Podcast
Questions and Answers
What kind of organisms are used as biological indicators of water quality?
What kind of organisms are used as biological indicators of water quality?
- Soil microbes and fungi
- Fish, plants, and insects (correct)
- Chemical compounds and toxins
- Birds and mammals
What is the role of dissolved oxygen in aquatic ecosystems?
What is the role of dissolved oxygen in aquatic ecosystems?
- It serves as a food source for aquatic plants.
- It acts as a pollutant indicator for water quality.
- It is primarily used for photosynthesis by algae.
- It is essential for the health of microorganisms and aquatic life. (correct)
Which factor does NOT influence the levels of dissolved oxygen in water?
Which factor does NOT influence the levels of dissolved oxygen in water?
- Turbulence due to wind
- Temperature of the water
- Amount of photosynthesis in the water
- Concentration of pollutants (correct)
What does a higher occurrence of organisms that require lots of oxygen in water indicate?
What does a higher occurrence of organisms that require lots of oxygen in water indicate?
What does the term 'parts per million' (ppm) refer to in environmental chemistry?
What does the term 'parts per million' (ppm) refer to in environmental chemistry?
What is the correct definition of a solute and a solvent in a solution?
What is the correct definition of a solute and a solvent in a solution?
Which of the following illustrates a situation where understanding water quality is crucial?
Which of the following illustrates a situation where understanding water quality is crucial?
Which macroinvertebrate is often associated with good water quality due to its high oxygen requirement?
Which macroinvertebrate is often associated with good water quality due to its high oxygen requirement?
What is a primary source of sulfur dioxide emissions?
What is a primary source of sulfur dioxide emissions?
What role do catalytic converters play in air pollution control?
What role do catalytic converters play in air pollution control?
Which of the following describes ground-level ozone?
Which of the following describes ground-level ozone?
Which statement regarding carbon monoxide is true?
Which statement regarding carbon monoxide is true?
What does the term 'Circumpolar Winds' refer to in the context of air pollution?
What does the term 'Circumpolar Winds' refer to in the context of air pollution?
What are the two ways to measure air quality?
What are the two ways to measure air quality?
What is a significant consequence of increasing carbon dioxide levels?
What is a significant consequence of increasing carbon dioxide levels?
Which type of air pollution is characterized by its inability to be detected by human senses?
Which type of air pollution is characterized by its inability to be detected by human senses?
What is the concentration of sulfuric acid in the lake after a 50 L drum spills into 30,000 L of water?
What is the concentration of sulfuric acid in the lake after a 50 L drum spills into 30,000 L of water?
How much pee is present in a pool after adding 70 mL to 1,000 L of water, expressed in parts per million?
How much pee is present in a pool after adding 70 mL to 1,000 L of water, expressed in parts per million?
What is the concentration of free chlorine in a swimming pool if a sample of 20 mL contains 0.5 mL of chlorine?
What is the concentration of free chlorine in a swimming pool if a sample of 20 mL contains 0.5 mL of chlorine?
What does the term LD50 represent in toxicology?
What does the term LD50 represent in toxicology?
If a rat weighing 0.85 kg ingests 0.50 mg of rat poison, will it likely die given an LD50 of 0.27 mg/kg?
If a rat weighing 0.85 kg ingests 0.50 mg of rat poison, will it likely die given an LD50 of 0.27 mg/kg?
What is a potential outcome of mixing different pesticides in water systems?
What is a potential outcome of mixing different pesticides in water systems?
What is the maximum dosage of arsenic that can be given to a 1.75 kg duck to reach its LD50?
What is the maximum dosage of arsenic that can be given to a 1.75 kg duck to reach its LD50?
How long do most modern pesticides remain in the environment before breaking down?
How long do most modern pesticides remain in the environment before breaking down?
What is a characteristic of toxins in terms of health risks?
What is a characteristic of toxins in terms of health risks?
For a 55 kg person, how much caffeine constitutes a lethal dose based on an LD50 of 175 mg/kg?
For a 55 kg person, how much caffeine constitutes a lethal dose based on an LD50 of 175 mg/kg?
How many cans of Monster Energy Drink containing 300 mg of caffeine each would be lethal for a 55 kg person?
How many cans of Monster Energy Drink containing 300 mg of caffeine each would be lethal for a 55 kg person?
Which of the following statements about LD50 is accurate?
Which of the following statements about LD50 is accurate?
What is the maximum dosage calculated for a rat weighing 0.85 kg with an LD50 of 0.27 mg/kg?
What is the maximum dosage calculated for a rat weighing 0.85 kg with an LD50 of 0.27 mg/kg?
What potential effects can arise from consuming caffeine above 400 mg daily?
What potential effects can arise from consuming caffeine above 400 mg daily?
Which of the following factors influences the harmful potential of a chemical?
Which of the following factors influences the harmful potential of a chemical?
Why can tests on animals be misleading when assessing risks for humans?
