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AP Environmental Science
earth systems unit
76
Environmental Studies
Undergraduate 1
04/17/2013

Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
ABIOTIC
Definition
RELATED TO FACTORS OR THINGS THAT ARE SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT FROM LIVING THINGS; NONLIVING.
Term
ACID
Definition
ANY COMPOUND THAT RELEASES HYDROGEN IONS WHEN DISSOLVED IN WATER. ALSO, A WATERY SOLUTION THAT CONTAINS A SURPLUS OF HYDROGEN IONS.
Term
AIR MASS
Definition
ENORMOUS BODIES OF AIR THAT MOVE AS A UNIT
Term
A HORIZON
Definition
A SOIL HORIZON; THE LAYER BELOW THE O HORIZON IS CALLED THE A HORIZON.  THE A HORIZON IS FORMED OF WEATHERED ROCK, WITH SOME ORGANIC MATERIAL; OFTEN REFERRED TO AS TOPSOIL.
Term
ALKALINE
Definition
A BASIC SUBSTANCE; CHEMICALLY, A SUBSTANCE THAT ABSORBS HYDROGEN IONS OR RELEASES HYDROXYL IONS; IN REFERENCE TO NATURAL WATER, A MEASURE OF THE BASE CONTENT OF THE WATER.
Term
AQUIFER
Definition
AN UNDERGROUND LAYER OF POROUS ROCK, SAND, OR OTHER MATERIAL THAT ALLOWS THE MOVEMENT OF WATER BETWEEN LAYERS OF NONPOROUS ROCK OR CLAY.  AQUIFERS ARE FREQUENTLY TAPPED FOR WELLS.
Term
ARABLE
Definition
LAND THAT IS FIT TO BE CULTIVATED
Term
ASTHENOSPHERE
Definition
THE PART OF THE MANTLE THAT LIES JUST BELOW THE LITHOSPHERE
Term
ATMOSPHERE
Definition
THE GASEOUS MASS OR ENVELOPE SURROUNDING A CELESTIAL BODY- ESPECIALLY THE ONE SURROUNDING THE EARTH WHICH IS RETAINED BY THE CELESTIAL BODY'S GRAVITATIONAL FIELD.
Term
BARRIER ISLAND
Definition
A LONG, RELATIVELY NARROW ISLAND RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE MAINLAND, BUILT UP BY THE ACTION OF WAVES AND CURRENTS AND SERVING TO PROTECT THE COAST FROM EROSION BY SURF AND TIDAL SURGES.
Term
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING
Definition
ANY WEATHERING THAT IS CAUSED BY THE ACTIVITIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS.
Term
BIOTIC
Definition
LIVING OR DERIVED FROM LIVING THINGS.
Term
B HORIZON
Definition
A SOIL HORIZON; B RECEIVES THE MINERALS AND ORGANIC MATERIALS THAT ARE LEACHED OUT OF THE A HORIZON.
Term
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
Definition
THE RESULT OF CHEMICAL INTERACTION WITH THE BEDROCK THAT IS TYPICAL OF THE ACTION OF BOTH WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC GASES.
Term
C HORIZON
Definition
A SOIL HORIZON; C IS MADE UP OF LARGER PIECES OF ROCK THAT HAVE NOT UNDERGONE MUCH WEATHERING.
Term
CLAY
Definition
THE FINEST SOIL, MADE UP OF PARTICLES THAT ARE LESS THAN 0.002 mm IN DIAMETER.
