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Hypoxia or low oxygen levels can be caused by higher or lower temperatures?
Higher temperatures can cause low oxygen levels
Excess nutrients in water can cause what?
Increased algae growth
What is "point source" pollution? Explain and give at least 1 example
A point source is a single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged
What is "nonpoint source" pollution? Explain and give at least one example
A nonpoint source is a more diffuse area that produces pollution, such as an entire farming region, a suburban community with many lawns and septic systems, or storm runoff from parking lots
What are two ways that sediment build up can affect aquatic life?
Reduced oxygen, decreased photosynthesis, irritating gills, etc.
An area with low oxygen with not much life
How do pharmaceuticals enter aquatic systems?
Fragrances in soaps and lotions, excreted through human and animal waste, flushing or pouring down sink of expired medications, industrial manufacturing wastewater
Why is radiation contamination dangerous?
It can cause genetic mutations, nausea, vomiting, skin burns, etc.
What are at least 3 diseases caused by aquatic pathogens?
E Coli, dysentery, cholera, Hep A, typhoid, polio
How many grams of micro plastics does the average human consume a week?
5g
What is eutrophication?
Excess nutrients cause an increased growth in organisms that deplete the oxygen in the water
What is an endocrine disruptor?
Chemicals that block hormone receptors
What are some of the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Neurological damage, developmental issues, increased risk of cancer
What are the main sources of pathogens in water systems?
Wastewater discharges, fecal matter from humans, municipal sewage, agricultural runoff, and stormwater runoff
What is bioaccumulation?
Bioaccumulation is the increase in the concentration of a pollutant within an individual organism
What is a "HAB" and what can it do?
Harmful algal bloom, can cause illness, loss of biodiversity, lowers oxygen levels, affects fishing and tourism, etc.
What are some potential human health effects from consuming water polluted with pesticides or herbicides?
Gastrointestinal illness, nervous system damage, reproductive issues, cancer
How does climate change impact waterborne pathogens?
Increased temperatures, more flooding, and poor water quality all lead to increased pathogen growth
Why is fat solubility important to know about for pollutants?
They can be stored in animals' fatty tissue, leading to bioaccumulation
What is biomagnification? What is a commonly cited example of biomagnification?
Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic levels within a food chain (e.g. mercury, lead)
How can we reduce nutrient pollution? Name at least 2 ways
Use less fertilizer, dispose of pet waste, increase vegetation buffer zones (like rain gardens), better water treatment, increased wetland areas, etc.
What is pollutant "persistence" mean, and why does it matter?
The persistence of a chemical refers to how long the chemical remains in the environment. Chemicals that cause harmful effects on humans and other organisms may become even larger risks when they persist for many years
What was DDT originally used for, and why was it banned?
It was mainly used as a pesticide, mostly for mosquitoes. It was banned because as it bioaccumulated through the food chain, it caused birds to lay very thin-shelled eggs that easily broke, decreasing bird populations dramatically
What caused Minimata disease?
Mercury poisoning bioaccumulation
How much fecal coliform is considered "safe" to swim in?
200 CFU