Oil Spill
This happens when crude oil or petroleum products are released into water.
An oil spill
The large area of floating plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean is called this.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
In 2014 Flint switched its water source to this river.
The Flint River
Both oil spills and plastic pollution show how this type of activity affects ecosystems.
Human Activity
Oil spreads quickly on water because it has this density relationship to water.
It is less dense than water
The garbage patch is trapped by these large circular ocean currents.
Gyres
The crisis happened mainly because this toxic metal entered the drinking water.
Lead
When fisheries close after pollution, this part of the community is directly affected.
The Local Economy
These floating barriers are used first to stop oil from spreading.
Booms
Tiny broken-down plastic pieces are called this.
Microplastics
This safety treatment step was not used, allowing pipes to corrode.
Corrosion control treatment
Wetlands are important because they act as natural filters and this type of storm barrier.
Flood or Storm Surge Barrier
These animals are highly affected because oil destroys their feather waterproofing.
Birds
Marine animals often mistake plastic for this.
Food
This group was most at risk for developmental harm from the contaminated water.
Children
A key theme connecting Flint and pollution issues is environmental ________.
Justice
One reason oil spills are so damaging is because they block this process in aquatic plants.
Photosynthesis
You usually cannot see the Great Pacific Garbage Patch from space because most of the plastic is this — small and spread out rather than one solid pile
➡️ Tiny pieces (microplastics) spread over a large area
Besides health damage, the crisis caused a major loss of this between residents and government.
Trust
The best long-term solution to oil spills and plastic pollution is this strategy instead of cleanup.
Prevention