Untitled Flashcard Set

Biomagnification

The process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases as you move up the food chain.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism.

Composting

The process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a valuable fertilizer.

Coral Reef

A diverse underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals.

Dose Response Curve

A graph that shows the relation between the dose of a substance and the magnitude of its effect.

Dysentery

An inflammatory disease of the intestine, especially the colon, that causes severe diarrhea.

e-waste

Discarded electrical or electronic devices that are no longer wanted or functional.

Hazardous Waste

Waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in external environments.

Incineration

The process of burning waste material to reduce its volume and mass.

LD₅₀

The lethal dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population.

Landfill

A designated area for the disposal of waste materials by burying them.

Leachate

Liquid that has percolated through a solid and contains some of the constituents of that solid.

Mesothelioma

A rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, commonly associated with asbestos exposure.

Nonpoint-Source Pollution

Pollution that does not come from a single, identifiable source, often from rainfall or snowmelt.

Organic Dead Zone

An area in a body of water where oxygen levels are so low that most marine life cannot survive.

Oxygen SAG Curve

A graph showing the decline and recovery of dissolved oxygen levels in a water body downstream from a pollution source.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and pose risks to human health and the environment.

Point-Source Pollution

Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source.

Primary Sewage Treatment

The initial stage of sewage treatment that removes solids and other impurities using screens and sedimentation.

Secondary Sewage Treatment

The biological treatment of sewage to remove dissolved organic matter.

Smokestack

A tall structure used to emit exhaust gases from industrial processes into the atmosphere.

Tertiary Sewage Treatment

The advanced stage of sewage treatment that further improves water quality by removing remaining contaminants.

Urban runoff

Water that originates from urban areas, typically as a result of precipitation or melting snow, and can carry pollutants.