UNIT 8 APES

Here's a set of flashcards tailored to Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution in AP Environmental Science, aligned with Mr. Smedes' YouTube videos. You can input these into a digital flashcard app like Quizlet for interactive study.

Flashcard Set: APES Unit 8 – Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

8.1: Sources of Pollution

• Q: What is point source pollution?

  • A: Pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source, such as a factory's discharge pipe.

• Q: What is non-point source pollution?

  • A: Pollution that comes from multiple, diffuse sources, like runoff from agricultural fields.

8.2: Human Impacts on Ecosystems

• Q: How does sedimentation affect aquatic ecosystems?

  • A: It can smother aquatic habitats, reduce light penetration, and disrupt photosynthesis.

• Q: What are the effects of oil spills on marine life?

  • A: Oil spills can coat marine organisms, impairing their ability to move, breathe, and insulate themselves.

8.3: Endocrine Disruptors

• Q: What are endocrine disruptors?

  • A: Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system, potentially causing reproductive and developmental issues.

• Q: Give an example of an endocrine disruptor.

  • A: Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in plastics.

8.4: Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves

• Q: Why are wetlands important?

  • A: They act as natural water filters, provide habitat for wildlife, and protect against flooding.

• Q: How does human activity impact mangroves?

  • A: Activities like coastal development and aquaculture can lead to mangrove deforestation, reducing coastal protection and biodiversity.

8.5: Eutrophication

• Q: What causes eutrophication?

  • A: Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, often from agricultural runoff or sewage.

• Q: What is a dead zone?

  • A: An area in a body of water with extremely low oxygen levels, often caused by eutrophication, leading to marine life die-offs.

8.6: Thermal Pollution

• Q: What is thermal pollution?

  • A: The degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature, often from industrial discharges.

• Q: How does thermal pollution affect aquatic organisms?

  • A: It can decrease oxygen levels and alter reproductive cycles, leading to stress or death.

8.7: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

• Q: What are Persistent Organic Pollutants?

  • A: Toxic chemicals that resist degradation, bioaccumulate in organisms, and can travel long distances through the environment.

• Q: Provide an example of a POP.

  • A: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a pesticide.

8.8: Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

• Q: What is bioaccumulation?

  • A: The buildup of substances, like pesticides, in an organism over time.

• Q: What is biomagnification?

  • A: The increase in concentration of a substance in a food chain, affecting top predators the most.

8.9: Solid Waste Disposal

• Q: What are the environmental concerns of landfills?

  • A: Potential leachate contamination of groundwater and methane gas emissions.

• Q: What is leachate?

  • A: Contaminated liquid that drains from landfills, potentially polluting surrounding soil and water.

8.10: Waste Reduction Methods

• Q: What is composting?

  • A: A method of waste disposal where organic waste decomposes naturally, turning into nutrient-rich soil.

• Q: How does recycling benefit the environment?

  • A: It reduces the need for raw material extraction, conserves energy, and decreases pollution.

8.11: Sewage Treatment

• Q: What occurs during primary sewage treatment?

  • A: Physical removal of large solids through screening and sedimentation.

• Q: What is the purpose of secondary sewage treatment?

  • A: Biological processes that degrade organic matter using bacteria.

8.12: Lethal Dose 50% (LD₅₀)

• Q: What does LD₅₀ represent?

  • A: The dose of a substance that is lethal to 50% of a test population.

• Q: Why is LD₅₀ important in toxicology?

  • A: It helps assess the relative toxicity of substances.

Here are flashcards for 8.13: Dose-Response Curve and 8.14: Human Health and Pollution to complete the set!

8.13: Dose-Response Curve

• Q: What does a dose-response curve show?

  • A: It illustrates the relationship between the dose of a substance and its effects on an organism.

• Q: What is a threshold dose?

  • A: The lowest dose at which a measurable effect occurs.

• Q: What does a steep dose-response curve indicate?

  • A: A small increase in dose causes a large effect, meaning the substance is highly toxic.

• Q: What is NOAEL (No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level)?

  • A: The highest dose at which no harmful effects are observed.

• Q: How do scientists determine the toxicity of a substance?

  • A: By conducting experiments to find LD₅₀ (lethal dose for 50% of a population) or ED₅₀ (effective dose for 50% of a population).

8.14: Human Health and Pollution

• Q: What is the difference between acute and chronic exposure to pollutants?

  • A: Acute exposure is short-term and high-dose, while chronic exposure is long-term and low-dose.

• Q: What are some common sources of lead exposure?

  • A: Old paint, contaminated water pipes, and industrial emissions.

• Q: What are the effects of particulate matter on human health?

  • A: Respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk of lung cancer.

• Q: How do pathogens enter water supplies?

  • A: Through sewage leaks, agricultural runoff, and contaminated drinking water sources.

• Q: What is an example of a disease caused by water pollution?

  • A: Cholera, caused by bacteria in contaminated water.

• Q: How does climate change influence human health?

  • A: Increases heat-related illnesses, spreads vector-borne diseases, and worsens air quality.