Exam 4 Environmental Science Flashcards
Traditional VS Modern Hazards
Traditional-related to poverty and lack of development
-Caused by tech development
What does Traditional and modern hazards effect?
traditional- developing countries and poor people
modern- industrial countries (traditional hazards are low)
How does antibiotic resistance develop?
- Few germs are drug resistant
2 Antibiotics kill bacteria - drug-resistant bacteria can grow and take over
- bacteria give their drug-resistance to others (more problems)
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY: Acute effect
rapid & large amounts
(eating tie pods)
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY: Chronic effect
long term exposure & low levels/hard to measure
(lung cancer from smoking early age)
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY: LD-50
lethal to 50% population
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY: ED-50
significant response to 50% population
What are environmental contaminants?
classifications based on it action/effects
What are 2 examples of environmental contaminants?
- Endocrine disruptor
- Neurotoxin
What is bioremediation?
Using organisms to clean up pollution
What is an example of bioremediation? How?
Wastewater treatment
-microbes remove dissolved waste in water
What is the Superfund?
Established by CIRCLA in 1980
-allows EPA to clean up certain sites
-forces companies to pay
-“polluter pay” tax
Surface Water resources?
Rivers, lakes, glaciers
What is watershed?
An area drained by a river
What is a reservoir?
artificial lake, created by damming a river
Where is groundwater located? Originates from?
Pore (small) spaces
-Originates from rain or snowmelt
Groundwater rates
groundwater resources are depleting at rates that EXCEED RECHARGE
What are recharge areas?
water goes into ground
What is the greatest use of water?
AGRICULTURE
-irrigation, livestock, home use, commercial/industrial use, electric power generation.
Point Source VS Non point source
Point
- can be traced to specific area (direct source)
Non point
-cannot be traces
Process of eutrophication
- Phytoplankton die, become oxygen demanding waste.
- Oxygen consumed, water become hypoxic
- Hypoxic/anoxic waters lead to dead zone, causing Ecological Catastrophe
Differences in water
Developing world VS developed world
What are the top 3 staple crops?
- Corn 2. Rice 3. Wheat
What are issues with crops making up 51% of all calories?
War, diseases, nutritional deficiencies, food security.
What is hunger?
-calories taken in is LESS THAN minimum dietary energy requirement
(chronic undernourishment)
What is Malnourished?
Not receiving enough macronutrients (calories)
What is Obesity?
Negative health effects
T/F: A person can be obese and malnourished,
True
-processed foods supply calories, not always macronutrients
Genetic modification before genetic engineering
Traditional breeding practices.
Genetic modifying traits of wild species.
What are the benefits of genetic engineering?
Enhanced nutrition, cheaper production, reduced pesticides.
What are concerns of genetic engineering?
Interbreeding w/ native species, consumers right to choose, long-term ecological effects, human health risk, intellectual property rights
Evidence of Problems with GE crops?
There is NO EVIDENCE on
ecological harm from genetic transfer to wild
species OR harm to human health
What are 3 soil forming factors? How do they impact the formation of soil?
1.Organisms- organic matter, nutrient cycling, mixing, aerating
2. Relief -soil erosion
3. Climate- growing season length and decomposition rates
Soil Horizons?
(O)rganic
(A) topsoil-minerals& organic matter,plant growth
(B) subsoil- leached minerals
(C) substratum- parent material soil
(R) Bedrock- rock
Characteristics of Conventional Agriculture
-Large c.i.
-monocultures
-large scale farms
-Mechanization
-pesticides/herbicides
-fertilizers
What are 2 Concerns of Conventional Agriculture?
Habitat loss & water pollution
Pesticide
substance used to repel or destroy pests
Herbicide
substance killing the growth of unwanted plants
Fungicide
pesticides that kill/prevent the growth of fungi and their spores
Insecticide
pesticides that kill/repel insects
Benefits of using chemical pesticides?
increase agricultural productivity AND limit disease
Consequences of using chemical pesticides?
negative impacts on non-pest species, health impacts (lymphoma, leukemia)
Persistent organic pollutants
chemicals that are toxic to humans and wildlife
Bioaccumulative
organism absorbs a substance faster than it can be eliminated
Endocrine disruptors
mimic or interfere with the
body’s hormones.
Grasshopper effect
process that moves certain chemicals from warmer to colder areas of the Earth
Define Sustainable Agriculture
farming to meet society’s present food and textile needs while protecting the environment
Name two characteristics of organic farming
use of renewable resources, conservation of soil/water
How much food wasted in the U.S.?
40%
How can I reduce my Food print?
Shop at farmer’s markets, bring my own cup and silverware when going out to eat, don’t go to buffets, cook at home more and use all of the parts of the food.