Why can tests on animals be misleading when assessing risks for humans?
What is the primary function of greenhouse gases in the Greenhouse Effect?
What is the primary function of greenhouse gases in the Greenhouse Effect?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a contributor to global warming?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a contributor to global warming?
What is the process of dilution in the context of environmental pollution?
What is the process of dilution in the context of environmental pollution?
Which factor does NOT influence the transport of airborne chemicals?
Which factor does NOT influence the transport of airborne chemicals?
What is the name of the zone where water collects after soaking into the soil?
What is the name of the zone where water collects after soaking into the soil?
At which stage does chemical deposition occur during chemical transport in air?
At which stage does chemical deposition occur during chemical transport in air?
What is the water table in relation to groundwater?
What is the water table in relation to groundwater?
Which of the following describes the process of dispersion in environmental chemistry?
Which of the following describes the process of dispersion in environmental chemistry?
What is the term used to describe the top of the groundwater zone in the soil?
What is the term used to describe the top of the groundwater zone in the soil?
Which characteristic defines heavy metals?
Which characteristic defines heavy metals?
What is one of the main roles of microorganisms in the environment?
What is one of the main roles of microorganisms in the environment?
What factor does NOT affect biodegradation of pollutants in the environment?
What factor does NOT affect biodegradation of pollutants in the environment?
Which process involves using plants to clean up harmful chemicals from the soil or groundwater?
Which process involves using plants to clean up harmful chemicals from the soil or groundwater?
In what way can hydrocarbon emissions affect soil?
In what way can hydrocarbon emissions affect soil?
What is a common characteristic of organic substances being biodegraded?
What is a common characteristic of organic substances being biodegraded?
What are heavy metals known to cause in health or the environment?
What are heavy metals known to cause in health or the environment?
Flashcards
Biological Indicators of Water Quality
Biological Indicators of Water Quality
The presence or absence of certain organisms, like fish, plants, worms, and insects, can indicate the health of the water body. This is because different organisms have different tolerances to water quality.
Microbiological Indicators of Water Quality
Microbiological Indicators of Water Quality
Microscopic organisms, particularly bacteria, that can cause health problems if present in high numbers in water. These bacteria are a concern as they're indicators of potential contamination.
Macroinvertebrates as Water Quality Indicators
Macroinvertebrates as Water Quality Indicators
These are larger, visible organisms that live in water, such as insects, worms, and snails. Their presence in water can indicate its quality, as different species have different tolerances to pollution.
Dissolved Oxygen in Water
Dissolved Oxygen in Water
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Parts Per Million (ppm) and Parts Per Billion (ppb)
Parts Per Million (ppm) and Parts Per Billion (ppb)
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Solutions, Solutes, and Solvents
Solutions, Solutes, and Solvents
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Measuring Chemicals in the Environment
Measuring Chemicals in the Environment
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Parts Per Million (ppm)
Parts Per Million (ppm)
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LD50 (Lethal Dose 50)
LD50 (Lethal Dose 50)
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Toxin
Toxin
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Toxicity
Toxicity
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Pesticide Mixing in Water
Pesticide Mixing in Water
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Long-Term Pesticide Effects
Long-Term Pesticide Effects
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Biodegradation of Modern Pesticides
Biodegradation of Modern Pesticides
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Calculating Toxicity
Calculating Toxicity
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LD50
LD50
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Maximum Arsenic Dosage for a Duck
Maximum Arsenic Dosage for a Duck
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Calculating Lethal Dosage
Calculating Lethal Dosage
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Caffeine LD50
Caffeine LD50
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Caffeine in Monster Energy Drink
Caffeine in Monster Energy Drink
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Caffeine Side Effects
Caffeine Side Effects
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Animal vs Human Toxicity
Animal vs Human Toxicity
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Risk Management
Risk Management
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What is the Greenhouse Effect?
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
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What is Global Warming?
What is Global Warming?
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What is Dispersion?
What is Dispersion?
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What is Dilution?
What is Dilution?
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What is Transport in the Environment?
What is Transport in the Environment?
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What factors determine the transport of pollutants?
What factors determine the transport of pollutants?
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What is Groundwater?
What is Groundwater?
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What is the water table?
What is the water table?
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Air Pollution Travel
Air Pollution Travel
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Chemical Air Pollution
Chemical Air Pollution
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Physical Air Pollution
Physical Air Pollution
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Biological Air Pollution
Biological Air Pollution
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Air Quality Measurement
Air Quality Measurement
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Circumpolar Winds
Circumpolar Winds
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Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur Dioxide
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Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide
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What are hydrocarbons?
What are hydrocarbons?
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What are heavy metals?
What are heavy metals?
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What is biodegradation?
What is biodegradation?
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What is phytoremediation?
What is phytoremediation?
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How do we change the concentration of harmful chemicals?
How do we change the concentration of harmful chemicals?
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What factors influence biodegradation?
What factors influence biodegradation?
