...UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BULUMA MARK EUGINE F18/1494/2011 GROUP 4 EXPERIMENT 3: FLAME PHOTOMETRY. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENT. 1. To determine presence and concentration of sodium ions in drinking water. 2. To determine the presence and concentration of potassium ions in an unknown fertilizer sample. THEORY BEHIND THE EXPERIMENT. The major cation of the extracellular fluid is sodium. The typical daily diet contains 130-280 mmol (8-15 g) sodium chloride. The body requirement is for 1-2 mmol per day, so the excess is excreted by the kidneys in the urine. Hyponatraemia (lowered plasma [Na+]) and hypernatraemia (raised plasma [Na+]) are associated with a variety of diseases and illnesses and the accurate measurement of [Na +] in body fluids is an important diagnostic aid. Potassium is the major cation found intracellularly. The average cell has 140 mM K+ inside but only about 10 mM Na+. K+ slowly diffuses out of cells so a membrane pump (the Na +/K+ATPase) continually transports K+ into cells against a concentration gradient. The human body requires about 50-150 mmol/day. Hypokalaemia (lowered plasma [K+]), hyperkalaemia (increased plasma [K+]) and hyperkaluria (increased urinary excretion of K+) are again indicative of a variety of conditions and the clinical measurement of [K+] is also of great importance. INTRODUCTION TO THE EXPERIMENT Flame photometry is a traditional and simple method for determining sodium and...
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...In July of 2005 an angler reported a fish kill on the river Tolka at Clonee to the ERFB The ERFB sent out fisheries environmental officers. On site inspection reviled a discharge pipe leading from a abattoir close by. The area around this pipe was chemically burned and the water was discolored The area was absent of flora and fauna downstream from this point. This was a point source pollution event. (1) Upstream approx 5M there was small fish alive but were absent downstream They proceeded to take samples of water in a standard method During this process it was noticed that a smell of noxious gases was increasing A shortness of breath and a skin /eye irrigation by the officers accursed The discharge pipe expelled a fluid 5 m into the river with a high flow rate Photos were taken by the EFOs This contained for approx 5 mins This point source smelling of ammonia and the visual impact on the downstream area would give rise to the opinon that this was the pollutant. (3) Samples were collected from pipe directly the river and various positions downstream and upstream Then all the samples were collected and labeled Then EFO s then visited the factory an abattoir owned by KEPAK MEATS Ltd They insisted that guarantees be given to stop this effluent discharge immediately Senior staff gave this guarantee This was the best effort taken by the EFOs to contain the pollution (2) Upon further inspection and a elecrofishing survey completed it was found that a...
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...companies actively search for natural gas inside of the shale rock formations. There is a two-step process for drilling natural gas by using hydraulic fracturing. The first is that a production well id drilled thousands of feet deep into the earth’s surface and the gradually leveled so theat the drill bit is traveling horizontally through the ground. The second step is where the name fracking comes from because this is where the process of mixing sand, water, and chemicals (many which are known to be harmful) are forced under very high pressure down into the shale rock through the horizontal part of the drill. The extreme pressure causes the shale rock to fracture releasing the natural gas within. The added chemicals help reduce problems such as a buildup of bacteria and mineral deposits. Fracking is a very water intensive process and uses up to four million gallons of fresh water for each well, and with about thirty-five thousand wells in the United States, fracking consumes the same amount of water as five million people. Most of the water used remains trapped down in the rocks where the natural gas previously was, but about...
