Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Point Source Pollution

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

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Diffused sources of pollution that are difficult to identify, such as pesticide spraying or urban runoff.

Range of Tolerance

The range of environmental conditions that an organism can endure without experiencing physiological stress.

Coral Bleaching

The process in which coral loses its color and vitality, often due to stress factors like increased temperatures.

Oil Spill

A release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons into the environment, particularly marine areas, causing harm to ecosystems.

Dead Zone

Areas in water bodies where oxygen is so low that aquatic life cannot be sustained due to increased nutrient pollution.

Oxygen Sag Curve

A graph that depicts the concentration of dissolved oxygen in relation to the distance from a pollution source.

Methylmercury

A highly toxic compound formed when elemental mercury is converted by bacteria in aquatic environments.

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system, potentially causing reproductive and developmental issues in animals.

Wetlands

Areas where water covers the soil, providing ecological services such as water purification and habitat.

Mangroves

Coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees that protect coastlines and support marine biodiversity.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of a water body with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Algal Bloom

The rapid increase of algae in a water body, often due to high nutrient levels, which can deplete oxygen.

Organic Waste

Biodegradable waste that comes from living organisms, commonly produced in households and agriculture.

Thermal Pollution

The adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems caused by the introduction of hot water into water bodies.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen available in water, crucial for the survival of aquatic organisms.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in decomposing organic matter in water.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Synthetic, carbon-based molecules that do not easily break down and can accumulate in the environment.

DDT

A banned synthetic pesticide known for its long-term environmental impacts and bioaccumulation.

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, synthetic chemicals that are environmentally persistent and toxic to wildlife.

Bioaccumulation

The gradual accumulation of substances, like pesticides, in an organism, often through its diet.

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of substances in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.

Solid Waste

Any discarded material that is not a liquid or gas, generated from domestic, industrial, and agricultural sources.

Landfill

A site for the disposal of waste materials by burial, which can contaminate groundwater and produce gases.

Leachate

Liquid that has percolated through solid waste and contains dissolved or suspended materials.

Methane Collection System

A system in landfills designed to capture and utilize methane gas produced during waste decomposition.

Incineration

The process of burning waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume and generate energy.

E-waste

Electronic waste, including discarded electronic devices, which can contain hazardous substances.

Recycling

The process of converting waste materials into new products to reduce raw material consumption.

Composting

A method of decomposing organic waste into a nutrient-rich product that can be used as fertilizer.

Waste-to-Energy

The process of generating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the treatment of waste.

Primary Treatment

The physical removal of large solids from sewage through screening and settling.

Secondary Treatment

A biological process that uses bacteria to break down organic matter in sewage.

Tertiary Treatment

Advanced treatment processes to remove remaining pollutants from sewage after primary and secondary treatment.

Disinfection Methods

Methods used to kill bacteria in treated sewage, including chlorine, ozone, and UV light.

Lethal Dose 50 (LD50)

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

Dose-Response Curve

A graph that shows the relationship between the dose of a substance and its effects on a population.

Dysentery

An infectious disease caused by untreated sewage in water, leading to severe diarrhea.

Mesothelioma

A type of cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos.

Tropospheric Ozone

Ozone present in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, which can affect human health and the environment.

Respiratory Issues

Health problems related to breathing, often exacerbated by air pollution.

Plague

A disease caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through infected organisms.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through respiratory droplets.

Malaria

A parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, primarily found in tropical regions.

West Nile Virus

A viral disease transmitted to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes.

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

A viral respiratory illness spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)

A viral respiratory illness that is transmitted from animals to humans.

Zika Virus

A virus that can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes and through sexual contact.

Cholera

A bacterial disease caused by contaminated water, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration.