Classes of contaminants and pollutants

Question 1

what are the 3 major classes of contaminants?

Answer 1

Metals
Organics
Radiation

Question 2

thermal pollution

Answer 2

Heat discharged in water bodies alters temp - decreases dissolved Oxygen

Question 3

what is Eutrophication and dead zones?

Answer 3

Excess nutrients from agriculture and fossil fuels cause algal blooms (harmful)

Question 4

what effect do algal blooms have?

Answer 4

Depletes Oxygen (Hypoxia)

Question 5

what prevents Oxygen refreshment?

Answer 5

Stratification

Question 6

What mechanisms are used when toxicants are affecting cellular homeostatis and survival?

Answer 6

Apoptosis
Necrosis
autophagy

Question 7

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Answer 7

By-products of combustion; toxic and carcinogenic

Question 8

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Answer 8

persistent pollutants mimicking thyroid hormones (via ah pathways)

Question 9

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Answer 9

“forever chemicals” resistent to degradation

Question 10

what do “forever chemicals do?

Answer 10

linked to cancer and endocrine disruption

Question 11

Organophosphates

Answer 11

Acutely toxic pesticides

Question 12

what do Organophosphates cause?

Answer 12

Neurological symptoms

Question 13

two types of emerging Pollutants

Answer 13

-Pharmaceuticals (antidepressants etc)
-Flame retardants

Question 14

Environmental fate of contaminants depends on?

Answer 14

physical and chemical properties of contaminants
Environmental conditions

Question 15

3 Key environmental conditions

Answer 15

UV light
salinity
temperature

Question 15

what can bioaccumulation lead to?

Answer 15

long-term ecological and health risks