Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Comprehensive practice questions covering AP Environmental Science Unit 8 topics including point vs nonpoint pollution, aquatic ecosystems, endocrine disruptors, waste management, and human health pathogens.

What is the primary difference between point and nonpoint sources of pollution?

A point source refers to a single, identifiable source of a pollutant, such as a smokestack or waste discharge pipe, while nonpoint sources are diffused and difficult to identify, such as urban runoff or pesticide spraying.

According to the transcript, what are the specific pollutants associated with emissions from a coal power plant smokestack?

$CO2$, $NOx$, $SO2$, and $PM$.

Why is the term 'pollution' considered unacceptable on an APES FRQ compared to 'pollutants'?

Pollution is a vague, nondescript term, whereas pollutants refer to specific chemicals or groups of chemicals from specific sources with specific environmental and human health effects.

What are the physiological effects on organisms when they fall outside their optimum range of tolerance for a pollutant?

They may experience physiological stress, limited growth, reduced reproductive function, difficulty respiring (asphyxiation), hormonal disruption, or death.

What specific physiological disruptions occur in aquatic species due to aluminum toxicity and low $pH$?

Disrupted blood osmolarity, specifically the $Na+/Cl-$ balance.

What is the mutualistic relationship found in coral reefs that is disrupted by increasing ocean temperatures?

The relationship between coral and photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae; the algae supply sugar and coral supply $CO2$ plus detritus.

How do oil spills specifically impact bird feathers and marine mammal fur?

Oil floats on the surface and coats the feathers of birds and the fur of marine mammals, which can lead to death from the hydrocarbons.

What is the role of endocrine disruptors in animal systems?

They are chemicals that interfere with the hormonal systems by binding to cellular receptors, either blocking hormones from being received or amplifying their effects.

How does the herbicide atrazine affect male frogs?

It binds to receptors of cells that should convert estrogen into testosterone, leading to high estrogen, low sperm count, and feminization.

What neurotoxicant is produced when bacteria in water sources convert elemental mercury?

Methylmercury, which damages the central nervous system.

What are the primary anthropogenic sources of lead stated in the notes?

Old paint, old water pipes, soils contaminated by vehicle exhaust before the $1970s$, and fly ash ($PM$) from coal combustion.

What determines the boundaries of a watershed?

The slope of the land and ridges that divide watersheds, determining different runoff directions.

What is the characteristic sequence of events in cultural eutrophication?

Increase in $N/P$ leads to an algae bloom, which decreases sunlight and kills plants; bacteria then use up $O2$ for decomposition, leading to hypoxia and dead zones.

How do oligotrophic waterways differ from eutrophic waterways?

Oligotrophic waterways have very low amounts of nutrients, stable algae populations, and high dissolved oxygen.

What is the inverse relationship associated with thermal pollution?

As water temperature increases, the concentration of dissolved oxygen ($DO$) decreases.

What defines Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?

Synthetic, carbon-based molecules that do not easily break down in the environment and are soluble in fat, allowing them to accumulate in fatty tissues.

What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?

Bioaccumulation is the absorption and concentration of compounds in the cells of a single organism over time, while biomagnification is the increase in concentration of substances per unit of body tissue at successively higher trophic levels.

What environmental impact did biomagnified DDT have on predatory birds like eagles?

It caused eggshell thinning and massive population declines, which prompted the passage of the Endangered Species Act in $1973$.

What components make up a sanitary municipal landfill?

A bottom liner (plastic or clay), a storm water collection system, a leachate collection system, a methane collection system, and a clay cap.

What gas is produced by anaerobic decomposition in landfills and can be used to generate electricity?

Methane ($CH4$).

Rank the Three Rs from most sustainable to least sustainable.

Reduce (most sustainable), then Reuse, then Recycle (least sustainable due to energy requirements).

What occurs during the secondary treatment stage of sewage?

A biological process where bacteria break down organic matter into carbon dioxide and inorganic sludge in aerated tanks.

What chemicals or methods are used in the final disinfection step of wastewater treatment?

Chlorine, ozone, or $UV$ light.

Define LD50.

The dose or concentration of a chemical that is lethal to $50\%$ of the population of a particular species being studied.

What is the toxicity 'threshold' on a dose response curve?

The lowest dose where an effect, such as death, paralysis, or cancer, starts to occur.

What is dysentery and how is it caused?

A bacterial infection that causes intestinal swelling and dehydration, often caused by untreated sewage in streams and rivers used for drinking water.

What is mesothelioma?

A type of cancerous tumor primarily affecting the lining of the respiratory tract, caused mainly by exposure to asbestos.

How does climate change contribute to the spread of infectious diseases?

As equatorial-type climate zones spread north and south, pathogens and vectors like mosquitoes move into temperate regions where the disease was previously unknown.

What pathogen causes Tuberculosis and how is it transmitted?

A bacterial infection that attacks the lungs, transmitted by breathing in respiratory droplets from an infected person.

What are the symptoms and contraction method of Cholera?

Symptoms include vomiting, muscle cramps, and diarrhea leading to severe dehydration; it is contracted from water contaminated with human feces or undercooked seafood.