Unit 8 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

ap enviro

IDENTIFY examples of point and nonpoint source pollution

Point source: Factory discharge pipe

Non-point source: Agricultural runoff

Hypoxia

Hypoxia is a condition where dissolved oxygen in water is too low to support most aquatic life.

OUTLINE the relationship between dissolved oxygen and water temperature

As water temperature increases, dissolved oxygen levels decrease.

OUTLINE one way that agriculture contributes to the dead zone in the Gulf of America

Agricultural runoff carries excess nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to algal blooms and hypoxia.

OUTLINE one way that urban centers contribute to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico

Urban stormwater runoff delivers pollutants and nutrients into waterways, fueling algal growth.

OUTLINE one economic impact of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico

It reduces fish and shellfish populations

OUTLINE why the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is seasonal

More rainfall and runoff in spring/summer plus warmer temperatures lead to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

IDENTIFY the location of point source pollution from an oxygen sag curve

It is located just downstream of the pollution discharge point, where oxygen levels start to drop.

DESCRIBE the pollutants released from coal combustion and how we can remove from the waste stream

Coal combustion releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. Scrubbers and filters can remove these pollutants.

DESCRIBE a heavy metal (other than mercury) that negatively affects humans, its route of exposure and its effects

Lead can enter through drinking water or old paint and causes neurological damage.

OUTLINE the most common route that Mercury finds its way into humans

Through consumption of fish that have bioaccumulated methylmercury.

IDENTIFY common effects of endocrine disruptors

Reproductive issues, developmental problems, birth defects, and hormone imbalance.

OUTLINE how PCB’s enter human beings and its effect

PCBs enter through contaminated food (especially fish) and can affect the immune, nervous, and reproductive systems.

IDENTIFY the trophic level most affected by persistent toxic chemicals

Top-level predators

IDENTIFY an ecosystem service of mangroves

Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion and storm damage.

STATE why mangroves are being removed by humans

For coastal development, tourism, and aquaculture (like shrimp farming).

OUTLINE the cause(s) of eutrophication

Excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from agriculture and wastewater.

OUTLINE how fish are negatively impacted by eutrophication

Oxygen levels drop, causing suffocation and mass fish kills.

OUTLINE strategies to mitigate eutrophication

Use less fertilizer, improve wastewater treatment, plant buffer zones, and reduce runoff.

EXPLAIN cultural eutrophication

Cultural eutrophication is nutrient pollution from human activity that causes excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion.

COMPARE CERCLA and RCRA

CERCLA cleans up hazardous waste sites; RCRA regulates current waste generation and disposal.

DEFINE bioaccumulation

The buildup of toxins in an organism over time.

DEFINE biomagnification

The increase in toxin concentration as it moves up the food chain.

IDENTIFY the largest component by weight of municipal waste in the U.S.

Paper and cardboard

IDENTIFY the primary method of waste disposal in the U.S.

Landfilling

IDENTIFY a pro and a con of waste incineration, of waste landfilling and composting

Incineration: Pro – Reduces volume; Con – Air pollution

Landfilling: Pro – Cheap; Con – Land use and methane emissions

Composting: Pro – Enriches soil; Con – Limited to organic waste

IDENTIFY the unique dangers to humans that car tire waste presents

Can trap water and breed mosquitoes; if burned, releases toxic pollutants.

DESCRIBE how we might generate electricity from municipal waste

By burning waste to produce steam that turns turbines (waste-to-energy).

DESCRIBE the stages and process of wastewater treatment

Primary – removes solids

Secondary – uses bacteria to break down organic matter

Tertiary – removes nutrients and chemicals

IDENTIFY the different parts of a wastewater treatment facility and their function(s)

Grit chamber: removes sand and gravel

Primary clarifier: removes solids

Aeration tank: breaks down organics

Secondary clarifier: removes bacteria

Disinfection: kills pathogens

DESCRIBE what wastewater treatment facilities can and cannot remove from wastewater

Can remove solids, nutrients, and pathogens; cannot fully remove pharmaceuticals and microplastics.

IDENTIFY one pro and one con of using sewage sludge in agricultural applications

Pro: Adds nutrients to soil

Con: May contain heavy metals or contaminants

IDENTIFY one pro and one con of transporting sewage sludge to landfills

Pro: Safer disposal of contaminants

Con: Expensive and takes up landfill space

IDENTIFY one environmental legislative act that wastewater treatment facilities must obey

Clean Water Act

DRAW a LD50 curve on a logarithmic graph paper when given data

COMPARE toxicity of different chemicals based on their LD50’s

Lower LD50 means higher toxicity

IDENTIFY the correct dose response curve given data

Look for the curve that best fits the trend of dose vs. response in the data

OUTLINE dose response relationships

As dose increases, the effect (response) increases until it plateaus or causes harm

ANALYZE a dose response curve

Ozempic commercial type example type stuff

OUTLINE the “threshold level of toxicity”

The lowest dose at which a response is observed

OUTLINE why kids are more susceptible to toxic pollutants

They eat/drink more per body weight, have developing organs, and behaviors increase exposure

STATE how Tuberculosis is transmitted to people

Through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes

STATE how West Nile virus is transmitted to people

By mosquito bites

STATE where Malaria is most common and how it is transmitted to people

Most common in Sub-Saharan Africa; transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites

LIST factors today that are driving emergent diseases

Global travel, climate change, deforestation, and urbanization

ANALYZE an experimental design to determine the investigator’s purpose

Identify the hypothesis, variables, and control group to find what the investigator is testing

CALCULATE a percentage of a given number

(Part ÷ Whole) × 100

CALCULATE percent increase