Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Green Sligo

Green house Effect and Global warming

Thermochemistry

This will help you with some Physics as well!

Water Treatment and Laws

Clean drinking Water is a basic Human Right. Unfortunately not all people avail of this, for example in parts of Galway residents still have to boil water due to the threat of ecoli.


Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, materials, biological contaminants from contaminated water. Most of our water comes from rivers and lakes. It is necessary to treat the water for human consummation. This is done in a treatment plant. There are different stages involved before water can come out of your tap.

• Pre-chlorination - for algae control and arresting any biological growth
• Aeration - along with pre-chlorination for removal of dissolved iron and manganese
• Coagulation - for flocculation
• Coagulant aids, also known as polyelectrolytes - to improve coagulation and for thicker floc formation
• Sedimentation - for solids separation, that is, removal of suspended solids trapped in the floc
• Filtration - removing particles from water
• Desalination - Process of removing salt from the water
• Disinfection - for killing bacteria.

The EPA, HSE, and EU Drinking water directors composed regulations for Drinking Water: Here are a few examples.

• 200 microgrammes per litre (µg/L) of water must only be present in drinking water.
• 4 parts per million (ppm) of Chlorine is the recommended amount for drinking water. 
• 25 microgrammes per litre (µg/L) of lead is the recommended amount in drinking water.

This link is the complete guidelines on drinking water:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-drink/index_en.html

• Pre-chlorination - for algae control and arresting any biological growth
• Aeration - along with pre-chlorination for removal of dissolved iron and manganese
• Coagulation - for flocculation
• Coagulant aids, also known as polyelectrolytes - to improve coagulation and for thicker floc formation
• Sedimentation - for solids separation, that is, removal of suspended solids trapped in the floc
• Filtration - removing particles from water
• Desalination - Process of removing salt from the water
• Disinfection - for killing bacteria.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Chemistry Support by Green Sligo

We all know chemistry is not everybody's biggest thing but we have to get through with that subject to understand chemistry when Environmental issues occur
The Khan academy is a very useful web site to get some support at chemistry. You will find video clips about periodic table, ionic and covalent bonds, balancing chemical equations, the mole & the Avogadro's number and so on. This web site is also helpful at maths and biology. Have a look at khan academy and get your own opinion about it.


http://www.khanacademy.org/#Chemistry 

Chemistry for the Environment

Chemistry is very important! It is widely used by Environmental Scientists and Environmental Protection Officers.


What Chemistry will you use?
You will use various types of Chemistry!
pH is the measure of acidity of a substance. It is used in the measuring of the acidity/alkalinity of a river, lake or soil. The following is a review of the experiment conducted in the lab which is commonly used by Environmental Scientists/Protection Officers


Title
Determination of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Percentage Saturation (%Sat), temperature and pH in river water.


Date
30/11/2010


Objective
The purpose of this experiment is to examine two samples of river water. DO Meters are used to measure DO and %Sat. pH meters are used to measure pH and temperature. The two samples are compared.


Materials

• Two River samples: Sample A and Sample B (One upstream and one lower stream)
• Dissolved Oxygen Meter (DO and %Sat)
• pH Meter (pH and temp)

Method

1. Two samples of river water are taken. One is taken from upstream, another from lower stream.
2. Beakers are labelled 'Sample A' and 'Sample B'
3. DO Meters are put into Sample A to measure DO and %Sat.
4. Record Data.
5. A pH meter is used to to measure pH and temperature.
6. Record Data.
7. The same is done for Sample B.

Results

NOTE: The following results are examples and are NOT suitable results.

Sample	DO (mg/L)	%Sat	pH (6.5 → 8)	Temp (°C)
Sample A	9.84 mg/L	89.10%	7.45	10.1°C
Sample B	10.12 mg/L	90.25%	7.55	10.09°C

Conclusion


From the results above we can tell that the river water quality in this river is quite good. From Sample A we can see that it is suitable for salmon. Salmon require 7-9 mg/L of Oxygen. The percentage Saturation is good. It is recommended that it is 100%. Because  Sample A was taken from upstream with a low rate of flow therefore the percentage saturation is lower than the recommended. The pH is good. The temperature for this time of year is on average temperature is 12°C, this is below average. This can  be because of the recent cold weather,snow and ice. Overall the quality of water in the river is quite good and meets EU regulations.


Discussion


What are the errors of under going this experiment?
From the minute of taking the samples to the conclusion of the experiment certain errors may have accord. When the samples are taken and placed into a beaker the temperature of the water may begin to change. Your hands slowly begin to heat the water. The Oxygen levels could change due to more oxygen being present in the new environment. It is very important that as soon as the samples have been taken that the experiment is undergone.

