site recycling...