All Flashcards
What is the effect of DDT biomagnification on bird populations?
Thinning of eggshells, leading to population declines.
What are the effects of methylmercury exposure on humans?
Nervous system damage and developmental issues.
How does the loss of keystone species affect ecosystems?
Can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, leading to imbalance.
What is the effect of warmer ocean temperatures on methylmercury levels?
Increased rate of mercury conversion and fish metabolism, leading to higher levels.
What is the effect of biomagnification on human health?
Exposure to toxins through contaminated food sources, leading to various health problems.
What is the effect of DDT persistence in the environment?
Continued disruption of food chains and potential harm to wildlife.
What is the effect of mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems?
Bioaccumulation in fish and biomagnification up the food chain, posing risks to wildlife and humans.
What are the effects of POPs on the environment?
Long-term contamination, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and adverse effects on wildlife and human health.
What is the effect of biomagnification on top predators?
Accumulation of high concentrations of toxins, leading to health problems and population declines.
What is the effect of DDT on the reproductive success of birds?
Interference with calcium deposition, resulting in thin and fragile eggshells, and reduced reproductive success.
What are the steps of biomagnification?
- Toxins enter the ecosystem. 2. Small organisms absorb toxins. 3. Larger organisms eat smaller ones, concentrating toxins. 4. Apex predators accumulate the highest concentrations.
How does methylmercury form and enter the food chain?
- Bacteria convert inorganic mercury to methylmercury. 2. Small organisms absorb it. 3. It biomagnifies up the food chain.
How did DDT affect bird populations?
- DDT was sprayed. 2. It accumulated in algae. 3. Small fish ate algae. 4. Larger fish ate small fish. 5. Birds of prey ate larger fish, leading to eggshell thinning.
What is the process of bioaccumulation in a fish?
- Fish is exposed to pollutants in water. 2. Pollutants are absorbed into the fish's tissues. 3. Pollutants accumulate over the fish's lifetime.
How does mercury end up in tuna?
- Mercury enters the ocean. 2. Bacteria convert it to methylmercury. 3. Small organisms absorb methylmercury. 4. Tuna eat these organisms, accumulating methylmercury.
Describe the process of DDT entering the food chain.
- DDT is sprayed on crops or water. 2. It is absorbed by plants or algae. 3. Herbivores consume the plants/algae. 4. Carnivores consume the herbivores, increasing DDT concentration.
What are the steps in mercury biomagnification in aquatic ecosystems?
- Mercury deposition from atmosphere. 2. Conversion to methylmercury by bacteria. 3. Uptake by plankton. 4. Consumption by small fish. 5. Biomagnification in larger fish.
How does biomagnification affect the food web?
- Pollutants enter at the base. 2. Concentration increases at each trophic level. 3. Top predators accumulate highest levels. 4. Disrupts ecosystem stability.
Outline the process of DDT's impact on birds of prey.
- DDT enters the food chain. 2. Birds consume contaminated prey. 3. DDT interferes with calcium deposition. 4. Eggshells become thin and fragile. 5. Reproductive success declines.
How does climate change influence mercury biomagnification?
- Warmer waters increase bacterial activity. 2. More methylmercury is produced. 3. Fish metabolism increases, leading to higher uptake. 4. Biomagnification intensifies.
Why are apex predators most affected by biomagnification?
They consume organisms from lower trophic levels, accumulating higher toxin concentrations.
How does bioaccumulation differ from biomagnification?
Bioaccumulation is within one organism; biomagnification is across the food chain.
What role do small organisms play in biomagnification?
They absorb toxins and pass them up the food chain when consumed.
Why is DDT harmful to birds of prey?
It causes thinning of eggshells, leading to population declines.
How does climate change affect methylmercury levels?
Warmer ocean temperatures increase mercury conversion and fish metabolism, leading to higher levels.
What are the long-term effects of DDT in the environment?
DDT persists in the environment and can still affect ecosystems and disrupt food chains.
How can biomagnification lead to ecosystem imbalance?
Loss of keystone species due to biomagnification can have cascading effects.
What human health problems can result from biomagnification?
Nervous system damage, developmental issues, reproductive failure, and behavioral changes.
Why is biomagnification a global concern?
Pollutants can travel long distances and affect ecosystems far from the source.
How does biomagnification affect human food sources?
Contaminates seafood and other food sources, posing health risks.