Indicator Species: Used to assess ecosystem health (e.g., frogs, lichen).
Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs): Don’t break down easily (e.g., DDT, PCBs). Point: Direct (pipe, factory drain).
Nonpoint: Diffuse (runoff, agriculture). Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals that interfere with the
endocrine system, leading to birth defects, gender imbalances, & developmental disorders.
LD50: Dose of a lethal chemical to 50% of a pop. Pollutants = specific chemicals from specific
sources with specific environmental or human health effects → more likely to earn your FRQ
credit. Pollution = vague term for any substance harmful to the environment → never
acceptable on an APES FRQ(except thermal, noise, sediment pollution). Eutrophication & BOD
Eutrophication: Algae bloom from nutrient pollution leads to a dead zone. 1. Nutrient load up:
Excessive nutrients from fertilizers are flushed from the land into rivers/lakes by rainwater. 2. Pla
pollutants cause aquatic plant growth of algae and other plants. 3. Algal blooms, oxygen deple
prevent sunlight from reaching other plants, so they die, & oxygen in the water is depleted. 4. De
further depletes oxygen: Dead plants are broken down by bacteria, using up more oxygen in th
the ecosystem: Oxygen levels reach a point where no life is possible. Fish and other organisms
BOD(biological oxygen demand) increases due to algae blooming, the amount of DO(dissolved
decreases. When DO levels are low, this creates a dead zone. As more organisms die from low
decomposition = more BOD = less DO (Positive feedback loop: makes the equilibrium unstable)
Mangroves They help filter & remove pollutants from runoff. These ecosystems are threatened
as more and more are developed, polluted, & overfished. Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification B
Single organism in its lifetime. Increase in the concentration of a pollutant within an organism. B
Increasing concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher trop
food chain. As a result, organisms at the top of the food chain generally suffer greater harm tha
LAWS TO KNOW Clean Water Act(1972): Primary federal law that governs water pollution. Ensu
waters meet standards necessary for human sports & recreation. Prohibits the release of high
substances into water. Regulates point sources of water pollution. Regulates the discharge of d
material into waters of the US, including wetlands. Restores & maintains the chemical, physica
integrity of the nation’s water. Safe Drinking Water Act(1974): Primary federal law intended to e
water(primarily from ground and underground sources). Doesn’t apply to private wells. Require
Protection Agency(EPA) to set universal standards for drinking water. Sets maximum levels for
disinfectants, chemicals, & radionuclides. CERCLA(1980): Provided authority for the federal gov. To respond to releases or possible releases of hazardous substances that cou
health &/or the environment. Established rules for closed & abandoned hazardous waste sites & created a trust fund for cleanup if the responsible parties for contaminated site
located. RCRA(1976): Encouraged states to develop comprehensive plans
hazardous and nonhazardous industrial solid and municipal wastes. Set
municipal landfills and disposal facilities. Waste Reduction Reduce,
Recycle: Recycling requires LOTS of energy & is costly; it’s better to reduce
consumption. Composting uses natural decomposition to turn organic
nutrient-rich soil. Human Health Major issues to know related to pollutants:
raw sewage. Mesothelioma: asbestos. Respiratory diseases: tropospheric
Sewage Treatment. The following is only based on the
Sewage(Wastewater) Treatment Facilities First Stage: Physical separation
through screens. Second stage: Biological treatment. Dissolved matter is
into a solid mass by using microorganisms. Third Stage: Chemical
These solids are then disposed of or reused. Phosphorus is removed.
water is disinfected chemically. Fourth stage: Advanced treatment.
carbon filters, ozone, and enzymes are utilized to eliminate
micro-pollutants. The introduction of specific fungi can be used. Emerging
Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (PPCPs): Found in sewage →
hormones. Microplastics: Small plastic particles <5mm → ingested by
bioaccumulate. Neurotoxins vs Carcinogens vs Teratogens. Neurotoxins:
brain/nervous system (e.g., mercury, lead). Carcinogens: Cause cancer
benzene, asbestos). Teratogens: Cause birth defects (e.g., alcohol,
