AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Pollution And Human Health

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Pollution And Human Health, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the definition of 'biomagnification'?

Answer: Increase in concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain. Toxins become more concentrated at higher trophic levels through bioaccumulation.

Flashcard 2: State one method for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions.

Answer: Using scrubbers in industrial plants. Scrubbers chemically remove sulfur compounds from industrial exhaust gases.

Flashcard 3: What is the main greenhouse gas emitted from agricultural activities?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Livestock digestion and rice cultivation produce significant methane emissions.

Flashcard 4: State the main effect of carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

Answer: Contribution to global warming. Traps heat in atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect.

Flashcard 5: What is the main source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?

Answer: Refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Used in cooling systems and spray products before being phased out.

Flashcard 6: Which pollutant is commonly found in acid deposition?

Answer: Sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$). Forms when sulfur dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 7: Identify a primary source of carbon monoxide emissions.

Answer: Motor vehicle exhaust. Cars and trucks burn fuel incompletely, producing CO as a toxic byproduct.

Flashcard 8: What is the primary cause of thermal pollution?

Answer: Discharge of heated water from industrial processes. Power plants and factories release hot water that raises aquatic temperatures.

Flashcard 9: Which indoor pollutant is a byproduct of combustion?

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Incomplete burning of fuels in stoves, heaters, and fireplaces produces CO.

Flashcard 10: Which heavy metal contaminant is commonly found in industrial wastewater?

Answer: Mercury. Used in industrial processes and persists in water, accumulating in organisms.

Flashcard 11: State one health effect of exposure to high levels of noise pollution.

Answer: Hearing loss. Excessive noise damages hair cells in the inner ear permanently.

Flashcard 12: What is the primary cause of thermal pollution?

Answer: Discharge of heated water from industrial processes. Power plants and factories release hot water that raises aquatic temperatures.

Flashcard 13: Name a common source of non-point source pollution.

Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers and pesticides from farms spread over large areas without specific discharge points.

Flashcard 14: Which heavy metal contaminant is commonly found in industrial wastewater?

Answer: Mercury. Used in industrial processes and persists in water, accumulating in organisms.

Flashcard 15: Identify a pollution control method for reducing nitrogen oxides.

Answer: Catalytic converters. Convert nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in vehicle exhaust.

Flashcard 16: What is a common source of dioxins in the environment?

Answer: Industrial waste incineration. High-temperature burning releases these persistent organic pollutants into air.

Flashcard 17: What is the chemical formula for ozone?

Answer: $O_3$. Three oxygen atoms bonded together form this reactive gas molecule.

Flashcard 18: What is the chemical formula for ozone?

Answer: $O_3$. Three oxygen atoms bonded together form this reactive gas molecule.

Flashcard 19: Identify a common effect of waterborne pathogens on human health.

Answer: Gastrointestinal illness. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites in contaminated water cause digestive infections.

Flashcard 20: What is the main health effect of prolonged exposure to particulate matter?

Answer: Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and enter bloodstream, causing chronic health issues.

Flashcard 21: Identify a primary source of noise pollution.

Answer: Transportation vehicles. Cars, trucks, and airplanes generate significant mechanical and engine noise.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary effect of carbon monoxide on human health?

Answer: Reduced oxygen delivery to the body's organs. Binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, causing oxygen starvation.

Flashcard 23: What is the primary source of formaldehyde indoors?

Answer: Building materials and household products. Adhesives, paints, and pressed wood products release formaldehyde gas indoors.

Flashcard 24: What is the main consequence of eutrophication in aquatic environments?

Answer: Decreased oxygen levels. Excess nutrients fuel algae growth, which depletes oxygen when decomposing.

Flashcard 25: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Combines with water vapor to form sulfuric acid, which falls as acid precipitation.

Flashcard 26: State one health effect of lead exposure.

Answer: Neurological damage. Lead accumulates in the brain, disrupting neural development and function.

Flashcard 27: State one health risk associated with high ozone levels.

Answer: Respiratory irritation. Ground-level ozone inflames airways and reduces lung function.

Flashcard 28: What is the main source of particulate matter in urban areas?

Answer: Vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Combustion and mechanical processes release fine particles into urban air.

Flashcard 29: Identify a key indicator of water quality.

Answer: Dissolved oxygen levels. Low oxygen indicates organic pollution and ecosystem stress.

Flashcard 30: State one method for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions.

Answer: Using scrubbers in industrial plants. Scrubbers chemically remove sulfur compounds from industrial exhaust gases.

Flashcard 31: Identify a health effect of chronic exposure to benzene.

Answer: Leukemia. Benzene damages bone marrow, leading to blood cancer development.

Flashcard 32: What is a major source of mercury pollution?

Answer: Coal-fired power plants. Coal contains mercury impurities released during combustion.

Flashcard 33: What is the main health concern associated with asbestos exposure?

Answer: Lung cancer and asbestosis. Inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring and malignant tumors in lungs.

Flashcard 34: What is the primary source of formaldehyde indoors?

Answer: Building materials and household products. Adhesives, paints, and pressed wood products release formaldehyde gas indoors.

Flashcard 35: Which air pollutant is commonly associated with vehicle emissions?

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Incomplete fuel combustion in engines produces this odorless, toxic gas.

Flashcard 36: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Combines with water vapor to form sulfuric acid, which falls as acid precipitation.

Flashcard 37: Identify the main component of photochemical smog.

Answer: Ozone ($O_3$). Forms when sunlight triggers reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Flashcard 38: Which pollutant is commonly found in acid deposition?

