Lecture #5

Question 1

compounds above log Kow = 5

Answer 1

-too hydrophobic, start partitioning out -downturn in graph -HBCD (flame retardant)

Question 2

log Kow x log BCF graph: persistent pollutants

Answer 2

-high BCF and Kow ~5 -DDT, PCBs, PBDEs

Question 3

log Kow x log BCF graph: Kow ~2-5

Answer 3

Kow effectively predicts BCF

Question 4

log Kow x log BCF graph: compounds that do not accumulate

Answer 4

-low BCF and Kow ~5 -cancer drugs -actively excluded by the cells

Question 5

log Kow x log BCF graph: organic mercury

Answer 5

-low Kow and BCF ~5 -doesn’t associate with fat

Question 6

log Kow x log BCF graph: inorganic mercury

Answer 6

-low Kow and low BCF

Question 7

Chemicals in the environment undergo reactions

Answer 7

1. oxidation-reduction reactions 2. hydrolysis reactions 3. photolysis reactions 4. biotransformation by bacteria or other organisms

Question 8

main sources of mercury in the atmosphere

Answer 8

-50-70% from burning coal -the rest is largely from volcanoes liberating mercury in the earth’s core -small inputs from other sources

Question 9

uses for mercury

Answer 9

-thermometer/thermostat -light switches -coolant -fishing lures

Question 10

Minamata Disease

Answer 10

-mercury is a potent neurotoxin -Chisso chemical factory released methyl mercury into Minamata Bay -symptoms of neurotoxicity appeared in the population

Question 11

Masazumi Harada

Answer 11

instrumental in linking disease to the Chisso discharge

Question 12

major route of human exposure to mercury

Answer 12

fishies

Question 13

Minamata Convention

Answer 13

-2013 -plan to phase out/ban mercury mines and monitor emissions better

Question 14

log Kow x log BCF graph

Answer 14