Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

This set of flashcards covers fundamental concepts related to aquatic and terrestrial pollution, emphasizing sources, impacts, and solutions.

What is Point Source Pollution?

A single, identifiable source of a pollutant.

What type of pollution results from contributions from many sources accumulating over a wide area?

Non-Point Source Pollution.

What are the three main issues caused by wastewater discharge?

A. Nutrient enrichment leading to eutrophication, B. Depletion of oxygen levels, C. Presence of pathogens.

What is Eutrophication?

A process where water bodies become rich in nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.

What does Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measure?

The amount of oxygen a given quantity of water uses over a period of time.

What is thermal pollution?

The sudden increase in water temperature from industrial processes, lowering oxygen levels and affecting aquatic life.

Name two diseases associated with wastewater.

Cholera and Typhoid fever.

What is a significant consequence of lead pipe contamination in drinking water?

Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause learning and behavioral problems, especially in children.

What was the Flint, Michigan water crisis?

The switch from Detroit water source to Flint River led to corroded lead pipes, exposing residents to lead.

What are the primary effects of oil spills on wildlife?

Fouling of gills, loss of insulation in birds leading to hypothermia, and toxicity leading to health issues.

What is the primary goal of wastewater treatment?

To break down organic matter and safely manage pollutants before discharge into natural water bodies.

What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?

Chemicals that bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain, leading to high concentrations in apex predators.

What impact do fertilizers have on non-point source pollution?

Run-off leads to algal blooms, which decrease oxygen levels as they decompose.

What is the Tragedy of the Commons in relation to water use?

It refers to the overexploitation of water resources because they are treated as free and unregulated.

What does the Safe Drinking Water Act do?

Establishes maximum contaminant levels for drinking water to protect public health.

How can desalination provide freshwater?

By converting saltwater into freshwater through methods like distillation or reverse osmosis.

What are some consequences of pollution on human health?

Neurotoxicity, carcinogenic effects, and endocrine disruption.

What is biomagnification?

The increase of concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at higher levels in the food chain.

What were the causes of infectious diseases increasing worldwide?

Climate change, habitat destruction, easier spread due to travel, and pathogen adaptation.