Term
|
Definition
organized & concentrated, can perform useful work (fossil fuel & nuclear) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
enough energy to knock electrons from atoms forming ions, capable of causing cancer (gamma-Xrays-UV) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air wind, solar) |
|
|
Term
First Law of Thermodynamics |
|
Definition
energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another |
|
|
Term
Second Law of Thermodynamics |
|
Definition
when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat) |
|
|
Term
Natural radioactive decay |
|
Definition
unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha & beta particles |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioisotope to decay |
|
|
Term
Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level |
|
Definition
approximately 10 half-lives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
2 isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Expensive, break even point not reached yet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
slow acting & long lasting because the organic remains need time to be decomposed |
|
|
Term
Best solution to Energy shortage |
|
Definition
conservation and increase efficiency |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
cheaper & can remove more mineral, less hazardous to workers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, clay |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
allows the use of resources in a responsible manner |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
setting aside areas & protecting them from human activities |
|
|
Term
Parts of the hydrologic cycle |
|
Definition
evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
any water bearing layer in the ground |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
lowering of the water table around a pumping well |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
near the coast, overpumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the acquifer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
El Nino Southern Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the S. Pacific |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
trade winds weaken & warm water sloshed back to SA |
|
|
Term
During a Non El Nino year |
|
Definition
Easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West coast of South America |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
upwelling decreases disrupting food chains, N US has mild winters, SW US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria (rhizobium) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO-3) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids & proteins |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
bacteria convert ammonia back into N |
|
|
Term
Phosphorus does not circulate as easily as N because |
|
Definition
it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of phosphate rocks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the ability to meet humanities current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs |
|
|
Term
Excess phosphorus is added to aquatic ecosystems by |
|
Definition
runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer, discharge of sewage |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
: plants convert atmospheric C (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
oxygen consuming producers, consumers & decomposers break down complex organic compounds & convert C back into CO2 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
carbonate rocks first, oceans second |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
: living & nonliving components of an ecosystem |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Fecal coliform/Enterococcus |
|
Definition
indicator of sewage contamination |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy lost as heat (2nd law), not all biomass is digested & absorbed, predators expend energy to catch prey |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(good>disinfection of water)( bad>forms trihalomethanes) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life (lava) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
life progresses where soil remains (clear cut forest, fire) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
using waste heat to make electricity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits & the other is unaffected |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants & animals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
reproduce early, many small unprotected offspring |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
reproduce late, few, cared for offspring |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (EX: warmer Earth - snow melts - less sunlight is reflected & more is absorbed, therefore warmer earth) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
organisms that possess favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
said human population cannot continue to increase..consequences will be war, famine & disease |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
rule of 70 70 divided by the percent growth rate |
|
|
Term
Replacement level fertility |
|
Definition
the number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (2.1 developed, 2.7 developing) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
birth & death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
death rate lower, better health care, population grows fast |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
decline in birth rate, population growth slows |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(broad base, rapid growth)(narrow base, negative growth)(uniform shape, zero growth) |
|
|
Term
1st & 2nd most populated countries |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Most important thing affecting population growth |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Ways to decrease birth rate |
|
Definition
family planning, contraception, economic rewards & penalties |
|
|
Term
Percent water on earth by type |
|
Definition
97.5% seawater, 2.5% freshwater |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(agriculture, drip/trickle irrigation)(industry,recyling)(home, use gray water, repair leaks, low flow fixtures) |
|
|
Term
Point vs non point sources |
|
Definition
(Point, from specific location such as pipe)(Non-point, from over an area such as runoff) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
biological oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
rapid algal growth caused by an excess of N & P |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
when aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops & the water cannot support life |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
mental impairments caused by mercury |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
produced by humans & nature (CO,CO2,SO2,NO,hydrocarbons, particulates) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
when a changing in some condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition (EX: warmer earth - more ocean evaporation - more stratus clouds - less sunlight reaches the ground - therefore cooler Earth) |
|
|
Term
Particulate matter (source,effect,reduction) |
|
Definition
