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What are carbon sinks/reservoirs?
Natural systems that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What are carbon sources?
Natural or human-made processes that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What is the difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide into glucose using sunlight, while cellular respiration breaks down glucose to release energy and carbon dioxide.
How are humans impacting the carbon cycle?
Humans contribute to increased carbon dioxide levels through fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and land use changes.
What are nitrogen sinks/reservoirs?
Natural systems that store nitrogen in various forms, such as in soil and living organisms.
What are nitrogen sources?
Processes or activities that add nitrogen to the environment, such as fertilizer application and plant decay.
What are the steps of the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.
How are humans impacting the nitrogen cycle?
Through the use of synthetic fertilizers and agriculture, increasing nitrogen levels and contributing to pollution.
What are phosphorus sinks?
Natural systems that store phosphorus, usually occurring in mineral forms in rock and soil.
What are phosphorus sources?
Sources of phosphorus include fertilizers, animal waste, and the natural weathering of rocks.
What is the difference between the phosphorus cycle and other cycles?
Phosphorus does not have a gaseous phase and cycles mainly through water, soil, and living organisms.
How are humans impacting the phosphorus cycle?
Through the use of phosphate fertilizers and agricultural runoff into water bodies.
What are water sinks/reservoirs?
Natural locations that store water, such as oceans, lakes, and aquifers.
How are humans impacting the water cycle?
By altering land use, urbanization, and through water consumption.
How are soils formed?
Soils are formed through the weathering of rocks, organic matter decomposition, and biological activity.
What are the different soil horizons and their characteristics?
O, A, E, B, and C horizons, with O being organic matter, A topsoil, E leached layer, B subsoil, and C weathered material.
How are human activities impacting soils?
Through erosion, compaction, pollution, and loss of organic matter.
What are the different particle types? What is the largest? Smallest?
The different types are sand (largest), silt, and clay (smallest).
How does particle size affect porosity/permeability/water holding capacity?
Larger particles like sand have high permeability but low water holding capacity, while smaller particles like clay have high water retention but low permeability.
Can you read a soil triangle chart to determine soil texture?
Yes, a soil triangle chart is used to determine soil texture based on the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.
What is the ideal soil type?
Loam, a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay.
What factors increase soil fertility?
Organic matter, pH balance, microbial activity, and nutrient availability.
What factors decrease soil fertility?
Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, contamination, and salinity.
What do the different characteristics (texture, permeability, pH, color, nutrient level) tell you about the soil?
They indicate soil quality, suitability for crops, and potential issues for farming.
How are the boundaries of a watershed determined?
By the topography of the land, where water drains into a common outlet.
How do vegetation, slope and soil type influence watershed drainage?
Vegetation slows runoff, slope affects speed of drainage, and soil type determines water absorption.
Identify and describe ways in which humans alter watershed dynamics.
Urban development, agriculture, deforestation, and pollution change natural absorption and water flow.
What ecosystem services do estuaries/wetlands provide?
They provide flood protection, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife.
What are some major sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds that result in eutrophication?
Fertilizer runoff, sewage discharges, and agricultural runoff are major contributors.
What other pollutants are problematic in watersheds?
Heavy metals, pesticides, and plastic waste.
Describe the effects of clearcutting on watersheds.
It leads to increased erosion, reduced water quality, and habitat loss.
What changed with agriculture during/following the Green Revolution?
Increased use of high-yield crop varieties and synthetic fertilizers, improving food production.
What are some benefits resulting from the Green Revolution?
Higher crop yields and reduced hunger in many developing nations.
What are some drawbacks of the Green Revolution?
Increased dependency on chemical inputs, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity.
What is the difference between a High Yield crop and a GMO?
High yield crops are bred for productivity, while GMOs have been genetically modified for specific traits.
What are pros and cons of monocropping/monoculture?
Pros: increased efficiency and yield; Cons: depletion of soil nutrients and increased pest vulnerability.
Why is tilling harmful?
It disrupts soil structure, leading to erosion and loss of organic matter.
Why is slash & burn agriculture harmful?
It results in deforestation, soil degradation, and carbon emissions.
What are pros and cons of synthetic fertilizers?
Pros: rapid nutrient availability; Cons: potential pollution and soil acidification.
Identify and describe the 4 types of irrigation.