Answer: Sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$). Forms when sulfur dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 39: What is the definition of 'air pollution'?

Answer: Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere. Includes gases, particles, and chemicals that harm human health and the environment.

Flashcard 40: Name a common source of non-point source pollution.

Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers and pesticides from farms spread over large areas without specific discharge points.

Flashcard 41: What is the main greenhouse gas emitted from agricultural activities?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Livestock digestion and rice cultivation produce significant methane emissions.

Flashcard 42: What is the main source of particulate matter in urban areas?

Answer: Vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Combustion and mechanical processes release fine particles into urban air.

Flashcard 43: What is the main consequence of eutrophication in aquatic environments?

Answer: Decreased oxygen levels. Excess nutrients fuel algae growth, which depletes oxygen when decomposing.

Flashcard 44: State the main effect of carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

Answer: Contribution to global warming. Traps heat in atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect.

Flashcard 45: State one health risk associated with high ozone levels.

Answer: Respiratory irritation. Ground-level ozone inflames airways and reduces lung function.

Flashcard 46: What is a major source of mercury pollution?

Answer: Coal-fired power plants. Coal contains mercury impurities released during combustion.

Flashcard 47: What is the primary source of nitrogen oxides in urban areas?

Answer: Vehicle emissions. High-temperature combustion in engines produces nitrogen oxides from atmospheric nitrogen.

Flashcard 48: Identify a primary source of carbon monoxide emissions.

Answer: Motor vehicle exhaust. Cars and trucks burn fuel incompletely, producing CO as a toxic byproduct.

Flashcard 49: State one health effect of exposure to high levels of noise pollution.

Answer: Hearing loss. Excessive noise damages hair cells in the inner ear permanently.

Flashcard 50: Identify a health effect of chronic exposure to benzene.

Answer: Leukemia. Benzene damages bone marrow, leading to blood cancer development.

Flashcard 51: What is the definition of 'biomagnification'?

Answer: Increase in concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain. Toxins become more concentrated at higher trophic levels through bioaccumulation.

Flashcard 52: Identify a primary source of noise pollution.

Answer: Transportation vehicles. Cars, trucks, and airplanes generate significant mechanical and engine noise.

Flashcard 53: What is the main source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?

Answer: Refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Used in cooling systems and spray products before being phased out.

Flashcard 54: What is a primary source of phosphorus in water bodies?

Answer: Fertilizer runoff. Agricultural fertilizers contain phosphorus that washes into waterways during rainfall.

Flashcard 55: What is a primary source of phosphorus in water bodies?

Answer: Fertilizer runoff. Agricultural fertilizers contain phosphorus that washes into waterways during rainfall.

Flashcard 56: Identify a method for controlling indoor air pollution.

Answer: Ventilation and air filtration. Fresh air circulation and filters remove indoor contaminants effectively.

Flashcard 57: Identify a key indicator of water quality.

Answer: Dissolved oxygen levels. Low oxygen indicates organic pollution and ecosystem stress.

Flashcard 58: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere through catalytic reactions.

Flashcard 59: Identify a common effect of waterborne pathogens on human health.

Answer: Gastrointestinal illness. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites in contaminated water cause digestive infections.

Flashcard 60: Which indoor pollutant is a byproduct of combustion?

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Incomplete burning of fuels in stoves, heaters, and fireplaces produces CO.

Flashcard 61: What is a common source of dioxins in the environment?

Answer: Industrial waste incineration. High-temperature burning releases these persistent organic pollutants into air.

Flashcard 62: What is the definition of 'water pollution'?

Answer: Contamination of water bodies by harmful substances. Includes chemical, biological, and physical pollutants that degrade water quality.

Flashcard 63: What is the primary source of nitrogen oxides in urban areas?

Answer: Vehicle emissions. High-temperature combustion in engines produces nitrogen oxides from atmospheric nitrogen.

Flashcard 64: What is the primary source of radon gas indoors?

Answer: Natural decay of uranium in soil. Uranium in rocks and soil naturally decays, releasing radioactive radon gas.

Flashcard 65: What is the definition of 'point source pollution'?

Answer: Pollution from a single, identifiable source. Originates from a specific location like a factory pipe or sewage outfall.

Flashcard 66: What is the main health effect of prolonged exposure to particulate matter?

Answer: Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and enter bloodstream, causing chronic health issues.

Flashcard 67: What is the primary source of radon gas indoors?

Answer: Natural decay of uranium in soil. Uranium in rocks and soil naturally decays, releasing radioactive radon gas.

Flashcard 68: What is the definition of 'water pollution'?

Answer: Contamination of water bodies by harmful substances. Includes chemical, biological, and physical pollutants that degrade water quality.

Flashcard 69: Identify a pollution control method for reducing nitrogen oxides.

Answer: Catalytic converters. Convert nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in vehicle exhaust.

Flashcard 70: What is the primary effect of carbon monoxide on human health?

Answer: Reduced oxygen delivery to the body's organs. Binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, causing oxygen starvation.

Flashcard 71: State one health effect of lead exposure.

Answer: Neurological damage. Lead accumulates in the brain, disrupting neural development and function.

Flashcard 72: Which air pollutant is commonly associated with vehicle emissions?

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Incomplete fuel combustion in engines produces this odorless, toxic gas.

Flashcard 73: What is the definition of 'air pollution'?

Answer: Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere. Includes gases, particles, and chemicals that harm human health and the environment.