Podcast
Questions and Answers
What compounds are primarily formed from nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere?
What compounds are primarily formed from nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere?
- NH4 and NO3
- N2 and NH3
- N2 and H2O
- NO and NO2 (correct)
What is the main role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
What is the main role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
- To fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia
- To convert ammonium into nitrites and nitrates (correct)
- To convert nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen
- To convert nitrogenous waste into ammonium
How does excess nitrogen affect plant diversity?
How does excess nitrogen affect plant diversity?
- It reduces plant diversity by diminishing the advantage of nitrogen-fixing species (correct)
- It enhances biodiversity by promoting growth
- It decreases soil fertility affecting all plants equally
- It allows only nitrogen-fixing plants to thrive
Which of the following is true about the role of mycorrhizal fungus in nitrogen fixation?
Which of the following is true about the role of mycorrhizal fungus in nitrogen fixation?
What does nitrogen deposition below the critical load indicate?
What does nitrogen deposition below the critical load indicate?
What is a common source of nitrogen pollution in water?
What is a common source of nitrogen pollution in water?
Which of the following is categorized as a source of nitrogenous air pollution?
Which of the following is categorized as a source of nitrogenous air pollution?
Which category does nitrates fall under regarding water pollution?
Which category does nitrates fall under regarding water pollution?
What process contributes to nitrogenous pollution from cars?
What process contributes to nitrogenous pollution from cars?
Which of these is not a source of nitrogen pollution in water?
Which of these is not a source of nitrogen pollution in water?
Which pollutant is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon?
Which pollutant is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon?
What type of waste is classified under oxygen-demanding waste?
What type of waste is classified under oxygen-demanding waste?
Which is a major source of nitrogen in water bodies?
Which is a major source of nitrogen in water bodies?
Which of the following does not contribute to nitrogenous water pollution?
Which of the following does not contribute to nitrogenous water pollution?
Which source of nitrogen pollution is commonly associated with agricultural practices?
Which source of nitrogen pollution is commonly associated with agricultural practices?
What is the primary consequence of fertilizer runoff in aquatic ecosystems?
What is the primary consequence of fertilizer runoff in aquatic ecosystems?
Which process is primarily initiated by the excess nitrates and phosphates from fertilizer runoff?
Which process is primarily initiated by the excess nitrates and phosphates from fertilizer runoff?
What happens to underwater plants as a result of algae blooms?
What happens to underwater plants as a result of algae blooms?
How does the decomposition of algae and dead plants affect oxygen levels in water?
How does the decomposition of algae and dead plants affect oxygen levels in water?
What is a potential long-term effect of the eutrophication process on aquatic ecosystems?
What is a potential long-term effect of the eutrophication process on aquatic ecosystems?
Which nutrient components are primarily responsible for causing eutrophication when they runoff into water bodies?
Which nutrient components are primarily responsible for causing eutrophication when they runoff into water bodies?
What effect does oxygen consumption by decomposers have on aquatic life?
What effect does oxygen consumption by decomposers have on aquatic life?
Genetically modified crops that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere could potentially address which of the following issues?
Genetically modified crops that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere could potentially address which of the following issues?
Flashcards
Sources of Nitrogen Pollution
Sources of Nitrogen Pollution
The origins of nitrogen contamination in water, including agriculture, industry, mining, and sewage.
Nitrogen Cycle Disruption
Nitrogen Cycle Disruption
The imbalance caused by excessive nitrogen input, affecting natural processes like plant growth and water quality.
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Excess nutrients in water lead to the overgrowth of algae and subsequent oxygen depletion, harming aquatic life.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
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Agricultural Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
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Sewage Treatment
Sewage Treatment
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Water Quality
Water Quality
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Sustainable Practices
Sustainable Practices
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Nitrogen Footprint
Nitrogen Footprint
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Atmospheric Nitrogen
Atmospheric Nitrogen
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Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen Fixation
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Nitrification
Nitrification
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Denitrification
Denitrification
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Excess Nitrogen
Excess Nitrogen
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Fertilizer Runoff
Fertilizer Runoff
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Algae Bloom
Algae Bloom
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Oxygen Depletion
Oxygen Depletion
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Underwater Plants Die Off
Underwater Plants Die Off
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Fish Suffocate
Fish Suffocate
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Ecosystem Collapse
Ecosystem Collapse
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course Title: SC253: Ecology and Environmental Problems
- Instructor: Prof. Amy L. Frick
- Date: November 11, 2024
Housekeeping
- Panel Presentations: Students will give ~20-minute presentations on November 18th or 25th. Topics are randomly assigned. Students not presenting will write a peer review of a classmate's presentation. No-shows will receive a 0 and are not permitted to make up the presentation.
- Extra Credit Assignment: An optional extra credit assignment is available on Brightspace, focusing on commentary from HumanProgress.org.
Schedule
- October 28: Evolution, biological magnification, mesocyclops, etc.
- November 4: Carbon, climate change
- November 11: Water, nitrogen
- November 18: Presentations, Day 1
- November 25: Presentations, Day 2
- December 2: Final exam
- December 9: Last day to submit overdue assignments
Panel Discussion Grading
- Components: Statement of purpose/concepts, two key points, counter argument, supporting information, speaking, and follow-up question answers.
- Point Values: Statement of purpose/concepts (3 points), two key points (4 points), counter argument (4 points), supporting information (3 points), speaking (4 points), answer to follow-up questions (3 points).
- Total Possible Points: 20
- Additional Information: Introduce your topic and cite facts for two key points. Anticipate what your opponent will say and refute it; Supplement your argument. Use notecards only and deliver naturally. Be ready to discuss your opinions and provide sources by presentation day.
Nitrogen
- Diagram detail of Nitrogen in the environment, illustrating sources and pathways.
- Nitrogen pollution in water – illustrations showing the impact.
- Sources of water pollution – includes infectious agents (bacteria, viruses etc)
- oxygen-demanding waste
- inorganic chemicals
- radioactive materials -plant nutrients -organic chemicals -eroded sediment -heat/thermal pollution
Nitrogen in Air
- Sources: Complete/incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen within engines.
- Pollutants: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), Particulate Carbon(soot), Unburned hydrocarbons, Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Sources of Nitrogenous Water Pollution
- Agriculture: Sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria
- Industry: Organic and inorganic chemicals
- Mining: Eroded sediments and toxic chemical runoff
Nitrogen Cycle
- Diagram illustrating the nitrogen cycle
- Transformations & agents involved: Nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification.
- Importance of Bacteria: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria play key roles in various nitrogen transformation processes.
Nitrogen in Plants
- Mycorrhizal fungus: helps plants take up nitrogen and phosphates
- Genetically modified crops: Legumes and cereal crops; approaches such as nodule forming symbiosis, heterologous expression, etc.
Cultured Meat
- Process: Removal of muscle tissue, stem cells, and growth with plant-based serum.
- End product: Cultured meat ready for consumption
Eutrophication
- Process: Fertilizer runoff (nitrates, phosphates) → Algae bloom → Aquatic plant death → Oxygen depletion → Fish suffocation → Ecosystem collapse
- Visual aids of the process (illustrations).
- Geographical distribution of Eutrophic and Hypoxic Areas.
- Critical load of nitrogen needed to reduce species diversity in relation to a map of the USA.
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