Pollution and Human Health

Vocabulary flashcards related to pollution sources, effects, and human health impacts.

Point Source

A point source refers to a single, identifiable source of a pollutant, such as a smokestack or waste discharge pipe.

Nonpoint Source

Pollutants entering the environment from many places at once, making it difficult to identify one individual source.

Pollutants

Specific chemicals or groups of chemicals from specific sources with specific environmental and human health effects.

Pollution

A vague term for any substance that is harmful to the environment.

Eutrophication

The process by which a body of water becomes enriched in nutrients, leading to algae blooms that decrease oxygen levels.

Thermal Pollution

When heat released into water has negative effects on organisms living in the water.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Synthetic compounds that do not easily break down in the environment and accumulate in water and soil.

Bioaccumulation

The absorption and concentration of compounds, especially fat-soluble ones, in the cells and fat tissues of organisms.

Biomagnification

Increasing concentrations of fat-soluble compounds in each level up the trophic pyramid or food web.

Lethal Dose 50% (LD50)

The dose of a chemical that is lethal to 50% of the population of a particular species.

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine (hormonal) systems of animals, potentially leading to reproductive changes.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the water, often caused by eutrophication.

Indicator Species

Species whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects a specific environmental condition.

Sediment Pollution

Pollution that occurs when excessive amounts of sediment enter waterways, affecting light infiltration and disrupting habitats.

Dead Zones

Areas in aquatic environments where oxygen levels are so low that marine life cannot survive, often caused by nutrient pollution.

Thermal Shock

Stress on aquatic organisms caused by sudden changes in water temperature, often due to thermal pollution.

Arsenic

A naturally occurring element that can contaminate drinking water, often released by mining activities.

Lead

A neurotoxicant that poses risks to human health, particularly in children, primarily found in old paint and pipes.

Microplastics

Small plastic particles that pose hazards to marine life and can enter the human food chain.

Waste-to-Energy

A process in which waste is burned to generate electricity, reducing the volume of waste for landfills.