Unit 2 Flashcards
Chemical structure of water
H2O - 2 hydrogen, one oxygen
Water polarity
H2O is a polar molecule, that can dissolve other polar molecules, it bonds with other chemicals making it stick to other things.
Water density- why is it important
Ice or cold water is less dense than water causing the ice to flat on top protecting the animals
Water as a universal solvent - and why is it important
Because of waters polarity it is the universal solvent, it dissolves chemicals, excess nutrients, minerals and waste and it spreads out toxins, good but harder to clean out of water
Water high melting point - why important
Water remains liquid over wide range of temps, important because it prevent temperature pollution and freezing over
Water high heat capacity - why important
Water can absorb heat without too much change preventing temperature pollution
Cooling effect of evaporation-why important
Evaporated heat - cools down water
Water cycle
Evapurates- condensation - perception- runoff
What % of earth’s surface is covered in water
75%
What % of earths water is salt water
98%
What % of earths water is easily accessible to humans
Less than 1%
Where is most freshwater found
Glaciers
Underground
How is oil formed
Aquatic organisms decay and sediment develops over them the pressure create kerogen, then the heat from the earths mantle turns the kerogen into hydrocarbon carbons creating oil
Dangers of oil spills
Creates smog
Covers animals in oil causing them to die because they are unable to control body temp
Methods for cleaning oil spills
Vaccunes: industrial vaccines that suction oil from the shore
Booms- barriers that contain spread of oil spills
what are heavy metals + a few examples
Naturally occurring metallic elements
Ex- iron, zinc, lead, mercury
Primary way lead gets into our water sources
Lead Pipes
What lead to flint MI water crisis - 2014
Switched water source from Delaware’s water to flint river. The river water was not treated and ended up breaking down the lead pipes leaving lead in the water supply poisoning the town
What is thermal pollution
Lower water qualities caused by water temp changes
Primary causes of thermal pollution
Industrial cooling systems dumping back warm water
Soil erosion
Deforestation
Environmental impacts of thermal pollution
Harms aquatic animals
Warm water prenotes growth of harmful bacteria
Worsens air a quality
What is a water borne pathogen
Microorganisms that contaminate water sources and harms humans and animals
Major causes of water-borne pathogens
Waste run off
Septic tank leakage
Improper waste disposal
Ways to limit/prevent water-born pathogen diseases
Better water treatment systems
Water quality monitoring
Wastewater management
What is particulate matter
Tiny particles of substances suspended in water
Bioaccumulation - why is it bad for animals at top of the food chain
Build up of toxic chemicals in an animals body
Species top of the food chain consume other contaminated organisms/animals meaning their bioaccumulation grows faster
Great pacific garbage patch - what is it, what’s it mostly made of
A large area in the Pacific Ocean full of trash and plastic made of mostly micro plastics
Why is the great pacific garbage patch so hard to clean up
Because the micro plastic are so small they are hard to clean up
What does PFAS stand for
Per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Why are PFAS known as “forever chemicals”
Don’t break down because of the chemical structure
Why are PFAS found in so many things?
Water & stain resistant -and non-stick items
Used in clothing, food packaging, cooking wear and firefighting foam
Role of PFAs, DuPont and 3M in the environmental and human health disaster in Parkersburg, west virgins
3M - major producer and seller of PFAS
Dupont - produces PFAS and dumped waste into Parkersburg’s land, water and air
- PFAS causes animal deaths, human health issues
Health risk with exposure to PFAS
Developmental issues in children
Liver damage
Increased risk of cancer
Primary nutrients that lead to nutrient pollution
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Main sources of nutrient pollution
Runoff from farms
Wastewater
Industrial waste
Dead zones - what are they and how are they formed
Zones Where there is no dissolved oxygen causes by decaying algae blooms formed through eutrophication
Eutrophication
Excess nutrients cause algae blooms - algae die and decompose, consuming oxygen - oxygen depletion leads to dead fish and “dead zones”
Additional negative effects or nutrient pollution
Disruption of aquatic food webs
Loss of bio diversity in affected eco systems
