Aquatic Pollution & BMI

Question 1

Species Abundance

Answer 1

The number of individuals in a given species

Question 2

Species Richness

Answer 2

The Number of different species in a system

Question 3

True or False: Two communities could have the same species richness but different abundances

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Species Diversity

Answer 4

Takes both abundance and richness into account

Question 5

A community with high species diversity is considered to be….

Answer 5

more stable/healthy than one with a lower species diversity

Question 6

What do the types and number of individuals of species present in a system tell us

Answer 6

it gives you an idea about the quality of an aquatic system
-different assemblages of organisms tell us if the system is polluted or healthy

Question 7

Indicator Species

Answer 7

-Organisms in an aquatic system often have differential tolerances to various pollutants
-animals whose presence or absence indicates probability of pollutants (a healthy or unhealthy system)
-can give us a sense of condition over time as most are relatively long lived (more than 4 years)

Question 8

What are Benthic Macro-Invertebrates

Answer 8

-bottom dwelling
-large enough to see with the naked eye
-lack a backbone
-critical part of aquatic food chain/ecosystem

Question 9

Why are Benthic Macro-Invertebrates valuable?

Answer 9

-tend to be relatively long lived (up to 4 years)
-stay in one place during their life time
-easy to collect
They Tell you
-Shift in a particular group (ie filter feeder, grazers) can give indication of disruption to food web
-Because they have differential tolerance to pollution; presence or absence of particular taxa can be related to time or to point source pollution

Question 10

Types of BMI’s

Answer 10

Shredders (stoneflies)
Filter feeders collectors (caddisflies)
Grazers(snails, beetles)
Predators (dragonflies)

Question 11

What are the 2 Types of Aquatic Pollution

Answer 11

-point source and non-point source

Question 12

What are the two sources of pollution

Answer 12

chemical and biological sources of pollution

Question 13

Two ways the government has regulated pollution

Answer 13

-clean water act 1972
-SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) 1974

Question 14

What is Point Source Pollution

Answer 14

“any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe…”

Question 15

What is non-point source pollution

Answer 15

-nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of runoff
-When rain or melted snow moves over and through the ground, the water absorbs and assimilates any pollutants it comes into contact with. Following a heavy rainstorm, for example, water will flow across a parking lot and pick up oil left by cars driving and parking on the asphalt. When you see a rainbow-colored sheen on water flowing across the surface of a road or parking lot, you are actually looking at nonpoint source pollution.

Question 16

Chemical Pollutants

Answer 16

-Pesticides (DDT)
-Endocrine Disruptors (PCBs + other chemicals)
- Carcinogens
-Mutagens
-Pollution affects health and biodiversity

Question 17

DDT

Answer 17

-Biological Magnification/Bioaccumulation
-Developed in late 1800’s, used extensively during World War II
-Used as a pesticide to control malaria bearing mosquitoes and lice
-Saved approximately 25 million lives (WHO)
-One factor critical in increasing the public’s awareness of the dangers of pesticides, and DDT in particular, was Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring
-Silent Spring was instrumental in the Environmental movement taking hold in the US.
-problem → biomagnifies + accumulates as you go up trophic levels → weakens eggshells high in trophic levels → cannot have viable offspring

Question 18

Endocrine Disruptors

Answer 18

-things that disrupt or interrupt your endocrine system → hormones
-important → chemical massagers
-possible increased cancer risk
-Found in: Plastics, metal food cans, detergents, Flame Retardants, Food, Toys, Cosmetics, Water

Question 19

Endocrine Disruptors can cause:

Answer 19

Changes in ratio of M:F
Reduced fertility / lowered sperm counts and quality
Intersex individuals
Inability to complete hormonally driven shifts in osmoregulation (ex. Salmon)
Neurological issues
Immunological issues
Possible increased cancer risk (breast, testicular, prostate)

Question 20

Biological Pollutants

Answer 20

• ex. harmful algal blooms
  
  • aren’t always tied to nutrient inputs
  • red tide → red algae → has population blooms → causes mass fish kills → algae release toxins

Question 21

Clean Water Act

Answer 21

-Primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution.
-Prohibits discharge of pollutants unless a permit is obtained

Question 22

Safe Water Drinking Act

Answer 22

-Passed in 1974, amended in 1986 and 1996
- Administered by the EPA; regulates national drinking water
-The EPA does not regulate private wells serving fewer than 25 people