diffusion and exotoxicology

Question 1

Describe how a box model can be used to represent a physical system. What are some drawbacks to using a box model?

Answer 1

• you can see inputs and outputs in a system
• it is simple and generalized. it may also make assumptions that are not true or do not provide depth
• limited spacially
• ofte assumes linear realitonship between components
• doesnt not apprecite mutliple perspectives
• external properties may be excluded

Question 1

How are steady state concentration and resident time related?

Answer 1

• steady state concentration : refers to a situation in which the amount or concentration of a substance remains relatively constant over time. it implies a balance between the input and output of a substance within a system, resulting in a stable or unchanging concentration.
• resident time: a measure of the average amount of time that a substance or an element spends in a particular system or location.
• relationship: In a system at steady-state, the residence time is directly related to the balance between input and output rates. If the input rate equals the output rate, the system is at steady-state, and the residence time represents the average time a substance spends within the system without a significant change in concentration.

If a system is not at steady-state, meaning the input and output rates are not in balance, the concentration will change over time. In this case, the residence time may not provide a stable measure because the system is experiencing a net change in the quantity of the substance.

Question 2

Describe the impacts of bioaccumulation. How is it related to bioconcentration and
biomagnification?

Answer 2

• bioaccumulated substances are often toxic to organisms and can harm/kill them. this can lead to decrease in popultions
• it can maginfy through food the food chain. organisms in higher tropic levels can accumulate higher concentrations of toxins than those at lower trophic levels. This can lead to biomagnification, posing greater risks to top predators.
• can lead to decreased biodiversity
• can contaiminate human food supply
• Bioaccumulation can disrupt the balance of ecosystems by affecting multiple species. The interconnected nature of ecosystems means that changes in one species can have cascading effects on others.
• Bioconcentration is a mechanism by which bioaccumulation occurs. It’s a direct uptake of substances from the environment into the organism.

Question 3

Why is an understanding of food web ecology needed to understand ecotoxicology?

Answer 3

• ecotoxicology: a scientific discipline that studies the effects of pollutants and environmental stressors on ecosystems
• shows the interconnected relationships within ecosystems
• helps predict how contaminants move through the food chain, affecting multiple organisms and influencing the health of the entire ecosystem.
• food web ecology provides insights into the pathways, interactions, and consequences of contaminant exposure, allowing scientists to assess and manage the impact of pollutants on biodiversity and ecosystem health
• “understanding the relationships in a community to see how a problem in one area might affect the whole neighborhood.”

Question 4

How would math be effective at understanding ecology and ecotoxicology?

Answer 4

• biomaginfication in trophic levels
• population dynamics
• analyze water purification, polluntant levels, and climate regulation
• Mathematical models in ecotoxicology predict the fate and effects of pollutants. These models help estimate exposure levels, understand toxicological mechanisms, and assess the potential risks to ecosystems.