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...Environmental studies Name: Institution: Date: Development of the drinking water standards for arsenic since the year 2000 Exposure to Arsenic has become a considerable global environmental health concern as contact through contaminated drinking water leads to cases of several medical conditions and ailments as well as human reproduction and development effects. The source of arsenic in drinking water consists of natural supplies such as rocks, soil and from human activities for instance in preservatives, paints, and agricultural activities. There are increased levels of arsenic in the ground water sources as compared to surface water and this makes people who rely on ground water to be vulnerable to water that is contaminated. In the U.S. the mean arsenic levels from the measurements taken from ground water samples is usually estimated at one part per every billion litres of water although in some regions high levels of arsenic concentration in ground water is recorded. There have been several amendments and developments with regards to drinking water standards and contamination from arsenic. The Environmental Protection Agency in the year 2001 enacted a law regarding to the arsenic contamination of drinking water in accordance to the 1995 Safe Drinking Water Act and it set a threshold for arsenic contamination in drinking water at 10 ppb as a replacement for the initial threshold of 50 ppb that was settled on in 1975 (Thomas & Copeland, 2008). The regulation...
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...Final Exam for Environmental Law ENV 320 Please write the correct answer on the left line for each question. Each question has 2 points. Please use another color than black for your answers. D 1. Which of the following is not considered one of the threshold issues that must be met before one can bring a lawsuit? a. standing. b. ripeness. c. case or controversy. d. none of the above (all must be present). B 2. A case challenging a statute as violating a person's rights under the U. S. Constitution. a. must be heard in a state court. b. must be heard in a federal court. c. may be heard in either state or federal court. d. must be heard in the U. S. Court of Claims. C 3. To render a binding decision in a case, a court must have a. subject matter jurisdiction. b. jurisdiction over the person. c. either A or B. d. both A and B. B 4. The federal district court and the court of common pleas have concurrent jurisdiction over a. cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution. b. most cases requiring the interpretation of a federal statute. c. both a and b. ...
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...Are they willing to risk their health for wealth? That is the question on everyone’s mind in North Dakota right now. North Dakota residents are scratching their heads and asking, “is the money that oil and gas development is providing to our state important enough that we are willing to risk the health of our families”? Why is there a risk? Because the oil companies are not satisfied with reaching oil only a few hundred feet below the surface. Oil and gas companies are interested in retrieving the oil and gas from a layer of shale and dense rocks at depths of 10,000 feet. The oil companies are retrieving the oil and gas from the shale and rock using a method known as hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This method was developed over 60 years ago. The process of fracking injects water, sand, and chemicals through a cement casing or tubing into shale and dense rocks, cracking the shale and rocks to open the pores, allowing the oil and gas to flow more freely to the surface (Svoboda). Even though the oil companies are using less invasive chemicals, leaving behind fewer toxins, they are still using chemicals with health risks attached such as ethylene glycol. The other health concern today is the dumping of wastewater that comes from the fracking process. There were more than 1,000 reported spills or illegal dumps of wastewater and other drilling fluids in 2011, just in the state of North Dakota. This contaminated water has to go somewhere, and it is likely going into our groundwater...
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...How environmentally is a hydro-electricity? This question to me seems like a very imaginative and profound to help me dig out all the possibilities towards answering the question in a smart way, conceptualizing it with modern science and technology. As many as 700,000 people a year die from indoor air pollution caused by burning coal for heating and cooking. A quarter of all early deaths are caused by respiratory diseases. This hazardous problem like uncountable diseases and death resulting from advancement in the field of science and technology and this becomes a big issue forcing scientist and economist to research and discover the most efficient and faster way to development with little impact to the living standard and lifestyle of the people. Today, the decision to build more hydroelectric dams is a controversial topic in many parts of the world as people re-examine the environmental impact of flooding large areas of land on wildlife, fish habitat and communities surrounding sites where new hydroelectric dams are being considered. Hydroelectricity also produces more power than any other energy solution, like nuclear power, wind power, solar power, and coal and gas power plants. Hydroelectric power also does not emit greenhouse gases. So it does not hurt the environment by destroying the ozone layer of the Earth. While it does not give off any emissions, it creates a tremendous problem with the environment of the river from which it is harvesting power. For example, a...
