Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution Review Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to aquatic and terrestrial pollution, ideal for exam preparation.

Point Source Pollution

Pollutants that enter the environment from a clearly identifiable and confined place. (point to it)

Emissions from smokestacks, wastewater discharge from treatment plants.

Animal waste runoff from a CAFO (ammonia (N), fecal coliform bacteria) ● Emissions from smokestack of a coal power plant (CO2 , NOx , SO2 , PM) ● BP Oil Spill (hydrocarbons, benzene)

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Pollutants entering the environment from multiple sources, difficult to trace.

Urban runoff, agricultural runoff, and atmospheric deposition.

Urban runoff (motor oil, nitrate fertilizer, road salt, sediment) ● Pesticides sprayed on agricultural fields; carried by wind and washed off large agricultural regions ino bodies of water

Pollutants

Specific chemicals or groups of chemicals responsible for harmful effects on the environment.

Pollution

A vague term for any substance that is harmful to the environment.

Environmental Effects of Acid Rain

Declines in population due to aluminum toxicity and disrupted blood osmolarity.

• As pH decreases (more acidic) outside optimal range for a species, pop. declines

  • When pH leaves range of tolerance, they cannot survive at all

Range of Tolorence

Organisms have range of tolerance for abiotic conditions in their hab. pH, temperature, salinity (saltiness), sunlight, nutrient levels (ammonia, phosphate)

Physiological Stress

Stress on organisms caused by pollutants leading to limited growth and reproduction.

PH Tolerance

As pH decreases (more acidic) outside optimal range for a species, pop. declines due to physiological stress and decreased metabolic functions, impacting survival and reproduction.

Sediment pollution:

sediment carried into ocean by runoff makes coral reef waters more turbid, reducing sunlight (photosynthesis)

Oil Spill Effects

Hydrocarbons in crude oil (petroleum) are toxic to many marine organisms and can kill them, especially if they ingest (eat) the oil or absorb through gills/skin

Other physiological effects: - Decreased visibility and decreased photosynthesis due to less sunlight penetrating water surface - Oil sticking to bird feathers - Oil sinking to bottom and killing bottom-dwellers due to: direct toxicity or suffocation

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine (hormonal) systems of animals

Mercury

Mercury itself isn’t toxic, but bacteria in water sources convert it to methylmercury which is highly toxic to animals (neurotoxicant that damages central nervous system)

Atrazine

broad-spectrum herbicide used to control weeds & prevent crop loss

Can contaminate human well-water, or enter body via unwashed produce

Phthalates

compounds used in plastic and cosmetic manufacturing ○ Enter surface & groundwater via intentional dumping of trash, or chemical waste from plastic/cosmetic factories improperly disposing of waste, landfill leaching

Arsenic

naturally occurring element in rocks underground that can dissolve into drinking water; Natural release into groundwater can be worsened by mining ○ Anthropogenic sources: formerly in pesticides applied to ag. Fields (can still linger in soil, wood treatment chemicals to prevent rot, coal combustion & ash

Lead

found in old paint (in homes), old water pipes, and soils contaminated by PM from vehicle exhaust before lead was phased out of gas in 70s

Coal Ash

Coal ash can be a source of mercury, lead, and arsenic

Ponds can leach into groundwater, contaminating it with arsenic, lead, mercury ○ Ponds can overflow & runoff into nearby surface waters & agricultural fields

Eutrophication

Process fueled by excess nutrients leading to algae blooms and oxygen depletion.

Eutrophication Process

Algae bloom covers surface of water, blocking sunlight & killing plants below surface

Algae eventually die-off; bacteria that break down dead algae use up O2 in the water (b/c decomp. = aerobic process)

Lower O2 levels (dissolved oxygen) in water kills aquatic animals, especially fish

Bacteria use up even more O2 to decompose dead aq. animals

Creates pos. feedback loop: less O2 → more dead org. → more bacterial decomposition → less O2

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Oxygen available in water, essential for aquatic life.

Biomagnification

Absorption and concentration of compounds (especially fat-soluble ones like POPs) in the cells & fat tissues of organisms

Increasing concentrations of fat-soluble compounds like methylmercury and POPs in each level up the trophic pyramid or food web/chain

(mercury)

Bioaccumulation

The buildup of substances, such as pollutants, in an organism.

one step that could be taken to reduce the phosphorus inputs from the activity you described

is implementing better agricultural practices such as reducing fertilizer use and applying it only during specific growing seasons.

