Biomagnification and Waste

What are microplastics?

Pieces of plastic smaller than 5 micrometers

What happens to plastics ingested by organisms?

It gets stored in fat cells

What is one risk plastics pose to ecosystems and organisms?

They cause harm to marine life

What is plastic?

Materials derived from materials found in nature such as natural gas, coal, and oil

What are POPs?

Groups of toxic chemicals that can remain in the environment for long periods of time and travel long distances through air and water

What is bioaccumulation?

The buildup of toxic substances within a single organism over its lifetime

What is biomagnification?

the increasing concentration of these substances as they move up successive trophic levels in a food chain

Where do POPs come from?

Industrial chemicals, pesticides, natural fires, and industrial burning

POPs examples for pesticides

DDT, Aldrin, Chlordane, HCHs

POPs examples for chemicals

PeCB, Dioxins and Furans, and PFAS

POPs are

Passed up the food chain

How are POPs passed up the food chain?

When organisms containing them are consumed

What industry is responsible for 20% of global water waste

Fashion

How much percent of food supply is wasted in the United States

30-40%

Why does food waste occur

due to improper storage, and consumers misunderstanding freshness labeling (best by or best used by)

How much percent of energy does the United States waste?

58-68%

why does energy waste occur?

Due to inefficient power plants, inefficient use of energy in homes and businesses, and burning fossil fuels.

What causes E-waste?

Disposed electronics pollute, soil, air, and water and contribute to global warming, toxic substances, such as lead mercury, and cadmium seep into the soil.

Where does e-waste go and what risks does it pose?

seeps into groundwater posing serious risks to drinking water supplies and aquatic ecosystems

How is there water pollution?

Waste, including chemicals, sewage, oil spills, and other waste materials that degrade water quality and harm aquatic life.

What is the biggest source of water pollution in the US?

Large scale factory farms and livestock operations

Are POPs excreted or consumed

Consumed