Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to aquatic and terrestrial pollution.

Point Source Pollution

A single, identifiable source of a pollutant.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Contributions from many sources accumulating over a wide area.

Eutrophication

An excessive richness of nutrients in a body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time; high BOD indicates higher pollution.

Thermal Pollution

The sudden increase in water temperature, often due to industrial processes, which lowers oxygen concentrations.

Acid Mine Drainage

Water that flows from abandoned mines, often containing sulfuric acid, which lowers the pH of water.

Lead Pipes

Pipes that can contaminate drinking water with lead, a neurotoxin whose exposure can lead to severe health issues.

Oil Spills

Pollution from leaking tankers or pipes that has detrimental effects on marine life.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Chemicals that remain in the environment for long periods and accumulate in living organisms.

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemicals that mimic or interfere with the body's hormones.

Wastewater Treatment

Processes used to remove contaminants from wastewater, involving physical, biological, and chemical treatments.

Composting

The process of turning organic waste into a useable fertilizer through natural decomposition.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals acting in their own self-interest deplete shared resources.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as they move up the food chain.

Xeriscaping

Landscaping that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Pharmaceuticals in Water

Drugs that can enter natural water sources through runoff or wastewater and act as endocrine disruptors.