ENVIRON 111 Exam 3

What is an environmental stressor?

A variable which exceeds its range of normal variation, affecting species, biological communities, or ecosystems.

What is nutrient runoff?

The process where excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are carried into bodies of water through surface runoff.

What is a hypoxic zone?

An area in a water body where low levels of dissolved oxygen make it unsuitable for most aquatic life.

How does a hypoxic zone form?

It forms when excess nutrients enter the water, causing algal blooms; when the algae die and decompose, oxygen is consumed.

What is the danger of using road salt for the Great Lakes?

It increases salinity of the water, which can be toxic to freshwater organisms and contaminate groundwater.

What are the dangers of toxic chemicals getting washed into the Great Lakes?

They can impact human health, wildlife, and ecosystems by accumulating in humans and fish.

What does residence time refer to?

The length of time that introduced substances remain in the lake and potentially build up.

Why is coastal development potentially hazardous for the Great Lakes?

It can increase flooding, erosion, and water contamination.

Why is fishing important in the Great Lakes?

It supports over 750,000 jobs and has a fishery valued at over $7 billion annually.

What is overfishing?

The act of catching fish from the ocean faster than they can reproduce and replenish their populations.

What is groundwater?

Water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock.

What factors determine how much water becomes groundwater?

Soil and rock permeability, slope of the land, vegetation, rainfall intensity and duration, and land use.

What is the water table?

The upper level of the groundwater zone where the soil or rock is fully saturated with water.

What is porosity?

The amount of empty space in soil or rock that can hold water.

What are aquifers?

Underground layers of rock or sediment that hold and transmit groundwater easily.

What is land subsidence?

The sinking or lowering of the ground surface, often caused by excessive groundwater withdrawal.

What is overpumping?

The extraction of groundwater at rates faster than it can naturally recharge.

What is groundwater pollution?

The contamination of groundwater by harmful substances, lowering its quality.

What is the significance of aquaculture?

Farming fish, shellfish, and seaweed in water which supplies over half of the world’s fish for human consumption.

What are some environmental effects of aquaculture?

Water pollution, habitat destruction, spread of diseases, and overfishing of feed sources.

What is sustainable agriculture?

Farming that meets current food needs without harming the environment for future generations.

What is eutrophication?

The excessive buildup of nutrients in water leading to dense algal growth.

What are storm surges?

Temporary rises in sea level caused by strong winds and low pressure from tropical storms or hurricanes.

What is ocean acidification?

The process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to absorbing excess CO2 from the atmosphere.

What is carbon footprint?

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

What is monoculture?

Large-scale plantings of a single crop over an area.

What are persistent organic pollutants?

Toxic chemicals that resist breakdown and accumulate in the environment and living organisms.

What is nonpoint-source pollution?

Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources rather than a single, identifiable source.

What is the Pacific garbage patch?

A massive area of concentrated marine debris, mostly plastic, floating in the North Pacific Ocean.

What are primary and secondary microplastics?

Primary microplastics are tiny plastics made small on purpose, while secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastic items.

What is the Saffir-Simpson scale?

A five-level system used to measure the intensity of hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds.

How does CO2 enter the ocean?

Through gas exchange when atmospheric CO2 comes into contact with ocean surfaces.

What is the maximum sustainable yield?

The largest amount of fish that can be caught without compromising its ability to replenish its population.

What is the significance of a longer or shorter residence time for lakes?

Longer residence times can lead to increased nutrient pollution, while shorter times promote better water quality.

What is the main use of groundwater in the US?

Irrigation, supporting agriculture, drinking water, and industrial processes.

What do algal blooms do?

Block sunlight, deplete oxygen levels, and can create dead zones where marine life cannot survive.

What is groundwater depletion?

The long-term decline in groundwater levels due to excessive pumping.

What is a hurricane?

A powerful storm system that forms over warm ocean waters, characterized by high winds and heavy rain.

What is aquaculture?

The farming of fish, shellfish, and seaweed in water for food or other products.

How is water used in the Great Lakes basin?

For public supply, industrial use, thermoelectric power generation, and agriculture.

What is the impact of climate change on the Great Lakes?

Rising temperatures, altered lake levels, decreased ice cover, and increased risk of extreme weather events.

What are microbeads?

Tiny plastic particles used in personal care products that can harm aquatic life.

