AP Environmental- Pollution & Human Health

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1.

bacteria

-waste contamination, poor sewage system

-stomach ailments to death

15.

oil

-oil spills and leaks in pipelines.

-death of aquatic animals and seabirds

2.

Bioaccumulation
vs.
Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation- an increase in
concentration of a pollutant from the
environment to the first organism in the
food change (refers to how pollutants enter
the food chain)
Biomagnification- increase in concentration
of a pollutant from one link in the food
chain to another (refers to the pollutants
tendency to concentrate as they move
through the levels of the food chain)

16.

particulates

-burning of coal and diesel. Factory exhaust

-lung damage

17.

pH of acid rain

below 5.6

18.

Photochemical
smog &
components

-mixture of air pollutants which have been

chemically altered into further noxious
compounds by exposure to sunlight.
-nitrogen oxides, VOCs, tropospheric ozone,
peroxyacytyl nitrate (PANs)

19.

radon

-natural breakdown of uranium

-cancer causing radioactive gas

20.

Relationship
between BOD
& DO

A higher BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand)

results in a lower level of DO (Dissolved
Oxygen). This lower concentration of oxygen
causes fish to die

21.

Saltwater
intrusion

Due to freshwater being withdrawn at a faster

rate than it can be replenished. movement of
saline water into freshwater aquifers, which
can lead to contamination of drinking water
sources and other consequences.

22.

sediment

-runoff from human sources

-carries toxins into water

23.

sick building
syndrome

a building in which a number of people have

health effects related to the time spent in the
building

24.

Steps of
Eutrophication:

1. excessive nutrients (runoff fertilizers)

Nitrates and Phosphates
2. Plants flourish- (BOD increases, DO
decreases)
3. algae blooms, oxygen is depletedprevents sunlight fro reaching other plants.
plants die and oxygen is depleted
4. decomposition further depletes oxygen
5. death of the ecosystem

25.

sulfur dioxide

-coal
-acid rain and eutrophication.

26.

temperature
inversion

temperature increases with altitude, rather

than the normal decreasing

27.

thermal

-industrial and power plants.

-reduce ability for water to hold oxygen, rapid
temperature change is stressful for fish

28.

Two chemicals
that cause acid
rain?

nitrogen oxide
sulfur dioxide

29.

Types of
treatment for
waste water
treatment
plants

Primary- (Mechanical) water is filtered

through screens to remove large debris
Secondary- (biological) removes dissolved
organic matter that escapes primary
treatment
Tertiary-(advanced) passed through sand
and carbon filters

3.

4.

carbon
monoxide

-cars
-impedes oxygen by binding with
hemoglobin

effects of acid
rain

1. increase eutrophication
2. decreases decay of organic material
3. leaches nutrients from soil
4. toxic chem. are consumed through water
and food supply

5.

heat island
effect

certain changes that cause urban regions

to become warmer than their rural
surroundings.

6.

heavy metals

-industrial sources or leached from rock

due to acid deposition
-kidney, liver, nervous system problems

7.

incineration

waste treatment process that involves the

combustion of organic substances
contained in waste minerals

8.

IPM

Integrated Pest Management

9.

lead

-particulates
-accumulates in tissue. affects kidneys,
liver, and nervous system. Mental
retardation

10.

major sources
of mercury
pollution?

burning coal, waste incinerators

11.

mercury

-metal processing, incineration of coal,

medical, and other waste
- highly toxic

12.

methane

-industrial emissions, natural

sources(wetlands)
-greenhouse gas- warms atmosphere

13.

Nitrogen Oxides

-combustion of fossil fuels, industrial and

power plants, cars
-causes acid rain and eutrophication.
destroys ozone

14.

nutrients

-Nitrogen and Phosphorus runoff from

animal waste, agriculture, and poor
sewage.
-causes eutrophication (BOD increases
resulting in death of fish and other aquatic
animals)

30.

VOCs

-paints, solvent, cleaners.

-tissue irritant. affects liver and nervous system

31.

What are some natural sources of air

pollution?

Natural Fires- smoke

Volcanoes- ash, toxic gases, hydrogen sulfide
pollen, viruses, bacteria
Radon

32.

What chemical is the cause of ozone

depletion?

CFCs- chlorofluorocarbons

33.

what is LD50?

measures the toxicity of a chemical. LD50 is the dose lethal to 50% of a test population.
The lower LD50, the more toxic the chemical

34.

What is radon?

occurs from decay in bedrock of uranium. can cause lung cancer

35.

What is the difference between primary and

secondary pollutants?

Primary- released directly from the source into the air in a harmful form
Secondary- changed into a hazardous form after released into the air by chemical
raction

36.

Why is groundwater so easily polluted?

Hydrological Cycle