Effect of Chemical spillage on ecology

What steps would you take to assess the risk of chemical exposure to waterbirds in this environment? (d) What are some mitigation measures that you could take in order to protect these waterbirds? In summary, if you were to answer this question, you would need to know about the chemical, its bioaccumulation, the course it would take in the environment, the risk it poses to the waterbirds, and some mitigation measures to take.f
  • #1
I am preparing my examination on next week.
I face a challenge question on the textbook but it does not provide any answers.
Can someone help me? Two questions distribute 10 marks for each. How can I answer point by point to get all the marks in this questions. Many thanks!

Consider this problem. A train carrying a tank of Chemical X has overturned on a railway bridge. The bridge runs over a river located in a national park (see Figure 1).

BCH4021A.jpg



Figure 1 Chemical X spilled into the river and onto the riverbank on the right (grey arrow). The river is surrounded by four small fish ponds (A-D), as well as waterbird habitat (shaded areas). Fish pond B is connected to the river by underground water flow, and the waterbird habitat on the right riverbank includes fish pond D. There are two fish species in the area, one that lives in the river, and one that lives in the fish ponds.

You know that Chemical X is a chlorinated, lipophilic pesticide. You also know that the waterbirds in the area consume primarily fish.

(a) What do you think will be the most likely distribution of Chemical X in this environment? Justify your answer with reasons. 10 Marks

(b) With reference to the diagram above, which habitats and which living organisms do you think would be most at risk? Justify your answer. 10 Marks
 
  • #2
I am preparing my examination on next week.
I face a challenge question on the textbook but it does not provide any answers.
Can someone help me? Two questions distribute 10 marks for each. How can I answer point by point to get all the marks in this questions. Many thanks!

Consider this problem. A train carrying a tank of Chemical X has overturned on a railway bridge. The bridge runs over a river located in a national park (see Figure 1).

BCH4021A.jpg



Figure 1 Chemical X spilled into the river and onto the riverbank on the right (grey arrow). The river is surrounded by four small fish ponds (A-D), as well as waterbird habitat (shaded areas). Fish pond B is connected to the river by underground water flow, and the waterbird habitat on the right riverbank includes fish pond D. There are two fish species in the area, one that lives in the river, and one that lives in the fish ponds.

You know that Chemical X is a chlorinated, lipophilic pesticide. You also know that the waterbirds in the area consume primarily fish.

(a) What do you think will be the most likely distribution of Chemical X in this environment? Justify your answer with reasons. 10 Marks

Some questions to help you think about the answer;

What does the word, lipophilic imply about bioaccumulation?

(b) With reference to the diagram above, which habitats and which living organisms do you think would be most at risk? Justify your answer. 10 Marks

Look at the diagram, what will be the course the chemical takes? How about in relation to the above question with bioaccumulation?
 

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