apes unit 8 aquatic and terrestrial pollution

Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution, Human Impacts on Ecosystems and Oil Spills, Endocrine Disruptors, Human Impacts on Wetlands, Eutrophication, Thermal Pollution, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification, Solid Waste Disposal, Waste Reduction Methods, Sewage Treatment, Toxicology – LD50 and Dose Response, Pollution and Human Health, Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

Q: What is point source pollution?

A: Pollution from a single, identifiable source (e.g., pipe, factory discharge).

Q: What is nonpoint source pollution?

A: Pollution from multiple diffuse sources (e.g., agricultural runoff, stormwater).

Q: Why is point source pollution easier to regulate?

A: It is traceable and can be monitored with permits like under the Clean Water Act.

Q: Give an example of point source pollution.

A: Oil spill from a ship, smokestack emissions.

Q: Give an example of nonpoint source pollution.

A: Pesticide drift from farmland or runoff from urban areas.

Q: What is range of tolerance?

A: The range of abiotic conditions (e.g., pH, salinity, temperature) organisms can survive.

Q: What causes coral bleaching?

A: Elevated temperatures cause algae to leave coral, disrupting their symbiotic relationship.

Q: How does acid rain affect aquatic life?

A: Lowers pH, releases toxic aluminum, disrupts ion balance in aquatic species.

Q: What are the effects of oil spills on wildlife?

A: Toxicity, smothering of birds and bottom dwellers, habitat destruction.

Q: What are 3 methods used to clean oil spills?

A: Containment booms, dispersants, or manual beach cleanup.

Q: What do endocrine disruptors do?

A: Interfere with hormone systems, causing reproductive/developmental problems.

Q: What is an example of an agricultural endocrine disruptor?

A: Atrazine (herbicide) - feminizes male frogs.

Q: What are sources of phthalates?

A: Plastics and cosmetics; they leach into water and disrupt hormones.

Q: Why is methylmercury dangerous?

A: It bioaccumulates in fish and is a neurotoxicant and teratogen.

Q: What are wetlands?

A: Areas with water-saturated soil that support aquatic vegetation.

Q: Name three ecosystem services provided by wetlands.

A: Flood control, water filtration, CO₂ sequestration.

Q: What human activities threaten wetlands?

A: Pollution, draining/filling for development, water diversion, and overfishing.

Q: What is eutrophication?

A: Excess nutrients cause algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and aquatic die-off.

Q: What causes cultural eutrophication?

A: Nutrients from sewage, fertilizers, and runoff.

Q: What is a dead zone?

A: An area with low oxygen where most marine life cannot survive.

Q: What causes thermal pollution?

A: Heated water discharged from power plants, industrial processes, or urban runoff.

Q: Why is thermal pollution harmful?

A: Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing aquatic life.

Q: What are POPs?

A: Toxic, synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate.

Q: Give two examples of POPs.

A: DDT and PCBs.

Q: How do POPs affect organisms?

A: Cause endocrine disruption, cancer, and reproductive failure.

Q: What is bioaccumulation?

A: The buildup of toxins in an organism over time.

Q: What is biomagnification?

A: The increase in toxin concentration up trophic levels.

Q: Give an example of a biomagnifying toxin.

A: Methylmercury in tuna.

Q: What is municipal solid waste (MSW)?

A: Trash from households, schools, businesses (e.g., paper, food waste).

Q: What is e-waste and why is it harmful?

A: Discarded electronics; contain toxic metals like lead and mercury.

Q: What is leachate?

A: Polluted liquid from waste decomposition in landfills.

Q: What are the 3 R's of waste management?

A: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Q: Why is reducing the most sustainable option?

A: It minimizes resource use and pollution.

Q: What is composting?

A: Breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Q: What is the goal of sewage treatment?

A: To remove contaminants from wastewater before releasing it into the environment.

Q: What does primary treatment remove?

A: Large debris and sediment.

Q: What happens during secondary treatment?

A: Bacteria break down organic waste.

Q: What is effluent?

A: Treated wastewater discharged into rivers or oceans.

Q: What is LD50?

A: The dose of a substance that kills 50% of test organisms.

Q: What does a lower LD50 mean?

A: The substance is more toxic.

Q: What is ED50?

A: The dose that causes a non-lethal effect in 50% of test subjects.

Q: What is synergism in toxicology?

A: When combined substances have a greater effect than individually.

Q: What causes dysentery?

A: Bacterial infection from feces-contaminated water.

Q: What is mesothelioma linked to?

A: Inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Q: What are pathogens?

A: Disease-causing organisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Q: What is a vector?

A: An organism that transmits pathogens (e.g., mosquito).

Q: How does climate change affect disease spread?

A: Warmer temperatures expand pathogen/vector ranges.