Landfill potential threats to the environment

Always the possibility that leachate from a landfill will contaminate the underlying adjacent waterways. Anaerobic decomposition also produces carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gasses)

Aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition

Aerobic decomposition allows oxygen to enter waste - leads to the creation of compost. Anaerobic decomposition restricts organic waste from receiving oxygen which leads to anaerobic breakdown of the waste which leads to the release of methane.

process of burning waste materials

Pros: Reduces volume and mass of waste materials and sometimes generates electricity or heat.

Cons: Tipping fees are higher at incinerators than landfills, releases air pollutants, produces ash that is deemed toxic and must be disposed of in a special landfill.

Illegal dumping and associated problems (ex: connection between tires and disease)

Tires that may end up in the wrong place, sit there and collect water as it rains. This sedentary water in the tire becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes - carrying malaria.

E-waste contains toxic metals such as mercury and cadmium which can leach out of landfills; harmful to humans and ecosystems

Con: costly and still requires additional energy

Pro: aerobic decomposition creates organic fertilizer

Con: anaerobic decomposition of organic materials leads to production of methane; smelly

RCRA "cradel to grave"

List of hazardous materials; must properly dispose of hazardous materials

CERCLA "superfund act"

Tax on chemical+petroleum industries; $ used to clean up contaminated sites

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APES ch 16 quiz

Question	Answer
Landfill potential threats to the environment	Always the possibility that leachate from a landfill will contaminate the underlying adjacent waterways. Anaerobic decomposition also produces carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gasses)
Aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition	Aerobic decomposition allows oxygen to enter waste - leads to the creation of compost. Anaerobic decomposition restricts organic waste from receiving oxygen which leads to anaerobic breakdown of the waste which leads to the release of methane.
Incineration	process of burning waste materials
Incineration pro	Pros: Reduces volume and mass of waste materials and sometimes generates electricity or heat.
Incineration con	Cons: Tipping fees are higher at incinerators than landfills, releases air pollutants, produces ash that is deemed toxic and must be disposed of in a special landfill.
Illegal dumping and associated problems (ex: connection between tires and disease)	Tires that may end up in the wrong place, sit there and collect water as it rains. This sedentary water in the tire becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes - carrying malaria.
Dangers of E waste	E-waste contains toxic metals such as mercury and cadmium which can leach out of landfills; harmful to humans and ecosystems
recycling pro	Pro: reduces landfill volume
recycling con	Con: costly and still requires additional energy
composting pro	Pro: aerobic decomposition creates organic fertilizer
composting con	Con: anaerobic decomposition of organic materials leads to production of methane; smelly
RCRA "cradel to grave"	List of hazardous materials; must properly dispose of hazardous materials
CERCLA "superfund act"	Tax on chemical+petroleum industries; $ used to clean up contaminated sites

Created by: maddiehubbs

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