EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
19th Edition
ISBN: 9781337516082
Author: Miller
Publisher: CENGAGE LEARNING - CONSIGNMENT
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 17, Problem 1CR
To determine

The toxic effects of mercury and the ways in which people are exposed to mercury and its compounds.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1CR

The toxic effects of mercury include nervous system damage, organ damage especially the brain, kidney, and lungs. The exposure to mercury during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities and brain damages in the fetus. People are exposed to mercury and its compounds through emission from burying coal powder, industrial plants, smelters, solid-waste, incinerators, cements kilns and so on.

Explanation of Solution

Mercury is a toxic compound that is responsible for causing many defects in humans. The mercury mainly damages the nervous system by directly acting on the brain. It also damages the organs like the liver and lungs. In the lungs, the mercury deposit in the form of aerosols or powders and lead to respiratory disorders like COPD and so on.

The mercury ingested through water can cause excessive damage to the liver. Pregnant females and children are more likely to suffer from mercury poisoning. The pregnant females exposed to mercury can give birth to a child with fetal defects.

The sources by which a person is exposed to mercury and its products are as follows:

(i) Burning powdered coal

(ii) Emissions from industrial plants

(iii) Toxic waste effluents in the rivers, lakes, ponds, and wells.

(iv) Smelters

(v) Solid waste incinerators

(vi) Cement kilns

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Calculate the gradient, or slope, of this portion of the Missouri River by following the steps below: Step 1: Locate a contour line that crosses the river. Note: An index contour crosses the river in Section 26 (lower left portion of the map). Follow the index contour to the right to establish its elevation. Elevation: ________ feet Step 2: Locate a second index contour that crosses the river. Note: Look in Section 11, between the letters V and E in the word RIVER. What is its elevation? Elevation: ________ feet Step 3: Use a string and the bar scale to measure the approximate distance (to the nearest mile) between these two index contours. Distance: ________ feet Step 4: Calculate the gradient of the river by using the following formula: Gradient Difference in elevation (feet) / Distance (miles) Gradient: ________ feet per mile
Assume an unsaturated air parcel located at sea level (0 meters) in the SacramentoValley has an initial air temperature of 17°C and a specific humidity of 4kg H2O/kg air.The prevailing westerlies are forcing the air parcel eastward towards the western slopeof the Sierras.a. Calculate the relative humidity and the dew point temperature of the air parcelat 0 meters.
Seismogram A (New York, NY): The time difference between the P-wave and S-wave arrival is approximately 5 minutes, roughly 2000 kilometers.Seismogram B (Nome, Alaska): The time difference between the P-wave and S-wave arrival is approximately 6 minutes, roughly 2900 kilometers.Seismogram C (Mexico City, Mexico): The time difference between the P-wave and S-wave arrival is approximately 4 minutes, roughly 1500 kilometers. Use Figure 4.6 and a drafting compass to draw a circle around each of the three stations. Make the radius (in miles) of each circle equal to the station's distance from the epicenter as determined above. (Use the scale on the map to set the radius on the drafting compass.) The circles you draw should intersect at approximately one point. This point is the epicenter. If they do not intersect at one point, find a point that is equidistant from the edges of the three circles and use this as the epicenter. Label the epicenter on the map.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Text book image
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,