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Study Notes
Pollution
- Pollution is any alteration to the environment producing a condition harmful to living things.
- Pollution sources can be categorized into point sources and non-point sources.
- Point sources are small, defined areas causing pollution.
- Non-point sources are wide areas, not easily defined, where pollution originates or where its effects are seen.
Dilution and Concentration
- Dilution means pollution is becoming less concentrated.
- Factors that can dilute pollution include increased water flow in a stream or more air in the atmosphere.
- Factors that can concentrate pollution include stagnant water or weather patterns.
Water Quality
- Water quality in Canadian rivers, national and by land use, was analyzed from 2016 to 2018.
- Percentage of sites with different water quality rankings are shown for categories like Excellent, Good water quality, Fair water quality, Marginal water quality, and Poor.
- This data reveals various patterns according to land usage categories including agriculture, forestry, mining, populated areas, mixed pressures, and undeveloped areas.
Aquatic Environments
- As pH increases, the diversity of all organisms will decrease.
- Chemical factors affecting organisms include dissolved oxygen, pH, heavy metals, plant nutrients (nitrogen/phosphorus), pesticides, salts (sodium chloride/ magnesium sulfate).
Water Quality Categories
- Water quality is categorized by the provincial and federal government in five categories.
- The different categories include Human Drinking Water, Recreation (ex. Swimming), Livestock Drinking Water, Irrigation, and Protection of Aquatic Life.
Biological Indicators
- Scientists use organisms living within water to determine water quality.
- Examples include fish, plants, worms, insects, plankton, and protozoa.
Microbiological Indicators
- Microscopic organisms (like bacteria) can cause health problems in water.
- Water samples are taken to monitor levels of harmful bacteria.
- Organisms' presence or absence in water indicates the quality of the environment.
- Macroinvertebrates (e.g., stonefly, mayfly, caddisfly, beetle) are used to indicate water quality.
- Good quality water has a variety of organisms, but more of those needing high oxygen levels.
Dissolved Oxygen
- Dissolved oxygen is essential for the health of aquatic life (insects and microorganisms).
- Factors influencing dissolved oxygen include temperature, turbulence due to wind speed of water, photosynthesis produced by plants/algae in the water and the number of organisms using the oxygen.
Quantifying Pollution
- Pollution concentrations are often reported as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).
- One part per million (ppm) means one unit of the element can be found in one million units of the solution.
- One part per billion (ppb) means one unit of the element can be found in one billion units of the solution.
PPM Calculations
- PPM is calculated by multiplying grams of solute by one million, then dividing by the grams of solution
- Example calculations are shown for determining the concentration of substances (like salts and oxygen) in specific solutions, using the formula ppm = (grams of solute /grams of solution)*1000000
Toxicity
- Toxicity is a measure of how poisonous a substance is.
- Mixing pesticides can create dangerous chemical combinations.
- Some pesticides remain in the environment, causing long-term effects.
- Modern pesticides are typically broken down after one growing season.
LD50
- LD50 refers to the lethal dose at 50%.
- The LD50 value is the amount of a substance that causes 50% of test animals to die.
- Various LD50 values are listed (in grams per kilogram) for different substances like Aspirin, Caffeine, Nicotine, Strychnine, and Botulinum toxin showing varying levels of toxicity.
Risk Management
- Many substances affect animals and humans differently.
- Animal tests can misrepresent human effects.
- Knowing a risk does not always imply it's unacceptable depending on the circumstances.
- All chemicals may cause harm depending on type, length and amount of exposure.
Additional Information
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Different types of air and water pollution exist, like chemical, physical, and biological.
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Air quality can be measured by the levels of pollutants and the amount of emissions
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Circumpolar winds spread pollution across the northern hemisphere, causing contamination hundreds of kilometers from the source.
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Gaseous pollutants include oxides of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, which cause greenhouse effects, respiratory diseases, and acid rain.
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Sulfur dioxide is a major air pollutant that often forms from burning sulfur-containing fuels. Scrubbers can reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.
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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by motor vehicles, fireplaces, and industrial processes, which is dangerous. Catalytic converters transform carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
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Ground-level ozone is formed from the breakdown of pollutants in the environment through sunlight or electrical discharges, is one type of air pollutant. Ozone damages lung and plant tissue.
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Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, cause a naturally occurring effect. Increasing levels of these gases caused by human activity is a global concern.
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Global warming is not solely caused by humans, and natural events also contribute (eg, volcanoes and forest fires).
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Biodegradation is a process where living things break down organic substances including pollutants. Microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, actively break down these substances.
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Biodegradation is affected by various factors, such as temperature, soil moisture, pH, oxygen supply, and nutrient availability.
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Phytoremediation uses plants to reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals in soil or groundwater. Plants absorb and accumulate these chemicals. Afterward, plants are removed and either burned or composted.
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Techniques like Photolysis (breakdown by sunlight) break down some compounds, but the effects depend on whether the environment includes sunlight and how harmful the substance is.
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