Human Impact on an Ecosystem 3 Waste Management

Human Impact on an Ecosystem 3 Waste Management

Need to know • Explain the term waste management • Give an example of waste management in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries & forestry. • Describe problems associated with waste disposal. • Explain methods of waste minimisation. • Explain the role of microorganisms in waste management. 2

Waste Management What is waste management? Waste management involves strategies for waste preventation and waste minimisation. 3

Disposing of rubbish Traditionally rubbish has been disposed of by: 1. burying it in landfill sites 2. destroying it in incineraters 3. recycling it. 4

Landfills are used to bury rubbish so that it is isolated from groundwater, will be kept dry and will not be in contact with air. This isolation is accomplished with a bottom liner and a covering of soil. 5

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Learning Check 1 1. What is waste management? 2. How has traditional rubbish been disposed of? 3. What are Landfills? 7

An example of from the following Waste management in: § Agriculture § Fisheries § Forestry 8

1. Waste Management in Agriculture 9

1. Waste Management in Agriculture The main problems are the waste products from farms. The overuse / incorrect use of : 1. chemical fertilisers and 2. animal manure / slurry. 10

Agriculture solution Animal manure / slurry is diluted & then spread on dry land as excess may enter rivers and cause algal blooms and eutrophication. 11

2. Waste Management in Fisheries 12

2. Waste Management in Fisheries Fish processing produces waste e. g. fish heads, tails etc Accumulated fish waste leads to: 1. Unpleasant odours 2. Infestations of rats 3. Maggots 4. Low O 2 levels due to bacterial decomposition of waste. 13

Fishery solution In the fishing industry, the waste parts of the fish are neutralised, pulped, dried and recycled as fertiliser or pig feed. 14

3. Waste Management in Forestry 15

3. Waste Management in Forestry • When trees are harvested only bare poles are removed so alot of tree debris e. g. branches, leaves etc and stumps are left behind. 16

Forestry solution In forestry: 1. any parts of trees not removed from the forest are allowed to decay and return nutrients to the soil. 2. Tree parts are recycled to make sawdust & MDF. 17

Learning Check 2 1. What are the biggest waste management problems in agriculture? 2. How are they being dealt with? 3. What are the biggest waste management problems in fisheries? 4. How are they being dealt with? 5. What are the biggest waste management problems in forestry 6. How are they being dealt with? 18

Important problems in waste disposal

1. wastes may cause disease 2. poisonous chemicals from wastes can enter drinking water supplies or plants 3. waste nutrients can result in eutrophication and the death of aquatic plants and animals 4. landfill sites may be unsightly, smelly and attract undesirable wildlife 5. dumping at sea may lead to pollution of the sea 6. incinerators may release toxic fumes

Role of micro-organisms in Waste Management Micro-organisms (bacteria & fungi) are used to break down 1. waste in sewage treatment plants & produce methane which can be used as a fuel to generate electricity 2. waste in compost heaps to produce humus / fertilisers 3. Oil spills 21

Learning check 5 1. Explain some problems with waste disposal 2. Explain the role of microorganisms in waste management. 22

Methods of waste minimisation The amount of waste we produce can be controlled by the three Rs. 1. Reduce packaging. 2. Reuse as many materials as possible. 3. Recycle as much as possible.

2008 HL Q 10 (c) (i) Waste management is a matter of growing concern in Ireland as the population expands. Outline three problems associated with waste disposal. (ii)Give an example of waste produced in agriculture or fisheries or forestry and describe how it is managed. (iii)Suggest two methods of waste minimisation. (iv)Give one example of the use of microorganisms in waste management. (24) 24

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2008 HL Q 10 (c) (i) disease / pollution / toxins / smell / unsightly / other valid named problem 3(3) (ii) waste described or named matched management described 3, 3 (iii) reduce consumption / reduce packaging / recycle / reuse 2(3) (iv) landfill sites / sewage treatment plants / digesters / compost heaps 3 33

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