Term
CLIMATE
Definition
WEATHER CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION, THAT REMAIN CONSTANT OVER 30 YEARS OR MORE
Term
CONDUCTION
Definition
THE TRANSMISSION OR CONVEYING OF SOMETHING THROUGH A MEDIUM OR PASSAGE, ESPECIALLY THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRIC CHARGE OR HEAT THROUGH A CONDUCTING MEDIUM WITHOUT PRECEPTIBLE MOTION OF HTE MEDIUM ITSELF
Term
CONVECTION
Definition
THE VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF A MASS OF MATTER BECAUSE OF HEATING AND COOLING; THIS CAN HAPPEN IN BOTH THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE EARTH'S MANTLE
Term
CONVECTION CURRENTS
Definition
AIR CURRENTS CAUSED BY THE VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF AIR DUE TO ATMOSPHERIC HEATING AND COOLING
Term
CONVERGENT BOUNDARY
Definition
A PLATE BOUNDARY WHERE TWO PLATES ARE MOVING TOWARD EACH OTHER
Term
CORAL REEF
Definition
AN EROSION-RESISTANT MARINE RIDGE OR MOUND CONSISTING CHEIFLY OF COMPACTED CORAL TOGETHER WITH ALGAL MATERIAL AND BIOCHEMICALLY DEPOSITED MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM CARBONATES
Term
CORIOLIS EFFECT
Definition
THE OBSERVED EFFECT OF THE CORIOLLIS FORCE, ESPECIALLY THE DEFLECTION OF AN OBJECT MOVING ABOVE THE EARTH, RIGHTWARD IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, AND LEFTWARD IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
Term
CROP ROTATION
Definition
THE PRACTICE OF ALTERNATING THE CROPS GROWN ON A PIECE OF LAND TO REPLENISH SOIL NUTIENTS- FOR EXAMPLE, CORN ONE YEAR, LEGUMES FOR TWO YEARS, AND THEN BACK TO CORN.
Term
DELTA
Definition
A USUALLY TRIANGULAR ALLUVIAL DEPOSIT AT TEH MOUTH OF A RIVER
Term
DIVERGENT BOUNDARY
Definition
A PLATE BOUNDARY AT WHICH PLATES ARE MOVING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.  THIS CAUSES AN UPWELLING OF MAGMA FROM THE MANTLE TO COOL AND FORM NEW CRUST
Term
DOLDRUMS
Definition
A REGION OF THE OCEAN NEAR THE EQUATOR, CHARACTERIZED BY CALMS, LIGHT WINDS, OR SQUALLS.
Term
DRIP IRRIGATION
Definition
A METHOD OF SUPPLYING IRRIGATION WATER THROUGH TUBES THAT LITERALLY DRIP WATER ONTO THE SOIL AT THE BASE OF EACH PLANT
Term
EARTHQUAKE
Definition
THE RESULT OF VIBRATIONS THAT RELEASE ENERGY FROM WITHIN THE EARTH.  THEY OFTEN OCCUR AS TWO PLATES SLIDE PAST ONE ANOTHER AT A PLATE BOUNDARY
Term
EL NINO
Definition
A CLIMATE VARIATION THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE TROPICAL PACIFIC ABOUT EVERY 7 YEARS, FOR A DURATION OF ABOUT ONE YEAR.
Term
EROSION
Definition
THE PROCESS OF SOIL PARTICLES BEING CARRIED AWAY BY WIND OR WATER. EROSION MOVES THE SMALLER PARTICLES FIRST AND HENCE DEGRADES THE SOIL TO A COURSER, SANDIER, STONIER TEXTURE.
Term
ESTUARY
Definition
THE PART OF THE WIDE LOWER COURSE OF A RIVER WHERE ITS CURRENT IS MET BY TIDES
Term
FAULT
Definition
THE PLACE WHERE TWO TECTONIC PLATES ABUT EACH OTHER
Term
GREEN REVOLUTION
Definition
THE TIME AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHEN FARMING BECAME MECHANIZED AND CROP YIELDSS IN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS BOOMED AS FARMERS BEGAN USING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES
Term
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Definition
THE PHENOMENON WHEREBY THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE TRAPS SOLAR RADIATION, CAUSED BY THE PRESENCE IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF GASES SUCH AS CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER VAPOR AND METHANE THAT ALLOW INCOMING SUNLIGHT TO PASS THROUGH BUT ABSORB HEAT RADIATED BACK FROM THE EARTH'S SURFACE
Term
HADLEY CELL
Definition
A SYSTEM OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL AIR CIRCULATION THAT CREATES MAJOR WEATHER PATTERNS, PREDOMINANTLY IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL REGIONS
Term
HORIZON
Definition
A LAYER OF SOIL
Term
HUMUS
Definition
THE DARK, CRUMBLY, NUTRIENT-RICH MATERIAL THAT RESULTS FROM THE DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATERIAL, WHICH IS ALSO A PRODUCT OF COMPOSTING ORGANIC WASTE.
