Ecotoxicology Definitions Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

  • To increase the population of pests that are resistant to pesticides.
  • To reduce reliance on toxic substances through a combination of methods. (correct)
  • To completely eliminate all pests in an environment.
  • To use only chemical methods for pest control.

Why is it important to rotate chemicals with different modes of action?

  • To use the same pesticide more frequently.
  • To ensure pests do not adapt to a single mode of action. (correct)
  • To increase the chemical resistance of pests.
  • To save costs on pesticides.

Which of the following is a strategy used in IPM to manage pest populations without relying solely on chemical applications?

  • Avoiding all forms of monitoring pest populations.
  • Planting only monoculture crops.
  • Use of exclusively synthetic pesticides.
  • Implementing biopesticides and natural enemies. (correct)

What role do refuge strategies play in pest management?

<p>They create untreated areas for susceptible pests to breed, diluting resistance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice to avoid unnecessary chemical use in pest management?

<p>Applying chemicals based on established pest population thresholds. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'persistence' refer to in ecotoxicology?

<p>The duration a pollutant remains in the environment without breaking down. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the mobility of a pollutant affect its impact on ecosystems?

<p>It allows contaminants to affect remote ecosystems. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the solubility of a pollutant?

<p>The capacity of a pollutant to dissolve in a solvent, usually water. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies synergism in ecotoxicology?

<p>Heavy metals and pesticides combining to increase neurotoxic effects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is associated with acute exposure to a toxicant?

<p>Immediate but short-lived toxicity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following compounds is an example of a persistent organic pollutant (POP)?

<p>DDT and PCBs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding solubility important in ecotoxicology?

<p>It affects how pollutants bioaccumulate in fat tissues. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of exposure to synergistic combinations of chemicals?

<p>Increased toxicity that may not be evident when evaluating individual chemicals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is associated with chronic exposure to low concentrations of toxicants?

<p>Reduced reproduction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mechanisms helps ensure that a pesticide is target specific?

<p>Target-specific biochemical pathways (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of a pesticide designed for low resistance development?

<p>Synergistic effects of active ingredients (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of indirect exposure to toxicants?

<p>Habitat degradation and secondary stressors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome does bioaccumulation typically lead to in aquatic species?

<p>Higher concentrations of toxicants in predators (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism should be avoided to ensure minimal environmental impact during pesticide application?

<p>High volatility of the compound (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is DDT considered a highly risky toxin?

<p>It is highly persistent in the environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of a pesticide enhances its biodegradability?

<p>Natural breakdown processes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is essential for a pesticide to be water-safe?

<p>High degradation in aquatic environments (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does low mobility feature in a pesticide prevent?

<p>Leaching into groundwater (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature contributes to minimizing the ecological impacts of a pesticide?

<p>Employing environmentally-neutral ingredients (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines sublethal effects of toxic exposure?

<p>Behavioral and physiological changes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using eco-friendly pesticide packaging?

<p>Reduces environmental waste (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical environmental outcome of pesticide-induced habitat degradation?

<p>Loss of biodiversity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does DDT have on bird populations?

<p>It causes eggshell thinning. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how mercury can affect human health?

<p>It can lead to cognitive impairments in fetuses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does biomagnification affect aquatic ecosystems?

<p>It concentrates toxins in top predators. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons genetic resistance is a concern in ecotoxicology?

<p>It reduces the effectiveness of chemical controls. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of mercury contamination in the environment?

<p>Industrial processes such as coal combustion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes methylmercury from other forms of mercury?

<p>It bioaccumulates in aquatic organisms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does DDT persist in the environment?

<p>It remains in the soil for several years. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does biodiversity play in combating genetic resistance?

<p>It enhances the resilience of ecosystems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of chronic exposure to DDT in humans?

<p>It is linked to potential carcinogenic effects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the resistance development in pest populations?

<p>It may require higher doses of pesticides to achieve control. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main ecological impact of mercury in aquatic ecosystems?

<p>It leads to the reduction of biodiversity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is suggested to combat genetic resistance?

<p>Integrating sustainable and diverse agricultural practices. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary regulatory measure for DDT?

<p>It has been phased out under the Stockholm Convention. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mercury is known for its neurotoxic effects when inhaled?

<p>Elemental mercury. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Persistence

A chemical's ability to stick around in the environment for a long time without breaking down.

