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5.2- Pollutants in Ecosystems
N/A
36
Science
10th Grade
11/18/2012

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Cards

Term
How does the balance in the ecosystem get disrupted?
Definition
By introducing pollutants into the atmosphere
Term

Give an example of a balanced ecosystem

 

Definition

answers can vary:

1) Ntrients when organisms die and decomposes make their components available to other organisms

2) bacteria reduces waste materials, converting them into useful substances for other organisms

3) The carbon cycle; where CO2 becomes a vital reactant for photosynthesis in producers

Term

What are pollutants, and how do they affect population growth?

 

Definition
Substances introduced into air, water, soil or food in concentrations that threaten the health or survival of organisms. They can affect natural population growth by destroying habitat and food sources, or by killing organisms
Term
What is the most common source of pollutants?
Definition
human technology
Term

What is air pollution composed of?

 

Definition
gases and suspended materials that are added to the atmosphere
Term
water pollution includes what?
Definition
substances that ultimately end up in fresh and salt water
Term
Explain the relationship between cycling of matter and pollutants
Definition
The cycling of matter cause pollutants to often move between air, water, and land.
Term

What are most air pollutants a result of?

 

Definition
Human activity
Term
What are VOCs?
Definition
Volatile organic compounds of hydrogen and carbon like fuels. It comes from cars, and unburned fuels that combine with air pollutants to form smog and ground-level ozone
Term
what impacts does carbon monoxide have on the ecosystem?
Definition
  • intereres with respiration
  • causes death in high concentrations
  • forms ozone
Term
What is sulfur dioxide?
Definition
A colourless gas that smells like burnt matches. It comes form volcanic eruptions, burning of coal and oil, and copper smelting. It forms acid rain, dissolves in water and soil, and interferes with plant growth.
Term

Nitrogen monoxide and dioxide come from.......

 

Definition
burning of fossil fuels, and industrial processes
Term
What is ground-level ozone?
Definition
A colourless gas produced by a chemical reaction wtih nitrogen monoxide, VOCs and sunlight. It interferes with plant growth, is a component of smog and causes respiratory problems in animals
Term
What are sources of particulate matter?
Definition
dust, soot, smoke, fuel droplets, tar, pesticides, and asbestos
Term
What is one important consequence of air pollution?
Definition
Acid Precipitation or Acid rain
Term
Explain how acid rain is formed
Definition

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen monoxide react with water vapour forming acidic compounds. Prevailing winds blow the pollutants and fall as precipitation

 

Term
Organisms within ecosystems are adapted to survive within a certain....
Definition
pH range or range of acidity
Term
Which organisms are most affected by the acidity of environments? What happens to them?
Definition
Aquatic organisms. Populations of fish can be killed.
Term
What are the impacts of acid precipitation?
Definition
Waters are cleared, leaes are damaged, and so is soil
Term
What are used to fix the problem of acid rain?
Definition
Limestone, and lime to neutralize it
Term
What is dissolved oxygen?
Definition
Dissolved oxygen is microscopic oxygen bubbles in water.
Term
How do toxins accumulate into the food chain?
Definition
As organisms die, chemicals and toxins contaminate the bodies of the fish. When other fish feed on the dead organism, they also get contaminated, and eventually die. This cycle repeats.
Term
How do pollutants enter water sources?
Definition
Through runoff from land, or when added directly to the water, such as oil spills and sewage.
Term
What is thermal energy? (Refer to textbook.)
Definition
Thermal energy is the result of hot water being added to natural water; impacts the ecosystem by decreasing the solubility of oxygen in water.
Term
What are some water pollutants? Name three.
Definition
Some water pollutants include:
Organic soild waste
Dissolved and liquid organic compounds
Disease-causing organisms
Inorganic solids and dissolved elements
Thermal energy
Term
What is one positive thing about sewage being added to our waters?
Definition
The nutrients in the waste can promote the growth of aquatic plants.
Term
What, or who, is mainly responsible for the pollution of our waters?
Definition
Humans have a big impact on the pollution of our waters. Some examples include oil spills, sewage, pesticides, and mining.
Term
Explain the impact of disease-causing organisms.
Definition
These organisms lead to the outbreak of diseases to animals which drink the water the organisms live in.
Term
What is one way to identify water quality and pollution?
Definition
The abundance of trout can indicate high levels of dissolved oxygen, while, an abundance of carp and catfish indicates lower level oxygen levels.
Term
How do human communities deal with reducing land pollution?
Definition
Regulations exist to control what can be dumped and what cannot, recycle programs are in place, and special disposal sites are provided for hazardous wastes.
Term
What are the three R's?
Definition
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Term
Name three impacts of land pollution.
Definition
Possible answers:
Reproduction problems for animals, plant growth reduced,seeping into the soil,consumes space, methane gas, pollutes air, leads to animals in urban areas, cancer in animals, affects the food chain.
Term
Name the three types of land pollutants.
Definition
Hazardous wastes, radioactive wastes, and solid wastes.
Term
Give some examples of hazardous wastes.
Definition
Examples may include:
fire retardants, electrical transformers, hydraulic systems, pest control, coal or copper mining.
Term
Explain why it is so difficult to find the source of air and water pollution.
Definition
Pollution in water can drift as far as thousands of miles away, and pollution in air are blown to other areas around the world. The sources are near impossible to find, because the pollutants are too spread out.
Term
Copy this question down for a prize! First come first serve only!
(Flip the card)
Definition
WHEN DOES THE NARWHAL BACON?
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