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Nelson EducationSchoolChemistry 12 College Prep | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Web LinksUNIT 4: CHEMISTRY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
p. 279 13. Suppose that a water-softening unit is used in a home that draws water from a well.
This site discusses the findings of the American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the effects of salt-softened water. Water softeners: Health and drinking water? This page explains the effects of drinking soft water and whether or not it causes mineral deficiency in those who drink it. It also discusses the different types of water softeners, how they work, and how effective they are.
This fact sheet provides information on the effects of softened water on skin, and the effects of sodium on blood pressure and the heart. Hard Water-To Soften or Not to Soften This article provides information on how water hardness is measured, types of water softeners, how to select the appropriate softener, and other facts about water softening.
Section 4.3 Career Connection
p. 283 Water is treated in water purification and treatment plants. Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate the control systems and equipment in these plants to treat and regulate the distribution of water. It is their job to make sure that the water people drink is safe-in other words, that it meets provincial standards. Water treatment plant operators collect water samples daily for chemical and bacterial analyses. These samples are analyzed on site or at an independent test facility. As well, operators keep a detailed record of results and changes that are made to the system. Failing to complete testing procedures or falsifying results can have grave consequences, as the Walkerton tragedy showed. A diploma from a Community College program is an essential requirement for this position.
Fleming College: Environmental Technician This page describes the two-year Environmental Technician program at Fleming College, the courses offered, the admission requirements, and the career opportunities available to graduates. This article describes the environmental technology and science laboratory technology programs that combine in-class sessions and co-operative education.
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6. (a) Examine the labels of different brands of bottled water to see what information is provided about the source of the water and the treatment process. (b) Research the safety standards that apply to suppliers of bottled water. (c) Do you think these standards are adequate? Give your reasons. The Evian homepage describes the source of the water, the purification process it undergoes, and the top ten reasons to drink Evian natural spring water. The Dasani homepage describes the process involved in purifying water, and the minerals used by this company to enhance the drink. Find out about the purification process used by Aquafina to prepare its water. Canadian Bottled Water Association The Canadian Bottled Water Association Web site provides information about bottled water and the bottled water industry. It also defines spring water, mineral water, and drinking water, and discusses the safety, quality, and reputations of bottled water
. 7.(a) Research how and where your community's drinking water is treated. (b) What are the possible sources of water contaminants? (c) What testing standards are used to ensure the safety of drinking water? (d) What happens to the drinking water if tests indicate that the MAC of a substance has been exceeded? This City of Toronto Web site describes the drinking water treatment process, the history of water filtration, and the safety report on Toronto's water. Lake Huron and Elgin Area Water Supply Systems This site provides links to reports on Ontario drinking water protection regulation and information on Lake Huron and Elgin Area's primary water supply systems. Drinking Water Source and Treatment This site provides information on the City of Hamilton's drinking water, its source, and the purification process it undergoes.
8. Drinkable water is important when hiking or camping in wilderness areas. Any natural water you encounter may look clear and clean, but there may be dissolved substances that could cause you to become ill. Research some portable technologies that can be used to purify water. Include examples of technologies that involve both physical and chemical treatments.
This Mountain Equipment Cooperative page displays a flow chart of how water can be filtered during hiking and camping trips.
Emergency Drinking Water Filters This site describes the different types of water filters available, and answers some important questions about recreational and emergency drinking water problems.
Travel & Camping Water Filters This site describes how Clear Brook's Portable water filters work to reduce contaminants.
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3. Research other home water treatment methods. Incorporate this additional information into your table. Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment This site discusses the process of reverse osmosis, types of reverse osmosis membranes, contaminants that are removed during the process, and factors that affect treated water quality and quantity. The Surface Water Quality Initiative is a program that aims to provide clean and safe water for household use, and finds solutions to surface water quality problems.
p. 292 5. The focus of the Great Lakes Action Plan is the restoration of 42 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. The cleanup of Hamilton Harbour is only one success story. Choose another AOC, and research the actions that are being taken to restore it. Prepare a report that explains how the objectives of the Great Lakes Action Plan are being met.
Binational Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) This page displays a map of areas of concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin, details about each AOC, as well as the Great Lakes Remedial Action Plan. Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Region This site provides an overview of the areas of concern in the Great Lakes region, and a table of information, including an interactive Great Lakes map and up-to-date information on remediation progress.
p. 306 (i) List the types of work that a waste treatment engineer would typically do. (ii) Research the educational requirements that are needed to become a waste treatment engineer. (iii) Research the different ways that waste can be treated. What are the different waste categories? Provide two examples of substances in each category.
Northern College-Engineering Technology and Trades Waste Management Technician Find out about the Northern College waste management technician program, the admission requirements, and employment opportunities for graduates. This site classifies solid wastes into different types depending on the source. It provides information about municipal waste, hazardous waste, and hospital waste, as well as how long it takes certain types of litter to degenerate. This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site contains comprehensive information on municipal solid waste (MSW), including an overview of MSW management, reduction, recycling, composting, and disposal. Also included is information on such MSW programs as WasteWise and Pay-As-You-Throw.
