3. Scenarios in Environmental Systems

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is mass transfer?

   Hint

   Think about how substances move in nature.

2. 2.

   Define molecular diffusion.

   Hint

   Consider how food coloring spreads in water.

3. 3.

   What does bulk flow refer to?

   • A slow process of diffusion
   • Movement of solutes by fluid motion
   • Random movement of molecules

   Hint

   Consider how rivers transport materials.

4. 4.

   True or False: In deep lakes, diffusion can be negligible.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the effects of temperature and layering.

5. 5.

   A thick oil spill is observed in a river. Discuss how molecular diffusion and bulk flow contribute to the transport of the oil. How might temperature changes affect this situation?

   Hint

   Consider how viscosity affects movement.

6. 6.

   Analyze how pollutants might move from an agricultural field into the groundwater during heavy rain. What transport mechanisms are at play?

   Hint

   Think about both surface runoff and subsurface movement.