Pollution Overview

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to pollution, its effects, and management.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

Chronic effects

Long-term effects resulting from continuous low-level introduction of pollutants.

Acute effects

Short-term effects that dissipate over time, often due to events like oil spills.

Point source pollution

Pollution that originates from a single identifiable source, such as a sewer pipe.

Non-point source pollution

Pollution that comes from multiple sources and is often associated with runoff, making it harder to manage.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at higher levels in a food chain.

Trophic transfer

The transfer of toxic compounds through consumption of organisms.

Microarrays

Techniques used to measure gene expression under different conditions.

DDT

A pesticide known for its persistence in the environment and harmful effects on wildlife.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Microplastics

Small plastic particles that are harmful to marine life and can concentrate in ocean gyres.

Ghost fishing

The entanglement of marine animals in lost or discarded fishing gear, leading to drowning or starvation.

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, used in industrial applications and known to be toxic.

PAHs

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, harmful organic compounds that can accumulate in the environment.

Sewage-related disease agents

Harmful microbes introduced into oceans through sewage, such as Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae.

Petroleum pollution

Pollution introduced to oceans from runoff, offshore drilling, and tanker transport.