How do invasive species affect ecosystems?

They disrupt the balance of the environment, outcompete native species, and can threaten extinction of natives.

What is the Great Lakes water level trend?

Fluctuations with periods of decline followed by rises, exhibiting a range exceeding 2 meters.

What is the role of ocean currents in waste distribution?

Ocean currents carry debris across vast distances, trapping it in areas like gyres.

What factors affect groundwater movement?

Pressure differences and permeability of underground materials influence groundwater movement.

What causes land subsidence?

Excessive withdrawal of groundwater that leads to the compaction of soil layers.

What is the formula for the carbon footprint of crops?

Carbon footprints vary based on production and post-production processes, impacting total GHG emissions.

What is the primary cause of nutrient enrichment in oceans?

Runoff containing excessive nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural and urban areas.

What is sustainable aquaculture?

Practices that minimize environmental impact while efficiently providing seafood.

How can we prevent overfishing?

By enforcing sustainable catch limits, reducing bycatch, and establishing marine protected areas.

What is the significance of fish to a dietary source in developing countries?

Fish is a vital protein source, providing a large portion of animal protein in many coastal regions.

What kind of impact does industrial farming have on the environment?

It can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.

What is food waste?

Edible food that is discarded or left to spoil before consumption.

What does the term 'food miles' refer to?

The distance food travels from production to consumption, affecting its carbon footprint.

What are the potential consequences of ocean acidification?

Decreased availability of carbonate, harming marine organisms that rely on it to build shells.

What are aquifers?

Layers of rock or sediment that can transmit groundwater easily.

What is groundwater recharge?

The process of water replenishing the groundwater supply.

Why is the Cuyahoga River significant?

It symbolizes industrial pollution and raised national attention to environmental issues.

What is the effect of the BP oil spill?

Massive death and injury to sea life, long-term habitat degradation, and ecosystem disruption.

What can be done to improve sustainable agricultural practices?

Implementing soil conservation practices, crop diversification, and integrated pest management.

What is an example of a destructive fishing method?

Bottom trawling, which drags heavy nets along the ocean floor, damaging ecosystems.

What constitutes a nutrient-rich environment in lakes?

The presence of excess nitrogen and phosphorus leading to potential eutrophic conditions.

What are some common products that contribute to marine debris?

Plastic bags, bottles, straws, food wrappers, fishing nets, and microplastics.

How do algae blooms occur in lakes?

They occur due to excess nutrients entering the water bodies.

What is the significance of ice coverage in the Great Lakes?

Decreasing ice coverage affects biodiversity and temperatures in the lakes.

What are the environmental consequences of aquaculture?

Water pollution, spread of diseases, and habitat destruction.

What is synthetic fertilizer?

Chemical fertilizers made from industrial processes to boost crop yields.

What is the relationship between agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions?

Agriculture contributes significantly to GHG emissions, particularly through methane and nitrogen runoff.

How are coastal communities affected by fishing?

Fishing provides jobs, income, and food security in coastal regions.

What is ethical sourcing in aquaculture?

Practices that ensure environmental sustainability and fair labor conditions in fish farming.

What are the benefits of urban farming?

Promotes local food security and reduces food transportation emissions.

What is community-supported agriculture?

A system where consumers buy shares of a farm's harvest in advance.

How does color affect the ocean's temperature?

Different colors absorb and reflect sunlight differently, influencing temperature changes.

How much of the world’s fish comes from aquaculture?

Over half of the world’s fish for human consumption.

What is resource management in sustainable fishing?

Practices ensuring fish stocks are maintained at sustainable levels.

What is integrated multitrophic aquaculture?

A sustainable method that combines different aquaculture species to improve productivity.

How does climate change affect fish populations?

Changes in temperature and water levels can impact breeding and distribution of fish.

What species are commonly farmed in aquaculture in the US?

Catfish, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and tilapia.

Why is biodiversity important for agricultural resilience?

Diverse crops and livestock can adapt to changing environments and reduce risk.

What is fertilizer runoff and its consequences?

Movement of excess fertilizers into waterways, causing pollution and eutrophication.

What are the implications of overfishing on food security?

Reduction of fish stocks threatens livelihoods and protein sources for populations.

What are the long-term projections for seafood demand?

An increase in aquaculture production is expected to meet growing global seafood demand.