BISC 313 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Biotransformation, Sodium Chloride, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Department of Humanities Biological Sciences
• Course: BISC 313
• Professor: Vicki Marlatt

Document Summary

Overview of major routes of entry of contaminants/pollutants into environment: water, land, air. Major classes of contaminants and pollutants: 1. Chemistry and major courses of contaminants and pollutants. Mining and smelting: releases metals from rocks where they were deposited during volcanic activity or subsequent erosion that relocates them. Aef (anthropogenic enrichment factor): measure of difference in substance concentrations (a/t) anthropogenic sources/ total = % Binds to proteins such as metallothionein: renders it non-toxic (i. e. sequesters metal so cannot react with other biomolecules with a cell, metallothionein: a non-enzymatic, cysteine rich proteins that binds metals. Excretion in urine/feces (depends on speciation and/or incorporation into other cellular products) Copper is widely used in the manufacture of textiles, antifouling paints, electrical conductors, plumbing fixtures and pipes, coins, and cooking utensils. Copper compounds are found in wood preservatives, pesticides, and fungicides as an active ingredient, and copper sulphate may be used as a micronutrient in agricultural fertilizers.