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Tutorial-1 ET1302

This document outlines a tutorial for the BBST (Hons) Degree in Environmental Technology at the University of Colombo, focusing on the topic of chemicals in the environment. It includes a series of questions covering key concepts such as the Earth system components, biogeochemical cycles, water pollution, and the impacts of heavy metals. The tutorial aims to assess students' understanding of environmental processes and their implications.

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sahanmaduranga277
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18 views2 pages

Tutorial-1 ET1302

This document outlines a tutorial for the BBST (Hons) Degree in Environmental Technology at the University of Colombo, focusing on the topic of chemicals in the environment. It includes a series of questions covering key concepts such as the Earth system components, biogeochemical cycles, water pollution, and the impacts of heavy metals. The tutorial aims to assess students' understanding of environmental processes and their implications.

Uploaded by

sahanmaduranga277
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO – SRI LANKA

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY

BBST (Hons) Degree in Environmental Technology


First Year – Semester II – Tutorial 1

ET 1302 Chemicals in the Environment (Theory)

Answer all the questions given. Time : 2 Hours


1.
i. What are the four main interacting components of the Earth system?
ii. Explain the function of the atmosphere?
iii. How does the anthrosphere affect the other main spheres of the Earth?
2.
i. What is a Biogeochemical Cycle?
ii. Illustrate a diagram which depicts interchange of matter among the atmosphere, biosphere,
anthrosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
3.
i. Define the following terms and give suitable examples for each.
(a) Carbon sinks
(b) Carbon sources
ii. The diagram shows the basic outline of the carbon cycle.
Label the main processes marked in A, B, C, D, E, and F. Explain in detail how carbon is cycled
in nature using the above diagram. Start with carbon dioxide being taken up by green plants.

iii. Explain the role of microorganisms in the carbon cycle.


1
4. Give the suitable terminologies for the described processes in the nitrogen cycle.
i.
(a) The process by which bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates for plants to uptake-
………………………
(b) The process which free nitrogen is converted into a usable form- …………………………..
(c) Reduction of nitrates or nitrites by bacteria that usually results in the escape of nitrogen into the
air-……………………..
ii. Describe how nitrogen is recycled through the activity of soil bacteria and fungi to make it available
to plants.
5.
i. The phosphorus cycle is fundamentally different from the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. How
so?
ii. What is the major reservoir for phosphorus in the phosphorus cycle?
iii. What are the forms of phosphorus found in the soil?
iv. List the main Sulphur inputs to the soil.

6.
i. Define water pollution
ii. What are the main categories of water pollution?
iii. What are the causes of water pollution?
iv. Explain the effects of water pollution?
v. What are the steps that can be taken to prevent water pollution?

7.
i. Define point and non-point sources of water pollutants. Give examples for each.
ii. What is eutrophication?
iii. Briefly describe the effects of eutrophication.

8.
i. What are the major water pollution problems in streams and lakes?
ii. How can the Streams cleanse water pollution naturally? Briefly explain one of them.
iii. How can you reduce the water pollution? State with three big ideas.
9.
i. List out the five concentric layers in the atmosphere and briefly describe each.
ii. Classify the toxic substances found in the environment according to their function and effects.
iii. What are air pollutants? Give examples.

10.
i. Why are heavy metals potentially harmful to humans?
ii. Separately list harmful heavy metals for animals/humans and plants.
iii. List out the causes of oil spills.
iv. What are the different states of oil/oil products aggregations in the lithosphere?

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