DO Meter kit

The Incineration process by Laura Murtagh

Incineration is a waste treatment process

The term incinerates means to burn something until nothing is left but ashes.

 An incinerator is a unit or facility used to burn waste until it is reduced to just ash. An incinerator is constructed of heavy, well-insulated materials, so that it does not give off extreme amounts of external heat.

The high levels of heat are kept inside the furnace so that the waste is burned quickly and efficiently. If the heat were allowed to escape, the waste would not burn as completely or as rapidly.

One function of an incinerator is to dispose of trash or waste effectively, eliminating the high cost of having waste transported away and deposited elsewhere, then piling even more rubbish on to existing landfills. Incinerators also serve to keep dangerous materials from finding their way to landfills where they can cause harm people.

However some people feel that an incinerator is a poor alternative to other waste disposal methods. They believe its exchanging land waste for smog and air pollution. But, an incinerator can dispose of an incredible amount of solid waste when used properly, which is why many people believe that it is the most efficient waste disposal process.

Aside from reducing the sheer quantity of solid waste by roughly 90%, an incinerator can also be used to manage certain materials that cannot be disposed of properly by simply dumping them in another location due to issues of public health and safety.

 The extreme temperatures produced by an incinerator can wipe out certain biohazards, as well as other toxic materials which are found in medical and hazardous waste. Other dangerous and harmful materials can also be broken down in an incinerator, such as bio-weapons, confiscated drugs, and contaminants. The use of an incinerator is meant to be strictly regulated to protect our health and the environment.

In Ireland many incinerators where proposed leading to huge public debate a recent one was the poolbeg incinerator in planning in county Dublin, there was also a proposal for one in Ringaskiddy county cork.

Pollution in the Environment by Pádraig McCann

What is Pollution? Pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.

There are many types of pollution. Pollution can take form in a physical, chemical and energy form.

Physical Pollution:
Humans mainly contribute to this type of pollution. One of the basic forms is LITTER. Some people believe it is harmless but they don't know the facts. A plastic bag dropped on the ground will take up to 500 years to decompose. Bottles, Tayto packets, wrappers and much much more. Many companies claim to use recycled but how much of this is true? We have to change the way we use plastic. Try and reuse old cartons and bottles. Remember: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Chemical Pollution:
This takes the form of air and water pollution. Humans again are responsible for this pollution especially in industrial areas such as cities, factories. Many factories emit high levels of Carbon Dioxide and other chemicals into the Ozone Layer. These gases become trapped. The country side also contributes to chemical pollution. Methane gas which is produced by cattle is harmful. One cow can produce up to 12 fridges worth of gas and with an average farm to have 30+ cattle this is 360 fridges! All vehicles on our roads release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. There is on average 806 million cars used every single day, burning over 1 billion m³ of petrol and diesel. With a global population growing the need of more cars will increase pollution. There is a solution to this problem. Walk more. Use public transport.Carpool.

Artificial Pollution:
In big towns and cites Light Pollution is a big problem. Street lights and other outdoor lights contribute to engulfing the night sky and its wonderful sights. The skies over Sligo and other towns have been taken over by the sickening cover blocking out the stars.
There is also noise pollution. Again in the big towns and cities the hustle and bustle of traffic and people going about their business and this may seem harmless but it does have its negatives.
For some creatures such as foxes and badgers the extra light can play havoc to there systems causing mayhem and distraught animals. The extra noise can disturb birds and other creatures.

Change:
It is the simple things that we do that lead to bigger difference. Recycle your rubbish. Use cleaner energy. Turn off unwanted lights.

Light Pollution



Air Pollution

Zonation on a shore by Pádraig McCann

Because the distance that the tide comes up the shore varies from day to day, this provides different environmental conditions, and therefore different habitats supporting sea creatures and plants, together with the animals that will be present when the conditions and availability of food suit them.

Splash Zone
The very highest zone on the shore is called the splash zone.
Here you will find a few species of lichen which are fed on by two very small species of winkle.
 
Upper Shore Zone
This zone is only immersed by the spring tides, and then only for a short time. The brown seaweeds, Spiral Wrack has adaptations to prevent drying out and can survive when the tide is out. Acorn Barnacles settle in this zone.
 
Middle Shore Zone
For half the day the tide will be in, even during the period of neap tides.  The common brown wrack of this zone is the Bladder Wrack,. Mussel beds will form and both limpets and periwinkles will graze the rocks. Beadlet Anemones are resident.
 
Lower Shore
For most of the day the sea will cover this part of the shore, so that the beachcomber will need to consult his tide tables to ascertain when the shore is accessible.
This will be longest during the spring tide period. The important brown seaweed is the Serrated Wrack which straddles large areas where there are suitable attachments.
The range of crabs, molluscs, small fish and prawns is much greater in this zone.

