eco issues final exam

What is the 1st law of thermodynamics?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

What is the 2nd law of thermodynamics?

Energy transfers increase entropy (disorder)

How has waste generation changed over 50 years?

Dramatically increased due to consumption and packaging

Why is source reduction preferred?

Prevents waste before it is created

What is methane?

A greenhouse gas produced in landfills

What is leachate?

Toxic liquid from decomposing waste in landfills

Difference between landfill and dump?

Landfills are engineered to control pollution; dumps are not

What is NIMBY?

Resistance to waste facilities near where people live

Why are car batteries highly recycled?

Valuable materials + strong regulation

What do bottle bills do?

Increase recycling rates

Pros of single-stream recycling?

Convenience

Cons of single-stream recycling?

Contamination lowers efficiency

Can pizza boxes be recycled?

Only if not greasy

Where to dispose of hazardous waste?

Special collection sites

Community vs backyard compost?

Industrial = faster, controlled; backyard = slower

Pros of incineration?

Reduces waste volume, energy generation

Cons of incineration?

Air pollution, toxic ash

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Large accumulation of ocean plastic

What happens to diets as countries get wealthier?

More meat and calories consumed

What was the Green Revolution?

Increased yields via technology and chemicals

Costs of Green Revolution?

Pollution, reduced biodiversity

What is monoculture?

Growing one crop species repeatedly

What is pesticide resistance?

Pests evolve resistance via natural selection

Health impacts of pesticides?

Cancer, neurological damage

What are Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen?

Lists of produce with high/low pesticide residue

Why does biodiversity improve food security?

Resilience to pests and climate

Which meat uses most resources?

Beef

Which uses least?

Chicken/fish

How has US meat consumption changed?

Increased significantly

What is a CAFO?

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

CAFO benefits?

Efficiency, high production

CAFO drawbacks?

Pollution, disease, animal welfare issues

What causes algal blooms?

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus

How do dead zones form?

Algae bloom → die → decomposition uses oxygen

What is organic agriculture?

Farming without synthetic chemicals

Benefits of organic farming?

Less pollution, better soil health

Drawbacks of organic farming?

Lower yields, higher cost

What are GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms

Benefits of GMOs?

Higher yield, pest resistance

What is Bt?

Gene that produces insect-killing toxin

What is HT?

Herbicide tolerance gene

How are GMOs different from artificial selection?

More precise and faster

What is Golden Rice?

Vitamin A–enhanced GMO rice

Pros of Golden Rice?

Prevents blindness, malnutrition

Cons of Golden Rice?

Economic, ecological concerns

Ecological risks of GMOs?

Gene transfer, resistance

Are GMOs harmful to humans?

No strong evidence

Are pesticides harmful?

Yes, linked to health issues

Why feed cows corn instead of grass?

Cheaper, faster growth

What is Bovine Growth Hormone?

Hormone to increase milk production

Why are antibiotics used in livestock?

Prevent disease in crowded conditions

Why is antibiotic use concerning?

Resistance in bacteria

Why are processed foods cheaper?

Subsidies for corn/soy

What is industrial agriculture?

High-input, large-scale farming

What is sustainable agriculture?

Environmentally, economically, socially viable farming

What is food sovereignty?

Local control over food systems

What is no-till farming?

Farming without disturbing soil

Benefits of no-till?

Less erosion, more carbon storage, better soil health

What is the Aigamo method?

Ducks in rice fields for pest control

What is Fair Trade?

Certification for ethical labor/environment

What is Rainforest Alliance?

Certification for sustainable production

How much food is wasted in US?

~30–40%

Why are industrial chemicals concerning?

Many untested for safety

What are types of hazards?

Biological, chemical, physical

What are exposure routes?

Inhalation, ingestion, absorption

What does “dose makes poison” mean?

Toxicity depends on amount

What is LD50?

Dose that kills 50% of organisms

Limitations of LD50?

Does not show long-term effects

What is bioaccumulation?

Toxins build up in organisms

Examples of bioaccumulative chemicals?

DDT, mercury, PFAS

Why avoid large fish?

Higher toxin levels

What are PFAS?

Persistent synthetic chemicals

Why are PFAS dangerous?

Do not break down, accumulate in body

What is DDT?

Insecticide banned in US

Why controversial?

Effective for malaria but harmful ecologically

What is DES?

Drug causing reproductive issues across generations

Sources of lead exposure?

Pipes, paint

What was the Flint Water Crisis?

Lead-contaminated drinking water

Who is most vulnerable to lead?

Children

Why is water a universal solvent?

Dissolves many substances

Why is that a concern?

Easily carries pollutants

How much water is freshwater?

~2.5%

Examples of point pollution?

Factory discharge

Nonpoint pollution?

Agricultural runoff

Which is safer: tap or bottled water?

Tap water

Why is bottled water worse?

Less regulated, higher cost, more pollution

What is surface water?

Water on Earth’s surface

What is groundwater?

Water below ground

What is an aquifer?

Underground water reservoir

What is the Rule of Capture?

Landowners can extract groundwater

What was the Cuyahoga River fire?

Pollution-caused fire → led to Clean Water Act

What is Ann Arbor’s water issue?

Dioxane plume contamination

What is the Ogallala Aquifer?

Major US groundwater source

Why is Colorado River concerning?

Overuse and depletion

Are oceans separate?

No, interconnected

What regulates ocean temperature?

Currents, winds

What is upwelling?

Nutrient-rich water rises

What is downwelling?

Surface water sinks

What is photic zone?

Sunlit upper ocean

What is aphotic zone?

Dark deeper ocean