Unit 8 Flashcards
Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution (20 cards)
oligotrophic waterways
waterways with low nutrient levels and high oxygen concentration
persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms
composting
the process of decomposing organic materials into nutrient-rich soil amendment
lethal dose 50% (LD50)
dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population
eutrophication
the process of excessive nutrient enrichment in a body of water, leading to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion
dose response curve
graph showing the relationship between the exposure level and biological response
point source pollution
pollution that originates from a single identifiable source, such as a factory
biomagnification
the process by which toxins accumulate in higher levels of the food chain
endocrine disruptors
chemical substances that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in organisms
heavy metals
metallic elements with high density and toxicity often found in industrial waste
landfills
a designated area where waste is disposed of and covered with soil
non-point source pollution
the release of pollutants into the environment from diffuse sources (runoff)
hypoxic waterways
water bodies with low oxygen levels, harming aquatic life and ecosystems
recycling
the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials to reduce waste
thermal pollution
the release of excessive heat into natural water bodies, harming aquatic life
sewage treatment
the process of removing contaminants from wastewater to protect public health and the environment
bioaccumulation
the process by which toxins build up in the tissues of organisms over time
incineration
the process of burning waste materials to produce heat or electricity
algal bloom
rapid growth of algae in water bodies, often harmful
oceanic dead zones
areas in the ocean with low oxygen levels, causing marine life depletion
