Dealing with pollution
Marjorie Henry, Contributor

The discussion on the June 2007 CSEC question paper continues today with reference to question 9.

This question is based on the following objectives in the syllabus:

5. Describe the types of pollution.

10. Explain the measures used to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases - and deforestation.

Section (a) of this question has a bar graph to be completed. This, I will omit since I had already guided you through the construction of a bar graph when question 6 was done. I will, therefore, go on to section (b) of the question. This has two subsections. Here is the first part:-

(b) (i) State FOUR causes of river pollution.

Sources of river pollution include the following:

• Chemicals from fertilisers and pesticides find their way into streams.
• Organic substances from agricultural processing and fertilisers.
• Animal waste from poultry and livestock farms.
• Chemical pollution from industries usually ends up in the waterways.
• Solid waste and other bulky materials from industries.
• Sewage and raw effluent from factories.
• Raw sewage from non-functioning sewerage treatment plants.
• Improper disposal of domestic solid waste in the river.
• Oil and grease from gas stations.
• Silt from quarries.

Please note that you are not required to discuss these causes, simply STATE them.

Here is the other subsection of section (b):-

(b) (ii) Identify TWO sources of air pollution and give an example of EACH source.

Sources of air pollution include the following:-

• The burning of fossil fuels, that is, sulphur dioxide and smoke. Acid rain formation results.
• Industrial plants which emit substances such as fluorides, ammonia or chlorides.
• The exhaust of motor vehicles which emit hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and ethylene.
• The combustion of the fuels used to supply energy in factories and oil refineries.
• Quarries and construction sites produce dust, and so do some factories.
• Ash that is produced where sugar cane is burnt before harvesting.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) are industrial chemicals used to make foam, in some aerosol sprays, and in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. When they are released, there is pollution.

Here is section (c) the last part of question 9.

(c) Explain how TWO measures implemented in

i) a named Caribbean territory can protect the forests.

ii) a developed country have reduced the emission of greenhouse gases.

iii) a named Caribbean territory can reduce the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste.

In response to (c) (i), I am choosing Jamaica as my named Caribbean territory. By highlighting some of the functions of the Forestry Department, we have an insight into what is being done to protect the forests in the island. These include:

• Sustainable management of forests in Crown lands or in forest reserves and the effective conservation of those forests.
• Directing and controlling the exploitation, in a rational manner, of forest resources by the introduction of adequate systems for renewal of those resources.
• Preparing and implementing a national forest management and conservation plan.
• Establishing and promoting public educational programmes to improve understanding of the contribution of forests to national well-being and national development;
• Control and supervision of the cutting, harvesting, milling and sale of timber and other forest produce.

In answering section (c) (ii), bear in mind that the greenhouse effect is the result of an increasing build-up in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. It is caused by the increased consumption of fossil fuels, burning of rain forests, car exhaust emissions, the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and methane gas resulting from animal rearing and rice cultivation.

This fact should guide you in your response, since, generally speaking, it is a lessening of the activities named that will result in a reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases.

The discussion on this last section of question 9 will continue in the next lesson.

Two students from Wolmer's Girls share their praise during an Inter-schools' Secondary Christian Fellowship concert in the school's auditorium recently. The theme of the concert was 'Touch-2-Connect: Touching the Hem'. - Anthony Minott/ Freelance Photographer

Marjorie Henry is an independent contributor.