Untitled Flashcards Set

QUESTIONS: Name: _______________________________Class Period: _____ APES Exam Review Unit 8 You do NOT need to write full sentences to answer these questions. Unit 8 Concept Review: Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution Point & Nonpoint Source Pollution Describe the difference between point and nonpoint source pollutants, AND give an example of each Human Impacts on Ecosystems (incl wetlands) Describe TWO effects that an oil spill can have on marine organisms Describe an economic consequence that an oil spill can have on coastal communities Describe how an area can be distinguished as a wetland ecosystem Identify TWO examples of ecosystem services provided by wetlands Identify TWO human activities that disrupt wetland ecosystems Eutrophication Identify TWO possible sources of excess nitrogen and phosphorous that can lead to eutrophication Explain how excess nitrogen and phosphorous in a water source lead to hypoxic waters & dead zones Thermal Pollution Describe the relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen AND how that impacts aquatic species Identify TWO human activities that can lead to thermal pollution Choose ONE of the activities you listed above & propose a solution to the problem of thermal pollution Endocrine Disruptors Define the term endocrine disruptor Identify TWO specific, non lethal effect that endocrine disruptors can have on aquatic species Identify TWO specific endocrine disruptors and describe how each of these chemicals could be released from their source into the environment Identify a human health consequence of exposure to endocrine disruptors Identify a human health consequence of exposure to methylmercury Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Biomagnification & Bioaccumulation Define the term persistent organic pollutant Define the term bioaccumulation Explain why POPs bioaccumulate in organisms over time Identify TWO examples of persistent organic pollutants Describe one way that POPs may be released into ecosystems Explain how biomagnification differs from bioaccumulation Describe a specific health impact that biomagnification of POPs can cause in top predators Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) & Dose Response Curves Define the term LD50 Define the term Threshold Draw a dose response curve below for a toxicant with an LD50 concentration of 100 mg/KG Solid Waste Disposal Identify TWO sources that contribute to Municipal Solid Waste Define e-waste and explain why it should not be disposed of in landfills Describe the proper disposal of e-waste Identify TWO other examples of products that should not be disposed of in landfills Describe THREE SPECIFIC features in a landfill that are designed to prevent contaminants from being released into the surrounding environment Describe ONE environmental drawback of landfills Identify TWO benefits of burning waste Describe a benefit and a drawback of recycling Explain why reducing or reusing waste is more sustainable than recycling Identify TWO examples of waste that can be composted and describe the process of composting Wastewater (sewage) Treatment Describe the process of primary sewage treatment and identify one component of sewage that is removed by primary treatment Describe the process of secondary sewage treatment and identify one component of sewage that is removed by secondary treatment Identify a component of sewage that is NOT removed by either primary or secondary treatment Identify a component of sewage that is reduced by tertiary treatment Identify a method for reducing bacterial or viral pathogens in treated sewage before it is released Identify why waste water treatment plants don’t always use tertiary treatment and describe a consequence for the body of water that effluent is released into if a plant does not use tertiary sewage treatment Pollution & Human Health Define the terms pathogen and vector and provide an example of each Identify the main route of exposure for cholera and dysentery Propose a solution to limit exposure to cholera and dysentery in developing nations Identify one of the main causes of mesothelioma Identify a human health consequence of exposure to tropospheric ozone Explain why the range of diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever are expected to increase in the later half of the 21st century Identify the type of pathogen and vector for Malaria Describe one way that the transmission of West Nile virus differs from Malaria Describe one way that the transmission of Zika virus differs from Malaria Identify the type of pathogen and main route of transmission for Tuberculosis Identify the type of pathogen, route of transmission, and one human health impact of SARS and MERS

ANSWERS:

Point & Nonpoint Source Pollution

• Point Source Pollution: Pollution from a single, identifiable source.
  Example: A factory releasing waste into a river.

• Nonpoint Source Pollution: Pollution from multiple, diffuse sources.
  Example: Runoff from agricultural fields carrying pesticides and fertilizers.

Human Impacts on Ecosystems (incl wetlands)

• Effects of an oil spill on marine organisms:

  1. Disruption of the insulating properties of fur and feathers, causing hypothermia.

  2. Ingestion of oil leading to internal damage and poisoning.

• Economic consequence of an oil spill on coastal communities:

  1. Loss of income from fishing industries and tourism due to contaminated waters.

• How to distinguish a wetland ecosystem:

  1. Presence of hydric soils (soils that are saturated with water).

  2. Dominance of water-loving vegetation such as cattails or mangroves.

• Examples of ecosystem services provided by wetlands:

  1. Water filtration (removing pollutants from water).

  2. Flood control (acting as natural buffers by absorbing excess water).

• Human activities that disrupt wetland ecosystems:

  1. Drainage for agriculture or urban development.

  2. Pollution from industrial runoff.

Eutrophication

• Sources of excess nitrogen and phosphorous:

  1. Fertilizer runoff from agriculture.

  2. Wastewater discharge from sewage treatment plants.

• How excess nitrogen and phosphorous lead to hypoxic waters & dead zones:
  The excess nutrients promote algae growth, which, when decomposed, consumes oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions (low oxygen), creating dead zones where most marine life cannot survive.

Thermal Pollution

• Relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen & its impact on aquatic species:
  As water temperature increases, dissolved oxygen decreases, which can stress aquatic organisms that rely on oxygen for survival.

