Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident
All Flashcards
What is the effect of high BOD on aquatic ecosystems?
Leads to low DO, causing hypoxic or anoxic conditions that harm aquatic life.
What are the environmental consequences of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
Killed wildlife, damaged fisheries, and released carbon through cleanup methods.
What are the environmental consequences of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
Oiled coastlines, killed animals, and hurt the local economy.
How can increased nutrient levels affect aquatic ecosystems?
Leads to excessive algae growth. When these algae die, they are decomposed by microorganisms, which use up large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the process. This can lead to a decrease in DO levels, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.
How do scientists monitor water quality?
By measuring dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrient levels, and disease-causing organisms/toxins.
Describe the cleanup process of oil spills.
Involves chemical dispersants and controlled burns, which release carbon into the atmosphere.
What is the Zone of Tolerance?
The range of conditions where an organism can survive and thrive.
What are indicator species?
Species sensitive to environmental changes, used to assess ecosystem health.
What is Dissolved Oxygen (DO)?
The amount of oxygen present in water, crucial for aquatic life.
What is Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)?
The amount of oxygen needed by organisms to decompose organic waste.
Define hypoxic.
An environment with low oxygen levels.
Define anoxic.
An environment with no oxygen.
What is the Oxygen Sag Curve?
A graph showing how DO levels change downstream from a pollution source.
Define nonpoint source pollution.
Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources, rather than a single identifiable location.
What are chemical dispersants?
Chemicals used to break down oil into smaller droplets for easier dispersion.