APES Unit 8 Terrestrial and Aquatic Pollution

Point source pollution

Pollution from a single, identifiable source.

Nonpoint source pollution

Pollution from widespread, diffuse sources.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Oxygen required to decompose organic matter in water.

Eutrophication

Nutrient overload causing excessive plant growth and decay.

Hypoxia

Low dissolved oxygen levels in water.

Thermal pollution

Increase in water temperature due to human activity.

Thermal shock

Sudden temperature change harming aquatic organisms.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate.

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of substances as they move up the food chain.

Sanitary landfill

Site for waste disposal designed to minimize environmental damage.

Leachate

Contaminated water seeping from waste in a landfill.

Methane gas

Greenhouse gas produced by anaerobic decomposition in landfills.

Incineration

Burning waste for disposal.

Hazardous waste

Dangerous waste requiring special handling.

Primary treatment

Physical removal of solids in wastewater treatment.

Secondary treatment

Biological degradation of waste using microbes.

Tertiary treatment

Final treatment stage to remove pollutants/pathogens.

Oil spill

Release of oil into water bodies, harming ecosystems.

Plastic pollution

Accumulation of plastic materials in the environment.

Microplastics

Small plastic fragments harmful to wildlife.

Ocean gyres

Circular currents in oceans that trap floating debris.

Respiratory diseases

Health issues affecting breathing and lungs.

Neurological effects

Damage to the nervous system from toxins.

Carcinogen

Substance that can cause cancer.

Cholera

Waterborne bacterial disease causing dehydration.

Malaria

Vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes.

Hepatitis A

Viral liver disease spread through contaminated sources.

Giardia

Parasite causing intestinal illness from water.

Indicator species

Species that reflect environmental health.

Bioindicators

Organisms used to detect environmental changes.

Clean Water Act

U.S. law regulating pollutant discharges into water.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Law ensuring public drinking water safety.