Study Questions for The Waste Stream

1. Define the following terms:

element

atom

compound

2. Differentiate among solid, liquid, and gaseous waste.

3. Give brief definitions of the following types of hazardous materials:

flammable

unstable

corrosive

toxic

4. What are the differences between biological waste and chemical waste?

5. Identify the following items as organic or inorganic:

coffee grounds

plastic

watermelon rind

aluminum

glass

paper

6. Briefly describe what is meant by the terms "biodegradable" and “nonbiodegradable."

7. What is the difference between waste disposal in the natural environment and in civilization?

8. Briefly explain how water, soil, and air are pathways for waste.

water

soil

air

9. Define or describe the following processes:

dilution and dispersal

filtering

dehydration

oxidation dissolution

10. What conditions are required for biological decomposition to take place?

11. What are the differences between scavengers and decomposers?