AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Eutrophication

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Eutrophication, 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: Which type of pollution is linked to eutrophication?

Answer: Non-point source pollution. Diffuse pollution from many sources like farms and urban areas.

Flashcard 2: What is eutrophication?

Answer: Excessive nutrient enrichment in water bodies leading to algae blooms. Occurs when too many nutrients cause rapid plant growth and ecosystem imbalance.

Flashcard 3: Identify a common indicator of eutrophication in water.

Answer: Increased turbidity. Algae growth makes water cloudy and reduces light penetration.

Flashcard 4: Which aquatic organisms are most directly impacted by hypoxia?

Answer: Fish and invertebrates. Require dissolved oxygen for cellular respiration and are first to die.

Flashcard 5: What is the relationship between eutrophication and dead zones?

Answer: Eutrophication creates dead zones. Oxygen depletion creates areas where most marine life cannot survive.

Flashcard 6: Which aquatic organisms are most directly impacted by hypoxia?

Answer: Fish and invertebrates. Require dissolved oxygen for cellular respiration and are first to die.

Flashcard 7: Name a consequence of hypoxia in aquatic environments.

Answer: Fish kills. Low oxygen levels suffocate fish and other aerobic aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 8: What is the relationship between eutrophication and dead zones?

Answer: Eutrophication creates dead zones. Oxygen depletion creates areas where most marine life cannot survive.

Flashcard 9: How does eutrophication affect aquatic food webs?

Answer: Disrupts trophic levels. Changes primary producers and eliminates species dependent on clear water.

Flashcard 10: Identify a chemical method to control eutrophication.

Answer: Alum treatment. Chemical that binds phosphorus, making it unavailable to algae.

Flashcard 11: What is the role of decomposers in eutrophication?

Answer: They consume oxygen while breaking down algae. Bacterial decomposition of dead algae uses up dissolved oxygen.

Flashcard 12: What is a visible sign of algal blooms?

Answer: Green surface scum. Dense algae mats float on surface creating characteristic green appearance.

Flashcard 13: What role do wetlands play in controlling eutrophication?

Answer: Nutrient filtration. Plants absorb excess nutrients and slow water flow to trap sediments.

Flashcard 14: Name an ecological effect of eutrophication.

Answer: Loss of fish habitat. Oxygen depletion eliminates suitable living conditions for many fish species.

Flashcard 15: What is a negative effect on humans from eutrophication?

Answer: Contaminated drinking water. Toxic algae and poor water quality make water unsafe for consumption.

Flashcard 16: Identify a legislative measure to combat eutrophication.

Answer: Clean Water Act. Federal law regulating water pollution and nutrient discharge limits.

Flashcard 17: Identify a societal impact of eutrophication.

Answer: Economic loss in fisheries. Reduced fish populations and water quality affect commercial fishing industry.

Flashcard 18: Identify a primary nutrient causing eutrophication.

Answer: Phosphorus. Key limiting nutrient that triggers rapid algae growth when abundant.

Flashcard 19: What is the role of riparian buffers in eutrophication control?

Answer: They reduce nutrient flow. Vegetation along waterways absorbs nutrients and prevents erosion.

Flashcard 20: Identify a legislative measure to combat eutrophication.

Answer: Clean Water Act. Federal law regulating water pollution and nutrient discharge limits.

Flashcard 21: What is the impact of eutrophication on biodiversity?

Answer: Biodiversity loss. Altered habitat conditions eliminate sensitive species and favor few tolerant ones.

Flashcard 22: Which process results from algae blooms in eutrophication?

Answer: Hypoxia or oxygen depletion. Dead algae decomposition consumes dissolved oxygen, creating oxygen-poor conditions.

Flashcard 23: Which factor exacerbates the effects of eutrophication?

Answer: Rising temperatures. Heat accelerates metabolic processes and algae growth rates.

Flashcard 24: What is a consequence of eutrophication on water quality?

Answer: Decreased water clarity. Algae clouds water and reduces visibility and light penetration.

Flashcard 25: What is a common source of phosphorus in water bodies?