Mobility

The ability of a substance to move through the environment, like air, water, or soil.

Solubility

How well a substance dissolves in a liquid, usually water.

Synergism

When two or more chemicals together cause a stronger effect than each by itself.

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Acute Exposure

Brief exposure to a high concentration of a harmful substance.

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Chronic Exposure

Long-term exposure to a low concentration of a harmful substance.

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Bioaccumulation

The buildup of a substance in an organism's tissues over time.

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Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of a substance as it moves up a food chain.

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Genetic Resistance

The ability of an organism to evolve and survive exposure to a toxic substance that it was initially susceptible to (e.g., pesticides, herbicides).

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Pesticide Resistance

The reduced efficacy of pesticides or herbicides due to the evolution of resistance in target organisms.

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Pesticide Use Escalation

The increase in the use of pesticides when populations of target organisms become resistant, exacerbating environmental contamination.

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Ecological Imbalance

The ecological impact of resistant organisms outcompeting susceptible species in environments with high chemical use.

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Mosquito Resistance to Insecticides

The phenomenon of resistance in mosquitoes threatening public health efforts to control disease vectors.

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Antibiotic Resistance

The threat to human and animal health posed by the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

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Biomagnification of Resistant Populations

The process where resistant populations become more abundant within ecosystems, potentially altering food web dynamics.

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Resistance in Toxicity Studies

The challenge that resistance poses for accurately assessing the toxicity of chemicals due to evolving responses.

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Reducing Selection Pressure

Reducing selection pressure by limiting pesticide and herbicide use to prevent resistance development.

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Promoting Biodiversity

Promoting diverse ecosystems to reduce the chance of one species dominating due to resistance.

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Biological Control

The use of biological control methods (e.g., natural predators) to reduce the need for chemical controls.

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Sustainable Practices

The integration of sustainable practices in agriculture and pest management to mitigate resistance risks.

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Resistant Crops

The incorporation of resistant crops to reduce the reliance on chemical controls.

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New Pesticides

Developing new pesticides that target different pathways in insects to avoid resistance.

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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Developing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that combine multiple methods to minimize reliance on chemicals.

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Rotating Chemicals

Rotating different types of pesticides with different modes of action to prevent pests from building up resistance to a single kind.

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Refuge Strategies

Creating small areas where pesticides aren't used to allow susceptible pests to survive and breed with resistant ones, slowing down the spread of resistance.

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Genetic Engineering

Using genetically modified crops that are resistant to certain pests, reducing the need for pesticides.

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Monitoring and Early Detection

Regularly monitoring pest populations to detect signs of resistance early and adapt management strategies accordingly.

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Non-target Toxicity

The ability of a pesticide to harm organisms other than the intended pest, including beneficial insects like bees and predatory insects.

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Human Toxicity

The degree to which a pesticide poses a risk to human health, including potential for cancer, birth defects, or other health problems.

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Mercury Bioaccumulation

Mercury's tendency to accumulate in the tissues of organisms, particularly in fish, posing health risks to humans who consume them.

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Mercury Mobility

Mercury's ability to move through the environment, including through the air and water, contaminating ecosystems.

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Mercury Persistence

The ability of mercury to change forms and remain in the environment for a long time, posing a persistent threat.

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Mercury Neurotoxicity

The harmful effects of mercury on the nervous system, including potential for brain damage and developmental problems.

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Methylation

The process by which mercury is transformed into methylmercury, a more toxic form that readily accumulates in organisms.

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Mercury Food Chain Transfer

The ways in which mercury can enter the food chain, especially through the consumption of contaminated fish, leading to harmful levels in higher predators.

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Target Specificity

The ability of pesticides to target specific pests while minimizing harm to other organisms, such as beneficial insects.

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Biodegradability

A pesticide's ability to degrade into harmless byproducts after application, reducing its persistence in the environment.

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Study Notes

Ecotoxicology Definitions and Relevance

  • Persistence: A chemical's ability to remain in the environment without breaking down. Persistent compounds like POPs bioaccumulate and biomagnify, causing long-term harm. Examples include DDT, PCBs, and PFAS.
  • Mobility: A pollutant's ability to move through the environment (air, water, soil). High mobility spreads contamination far from the source, impacting ecosystems. An example is nitrates leaching into groundwater.
  • Solubility: The degree a substance dissolves in a solvent (typically water). Water-soluble contaminants easily enter aquatic systems, while fat-soluble ones bioaccumulate in organisms' fatty tissues. This impacts how pollutants travel and enter organisms.
  • Synergism: When the combined effect of multiple chemicals is greater than the sum of their individual effects. Synergistic interactions amplify toxicity, making low concentrations more damaging. An example is combining heavy metals (like mercury and lead) with pesticides.

