Explain the importance of safety regulations in nuclear power plants.
Strict safety regulations and frequent inspections are crucial to prevent nuclear disasters and protect public health and the environment.
What is the significance of double-layered walls in oil tankers?
Double-layered walls provide extra protection against oil spills, reducing the risk of environmental damage from tanker accidents.
Explain the role of scrubbers in reducing air pollution.
Scrubbers filter pollutants from industrial emissions, reducing the amount of harmful substances released into the atmosphere.
Why is proper waste disposal important?
Proper waste disposal prevents contamination of soil and water, protecting human health and the environment from toxic chemicals.
Explain the connection between fossil fuels, climate change, and ocean health.
Burning fossil fuels increases CO2 levels, leading to climate change and ocean acidification, which harms marine ecosystems.
Why is government regulation important for hazardous chemicals?
Government regulations ensure the safe storage and handling of hazardous chemicals, preventing accidental releases and protecting public health.
Explain the concept of exclusion zones after a nuclear disaster.
Exclusion zones are areas around a nuclear disaster site deemed uninhabitable due to high radiation levels, preventing human exposure.
Why are coral reefs important?
Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots, providing habitat for many fish species and protecting coastlines from erosion.
Explain how a thermal inversion worsens air pollution.
Thermal inversions trap pollutants near the ground, preventing them from dispersing and increasing their concentration.
What role does public trust play in nuclear energy?
Public trust in government regulation of nuclear reactors is essential for the acceptance and use of nuclear energy.
Why are coral reefs important?
They provide habitats for many fish species and contribute to marine biodiversity.
What is the significance of the CERCLA Superfund Program?
It provides funding for the cleanup of abandoned toxic waste sites, protecting human health and the environment.
How does climate change affect ocean health?
It leads to ocean acidification and increased water temperatures, stressing marine ecosystems like coral reefs.
What role do government inspections play in nuclear power plant safety?
They help ensure that safety regulations are followed and potential hazards are identified and addressed.
How does improper waste disposal affect human health?
It can lead to contamination of drinking water, causing birth defects, endocrine disruption, and other health problems.
What are the long-term effects of radiation exposure?
Increased risk of cancer, birth defects, and other health problems.
What is the impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems?
Widespread damage to the coastline, significant reduction in biodiversity, and death of marine animals.
How does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to ocean acidification?
It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is then absorbed by the ocean, lowering its pH.
What is the difference between industrial and photochemical smog?
Industrial smog is caused by SOx from coal combustion, while photochemical smog is caused by NOx from vehicle exhaust.
Why is public trust important for nuclear energy?
Public trust is essential for the acceptance and use of nuclear energy, and disasters can erode this trust.
What were the environmental consequences of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
Widespread damage to the coastline and a significant reduction in biodiversity. Hundreds of thousands of animals died.
What were the effects of the Chernobyl disaster?
High rates of cancer and birth defects in the surrounding area. High radiation levels persist, making the area uninhabitable.
What were the effects of the Great Smog in London?
Many deaths due to respiratory illness.
What were the effects of the Bhopal disaster?
Thousands of deaths within hours and about 15,000 more deaths from complications. 500,000 total injuries and many children born with defects.
What were the effects of the Love Canal disaster?
Families were forced to evacuate due to birth defects and endocrine disruption caused by chemical contamination of drinking water.
What were the effects of the Minamata Bay disaster?
Many people developed Minamata Disease, with symptoms including fatigue, convulsions, loss of motor functions, and slurred speech.
What were the effects of the Fukushima disaster?
11,580 square miles were contaminated with radioactive materials. Exclusion zones were created, leading to the abandonment of cities.
What were the effects of the Three Mile Island disaster?
Public distrust in government regulation of nuclear reactors in the USA. This led to a decrease in the use of nuclear energy in the US.
What is the effect of increased water temperature on coral reefs?
Coral reefs become stressed, leading to coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity.
What is the effect of ocean acidification on coral reefs?
Coral reefs become stressed, leading to coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity.
