Envirothon current topic 2025-2026

storms

____ can overrun combined stormwater/sewer systems leading to flooding with pollution-laden water

green infrastructure

used to describe how networks of natural ecosystems also function as crucial community infrastructure

natural ecosystems

provide ecosystem services and improves environmental susbtability

green infrastructure

green roofs, bioswales, biorentention ponds, permeable pavements are all examples of local____:

green roofs

can retail 40-60% of stormwater hitting rooftops

bioswales, retention ponds

can absorb water and channel or hold excess run-off, cleansing pollutants in the process

evergreens, conifers

type of trees found to intercept 35% of water hitting them:

green infrastructure

implication of these can lower air temperatures —> crucial in cities facing the Urban Heat Island effect

green roofs

can double up as roof-top parks, farms, and natural habitats for wildlife

cost-effective

for communities facing tight budgets, green infrastructure are the most ____ way to manage stormwater when compared with rebuilding crumbling underground pipes

Philadelphia

city which changes homeowners and local companies for their runoff

forestry NPS

removal of stream side vegetation

forestry NPS

road construction and use

forestry NPS

timber haresting

forestry NPS

mechanical preparation for the planting of trees

road construction

the primary sources of NPS pollution of forested lands, contributing up to 90% of the total sediment from forestry operations

sediment

impacts water quality and can reduce the ability of aquatic organisms to successfully live, osage, and spawn

reducing

harvesting in the area beside a stream can affect water quality by ____ the streambank shading that regulates water temperature

stabilizes

harvesting in the area by a stream can affect water quality by removing vegetation that ____ the stream banks

harvesting trees

________ harms aquatic life by limiting sources of food shade, and shelter, as well as decreasing areas suitable for species intolerant of warmer temperatures

dead zone

an area of low to no oxygen thet can kill fish and marine life

algae

an overgrowth of ____ creates dead zones

hypoxia

low oxygen levels, can cause animals like fish and shrimp to leave the area

hypoxic waters

exposure to _____ has been found to alter fish diets, growth rates, reproduction, habitat use and availability of commercially harvested species such as shrimp

EPA

established the gulf hypoxia program

gulf hypoxia program

set to further accelerate nutrient reduction actions by the Task Force to make significant progress the Task Force’s Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan

gulf of mexico

major dead zone

N and P

synthetic fertilizers mainly consist of ____, which are vital nutrients for plan growth

eutrophication

when N and P wash into waterways with rain, they can lead to ____

algal bloom

fertilizers that wash into the waterway leading to an ______

sunlight

the dense mat of algae can block ____ from the plants beneath the surface

carrying capacity

algae will eventually reach a ______ in the water and being to die back

aerobic bacteria

algae dying back provides and abundant food source for decomposers like _____ that use oxygen to break them down

drop

the dissolved oxygen in the water beings to ___ as decomposers use it to break down the algal bloom

oxygen

aquatic organisms like fish and amphibians begin to suffer and potentially die as the ____ levels drop

hypoxic

dying aquatic organisms creates a ____ environment that keeps this cycle going (positive feedback)

summer

eutrophication is often seasonal - worse in the ___ when dissolved oxygen is already low

• heat makes oxygen naturally escape the water

Karenia brevis

cause red tides

brevotoxins

red tides create ___

Respiratory

wind can open up bacteria and crates ___ issues and irritation

oysters, clams

bacteria for red tides can accumulate in ___ or ____

red tides

besides eutrophication, fertilizer run-off also contributes to _____:

non target species

species that pesticides are not designed to kill, but does so anyways

ex. one for mosquitoes can also kill butterflies

endocrine disrupters

pesticides sirup horomes

ex. can cause male animals to develop female characteristics from changes in estrogen

silent spring

Rachel Carson wrote ____ to discuss pesticides

• first mention of non point source pollution

turbidity

how murky or cloudy the water is (less sunlight can penetrate)

sediment

___ causes less sunlight, so plants get less and so then less photosynthesis —> less growth means less food for other organisms

changes in temperature

_______ occurs from an increase in sediment because more rocks trap heat and hold heat in water, 

heat

less oxygen in water because ____ causes the oxygen to be related into the atmosphere

point source

pollutants carried to the waterbody by an individual and direct conveyance, such as a pipe or a storm drain

CWA

protects the quality of America’s waters through direct regulation of water pollutants and their points of origin

directly connect

to qualify for the CWA, the polluted waterbody must _____ to large rivers, lakes, and oceans used for shipping and commerce

navigable waters

the pollutants being discharged through the point source must reach _____

groundwater

____ is not subject to CWA jurisdiction

NPDES

must apply for and receive a permit that authorizes the discharge of water pollution under very strict standards and in specifically limited amounts

32,500

CWA violation can be up to _____ per violation per day

EPA

___was initially charged with the enforcement of the NPDES program and other CWA requirements

citizen suit

to sue polluters directly to enforce the law in an action known as a:

WQS

water quality standards developed by state and federal agencies

impaired

waters that do not meet WQS are designanted and ___ and ____ waters are subject to additional protections 

daily maximum

for every pollutant exceeding the WQS in an impaired waterbody, the governing agency must calculate a ____ amount of the pollutant that can be discharged into the water from all sources and still ultimately achieve the WQS

TMDL

total maximum daily load: how much of a pollutant you can put into the water per day

CWA

also regulates the operation of stormwater and sanitary sewer systems, as well as wastewater treatment plants

specific requirements

if issued, a wetland dredge or fill permit will include ____ and limitations designed to protect the aquatic ecosystem

NPDES

national pollutant discharge elimination system

NPDES

regulates only point sources of pollution