Oligotrophic Waterways

Waterways with low nutrient (N/P) levels, stable algae pop, and high dissolved oxygen

Decrease in dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) is what causes a dead zone

Thermal Pollution

when heat released into water has negative effects on organisms living in the water

● Heat increases respiration rate of aquatic organisms (thermal shock)

● Hot water also has less O2 ○ This can lead to suffocation without enough O2 to support respiration

Thermal Pollution Sources

Power plants use cool water from surface/ground water sources nearby to cool steam used to turn a turbine back into water to reuse

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Solid waste from cities including households, businesses, and schools.

Sanitary Landfill

A landfill designed with systems to protect against environmental contaminants.

E-waste

Waste from electronics that often contains hazardous heavy metals.

Waste to Energy

Incineration of waste to generate electricity and reduce landfill volume.

Combined Sewage System

A system that handles both sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff.

Chlorine Disinfection

A chemical process used to kill pathogens in treated wastewater.

Persistence of POPs

Persistent (long-lasting) Organic (carbon-based) Pollutant

POPs travel long distances through wind & water, impacting ecosystems far away

NIMBY

Not In My Back Yard; public opposition to local waste management facilities.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems found in bodies of water, affected by pollutants.

Indicators of Ecosystem Health

Organisms used to assess environmental conditions, like pH levels.

Urban Runoff

Water flow from urban areas that carries pollutants into water bodies.

Heavy Metals

Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic harmful to human health.

Sewage Treatment

Processes to remove contaminants from wastewater before discharge.

Dysentery

A bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.

Mesothelioma

A cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often from old building materials.

Tropospheric Ozone

Ozone found at ground level that can cause respiratory issues.

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, harmful organic chemicals that persist in the environment.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution

Nutrients leading to algal blooms and aquatic ecosystem degradation.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease in other organisms.

Vector

An organism that transmits pathogens to hosts, like mosquitoes for malaria.

What is an ecological footprint?

An ecological footprint is a measure of the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems, expressed as the amount of land and water area required to sustain that demand.

Composting

is the process of decomposing organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Primary Treatment

Physical removal of large debris (TP, leaves, plastic, sediment) with a screen or grate

Secondary Treatment

Biological breakdown of organic matter (feces) by bacteria; aerobic process that requires O₂

Tertiary Treatment

Ecological or chemical treatments to reduce pollutants left after primary & secondary (N, P,  bacteria)

Disinfectant

UV light, ozone, or chlorine is used to kill bacteria or other pathogens, such as e. Coli (considered part of 3)

Effluent

 liquid waste (sewage) discharged into a surface body of water, typically from a wastewater treatment plant 

Sludge

inorganic, solid waste that collects at the bottom of tanks in primary and secondary treatment

LD₅₀

refers to the dose or concentration of the chemical that kills 50% of the population being studied (ex: arsenic LD₅₀ in mice = 13 mg/kg)

threshold

Lowest dose where an effect (death, paralysis, cancer) starts to occur

Routes of Exposure

• Lead → water pipes & paint chips

• Mercury → seafood (tuna)

• CO → indoor biomass comb.

• PM → pollen, dust, etc.

• Arsenic → rice, groundwater

Synergism

• The interaction of two or more substances to cause an effect greater than each of them individually

  • Ex: Asthma caused by PM from coal PPs and COVID-19 damaging lungs

Dysentery

Bacterial infection caused by food or water being contaminated with feces (often from sewage release into rivers & streams used for drinking water)

Mesothelioma (asbestos)

A type of cancerous tumor caused by exposure to asbestos, primarily affecting the lining (epithelium) of the respiratory tract, heart, or abdominal cavity

Tropospheric Ozone (O₃)

Worsens respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD

ONLY HARMFUL IN TROPOSPHERE (beneficial in stratosphere)

Pathogen

Plague

Bacterial (pathogen) infection transmitted by fleas (vector) that attach to mice & rats (vectors as well)

Tuberculosis (TB)

A bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, spread through the air via respiratory droplets.

Malaria

parasitic protist (pathogen) infection caused by bite from infected mosquitoes (vector)

West Nile

Virus (pathogen) infection caused by bite from infected mosquitoes (vector)

• Birds are the main host, but the virus can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that bite infected birds and then bite humans

Zika Virus

Virus (pathogen) infection caused by bite from infected mosquitoes (vector) & sexual contact

• Causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and damaged brains; can be passed from mother to infant

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

 Coronavirus (pathogen) infection caused by respiratory droplets from infected person

• SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19

MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)

Virus (pathogen) respiratory infection transmitted from animals to humans

Cholera

Bacterial (pathogen) infection caused by drinking infected water

• Vomiting, muscle cramps and diarrhea; can cause severe dehydration