APES Unit 8 test review

What is point source pollution?

A single, identifiable source of pollution, such as a smokestack or waste discharge pipe.

What are nonpoint sources of pollution?

Diffused sources of pollution, making them hard to identify, e.g., pesticide spraying or urban runoff.

Give an example of a point source of pollution.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), which discharge ammonia and fecal coliform.

What does the Clean Water Act require from point sources?

Industries classified as point sources must obtain a permit from the state or EPA before discharging effluent into water.

What are the impacts of low dissolved oxygen levels due to sediment pollution?

They can suffocate fish and alter food webs, decreasing fish populations.

What is habitat alteration in relation to fisheries?

Sediment covers spawning areas and inhabits insect habitats, affecting fish reproduction.

What is a watershed?

An area of land that is drained by a water system such as a river or bay.

What factors determine a watershed?

Slope, vegetation, soil composition, and slope significantly influence how watersheds drain.

What are some major threats to wetlands?

Commercial development, dam construction, overfishing, and pollutants from agriculture.

What are the major sources of nutrient pollution?

Discharge from sewage treatment plants, CAFOs, synthetic fertilizers, and urban runoff.

What is the difference between natural and cultural eutrophication?

Natural eutrophication is a gradual process occurring over centuries, while cultural eutrophication is rapid and caused by human activities.

What is thermal pollution?

The release of excess heat into water, negatively impacting aquatic organisms.

What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?

Chemical compounds that are toxic and accumulate in the fatty tissues of living organisms.

How do heavy metals act as endocrine disruptors?

Heavy metals like mercury and lead disrupt normal hormonal function, affecting reproductive health.

What is bioaccumulation?

The build-up of chemicals in an organism's body over its lifetime.

What is biomagnification?

Higher concentrations of pollutants found in organisms at higher trophic levels in an ecosystem.

What factors contribute to solid waste disposal issues?

Improper classification of waste, illegal dumping, and the presence of non-biodegradable materials.

What is the purpose of sewage treatment?

To minimize environmental impact and maintain public health by treating wastewater.

What is LD50?

The specific dose of a chemical that causes death in 50% of a population.

What is the role of model organisms in dose-response research?

Model organisms provide data regarding potential human effects due to ethical constraints on testing in humans.

What are the significant health issues linked to environmental pollution?

Dysentery, mesothelioma, and respiratory diseases caused by exposure to pollutants.

What is a vector in terms of pathogen transmission?

A living organism that carries and transmits infectious pathogens to other organisms.

What is the significance of the Stockholm Convention?

An international treaty aimed at reducing or eliminating the production and release of persistent organic pollutants globally.

What are some management strategies for nonpoint source pollution?

Using cover crops, creating riparian buffers, and maintaining septic systems.

What is acid rain?

Precipitation that contains higher than normal amounts of sulfuric or nitric acids due to air pollution.

What are greenhouse gases?

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, such as CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

What are some sources of air pollution?

Vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, and burning fossil fuels.

Define ecological footprint.

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, expressed as area required to sustain consumption and absorb waste.

What are the effects of lead poisoning?

Can cause developmental impairment, decreased IQ, and attention problems in children.

What is the role of wetlands in ecosystems?

They provide habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, and act as buffers against floods.

What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste?

Biodegradable waste can decompose naturally, while non-biodegradable waste cannot break down and remains in the environment.

What is smog?

A type of air pollution that is a mix of smoke and fog, often due to industrial and vehicular emissions.

What is an invasive species?

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat, often disrupting local ecosystems.

What is water quality?

The measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and/or to any human need or purpose.

What are heavy metals?

Elemental metals that are dense and toxic at low concentrations, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.

What is soil erosion?

The displacement of the upper layer of soil, which can lead to loss of fertile land and degradation of the ecosystem.

What are the benefits of recycling?

Reduces waste, conserves natural resources, saves energy, and reduces pollution.

What is aquifer depletion?

The reduction of water levels in an aquifer due to excessive withdrawal of groundwater for various uses.

What is climate change?

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, significantly influenced by human activities.

What are the three main greenhouse gases?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the primary greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.

What is sustainable development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is the role of biodiversity in ecosystems?

Biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity and stability, providing resilience to environmental changes.

What is deforestation?

The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, resulting in damage to habitat, loss of biodiversity, and contribution to climate change.

What are renewable energy sources?

Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

What is ozone depletion?

The thinning of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere caused by the release of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

What are the impacts of plastic pollution on marine life?

Plastic pollution can entangle marine animals, reduce their ability to find food, and introduce toxins into the food web.

What is the carbon footprint?

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by human activities, measured in equivalent tons of CO2.

What is habitat fragmentation?

The process by which larger habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, often due to human activities, affecting species diversity.

What are ecosystem services?

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean water, pollination, climate regulation, and recreation.

What is the impact of urbanization on environmental quality?

Urbanization can lead to habitat loss, increased pollution, and strain on natural resources, negatively affecting environmental quality.

What are toxic substances?

Chemical substances that can cause harm to living organisms and the environment through exposure or accumulation.

What is the importance of environmental education?

Environmental education fosters awareness and knowledge about environmental issues, promoting sustainable practices.

What is the significance of the Paris Agreement?

An international accord that aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is waste management?

The process of collecting, treating, and disposing of waste materials to minimize their impact on the environment and human health.

What is a carbon sink?

Natural systems (such as forests, oceans, and soil) that absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they release.

What is soil contamination?

The presence of toxic chemicals or pollutants in the soil, which can harm health and the environment.

What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

A sustainable approach to managing pests by using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods.

What is the role of environmental policy?

Environmental policy helps govern human activities to protect the environment and promote sustainable resource use.

What are the effects of overfishing?

Overfishing depletes fish populations, disrupts marine ecosystems, and threatens food security for communities dependent on fishing.

What is climate adaptation?

The process of adjusting to current or expected climate change and its effects, to minimize damage and exploit opportunities.

What is the impact of nitrogen runoff?

Excess nitrogen from fertilizers can lead to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in water and harm aquatic life.

What is the significance of the Clean Air Act?

A U.S. federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level, regulating emissions and setting air quality standards.