Section 4.8 Understanding the Issue p. 307 4. Suggest three strategies for reducing the quantity of waste batteries that are appearing in municipal landfill sites. Canada's Environmental Policy of Pollution This page describes pollution in British Columbia and Ontario, and the pollution prevention policies that are in place to reduce waste. It also describes the programs that have been designed to ensure the safe disposal of such hazardous solid waste as lead-acid batteries, solvents, paints, and pesticides. Household (Dry Cell) Batteries This fact sheet describes the major environmental initiatives taken by the Canadian household battery industry to promote better end use management. Also provided are links to recycling corporations and environmental program Web sites.
Section 4.8 Take a Stand (a) Work in small groups to identify two hazardous commercial products that are found in many Canadian homes. Identify both the hazard and the level of the hazard from the product label. Research the component(s) of each product that require careful handling and disposal. Household Hazardous Waste Overview This fact sheet defines household hazardous waste, how it can harm health and the environment, and how to safely collect, recycle, and dispose of it. Hazardous Waste Disposal Advice This page summarizes the waste management and remediation initiatives mandated by Environment Canada. It also explains the hierarchy of options for disposal of waste materials.
This page provides links to information on hazardous waste reporting, waste handling, disposal, and transportation.
p. 311 (s) Colorimetric analysis is the process of determining the concentration and pH of a solution of unknown concentration by matching the colour to solutions of known concentration and pH. A colorimeter mechanically performs the same analysis. Research how a colorimeter works. How might a colorimeter improve the accuracy of your results in this investigation? How do you think the results obtained using a colorimeter would compare with the results obtained using a pH meter? This page answers some frequently asked questions about the colour spectrum, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, how a calorimeter works, and the available types of colour measurement devices. This site is a case study activity that provides students with the background knowledge required for colorimetric analysis. This page describes how to prepare the calorimeter, calibrate the colorimeter and software, and how to collect data to identify components of the sample.
p. 329 8. Acid rain has effects on the environment and the economy. Research either the environmental or the economic consequences of acid rain. Prepare a report for the class. Be prepared to present your report. This article provides an update on current acid deposition in Canada, and its effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It also provides links to frequently asked questions on acid rain, and Environment Canada's acid rain Web site. This site describes acid rain, the meaning of pH, and the effects of acid rain on different regions in Canada.
9. Choose one of the following roles. Prepare to respond, as part of your community, to a news report that a Canadian pulp and paper company has been given permission by the Ontario government to open a new plant in northwestern Ontario. The plant will produce sulfur dioxide emissions, but these emissions will fall within the guidelines outlined in the latest Canadian-American agreement on the transboundary flow of acid-producing emissions. The plant is going to be built on the bank of a river, upstream from an Aboriginal community that relies on hunting and fishing for food. Your community is located southeast of the proposed plant. Your response will contribute to your community's position paper, which will be released to the press. Prepare an argument based on the role you have chosen, and be prepared to contribute to the position paper. Roles: • local provincial politician • spokesperson for the company • environmental activist
• average citizen • municipal politician Progressive Conservative Party
Preceding are the home pages of the Progressive Conservative, Liberal, Canadian Alliance, and New Democratic parties, respectively. Learn about the history and philosophy of the parties, and details about the policies of each party.
Howe Sound Pulp & Paper: Working To Enhance Our Air Quality This newsletter lists the major causes of air pollution, and suggests ways in which pollutants can be reduced domestically and industrially.
This article provides an update on current acid deposition in Canada, and its effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It also provides links to frequently asked questions on acid rain, and Environment Canada's acid rain Web site.
The Environment: A Global Challenge This site includes a plethora of articles on environmental problems, including acid rain, global warming, hazardous waste, ozone depletion, smog, and water pollution. The articles discuss the causes, effects, and solutions of each environmental issue.
Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment This Encyclopedia provides information on a range of atmospheric issues, including acid rain, climate change, and ozone depletion. This page describes an activity that addresses acid rain from a variety of perspectives, including that of a chemist, ecologist, health scientist, and an economist. This Environment Canada page provides information on the causes of acid deposition and its effects on wildlife and nature.
p. 342 13. Research the invention and refinement of the barometer to measure the pressure of a gas. Create a chronological flow chart that includes dates, names, and diagrams. The Invention of the Barometer Learn about the interesting history of the barometer. This page describes the history of the barometer and how the barometer works.
p. 349 Debate: Should Canada Have Ratified the Kyoto Protocol? Debate continues on whether Canada should have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Statement: Canada was right to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, a blueprint for greenhouse gas reductions. In a small group, prepare to debate the statement. Your group will either be defending or opposing the statement. Research arguments to support your position. Collect scientific evidence from primary sources wherever possible. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following list: • activities that are responsible for Canada's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions (include chemical equations for these activities, showing carbon dioxide gas as a product) • economic forecasts of the costs involved in Canada's participation in Kyoto, in terms of jobs, investment in Canadian business and industry, and taxes • evidence that these forecasts may be wrong or at least overly negative • an action plan proposed by Alberta or another province Assemble evidence to support the position assigned to your group, and prepare to debate the position. After the debate, discuss, in your group, how you could have improved your group's performance. This article describes the economic consequences faced by Canada due to its compliance with the Kyoto Protocol.
