Unit D | Topic 2-5 | Pollution and pH Flashcards
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Definition of:
Pollution
The accumulation of a harmful or unwanted substance in the environment
Definition of:
Pollutant
A harmful substance released into the environment
What are the three things pollution can be present in?
- Water
- Land
- Air
Definition of:
Absorption (of pollution)
Chemical passed through a membrane (ex. skin)
Definition of:
Ingestion (of pollution)
Chemical is actively taken in by an organism (ex. eating or inhaling
What are the three most common forms of pesticides?
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Fungicides
Definition of:
Herbicides
Chemicals designed to kill plants (most commonly harmful weeds)
Definition of:
Insecticides
Chemicals designed to kill insects and invertebrates
Definition of:
Fungicides
Chemicals designed to kill fungi
Definition of:
Selective pesticides
Kills certain organisms but not others
Definition of:
Non-selective pesticides
Kills most if not all organisms affected by it
What are some benefits of pesticides?
- Controls the population of unwanted organisms
- Protects things like plants and crops from threats
What are some cons of pesticides?
- Chemicals can sometimes harm humans
- Chemicals can sometimes harm and kill insects important to the enviorment
Definition of:
Persistent pollutants
Pollutants that don’t break down easily and can build up in organisms
Definition of:
Bioaccumulation
The increase in concentration of a material in one organism over time
Definition of:
Biomagnification
The increase in concentration of a material as it is passed up through the food chain
Difference between:
Bioaccumulation and
biomagnification
Bioaccumulation:
Pollutants build up in one organism over time
Biomagnification:
Pollutants are gained when an organism eats another contaminated organism
Definition of:
The pH scale
The measure of how much hydrogen a substance contains
What does a pH measure of 7 indicate?
A neutral substance
What does a pH measure of 14 indicate?
A strong base
What does a pH measure of 0 indicate?
A strong acid
Characteristics of a base
- pH above 7
- Tastes bitter
- Feels slippery
- Used commonly in cleaning products
- Conducts electricity
Characteristics of an acid
- pH below 7
- Tastes sour
- Feels like water
- Found commonly in food
- Conducts electricity
Definition of:
Neutralization reactions
Reactions that occur between equal strength acids and bases
Definition of:
pH Indicators
Chemicals that change colours at different pH levels
Definition of:
Acid precipitation
Any precipitation that has a pH below 5.6
How is “acid rain” caused?
Emissions from fossil fuels containing carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur compounds added with water
What are the three common forms of acid that cause “acid rain”?
- Nitric acid
- Sulfuric acid
- Carbonate acid