Answer: Fertilizers. Contain high concentrations of phosphorus that wash into water bodies.

Flashcard 26: How does urban runoff contribute to eutrophication?

Answer: Carries nutrients into waterways. Stormwater picks up fertilizers, pet waste, and other nutrient sources.

Flashcard 27: Which factor exacerbates the effects of eutrophication?

Answer: Rising temperatures. Heat accelerates metabolic processes and algae growth rates.

Flashcard 28: What is the effect of eutrophication on recreational activities?

Answer: Reduced recreational appeal. Algae blooms and foul odors deter swimming, boating, and fishing.

Flashcard 29: Identify a practice to minimize nutrient runoff.

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternating crops reduces continuous nutrient depletion and runoff.

Flashcard 30: Name a biological control method for eutrophication.

Answer: Introducing filter feeders. Organisms like mussels consume algae and filter water naturally.

Flashcard 31: What is the role of riparian buffers in eutrophication control?

Answer: They reduce nutrient flow. Vegetation along waterways absorbs nutrients and prevents erosion.

Flashcard 32: Which gas is depleted during eutrophication, harming aquatic life?

Answer: Oxygen. Consumed by decomposing bacteria breaking down dead organic matter.

Flashcard 33: What is the role of algae in the eutrophication process?

Answer: Algae bloom and block sunlight. Dense growth shades underwater plants, preventing photosynthesis.

Flashcard 34: What is the role of algae in the eutrophication process?

Answer: Algae bloom and block sunlight. Dense growth shades underwater plants, preventing photosynthesis.

Flashcard 35: Identify a primary nutrient causing eutrophication.

Answer: Phosphorus. Key limiting nutrient that triggers rapid algae growth when abundant.

Flashcard 36: What is a common source of phosphorus in water bodies?

Answer: Fertilizers. Contain high concentrations of phosphorus that wash into water bodies.

Flashcard 37: Which organism benefits temporarily from eutrophication?

Answer: Phytoplankton. Microscopic algae that rapidly multiply when nutrients are abundant.

Flashcard 38: Which season is eutrophication most pronounced?

Answer: Summer. Warm temperatures accelerate algae growth and decomposition rates.

Flashcard 39: What is a negative effect on humans from eutrophication?

Answer: Contaminated drinking water. Toxic algae and poor water quality make water unsafe for consumption.

Flashcard 40: Name a biological control method for eutrophication.

Answer: Introducing filter feeders. Organisms like mussels consume algae and filter water naturally.

Flashcard 41: Identify a practice to minimize nutrient runoff.

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternating crops reduces continuous nutrient depletion and runoff.

Flashcard 42: Which factor can naturally limit eutrophication?

Answer: Nutrient uptake by plants. Healthy vegetation absorbs nutrients before they reach water bodies.

Flashcard 43: Identify a common indicator of eutrophication in water.

Answer: Increased turbidity. Algae growth makes water cloudy and reduces light penetration.

Flashcard 44: Which human activity contributes to eutrophication?

Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers and animal waste add excess nitrogen and phosphorus to waterways.

Flashcard 45: Which type of pollution is linked to eutrophication?

Answer: Non-point source pollution. Diffuse pollution from many sources like farms and urban areas.

Flashcard 46: Name a consequence of hypoxia in aquatic environments.

Answer: Fish kills. Low oxygen levels suffocate fish and other aerobic aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 47: Identify a governmental strategy for reducing eutrophication.

Answer: Nutrient management plans. Policies limiting fertilizer use and requiring nutrient reduction strategies.

Flashcard 48: Which factor can naturally limit eutrophication?

Answer: Nutrient uptake by plants. Healthy vegetation absorbs nutrients before they reach water bodies.

Flashcard 49: Which process results from algae blooms in eutrophication?

Answer: Hypoxia or oxygen depletion. Dead algae decomposition consumes dissolved oxygen, creating oxygen-poor conditions.

Flashcard 50: Which process in the nitrogen cycle can exacerbate eutrophication?

