apes u8

point vs non point sources

point: enters environ @ identifiable/confined place

• animal waste runoff from CAFO

• emissions from smokestack

• oil spill from ship

non point:

• urban runoff (fertilizers, sediment, etc.)

• sprayed pesticides

coral reefs

mutualistic relationship between coral & photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae

• algae leave when temp rises → coral becomes stressed and loses color

pollutants cause physiological stress

limited growth/reproductive function

difficulty breathing

hormonal disruption

death

pH leaves range of tolerance →

aluminum toxicity, disrupted blood osmolarity (Na+ / CL- balance)

sediment pollution

sediment carried thru runoff → turbidity increases → reduce sunlight/photosynthesis

oil in water

hydrocarbons are toxic to organisms → kills them

sticks to bird feathers

sinks & kills bottom dwellers

loosen marsh grass roots

chemical dispersants after oil spills

breaks up surface oil slicks and makes it sink to the bottom → smother bottom-dwellers

endocrine disruptors

chemicals that interfere w endocrine (hormonal) systems of animals: binds to receptors meant for hormones

• aztrazine (herbicide), DDT (insecticide), heavy metals, human meds (thru urine)

mercury

in coal, released by combustion/cement creation → disrupts estrogen/insulin

• bacteria in water sources convert it to methylmercury (toxic to animals nervous system)

arsenic

element in rocks underground → dissolves into drinking water → carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor

lead

found in old paint/water pipes → neurotoxicant, endocrine disrupter

coal ash

source of mercury, lead, and arsenic

wetlands

soil submerged/saturated in water, but shallow enough for emergent plants

• absorbs floodwater, co2 sequestration

• motor oil, pesticides, N/P can lead to eutrophication

eutrophication

too much nutrients → algal bloom forms & dies → microbes digest algae using O2 → DO levels drop → species drop

hypoxic waterways

bodies of water w too little DO

oligotrophic waterways

oligotrophic: low nutrients, stable algae pop., high DO levels

warm water & oxygen

warm water has less oxygen bc increased KE of water disrupts interactions btwn water and oxygen

persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

human made & carbon based & soluble in fat (toxic to organisms - doesn’t easily dissolve)

• pesticides (DDT) - in soil/sediments

• medications - human body → sewage → streams/lakes

• perchlorates - rockets/missiles

bioaccumulation/magnification

selective absorption of elements/compounds by cells

• fat soluble compounds don’t dissolve easily in water - doesn’t leave the body

increase in conc. of substances in successively higher levels of food chain/web

• coal/volcanos → mercury → methylmercury

municipal solid waste

solid waste from cities

sanitary landfills (4 features)

1. clay/plastic bottom liner (prevents leaking of pollutants into ground)

2. leachate collection system (tubes to collect drained water)

3. methane recovery system (tubes to collect methane produced in anaerobic decomp)

4. clay cap (cover landfill when full

reduce → reuse → recycle

recycle least sustainable bc it requires energy to process/convert waste

• it reduces demand for new materials/landfill volume, but is costly

composting

org matter being decomposed → produces organic matter that can increase water holding capacity & nutrient levels of soil

• reduces methane production