For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertidal_zone




Shore Zonation






  







The Doorly Park of Sligo by Henry Koehler



The Beauty of Doorly Park



The area was developed in the 19th century. Until today it is continuously changing its face . It is a good example how the landscape can be artificially shaped through human actions.

The Doorly Park offers the opportunity to go for a walk or simply watching wildlife. You will enjoy a lovely time there. But unfortunately environmental issues have occurred for example waste dumbed in the area and hence destroy the beauty of the Doorly Park partly. We want to raise awareness about this situation and encourage the community to avoid polluting our environment then "The nature doesn't need us but we need the nature which surrounds us" !

 

Further information go to http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_11659

Zebra Mussels Infestation

Invasive Species (Zebra Mussels)

Invasive Species

James Purcell

Freshwater

Zebra Mussel

Dreissena polymorpha

·         First recorded in Ireland in 1997

·         The species has spread rapidly throughout Irelands freshwater ecosystems, and significantly altered these habitats.

·         It has a striped shell, grow to 3-4cm, it attaches itself to hard surfaces and it is a filter feeder

Impacts of Zebra Mussels:
They can change nutrient cycles, filter out the microscopic plants called phytoplankton and zooplankton (which would impact the food chain), increase water clarity and increase plant growth, Change in fish populations can also occur where zebra mussels are present (colonize spawning grounds),
It has been noted in some lakes which previously had large population of roach previous to zebra mussels, showed a dramatic decline in numbers after the introduction of zebra mussels.
Zebra mussels can also block water intake pipes, for example at Killyhevlin water works, Enniskillen, £100,000 was needed to repair and modify due to zebra mussels.



Global Warming

In the early seventies global warming was seen as science fiction but we now know it is FACT.
Global warming is the increase of the earths temperature. It may seem harmless to have a few extra degrees but this will leed to disasters across the globe. Scientists say that  since 1850-2009 the earths temperature has risen from 13.6°C to 14.5°C. This may seem minimal for 150 years but this is rapidly changing. In 2007 Scientists proclaimed that by 2050 the worlds temperature will have increased by 1°C every year.

But did you know that we can change this? Yes we can!
The smallest of changes can make the biggest differences. By turning off electronics and lights at night you can save up to 40% of electricity. If this was done it would reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions by 650g per item. Did you know that  Even when it is not connected to the phone, it is still draining electricity.
There are estimates that 95% of the energy is wasted when you leave the charger plugged in all the time.

Helpful Energy Tips

• Turn off your tap- Don't waste water 
• Plug out the charger- save electricity and money
• Boil less water- Boil only what you need
• Use energy saving light bulbs-one can reduce your lighting costs by up to €60 and avoid 400kg of CO₂ emissions
• Do not leave appliances on standby-turn off the TV at night
• Walk more- its better for you and the environment

We only have one planet Earth so keep it clean and go green!

Wake Up To Reality Video

Hungary's Toxic Sludge

On October 4th, news spread of a leak of 'Toxic Sludge' at the Ajkai Timföldgyár alumina plant in Hungary. A crack in a corner of a wall of the plant broke and began releasing Aluminium oxide(Al2O3). This Toxic Sludge which is highly hazardous with a pH of 9.3 began flowing into dams and rivers. The sludge made its way to the river Danube, Europes second longest river. There is a fear that the sludge will spread across Hungary into other countries which lie on the Danube such as Germany and Austria.

What is Alumina?

Alumina or Alumimium oxide occurs naturally in the environment in a hydrated form in bauxite(aluminium ore), and with impurities such as ruby and sapphire which are used in aluminum production and in abrasives, ceramics, and electrical insulation. ther are many uses of alumina, thease are as a filler of plastic, purifying gas and is also an ingrediant in sunscreen!

The 'Toxic Sludge' as viewd by space - Taken by NASA

What are the Environmental Issues of Alumina?

As you have read the main issue is the toxic sludge in Hungary. Hungarys environment minister said that "it will take up to a year to clean up the mess but the long term results such as the fish life being killed off in rivers and the damage to agricultural land could take decades to repair". Towns such as Kolontar and Devecser where the toxic sludge reached 6.5 feet deep has seen many of its residents fleeing their homes. The sludge has taken the lives of nine people and some are feered missing. The clean up has begun by the locals and Hungarian authorities.

For more information on Alumina click this link http://www.aluminiumleader.com/en/

Green Sligo

Environmental Protection students at IT Sligo,

Henry Koehler, James Purcell, Pádraig McCann and Laura Murtagh