Answer: Nitrification. Converts ammonia to nitrates, adding bioavailable nitrogen to water.

Flashcard 51: Name a method to reduce eutrophication.

Answer: Buffer strips. Vegetation strips filter nutrients from runoff before reaching waterways.

Flashcard 52: Name a method to reduce eutrophication.

Answer: Buffer strips. Vegetation strips filter nutrients from runoff before reaching waterways.

Flashcard 53: What is a consequence of eutrophication on water quality?

Answer: Decreased water clarity. Algae clouds water and reduces visibility and light penetration.

Flashcard 54: What is the role of cyanobacteria in eutrophication?

Answer: They form harmful blooms. Blue-green algae produce toxins and dominate in nutrient-rich conditions.

Flashcard 55: What role do wetlands play in controlling eutrophication?

Answer: Nutrient filtration. Plants absorb excess nutrients and slow water flow to trap sediments.

Flashcard 56: Which process in the nitrogen cycle can exacerbate eutrophication?

Answer: Nitrification. Converts ammonia to nitrates, adding bioavailable nitrogen to water.

Flashcard 57: How does urban runoff contribute to eutrophication?

Answer: Carries nutrients into waterways. Stormwater picks up fertilizers, pet waste, and other nutrient sources.

Flashcard 58: Which human activity contributes to eutrophication?

Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers and animal waste add excess nitrogen and phosphorus to waterways.

Flashcard 59: Identify a chemical method to control eutrophication.

Answer: Alum treatment. Chemical that binds phosphorus, making it unavailable to algae.

Flashcard 60: What type of water body is most affected by eutrophication?

Answer: Lakes and ponds. Slow water movement allows nutrients to accumulate and algae to persist.

Flashcard 61: Identify a societal impact of eutrophication.

Answer: Economic loss in fisheries. Reduced fish populations and water quality affect commercial fishing industry.

Flashcard 62: Which organism benefits temporarily from eutrophication?

Answer: Phytoplankton. Microscopic algae that rapidly multiply when nutrients are abundant.

Flashcard 63: What type of water body is most affected by eutrophication?

Answer: Lakes and ponds. Slow water movement allows nutrients to accumulate and algae to persist.

Flashcard 64: How does eutrophication affect aquatic food webs?

Answer: Disrupts trophic levels. Changes primary producers and eliminates species dependent on clear water.

Flashcard 65: Which gas is depleted during eutrophication, harming aquatic life?

Answer: Oxygen. Consumed by decomposing bacteria breaking down dead organic matter.

Flashcard 66: What is a visible sign of algal blooms?

Answer: Green surface scum. Dense algae mats float on surface creating characteristic green appearance.

Flashcard 67: What is the impact of eutrophication on biodiversity?

Answer: Biodiversity loss. Altered habitat conditions eliminate sensitive species and favor few tolerant ones.

Flashcard 68: Name an ecological effect of eutrophication.

Answer: Loss of fish habitat. Oxygen depletion eliminates suitable living conditions for many fish species.

Flashcard 69: What is the role of cyanobacteria in eutrophication?

Answer: They form harmful blooms. Blue-green algae produce toxins and dominate in nutrient-rich conditions.

Flashcard 70: Identify a governmental strategy for reducing eutrophication.

Answer: Nutrient management plans. Policies limiting fertilizer use and requiring nutrient reduction strategies.

Flashcard 71: What is eutrophication?

Answer: Excessive nutrient enrichment in water bodies leading to algae blooms. Occurs when too many nutrients cause rapid plant growth and ecosystem imbalance.

Flashcard 72: What is the role of decomposers in eutrophication?

Answer: They consume oxygen while breaking down algae. Bacterial decomposition of dead algae uses up dissolved oxygen.

Flashcard 73: Which season is eutrophication most pronounced?

Answer: Summer. Warm temperatures accelerate algae growth and decomposition rates.

Flashcard 74: What is the effect of eutrophication on recreational activities?

Answer: Reduced recreational appeal. Algae blooms and foul odors deter swimming, boating, and fishing.