Environmental Science 3300F/G Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Methoxy Group, Photodegradation, Body Louse
1 Nov 2016
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Often kills (directly or indirectly) more than the target organisms. Note: advantages and this advantages when it comes to pesticides is a recurring theme. Perhaps no surprise here but well worth repeating. List three pesticides used before the introduction of modern synthetic pesticides. Boric acid used to control cockroaches and fleas. List the classes of synthetic pesticides we studied in this course in each case with the advantages and disadvantages of members in the respective classes. Organochlorine compounds c-cl bond = very stable, chlorine lowers reactivity; slow to degrade in the environment; first synthetic pesticide. Increases farming yields: highly toxic to insects, but low toxicity to humans and other mammals, stable against decomposition in the environment (they persist) Insoluble (almost) in water, unless molecule also has o or n: highly soluble in hydrocarbon (fatty) environments (sediments, particulate matter) Persistent and hydrophobic = the whole planet is contaminated by low levels.
