Environmental Chemistry PAT
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chemical factors that may affect an aquatic environment 5
• pH • Dissolved oxygen levels • Nutrient levels (nitrates and phosphates) • Toxic chemicals (pollutants) • Salinity (salt concentration)
how might the levels and concentration of chemicals change over time 6
• Degradation (Breaking Down) • Biomagnification • Adsorption • Transport and Dilution • Volatility: Some chemicals evaporate into the air (turning into gas), which lowers their concentration in soil or water.
nutrient
A nutrient is a substance that living organisms need to grow, survive, and carry out life processes.
inorganic nutrients
essential chemical elements and compounds that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds and originate from non-living sources, such as soil, water, and air.
organic nutrients
carbon-containing chemical compounds taken from living or once-living matter.
the 4 main organic nutrients
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins
macrominerals
Macrominerals are minerals that living organisms need in relatively large amounts to stay healthy and carry out normal body functions.
trace elements
Trace elements are minerals that living organisms need in very small amounts to stay healthy.
the three types of pesticides
Herbicides, fungicides, insecticides
herbicides
control weeds
insectacides
kills insects
fungicides
control fungus pests
how is acid rain produced
Acid rain is formed when pollutant gases from burning fuels mix with water in the atmosphere and form weak acids.
how can acid rain be combatted
Acid rain can be reduced by stopping or lowering the release of the gases that cause it (SO₂ and NOₓ) and by repairing environmental damage.
the properties of acids and bases
Acids * Taste sour * Have a pH less than 7 * Can be corrosive * Turn blue litmus paper red * Example: lemon juice, vinegar Bases * Taste bitter (not safe to taste in real life) * Have a pH greater than 7 * Feel slippery * Turn red litmus paper blue * Example: baking soda, soap Neutral (for reference): *pH of 7 (like pure water)
why is toxicity measured by LD50
Toxicity is measured by LD50 because it gives a standard way to compare how poisonous substances are.
LD50
The amount of a substance that causes 50% of a group of test animals to die if they are exposed to it in a single dose
toxicity
The ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism
biological indicators
Biological indicators are living organisms used to measure the health of an environment, especially air or water quality.
chemical indicators
Chemical indicators are substances used to test the pH (acidity or alkalinity) of a solution by changing colour.
bioremedation
Bioremediation is the use of living organisms (like bacteria, fungi, or plants) to clean up pollution in the environment.
biomagnification
The increase in concentration of a substance that occurs in the food chain.