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...by students © Questions to consider • • • • • • • Where are the nonrenewable sources of energy located? How easy is it to gain access to these sources? What are the consequences of using these sources (fuels)? What are the costs (direct and indirect) of using these sources? Are there viable alternative sources of fuel? What is the current cost of crude oil and other forms of energy? What else have you learned about these resources? What is the political environment for these energy sources? NATURAL GAS Advantages • • • • • • • Burns clean compared to cola, oil (less polluting) 70% less carbon dioxide compared to other fossil fuels helps improve quality of air and water (not a pollutant) does not produce ashes after energy release has high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound inexpensive compared to coal no odor until added Drawbacks • • • not a renewable source finite resource trapped in the earth (some experts disagree) inability to recover all in-place gas from a producible deposit because of unfavorable economics and lack of technology (It costs more to recover the remaining natural gas because of flow, access, etc.) Other information • • 5,149.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserve left (more than oil but less than coal) 23.2% of total consumption of natural gas is in the United States WATER POWER Pros • • • • • • • Provides water for 30-30% of the world’s irrigated land Provides 19% of electricity Expands irrigation Provides drinking water Supplies hydroelectric...
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...Plant 2: Dominant Animal 1: Dominant Animal 2: 6) What was the total rainfall in your area last year? Rainfall in 2013: 0.03 inches 7) Are there any animals in your area on the threatened or endangered species list? Plants? List using the genus and species as well as common name and indicate if they are threatened or endangered. 8) Name two species of native plants (those that were not introduced into the area). Is their range restricted to your area or do they they cross boundaries into other cities and states? Plant Species 1: Abronia maritima, Red Sand Verbena Range: Restricted Plant Species 2: Acer macrophyllum, Big Leaf Maple Range: Unrestricted 9) What body of water is nearest to your home? Include what type of body of water (lake, river), the direction of water flow, and the distance from your home? Body of...
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...environmental degradation, and most of this is done by human activity especially international business activities. This essay will look at the impact of economic globalisation on China while focusing on China’s ecological environment. To start off, the essay will look at the definitions of globalisation and economy, followed by China’s change from being an agriculturally farming intensive country towards rapid industrialisation. Because of this activity pollution, emissions as well as environmental degradation resulted in serious ecological problems. International bodies such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme, have stressed the importance or reducing pollution and emissions in developing countries in order to maintain sustainability. Cancer villages are becoming a major concern in China and that was enough to make the Chinese political party to take responsibility and change their views on the ecological environment. The question here is can China implement these changes to maintain sustainability for future generations, and if so what methods are they using to achieved this by? According to Morrison (2011), globalisation is the “process by which products, people, companies, money and information are able to move quickly around the world.” (p. 43). The definition of economy is “the system of activity connected with the production, trade, and consumption of goods and services of a region,...
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...Environmental Obligation: An examination of the performance of Pepsi Co Student Name: Chomansingh Mareachealee Student Number: 15570501 Semester: 1 2011 Campus: Charles Telfair Institute Tutor’s Name: Sarita Ramanan Tutorial Day and Time: Tuesday (11:30-13:30) GP 4 | | | | | | | Table of content | | | | | Content: | | | | | | Introduction | 2 | | | | | The case against Pepsi Co and its impact & implication: | | | | | | (A) Achieving positive water balance | 2&3 | | (B) Land & Packaging- Moving towards zero landfill | 4 | | (C ) Climate change- reducing the carbon Footprint of operations | 5 | | (D) Protecting Natural resources and health | 6 | | | | | | | | The case for Pepsi Co and its impact & implication: | | | | | | (A) Pesticide controversy in India and Carbon dioxide emission | 7 | | (B) Using Tap water for Bottling | 7&8 | | (C )Health issues and Recycling problem | 8&9 | | | | | | | | Conclusion: | 9 | | | | | References: | 10&11&12 | | | Re: Corporate Environmental Obligation: An examination of the performance of Pepsi company Introduction: Modern organizations have high considerations for societal contribution. Nowadays, customers are environmental conscious and concerned about ecological implications. Social performance has become an important pillar for effectiveness and survival...