Term
HURRICANE
(aka: cyclone, typhoon)
Definition
A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM ORIGINATING FROM THE EQUATORIAL REGIONS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN OR CARIBBEAN SEA OR EASTERN REGIONS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN, THAT TRAVELS NORTH, NORTHWEST, OR NORTHEAST FROM ITS POINT OF ORIGIN, AND USUALLY INVOLVES HIGH SPEED WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS
Term
INNER CORE
Definition
THE SOLID IRON NICKLE CORE OF THE EARTH
Term
INSOLATION
Definition
THE DELIVERY RATE OF SOLAR RADIATION PER UNIT OF HORIZONTAL SURFACE
Term
JET STREAM
Definition
A HIGH-SPEED, MEANDERING WIND CURRENT, GENERALLY MOVING FROM A WESTERLY DIRECTION AT SPEEDS OFTEN EXCEEDING 400 KM (25 MILES) PER HOUR AT ALTITUDES OF 15-25 KM (10-15 MILES)
Term
LAND DEGRADATION
Definition
DETERIORATION OF LAND QUALITY (TOPSOIL, ORGANISMS, VEGETATION, WATER QUALITY), USUALLY CAUSED BY ITS EXPLOITATION
Term
LA NINA
Definition
A COOLING OF THE OCEAN SURFACE OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA, OCCURRING PERIODICALLY EVERY 4-12 YEARS AND AFFECTING PACIFIC AND OTHER WEATHER PATTERNS
Term
LITHOSPHERE
Definition
THE OUTER PART OF THE EARTH, CONSISTING OF THE CRUST AND UPPER MANTLE, APPROXIMATELY 100 KM (62 MILES) THICK.
Term
LOAMY
Definition
SOIL COMPOSED OF A MIXTURE OF SAND, CLAY, SILT AND ORGANIC MATTER
Term
MANTLE
Definition
THE LAYER OF THE EARTH BETWEEN THE CRUST AND THE CORE
Term
MONOCULTURE
Definition
THE CULTIVATION OF A SINGLE CROP ON A FARM OR IN A REGION OR COUNTRY; A SINGLE, HOMOGENEOUS CULTURE WITHOUT DIVERSITY OR DISSENSION
Term
MONSOON
Definition
A WIND SYSTEM THAT INFLUENCES LARGE CLIMATIC REGIONS AND REVERSES DIRECTION SEASONALLY
Term
O HORIZON
Definition
THE UPPERMOST HORIZON OF SOIL. IT IS PRIMARILY MADE UP OF ORGANIC MATERIAL, INCLUDING WASTE FROM ORGANISMS, THE BODIES OF DECOMPOSING ORGANISMS, AND LIVE ORGANISMS.
Term
PHYSICAL WEATHERING
(aka: mechanical weathering)
Definition
any process that breaks rock down into smaller pieces without changing the chemistry of the rock; typically by wind or water.
Term
PLATE BOUNDARIES
Definition
THE EDGES OF TECTONIC PLATES
Term
PRIOR APPROPRIATION
Definition
WHEN WATER RIGHTS ARE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY USED THE WATER IN A CERTAIN AREA
Term
RAIN SHADOW EFFECT
Definition
THE LOW-RAINFALL REGION THAT EXISTS ON THE LEEWARD (DOWNWIND) SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN RANGE. THE RAIN SHADOW EFFECT IS THE RESULT OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE CAUSING PRECIPITATION ON THE WINDWARD SIDE.