• Human activities leading to thermal pollution:

  1. Power plants discharging heated water.

  2. Urban runoff from pavement heating water.

• Proposed solution to thermal pollution from power plants:
  Use cooling towers to reduce the temperature of the water before it is released into nearby water bodies.

Endocrine Disruptors

• Endocrine disruptor:
  Chemicals that interfere with hormone systems in organisms.

• Non-lethal effects on aquatic species:

  1. Altered reproductive behaviors.

  2. Decreased fertility.

• Endocrine disruptors and their release into the environment:

  1. DDT: Released from agricultural pesticide use.

  2. Bisphenol A (BPA): Released from plastics in landfills.

• Human health consequence of exposure to endocrine disruptors:
  Hormonal imbalances and potential developmental issues.

• Human health consequence of exposure to methylmercury:
  Neurological damage, particularly in developing fetuses.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Biomagnification & Bioaccumulation

• Persistent organic pollutant (POP):
  A toxic chemical that remains in the environment for long periods.

• Bioaccumulation:
  The gradual accumulation of substances, such as toxic chemicals, in an organism over time.

• Why POPs bioaccumulate in organisms:
  They are not easily broken down by the organism’s metabolism and accumulate in fat tissue.

• Examples of persistent organic pollutants:

  1. DDT (pesticide).

  2. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

• How POPs are released into ecosystems:
  They can be released through improper disposal of chemicals or industrial emissions.

• Difference between biomagnification and bioaccumulation:
  Biomagnification refers to the increase in concentration of a toxic substance as it moves up the food chain, while bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of toxins in an individual organism.

• Health impact of biomagnification in top predators:
  Ingesting high levels of toxins, which can lead to reproductive issues and death.

Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) & Dose Response Curves

• LD50:
  The dose of a substance that kills 50% of the population exposed.

• Threshold:
  The minimum dose of a substance that causes a noticeable effect in organisms.

• Dose-response curve for a toxicant with an LD50 of 100 mg/KG:
  A sigmoidal (S-shaped) curve, showing the gradual increase in effects as dose increases, with 50% of the population dying at 100 mg/KG.

Solid Waste Disposal

• Sources contributing to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW):

  1. Household trash.

  2. Commercial waste.

• E-waste and why it should not be disposed of in landfills:
  E-waste contains hazardous chemicals like mercury and lead that can leach into the soil and water.

• Proper disposal of e-waste:
  Recycle through certified e-waste recycling programs that ensure safe handling and disposal.

• Examples of products that should not be disposed of in landfills:

  1. Batteries.

  2. Electronics.

• Features in a landfill to prevent contamination:

  1. Liner systems to prevent leachate from seeping out.

  2. Leachate collection systems.

  3. Methane gas capture systems.

• Environmental drawback of landfills:
  They can leak harmful substances into the surrounding soil and groundwater over time.

• Benefits of burning waste:

  1. Reduces waste volume.

  2. Can generate energy.

• Benefit and drawback of recycling:
  Benefit: Reduces resource extraction.
  Drawback: Requires energy and infrastructure to process.

• Why reducing or reusing waste is more sustainable than recycling:
  Reducing and reusing prevent waste generation altogether, while recycling still consumes energy and resources.

• Examples of waste that can be composted:

  1. Fruit and vegetable scraps.

  2. Yard waste (leaves, grass clippings).
     Composting process: Organic waste decomposes naturally through microbial activity, converting it into nutrient-rich soil.

Wastewater (sewage) Treatment

• Primary sewage treatment:
  Involves screening and settling to remove large solids.
  Component removed: Larger particles and debris.

• Secondary sewage treatment:
  Biological treatment where bacteria break down organic matter.
  Component removed: Dissolved organic matter.

• Component not removed by primary or secondary treatment:
  Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

• Component reduced by tertiary treatment:
  Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

• Method to reduce bacterial/viral pathogens:
  Chlorination or ultraviolet (UV) light treatment.

• Why wastewater treatment plants don’t always use tertiary treatment:
  Tertiary treatment is expensive and not always required.
  Consequence for the receiving water body: Higher nutrient levels may lead to eutrophication.

Pollution & Human Health

• Pathogen and vector:

  • Pathogen: A microorganism that causes disease.

  • Vector: An organism that transmits the pathogen.
    Example: Malaria (Plasmodium parasite, mosquito vector).

• Main route of exposure for cholera and dysentery:
  Contaminated drinking water.

• Solution to limit exposure to cholera and dysentery in developing nations:
  Improve sanitation and access to clean water.

• Main cause of mesothelioma:
  Exposure to asbestos.

• Health consequence of exposure to tropospheric ozone:
  Respiratory issues, including asthma and bronchitis.

• Why malaria and yellow fever diseases may increase:
  Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change may expand mosquito habitats.

• Pathogen and vector for malaria:

  • Pathogen: Plasmodium.

  • Vector: Anopheles mosquito.

• Transmission of West Nile virus vs. Malaria:
  West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes, but also by birds as a reservoir host.

• Transmission of Zika virus vs. Malaria:
  Zika virus is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, while Malaria is spread through Anopheles mosquitoes.

• Pathogen and transmission for Tuberculosis:

  • Pathogen: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • Transmission: Airborne through coughing.

• Pathogen, route of transmission, and health impact for SARS and MERS:

  • Pathogen: Coronaviruses.

  • Transmission: Airborne (coughing/sneezing).

  • Health impact: Severe respiratory illness.