marine pollution

Question 1

main 6 categories of marine pollution

Answer 1

• toxic subs
• solid waste (inc plastic)
• sewage & eutrophication
• warm water sources
• noise
• light

Question 2

marine pollution can be short (acute) or long (chronic) term.

give examples for both & explain

Answer 2

acute: eg. oil spill

• catastrophic BUT is dealt with quickly (oil breaks down / cleaned up)

chronic: eg. year-round input of sewage

• continuous input of toxic subs -> causing degradation of env

Question 3

acute and chronic effects of oil spills examples

Answer 3

acute: oiling

chronic: changes in community structure

Question 4

‘point source’ of pollution

Answer 4

discrete entry point

eg…

• oil spills
• sewage outflow
• factory wastewater pipe

Question 5

‘diffuse source’ of pollution

Answer 5

variety of geographical points

eg…

• rainfall run-off
• CO₂
• plastic pollution

Question 6

biomagnification

Answer 6

↑ in biological conc of a chemical with ↑ trophic position

aka…

process by which toxins are passed from one trophic level to the next

Question 7

bioaccumulation

Answer 7

corresponds to process by which the intake of a chemical, via dietary or environmental exposure routes, exceeds elimination

aka…

process by which toxins enter food web by building up in individ organisms

Question 8

hypoxia

Answer 8

• when organ experiences O₂ delivery that is insuff. to meet metabolic needs of tissue
• difficulty breathing
• rapid heart rate
• bluish skin

Question 9

anoxia

Answer 9

complete lack of O₂ delivery to organ

Question 10

eutrophication

Answer 10

process in which a water body becomes overly enriched with nutrients

leads to…

• algae blooms
• low-O₂ (hypoxic) waters that kill fish & seagrass & ↓ essential fish habitats