Term
RED TIDE
Definition
A BLOOM OF DINOFLAGELLATES THAT CAUSES REDDISH DISCOLORATION OF COASTAL OCEAN WATERS. CERTAIN DINOFLAGELLATES OF THE GENUS Gonyamlax PRODUCE TOXINS THAT KILL FISH AND CONTAMINATE SHELLFISH
Term
R HORIZON
Definition
THE BEDROCK, WHICH LIES BELOW ALL THE OTHER LAYERS OF SOIL, IS REFERRED TO AS THE R HORIZON
Term
RIPARIAN RIGHT
Definition
THE RIGHT, AS TO FISHING OR TO THE USE OF A RIVERBED, OF ONE WHO OWNS RIPARIAN LAND (THE LAND ADJACENT TO A RIVER OR STREAM)
Term
SALINIZATION
Definition
OCCURS WHEN SOIL BECOMES WATERLOGGED FROM EXCESS IRRIGATION AND THEN DRIES OUT. AS THE WATER EVAPORATES, THE SALT CRYSTALLIZES AND FORMS A LAYER ON THE SOIL SURFACE. THIS EXCESS SALT PREVENTS THE GROWTH OF PLANTS
Term
SAND
Definition
THE COARSEST SOIL, WITH PARTICLES 0.05-2.0 mm IN DIAMETER
Term
SILT
Definition
SOIL WITH PARTICLES 0.002-0.05 mm IN DIAMETER
Term
SOUTHERN OSCILLATION
Definition
THE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE CONDITIONS CORRESPONDING TO THE PERIODIC WARMING OF EL NINO AND COOLING OF LA NINA
Term
SUBDUCTION ZONE
Definition
IN TECTONIC PLATES, THE SITE AT WHICH AND OCEANIC PLATE IS SLIDING UNDER A CONTINENTAL PLATE
Term
THERMOCLINE
Definition
A LAYER IN A LARGE BODY OF WATER, SUCH AS A LAKE, THAT SHARPLY SEPARATES REGIONS DIFFERING IN TEMPERATURE, SO THAT THE TEMPERATURE GRADIENT ACROSS THE LAYER IS ABRUPT
Term
THERMOSPHERE
Definition
THE OUTERMOST SHELL OF HTE ATMOSPHERE, BETWEEN THE MESOSPHERE AND OUTER SPACE, WHERE TEMPERATURES INCREASE STEADILY WITH ALTITUDE
Term
TOPSOIL
Definition
THE A HORIZON OF SOIL IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS TOPSOIL AND IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR PLANT GROWTH
Term
TRADE WINDS
Definition
THE MORE OR LESS CONSTANT WINDS BLOWING IN HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONS OVER THE EARTH'S SURFACE, AS PART OF HADLEY CELLS
Term
TRANSFORM BOUNDARY
Definition
ALSO KNOWN AS TRANSFORM FAULTS, BOUNDARIES AT WHICH PLATES ARE MOVING PAST EACH OTHER SIDEWAYS- LIKE THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT LINE
Term
TROPICAL STORM
Definition
A CYCLONIC STORM HAVING WINDS RANGING FROM APPROXIMATELY 48-121 KM (30-75 MILES) PER HOUR
Term
UPWELLING
Definition
A PROCESS IN WHICH COLD, OFTEN NUTRIENT-RICH, WATERS FROM THE OCEAN DEPTH RISE TO THE SURFACE
Term
VOLCANOES
Definition
AN OPENING IN THE EARTH'S CRUST THROUGH WHICH MOLTEN LAVA, ASK, AND GASES ARE EJECTED
Term
WATERSHED
Definition
THE REGION DRAINING INTO A RIVER SYSTEM OR OTHER BODY OF WATER
Term
WATER-SCARCE
Definition
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A RENEWABLE ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY OF LESS THAN 1000 m3 PER PERSON
Term
WATER-STRESSED
Definition
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A RENEWABLE ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY OF ABOUT 1000-2000 m3 PER PERSON
Term
WEATHER
Definition
THE DAY-TO-DAY VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE, SIR PRESSURE, WIND, HUMIDITY AND PRECIPITATION MEDIATED BY THE ATMOSPHERE IN A GIVEN REGION
Term
WEATHERING
Definition
THE GRADUAL BREAKDOWN OF ROCK INTO SMALLER PARTICLES, CAUSED BY NATURAL CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Term
WETLANDS
Definition
A LOWLAND AREA, SUCH AS A MARSH OR SWAMP, THAT IS SATURATED WITH MOISTURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN REGARDED AS THE NATURAL HABITAT OF WILDLIFE
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