Exposure Types and Outcomes

  • Acute Exposure: Short-term high concentration exposure, resulting in immediate effects like death, behavioral changes, or stress.
  • Chronic Exposure: Long-term low concentration exposure, causing sub-lethal effects like reduced reproduction, growth inhibition, or organ damage.
  • Direct Exposure: Contact through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.
  • Indirect Exposure: Exposure through environmental changes caused by pollutants, e.g., algal blooms depleting oxygen. Outcomes vary based on the pollutant.
  • Outcomes to Exposed Organisms: Lethal Effects: Death. Sub-lethal Effects: Behavioral changes (reduced feeding, avoidance), physiological changes (organ damage, immune suppression), and reproductive impacts (reduced fertility, developmental issues). Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: Toxicant build-up in tissues and increased concentration up the food chain.

Designing the Perfect Pesticide

  • Target Specificity: Impacts only the intended pest species, minimizing harm to others. Use pest-specific biochemical pathways or receptors (e.g., pheromones).
  • Biodegradability: Breaks down rapidly into non-toxic byproducts. Avoid persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
  • Low Persistence: Short environmental lifespan to prevent accumulation. Design with limited stability in the environment.
  • Minimal Mobility: Stays localized, preventing groundwater & surface water contamination. Formulate with low water solubility and high soil adsorption.
  • Environmentally Neutral Ingredients: Non-toxic, easily incorporated into natural cycles (e.g., botanical extracts, microbial-based pesticides).
  • Low Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification: Avoid fat-soluble compounds that build up in organisms. Prefer water-soluble compounds.
  • Non-Toxic to Humans & Livestock: Safe for humans, livestock, & other non-target species. Avoid carcinogenicity and teratogenicity.
  • Compatibility with IPM: Complements biological or cultural pest control methods, avoiding interference. Support beneficial insects.
  • Low Resistance Development: Novel modes of action, synergistic combinations, & rotation/time-specific application.
  • Minimal Environmental Impact During Application: Minimize drift, runoff & volatilization. Use precision application techniques.
  • Water-Safe: Avoid contamination of water bodies or harm to aquatic life. Avoid high water solubility.
  • Cost-Effective & Scalable: Affordable & easily produced/applied to encourage adoption.
  • Eco-Friendly Packaging: Use biodegradable materials.
  • Digital Integration: Integrate with digital tools to optimize application settings.
  • Green Chemistry Principles: Sustainable processes and renewable resources.

DDT and Mercury Risks

  • DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane): High persistence, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and disruptive effects on calcium metabolism in birds, leading to ecological issues and reproductive harm. Also linked to human health risks such as toxicity, endocrine disruption, and potential carcinogenicity. Globally phased out.
  • Mercury: Naturally occurring heavy metals that persist in the environment (in several forms). Highly toxic, methylmercury being the most hazardous, bioaccumulates, and biomagnifies. Causes severe neurological damage (especially in fetuses and children), impacts kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and the environment (food web disruption). Primarily entering the environment through industrial and some natural processes.

Genetic Resistance and How to Combat It

  • Genetic Resistance: Organisms adapting to survive exposure to toxic substances, making initial controls ineffective. Increases chemical use & contamination, disrupts ecological balance, and potentially impacts human/animal health.
  • Combating Genetic Resistance:
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combining various pest control methods.
  • Rotating Chemicals: Using different modes of action.
  • Reduce Chemical Use: Applications as needed, not proactively.
  • Biopesticides & Natural Enemies: Employing biological methods.
  • Refuge Strategies: Untreated areas for susceptible pests.
  • Genetic Engineering & Breeding: Pest-resistant crops.
  • Monitoring & Early Detection: Crucial for promptly adjusting strategies.
  • Policy & Regulation: Limit overuse & misuse of chemicals.

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Test your knowledge on key ecotoxicology definitions such as persistence, mobility, solubility, and synergism. Understand the implications of these concepts on environmental health and pollution. This quiz will help solidify your understanding of how pollutants affect ecosystems.

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