Unit 8 stuff you should know

Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

1. Eutrophication

• Causes:

  • Increases in nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers transported to water bodies (lakes, rivers, estuaries).

• Effects:

  • Leads to hypoxia (low oxygen conditions) in large bodies of water.

2. Sources and Effects of Various Pollutants

• Wastewater:

  • Sources: Agriculture and wastewater treatment.

  • Effects: Exposure to fecal coliform bacteria like E. coli can cause health issues.

• Oil:

  • Sources: Natural seeps, major oil spills, land sources (cooking oil, motor oil).

  • Effects: Habitat destruction along coastal ecosystems.

• Heavy Metals:

  • Source: Combustion of coal and mining.

  • Effects: Neurotoxins affecting brain and nervous system development and function.

• Thermal Pollution:

  • Source: Leftover cooling water from power plants.

  • Effects: Warm water leads to lower dissolved oxygen levels.

• Noise:

  • Sources: SONAR, wind turbines, electrical transmission lines.

  • Effects: Increases stress on animals.

• Sediment:

  • Sources: Agricultural runoff and construction activities.

  • Effects: Decreases photosynthesis, dissolved oxygen, and increases temperature; contributes to eutrophication and clogs fish gills.

• Pesticides:

  • Source: Agricultural runoff.

  • Effects: Decreases biodiversity due to broad-spectrum killing.

• Perchlorates:

  • Source: Industrial chemicals.

  • Effects: Carcinogenic properties.

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs):

  • Source: Industrial chemicals.

  • Effects: Carcinogenic properties.

• Inorganic Nutrients (N & P):

  • Sources: Agricultural and suburban runoff (fertilizers).

  • Effects: Eutrophication.

3. Bioaccumulation

• Definition: The buildup of toxins in an individual over time.

4. Point Sources vs. Nonpoint Sources

• Point Source:

  • Examples: Smokestacks, tailpipes, effluent pipes.

• Nonpoint Source:

  • Examples: Agricultural runoff over a large area.

5. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Changes

• Introduction of organic waste increases BOD as bacteria consume dissolved oxygen.

Further Concepts

6. Bioaccumulation vs. Biomagnification

• Bioaccumulation: Toxin builds up in individual organisms.

• Biomagnification: Toxin concentration increases up the food chain.

• Examples of Toxins: Mercury and DDT.

7. Effects of Estrogen Mimics

• Impact: Feminization of male fish or amphibians exposed to improperly disposed pharmaceutical drugs.

8. Composting

• Definition: Organic household waste decomposition into fertilizer.

• Materials: Grass clippings, leaves, eggshells, carrot tops, banana peels.

9. Sewage Treatment Process

• Primary Treatment: Removal of large solids via screens and gravity.

• Secondary Treatment: Removal of small solids through decomposing bacteria (requires oxygen).

• Tertiary Treatment: Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus through filtration; disinfection via UV, ozone, or chlorine.

10. US Water Protection Laws

• Clean Water Act: Focuses on surface water health for aquatic life.

• Safe Drinking Water Act: Sets safety standards for groundwater.

11. Characteristics and Functions of Wetlands

• Functions: Buffers against coastal flooding, filtration of pollutants, habitats for organisms.

Environmental Consequences

12. Effects of Plastics

• Harmful effects include contributing to solid waste pollution, ingestion by organisms mistaking it for food, and destruction of coastal habitats.

13. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

• Definition: Household garbage, primarily composed of paper and plastic products.

14. Climate Change and Infectious Diseases

• Effect: Increased temperatures expand habitats for disease vectors like mosquitoes, leading to a rise in infectious diseases.

15. Dose-Response Curves

• Measures effects of varying chemical concentrations on populations.

• LD50: Lower LD50 indicates higher toxicity, while higher LD50 indicates lower toxicity.

16. Environmental Consequences of Landfills

• Negative impacts: Habitat destruction, water pollution, contribution to climate change.

17. Components of a Sanitary Landfill

• Design features: Bottom liner and top cap with impermeable materials (clay, rubber) to prevent contamination.

18. Environmental Effects of Trash Incineration

• Issues: Contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Infectious Diseases and Their Impact