science

• Natural fluid systems


  • Circulatory system
  • Water cycle
  • Respiratory system
  • Sea star
  • Root system in plants
  • Geyser
• Manufactured fluid systems


  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Sewer system
  • Dishwasher
  • Washing machine
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Car hoist
• Pascal's law


  When you apply pressure to a confined fluid, the fluid will send that pressure out in all directions at the same rate
• Examples of Pascal's law


  • Flopping down on an air mattress
  • Using a bicycle pump to inflate a tire
• Hydraulic systems


  • Use a liquid under pressure to apply a force
  • Have a liquid trapped in a fluid pathway
  • Have mechanical parts like cylinders that apply force to the fluid
  • Have pipes and hoses to deliver power to parts of the system
• Pneumatic systems


  • Use a gas (usually air) under pressure to apply a force
  • Have a gas trapped in a fluid pathway
  • Compress the gas before placing it in the system
• Pump


  A mechanical device or part used to move a fluid through or into something
• Actions that use a pump

  • Squirting liquid soap
  • Inflating a tire
  • Exercising
• Bicycle pump


  • A pneumatic pump that uses compressed gases
  • As you pull the handle up, a piston fills the cylinder with air
  • When you push the handle down, the piston compresses the air
  • The compressed air moves through the hose to the tire, inflating it
• Valves


  • Mechanical parts that control the flow of fluids
  • Allow different amounts of fluid to flow in or out
  • Allow blood to flow from one section of the heart to another and prevent backward flow
• Pipelines


  Common way to transport fluids
• Fluids transported through pipelines near a larger town or city

  • Water
  • Petroleum products
  • Natural gas (crude oil and gasoline)
• Alternative ways to transport fluids without pipelines

  1. Water: Tanker trucks

  2. Water: Rail tank cars

  3. Petroleum products: Tanker ships

  4. Petroleum products: Tanker cars

  5. Natural gas: Tanker ships
• Transporting fluids by pipeline

  • Lower energy consumption
  • Safer (less chance of spills)
  • Fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants
• Transporting fluids by alternative methods (trucks, ships, trains)

  • Higher energy consumption
  • Disruption of ecosystems and habitats
  • More air pollutants
  • Higher spill risk
• Water Pollution: Oil spills


  • Contaminate water bodies such as oceans, rivers, and lakes
  • Form a thick layer on the water surface, preventing sunlight from reaching marine plants and phytoplankton
  • Disrupt the aquatic food chain and can lead to the death of marine organisms
• Habitat Destruction: Oil spills


  • Destroy habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands
  • Provide essential breeding grounds and shelter for various species
  • Smother plants and animals, causing long-term damage to the ecosystem
• Toxicity: Crude oil


  • Contains toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Can be absorbed by marine organisms, leading to physiological and reproductive problems
  • Toxic effects can move up the food chain, affecting larger predators and even humans
• Bird and Wildlife Mortality: Oil spills


  • Can coat birds' feathers, impairing their ability to fly and insulate themselves
  • Can cause organ damage and death in marine mammals such as dolphins and seals
• Health Risks: People who come into direct contact with oil spills or inhale the fumes


  • May experience respiratory problems, skin irritation, and headaches
  • Long-term exposure can lead to more severe health conditions, including cancer and neurological disorders
• Economic Loss: Oil spills


  • Can severely impact fishing and tourism industries
  • Can lead to a decline in the availability of seafood and an increase in food prices
  • Can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and impact the availability of other food sources
• So, how do oil spills impact plants and animals?
• Answers will vary.
• Pros of Using Booms for Oil Clean Up

  • Containment: Booms are effective in containing and preventing the spread of oil spills
  • Versatility: Booms can be deployed in various water environments, including oceans, rivers, and lakes
  • Efficiency: Booms are relatively quick and easy to deploy, allowing for a rapid response to oil spills
  • Reusability: Booms are often made of durable materials that can withstand multiple uses
  • Visibility: Booms are typically brightly colored, making them highly visible on the water surface
• Cons of Using Booms for Oil Clean Up

