BioNinja Notes - Human Impacts

Pollutants

Substances released into an environment that have a damaging effect.

Anthropogenic

Man-made; refers to pollutants that originate from human activity.

Eutrophication

Enrichment of ecosystems with chemical nutrients (e.g. nitrate, phosphate), often leading to harmful algal blooms.

Algal Bloom

A rapid growth of algal populations due to increased nutrient availability.

Saprotrophic Microbes

Decomposers that thrive on dead organic material, leading to increased biochemical oxygen demand.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic material.

Eutrophication Consequences

Includes reduced biodiversity, increased water treatment costs, and impacts on commercial fishing.

Regulation of Pollution

Control measures to manage pollutant discharge and protect human and environmental health.

Biomagnification

The process by which chemical substances become more concentrated at each trophic level.

DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane)

A fat-soluble pesticide that accumulates in organisms through biomagnification.

Mercury

A heavy metal that can be converted into toxic methylmercury and biomagnified in the food chain.

Macroplastic

Large plastic debris greater than 1 mm in size.

Microplastic

Small plastic debris less than 1 mm in size, more likely to absorb toxins.

Combustion

The process of burning carbon compounds, primarily fossil fuels, leading to CO2 emissions.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions

Release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel combustion.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where the Earth's atmosphere traps heat from the sun.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

An increase in greenhouse gas concentrations due to human activities, leading to climate change.

Methane

A potent greenhouse gas produced from landfills and agricultural practices.

Positive Feedback Cycle

A cycle where global warming leads to higher emissions of greenhouse gases, furthering climate change.

Ocean as Carbon Sink

The ocean absorbs a significant amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but its capacity is reduced at warmer temperatures.

Albedo

The extent to which a surface reflects light; ice has a high albedo.

Permafrost

Ground that remains permanently frozen for over two years, which releases CO2 as it melts.

Climate Change Impacts

Predicted environmental consequences such as Melting ice, range shifts, changes in ocean currents, and coral reef threats.

Melting of Polar Ice

Loss of sea ice affecting breeding patterns of species like Emperor penguins and walruses.

Range Shift of Species

Migration of species towards poles or higher elevations due to changing climate conditions.

Ocean Currents Changes

Alterations in ocean currents impacting heat and nutrient distribution.

Coral Bleaching

Expulsion of algae from coral polyps due to elevated ocean temperatures.

Ocean Acidification

Reduction in pH levels of ocean water due to increased CO2 absorption, affecting marine life.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Regeneration

Replanting trees in deforested areas to enhance carbon sequestration.

Afforestation

Planting new forests in previously un-forested areas to sequester carbon.

Peat-forming Wetlands

Natural carbon sinks that store carbon and can be restored for enhanced sequestration.

Plastic Pollution

Environmental contamination caused by synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable.

UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun that degrades macroplastics into microplastics.

Ecosystem Health

The condition of an environment and the organisms it supports, affected by pollution.

Eutrophication Remedies

Strategies to minimize eutrophication include controlling sewage discharge and reducing fertilizer use.

Chemical Fertilizers

Artificial substances added to soil to enhance plant growth that can cause eutrophication.

Nutrient Runoff

Movement of excess nutrients from land into waterways, often leading to algal blooms.

Carbon Sink

An ecosystem component that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.

Forest Browning

A phenomenon caused by drought that leads to premature wilting and leaf loss in trees.

Legacy Carbon Combustion

Release of stored carbon from burning vegetation, contributing to atmospheric CO2.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, involving CO2 absorption.

Ecosystem Collapse

The failure of an ecosystem's structure due to climatic changes and unsustainable practices.

Trophic Levels

Levels of a food chain representing different stages of energy transfer from producers to consumers.

Ecosystem Biodiversity

The variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, which is affected by pollution and climate change.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Restoration Ecology

The scientific study aimed at restoring ecosystems that have been degraded.

Anthropocene

A term used to describe the current geological epoch viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

Air Quality Regulation

Policies and practices aimed at reducing air pollution and its health impacts.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline in the number and variety of species in a given habitat due to environmental stressors.

Atmospheric Carbon Levels

Current concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, significantly higher than historical levels.