The Canadian Coalition for Responsible Environmental Solutions works towards finding a solution to global warming. This site lists articles that deal with Canada's involvement in, and implementation of, the Kyoto Protocol. The Climate Change Program encourages the Canadian government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This page outlines the issues involved in designing climate policies, such as allocation of responsibility and economic outcomes. This Environment Canada site describes the National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change and Canada's greenhouse gas policies as mandated by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Kyoto Protocol. English Conference of the Parties Third Session Kyoto This page provides a detailed report of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations framework convention on climate change.
The Convention and Kyoto Protocol This page describes the status of signatories of the Kyoto Protocol, and the ratification of the convention on climate change. This site provides the full text of the Kyoto Protocol and a link to the most up-to-date information on signatories and ratifications of the Kyoto Protocol.
Russia to Ratify Kyoto Protocol This article describes Russia's current position in the Kyoto Protocol. Learn about the countries involved in the original agreement.
p. 356 7. Research last week's AQI readings for the station that is closest to where you live. Use Table 5 to determine the pollutant concentration for the pollutant that is responsible for the AQI. What are the environmental or health implications of these values? Air Quality Index Monitoring Locations This site allows you to determine the air quality index of major areas in Ontario, and also includes an interactive map.
10. Discuss how individuals can contribute to the improvement of air quality through their choice of transportation. Province of Ontario-Actions to Improve Air Quality 2003 This site provides information on how Ontarians can help improve air quality. Such plans as the Provincial Transit Investment Plan, Ontario's Drive Clean Program, and Ontario's Smog Patrol are described.
This Environment Canada Web site suggests ways in which Canadians can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas production, and how drivers can contribute to these improvements.
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3. A TAGA was used at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy in New York. Research to find out how it helped emergency workers. This article describes how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitors air quality, especially lead concentrations in air during the World Trade Center cleanup efforts. This article describes the environmental monitoring data collected from the World Trade Center site since September 11, 2001. It also explains the potential health risks faced by response workers and the public.
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35. The transportation of hazardous wastes from the Nova Scotia tar ponds to a disposal site just outside Sarnia, Ontario, is a contentious issue. Find out whether your community has a hazardous waste disposal depot. What are the skills and qualifications of people who work at these depots? What types of substances do they handle? Do you agree or disagree that hazardous wastes from Nova Scotia should be trucked to southwestern Ontario (Figure 6)? Why or why not? This page provides information about hazardous wastes, their safe disposal, and why wastes must be transported to certain sites. It also describes the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act that regulates the safe handling of hazardous wastes. This article by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy summarizes the laws and regulations related to standards for hazardous waste disposal, approval of waste disposal sites, and air emissions from hazardous waste combustors.
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39. Gardeners know that coniferous trees like acidic soil. Acid precipitation adversely affects coniferous trees, however. Explain.
Learn about the many effects of acid rain on trees and forests, and whether or not these effects are reversible.
41. Reverse osmosis is a water-treatment process that is widely used to produce many brands of bottled water and to purify seawater. Outdoor supply stores sell reverse osmosis kits for purifying water on wilderness trips. Research reverse osmosis to answer the following questions: (a) How is pure drinking water obtained from seawater using reverse osmosis? (b) Is reverse osmosis commercially viable? (c) Research a water-treatment plant that uses reverse osmosis to purify seawater. Present your findings to your class in a report. Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment This site discusses the process of reverse osmosis, types of reverse osmosis membranes, contaminants that are removed during the process, and factors that affect treated water quality and quantity. The Surface Water Quality Initiative is a program that aims to provide clean and safe water for household use, and finds solutions to surface water quality problems.
How does reverse osmosis work? This site defines reverse osmosis and describes how this process works to purify water.
This site describes reverse osmosis using words and diagrams. City of Cape May Desalination Treatment Plan Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plan This article describes how reverse osmosis was used by the City of Cape May to solve its water safety problems.
42. When travelling in the wilderness, people are often advised to take chlorine or iodine tablets to put in their drinking water. Research the purpose of these tablets and how they are used. Prepare a leaflet to be included inside the packets of chlorine or iodine tablets. This page suggests methods used by travelers to purify water, and how iodine, chlorine and silver-based tablets are used for this purpose.
Search this site for information on water treatment tablets available for emergency purification of drinking water.
43. Many chemical substances that are potentially toxic or harmful to the environment have maximum allowable concentrations set by government regulations. Research these regulations. (a) If a chemical is dangerous, should the MAC be zero? Explain. (b) Is a zero MAC possible? Can it be measured? (c) If a nonzero limit is set, how is this limit determined? This page provides information on the standards for drinking water, bottled water, and ground water. It lists the maximum acceptable concentrations and maximum allowable concentrations for various parameters, such as color, pH, chemical content, and bacterial content of water.
Saskatchewan's Drinking Water Quality Standards and Objectives This report explains how standards and objectives are applied to water for hygienic purposes and for human consumption. It also explains how maximum acceptable concentrations are determined for various parameters.
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