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...Chapter 52 A. Introduction 1. Historical Perspective. Begin by indicating why pollution control laws have been enacted. Point out that pollution and pollution laws have existed for centuries, although the 1970's saw an unprecedented amount of environmental legislation, due partly to the increased affluence of our nation at that time and the increasing concern about the longterm effects of pollutants. Note that the interest in environmental problems has taken on global dimensions in the late 1980s and early 1990s; note also that environmental laws and regulations significantly affect not only how companies can do business but also the cost of doing it. At the same time they can provide business opportunities and, in some cases, advantages. 2. Environmental Protection Agency. Point out that EPA has the primary responsibility at the federal level for developing environmental regulations and enforcing the environmental laws. List the major environmental statutes and briefly describe them so that the student has a sense of the breadth of the laws covered in this chapter. Note that a number of the statutes are implemented at the state level with EPA exercising an oversight role. You should note that many states and local governments have enacted pollution control laws; you might want to present examples of state and local laws. 3. The National Environmental Policy Act. Emphasize that the rationale for NEPA, and the environmental impact statements required by NEPA...
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...name: SID#: Worksheet #2: Pollution Control (Aka Study Guide for Exam 2) Approximate Exam format: 25 multiple choice (60% of grade) & 4 short answer (40% of grade) Instructions: * Add notes to each of the study questions or prompts below. Limit your responses to a total of eight (8) typewritten pages [Encouraging you to write more in-depth answers]. Make sure your name and SID# is on every page and staple the pages together. * You may discuss answers with your team-members; however, each student must submit an individual assignment. Plagiarism or submitting the same answers is not permitted. * This worksheet is due at the end of the period on Thurs, October 30, 2014. * Late worksheets will not be accepted. 1. Explain the relationship (and differences) between emissions, ambient concentration, and exposure. Emissions refer to the quantity of a pollutant directly released into the environment, while ambient concentration refers to the concentration of those pollutants in the atmosphere. Exposure is the number of people exposed to these pollutants. 2. Explain the difference between primary and secondary pollutants Primary pollutants are pollutants released directly from a source, while secondary pollutants form in the atmosphere or environment through chemical reactions with primary pollutants. 3. Explain the difference between point source and non-point pollution. Give an example of each. What makes one more difficult...
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...Welfare and Human Systems. U.S.C.C.S.P. This article highlights an assessment directed by EPA which provides a harsh study on the diversity of instruments by which global warming might negatively impact human health in the United States (US). It further states that heat-related disease will likely increase over years, as will deaths linked to air pollution. Collectively, severe events will impact health and welfare and human systems (Gamble, et at, 2008). For instance, floods could contaminate our drinking water and wildfires could increase air pollution. An experienced scientist, Gamble investigated the effect of climate change on human health and developed a model of studies. He found that climate change increases temperatures and shockingly, more people are expected to die from carbon dioxide (CO2). The author is forthcoming, descriptive, and his work is well-researched. Backlund, P., et al. (2008) The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States. The journalist’s research affirms that food security...
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...FIJI Water Bottled water has become an indispensable prop of the daily lives of consumersalmost anywhere in the world today. It is truly a marketing phenomenon in the 21 centurys globalconsumer culture. Despite having grown up drinking water straight from tap, many consumers now prefer paying for the luxury of drinking bottled water and are raising a generation of children that views bottled water as a superior alternative to tap water. They have learnt to accept paying good money for a commodity which has always been provided, and can still get, for free from taps in their homes. Bottled water barely existed as a consumer product a couple of decades ago. It was mostly found in exotic holiday destinations with poor quality local drinking water to cater for the needsof tourists. Today, we find bottled water in lunch boxes, meetings, lecture halls, tennis matches and the cup holder of the treadmill at the gym. Every convenience store or supermarket offers bottled water for sale. At supermarkets, bottled water is the most popular item by units sold today. When we buy a bottle of water, we are notjust paying for the water itself but the convenience and most probably the artful story which the water companies tell us about the water. Our choice is affected by where it comes from, how healthy we think it is, and what it says about us ¨C in other words, its symbolic meanings rather than the actual benefits. Among the choices that we make for our daily consumer products, bottled water...
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