Surface, drip, sprinkler, and subsurface irrigation methods.
List the irrigation methods from most to least efficient.
Drip, subsurface, sprinkler, surface.
Describe waterlogging and identify ways to combat it.
Waterlogging is excess water in the soil; combat with proper drainage systems.
Describe soil salinization and identify ways to combat it.
Salinization is the accumulation of salts in the soil; combat with good drainage and crop rotation.
How are aquifers recharged?
Through precipitation and surface water infiltration.
Describe saltwater intrusion.
Infiltration of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often due to over-extraction of groundwater.
What are the different types of pesticides?
Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides.
Explain the correlation between GMOs and pesticides.
GMOs may be engineered to be resistant to specific pesticides, allowing for their use.
Describe the pesticide treadmill.
The cycle of increasing pesticide use due to resistance buildup in pests, leading to more potent chemicals.
Explain the correlation between GMOs and genetic diversity.
GMOs may reduce genetic diversity by favoring specific traits over diverse genetic traits.
What are the pros and cons of feedlots/CAFOs?
Pros: efficient meat production; Cons: environmental pollution and animal welfare concerns.
How is animal waste from feedlots dealt with and what are some concerns?
Stored in lagoons or fields; concerns include water pollution and odor.
Why is free range grazing preferable to feedlots?
It promotes animal welfare and reduces environmental impacts.
What are issues associated with overgrazing?
Soil erosion, loss of vegetation, and desertification.
What is a more sustainable alternative?
Rotational grazing practices.
Describe the inefficiency of meat production and consumption.
Meat production requires large amounts of feed, water, and land, leading to resource depletion.
What is the goal of IPM?
To manage pests sustainably using a combination of methods.
What methods are employed with IPM?
Cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical controls.
What are the pros and cons of IPM?
Pros: reduced reliance on chemicals; Cons: requires knowledge and management.
What farming methods prevent soil erosion? Describe them.
Contour plowing and cover crops minimize erosion by maintaining soil structure.
What farming methods improve soil fertility/minimize loss of soil nutrients? Describe them.
Crop rotation and organic fertilizers enhance soil quality and nutrient retention.
What are some examples of endocrine disruptors and their use?
Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics and certain pesticides.
How do endocrine disruptors affect humans and wildlife?
They interfere with hormone systems, leading to reproductive and developmental issues.
How do endocrine disruptors affect ecosystems?
They can disrupt hormone levels in wildlife, affecting population dynamics.
Why are POPs called āforever chemicalsā?
Because they persist in the environment and do not break down easily.
Why do POPs accumulate in the tissues of living organisms?
Due to their lipophilic nature, they accumulate in fatty tissues over time.
What are some examples of POPs?
DDT, PCBs, and dioxins.
What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?
Bioaccumulation is the accumulation of substances in an individual, while biomagnification is the increase in concentration up the food chain.
Why do apex predators have higher concentrations of environmental toxins in their tissues than lower trophic level organisms?
They consume multiple lower trophic level organisms, leading to greater accumulation of toxins.
List some common pollutants that are bioaccumulated/biomagnified.
Heavy metals, PCBs, and certain pesticides.
Describe the different stages of sewage treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary).
Primary: physical removal of solids; Secondary: biological treatment; Tertiary: advanced treatment.
Which stage is biological? Physical? Chemical?
Biological: Secondary; Physical: Primary; Chemical: Tertiary.
Why are aeration tanks important for the secondary stage?
They promote microbial growth for breaking down organic matter.
What can be contained in raw (untreated) sewage?
Pathogens, organic waste, nutrients, and chemicals.
What substances are often not eliminated during the treatment process?
Pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and certain organic pollutants.
Can you interpret a dose-response curve to and use it to determine the threshold lethal dose?
Yes, the curve shows the relationship between dose and effect, indicating the lethal threshold.
What is the difference between ED50 and LD50?
ED50 is the effective dose for 50% of individuals, while LD50 is the lethal dose for 50%.
How do we determine the maximum dose allowed for a human?
Through testing and risk assessment studies evaluating safety.
When comparing substances, which is more toxic: the one with the lower LD50 or the higher LD50?
The one with the lower LD50 is more toxic.
Why are LD50 values not always appropriate for predicting potential ecosystem impacts?
Because they only consider acute toxicity and do not account for chronic exposures or ecosystem interactions.
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