  • Effectiveness in Rough Seas: Booms may be less effective in rough sea conditions
  • Limited Effectiveness on Shorelines: Booms may not be as effective in protecting shorelines
  • Environmental Impact: The use of booms can have unintended environmental consequences
  • Maintenance and Disposal: Booms require regular maintenance and proper disposal
  • Cost: The use of booms can be expensive
• Pros of Using Skimmers for Oil Clean Up

  • Efficiency: Skimmers are highly efficient in removing oil from the water surface
  • Versatility: Skimmers can be used in a variety of water environments
  • Minimal Environmental Impact: Skimmers primarily target the oil on the water surface
  • Reusability: Skimmers are often made of durable materials that can withstand multiple uses
  • Visibility: Skimmers are typically brightly colored, making them highly visible on the water surface
• Cons of Using Skimmers for Oil Clean Up

  • Effectiveness in Rough Seas: Skimmers may be less effective in rough sea conditions
  • Limited Effectiveness on Shorelines: Skimmers may not be as effective in protecting shorelines
  • Limited Capacity: Skimmers have a limited capacity for oil collection
  • Maintenance and Disposal: Skimmers require regular maintenance and proper disposal
  • Cost: The use of skimmers can be expensive
• Pros of Using Sorbents for Oil Clean Up

  • Effectiveness: Sorbents are highly effective in absorbing and containing oil spills
  • Versatility: Sorbents can be used in various water environments
  • Ease of Use: Sorbents are relatively easy to deploy and use
  • Minimal Environmental Impact: Sorbents primarily target the oil on the water surface
  • Cost-Effective: Sorbents are often cost-effective compared to other oil spill clean-up methods
• Cons of Using Sorbents for Oil Clean Up

  • Limited Capacity: Sorbents have a limited capacity for oil absorption
  • Disposal Challenges: Disposing of used sorbents can be a challenge
  • Potential for Secondary Pollution: Sorbents do not remove all the toxic components of the oil
  • Weather Dependency: The effectiveness of sorbents can be influenced by weather conditions
  • Limited Reusability: Some types of sorbents may have limited reusability
• Pros of Using Dispersants for Oil Clean Up

  • Effective Oil Breakdown: Dispersants break down oil into smaller droplets
  • Rapid Response: Dispersants can be quickly applied to oil spills
  • Versatility: Dispersants can be used in various water environments
  • Minimizes Surface Impact: Dispersants help to minimize the formation of thick surface slicks
  • Cost-Effective: Dispersants are often a cost-effective option for oil spill clean-up
• Cons of Using Dispersants for Oil Clean Up

  • Environmental Impact: Dispersants can have unintended environmental consequences
  • Long-Term Effects: The long-term effects of dispersants on marine ecosystems are not fully understood
  • Potential Health Risks: The chemicals used in dispersants can pose health risks
  • Limited Effectiveness in Rough Seas: Dispersants may be less effective in rough sea conditions
  • Regulatory Considerations: The use of dispersants is regulated by environmental agencies
• Pros of Burning Oil as a Method of Cleaning up Oil Spills

  • Rapid Removal: Burning oil can be a quick and efficient method of removing oil from the water surface
  • Minimal Residue: Burning oil leaves behind minimal residue
  • Cost-Effective: Burning oil can be a cost-effective clean-up method
  • Versatility: Burning oil can be used in various water environments
• Cons of Burning Oil as a Method of Cleaning up Oil Spills

  • Air Pollution: Burning oil releases pollutants into the atmosphere
  • Toxic Emissions: Burning oil can release toxic substances into the air
  • Impact on Wildlife: Burning oil can have negative impacts on wildlife
  • Limited Effectiveness: Burning oil may not be effective in all situations
  • Regulatory Considerations: The use of burning is regulated by environmental agencies