(burning fossil fuels & diesel exhaust) (reduces visibility & respiratory irritation) (filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(Source: auto exhaust) (Effects: acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog & ozone) ( Equation for acid formation: NO + O2 = NO2 + H2O = HNO3) (Reduction: catalytic converter) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(Source: coal burning) (Effects: acid deposition, respiratory irritation, damages plants) (Equation for acid formation: SO2 + O2 = SO3 + H2O = H2SO4) (Reduction: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(Source: auto exhaust, incomplete combustion) (Effects: CO binds to hemoglobin reducing bloods ability to carry O, CO2 contributes to global warming) (Reduction: catalytic converter, emission testing, oxygenated fuel, mass transit) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(Formation: secondary pollutant, NO2+UV=NO+O O+O2=O3, with VOC’s) (Effects: respiratory irritant, plant damage) (Reduction: reduce NO emissions & VOCs) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
radioactive gas, formed from the decay of Uranium, causes lung cancer and is a problem in the Reading Prong |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC,O) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
caused by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting in lowered pH of surface waters |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(Examples: H2O, CO2, O3, methane (CH4), CFC’s) (EFFECT: they trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy causing earth to warm |
|
|
Term
Effects of global warming |
|
Definition
Effects of global warming: rising sea level (thermal expansion), extreme weather, droughts (famine), extinctions |
|
|
Term
Ozone depletion caused by |
|
Definition
CFC’s, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, halon, methyl bromide all of which attack stratospheric ozone |
|
|
Term
Effects of ozone depletion |
|
Definition
increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
chemicals buried in old canal and school & homes built over it causing birth defects & cancer |
|
|
Term
Municpal solid waste is mostly |
|
Definition
paper and most is landfilled |
|
|
Term
True cost / External costs |
|
Definition
harmful environmental side effects that are not reflected in a products price |
|
|
Term
Sanitary landfill problems and solutions |
|
Definition
(leachate, liner with collection system) (methane gas, collect gas and burn) (volume of garbage, compact & reduce) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
volume of waste reduced by 90% & waste heat can be used |
|
|
Term
Incineration disadvantages |
|
Definition
toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride—dioxin), scrubbers & electrostatic precipitators needed, ash disposal (contains heavy metals) |
|
|
Term
Best way to solve waste problem |
|
Definition
reduce the amounts of waste at the source |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others, ex sea otter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged ex trout |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
have a small range, require large territory or live on an island |
|
|
Term
In natural ecosystems, 50-90% of pest species are kept under control by |
|
Definition
predators, diseases, parasites |
|
|
Term
Major insecticide groups and examples |
|
Definition
(chlorinated hydrocarbons, DDT) (organophosphates, malathion) (carbamates, aldicarb) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
saves lives from insect transmitted disease, increases food supply, increases profits for farmers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, biological magnification |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
better agricultural practices, genetically resistant plants, natural enemies, biopesticides, sex attractants |
|
|
Term
Electricity is generated by |
|
Definition
using steam (from water boiled by fossils fuels or nuclear) or falling water to turn a generator |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
microscopic aquatic organisms in sediments converted by heat & pressure into a mixture of hydrocarbons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
cheap, easily transported, high quality energy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
reserves depleted soon, pollution during drilling, transport and refining, burning makes CO2 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite |
|
|
Term
Major parts of a nuclear reactor |
|
Definition
core, control rods, steam generator, turbine, containment building |
|
|
Term
Two most serious nuclear accidents |
|
Definition
(Chernobyl,Ukraine) (Three Mile Island, PA) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the amount of a chemical that kills 50% of the animals in a test population |
|
|
Term
Mutagen, Teratogen, Carcinogen |
|
Definition
causes hereditary changes, Fetus deformities, cancer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
North spotted Owl (loss of old growth forest), Bald Eagle (thinning of eggs caused by DDT), Piping Plover (nesting areas threatened by development) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gypsy moth, Asian Long Horned Beetle |
|
|
Term
Garret Hardin & The Tragedy of the Commons |
|
Definition
Freedom to breed is bringing ruin to all. |
|
|
Term
Global commons such as atmosphere & oceans are used by all and owned by none Volcanoes and Earthquakes occ |
|
Definition
at plate boundaries (divergent, spreading, mid-ocean ridges) (convergent, trenches) (transform, sliding, San Andreas) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
burning coal, Compact Fluorescent bulbs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the maximum dose that has no measurable effect |
|
|
Term
Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act |
|
Definition
requires coal strip mines to reclaim the land |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Moratorium on mineral exploration for 50 years in Antarctica |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways..aim to make surface waters swimmable and fishable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
bans ocean dumping of sewage sludge & industrial waste in the ocean |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
phaseout of ozone depleting substances |
|
|
Term
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act |
|
Definition
controls hazardous waste with a cradle to grave system |
|
|
Term
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act |
|
Definition
Superfund, designed to identify and clean up abandoned hazardous waste dump sites |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
US government must develop a high level nuclear waste site (Yucca Mtn) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
identifies threatened and endangered species in the US, and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations |
|
|
Term
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species |
|
Definition
lists species that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mangaement of marine fisheries |
|
|
Term
Food Quality Protection Act |
|
Definition
set pesticide limits in food, & all active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects |
|
|
Term
National Environmental Policy Act |
|
Definition
Environmental Impact Statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands can be started |
|
|
Term
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants |
|
Definition
Seeks to protect human health from the 12 most toxic chemicals (includes 8 chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides / DDT can be used for malaria control) |
|
|