Details Title: APES Overview Description: A list of 120+ flash cards which can be used to study for Environmental Science which cover the entire year. Total Flash Cards: 140 Created: 04/06/2009 05:42:17		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term High Quality Energy Definition organized & concentrated, can perform useful work (fossil fuel & nuclear) Term Ionizing radiation Definition enough energy to knock electrons from atoms forming ions, capable of causing cancer (gamma-Xrays-UV) Term Low Quality Energy 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 Half life 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 Nuclear Fission Definition nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons Term Nuclear Fusion 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 Ore Definition a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine Term Organic fertilizer 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 Surface mining Definition cheaper & can remove more mineral, less hazardous to workers Term Humus Definition organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms Term Leaching Definition removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards Term Illuviation Definition deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B Term Loam Definition perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, clay Term Conservation Definition allows the use of resources in a responsible manner Term Preservation Definition setting aside areas & protecting them from human activities Term Parts of the hydrologic cycle Definition evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration Term Aquifer Definition any water bearing layer in the ground Term Cone of depression Definition lowering of the water table around a pumping well Term Salt water intrusion Definition near the coast, overpumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the acquifer Term ENSO Definition El Nino Southern Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the S. Pacific Term During an El Nino year 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 Effects of El Nino Definition upwelling decreases disrupting food chains, N US has mild winters, SW US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes Term Nitrogen fixing Definition because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria (rhizobium) Term Ammonification Definition decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia Term Nitrification Definition ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO-3) Term Assimilation Definition inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids & proteins Term Denitrification 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 Sustainability 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 Photosynthesis Definition : plants convert atmospheric C (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6) Term Aerobic respiration Definition oxygen consuming producers, consumers & decomposers break down complex organic compounds & convert C back into CO2 Term Largest reservoirs of C Definition carbonate rocks first, oceans second Term Biotic/abiotic Definition : living & nonliving components of an ecosystem Term Producer/Autotroph Definition photosynthetic life Term Fecal coliform/Enterococcus Definition indicator of sewage contamination Term Energy flow in food webs 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 Chlorine Definition (good>disinfection of water)( bad>forms trihalomethanes) Term Primary succession Definition development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life (lava) Term Secondary succession Definition life progresses where soil remains (clear cut forest, fire) Term Cogeneration Definition using waste heat to make electricity Term Mutualism Definition symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit Term Commensalism Definition symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits & the other is unaffected Term Parasitism Definition relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host Term Biome Definition large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants & animals Term Carrying capacity Definition the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area Term R strategist Definition reproduce early, many small unprotected offspring Term K strategist Definition reproduce late, few, cared for offspring Term Positive feedback 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 Natural selection Definition organisms that possess favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation Term Malthus Definition said human population cannot continue to increase..consequences will be war, famine & disease Term Doubling time 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 World Population is Definition 6 1/2 billion Term US Population Definition 300 million Term Preindustrial stage Definition birth & death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high Term Transitional stage Definition death rate lower, better health care, population grows fast Term Industrial stage Definition decline in birth rate, population growth slows Term Postindustrial stage Definition low birth & death rates Term Age structure diagrams Definition (broad base, rapid growth)(narrow base, negative growth)(uniform shape, zero growth) Term 1st & 2nd most populated countries Definition China & India Term Most important thing affecting population growth Definition low status of women 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 Salinazation of soil Definition in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind Term Ways to conserve water 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 BOD Definition biological oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials Term Eutrophication Definition rapid algal growth caused by an excess of N & P Term Hypoxia Definition when aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops & the water cannot support life Term Minamata Disease Definition mental impairments caused by mercury Term Primary air pollutants Definition produced by humans & nature (CO,CO2,SO2,NO,hydrocarbons, particulates) Term Negative feedback 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 Nitrogen Oxides 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 Sulfur oxides 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 Carbon oxides 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 Ozone 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 Radon Definition radioactive gas, formed from the decay of Uranium, causes lung cancer and is a problem in the Reading Prong Term Photochemical smog Definition formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC,O) Term Acid deposition Definition caused by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting in lowered pH of surface waters Term Greenhouse gases 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 Love Canal, NY 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 Incineration advantages 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 Keystone species Definition species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others, ex sea otter Term Indicator species Definition species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged ex trout Term Most endangered species 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 Pesticide pros Definition saves lives from insect transmitted disease, increases food supply, increases profits for farmers Term Pesticide cons Definition genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, biological magnification Term Natural pest control 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 Petroleum forms from Definition microscopic aquatic organisms in sediments converted by heat & pressure into a mixture of hydrocarbons Term Pros of petroleum Definition cheap, easily transported, high quality energy Term Cons of petroleum Definition reserves depleted soon, pollution during drilling, transport and refining, burning makes CO2 Term Steps in coal formation 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 Alternate energy sources Definition wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells Term LD50 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 Endangered species 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 LI Exotic species 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 Sources of mercury Definition burning coal, Compact Fluorescent bulbs Term Major source of sulfur Definition burning coal Term Threshold dose 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 Madrid Protocol Definition Moratorium on mineral exploration for 50 years in Antarctica Term Safe Drinking Water Act Definition set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health Term Clean Water Act Definition set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways..aim to make surface waters swimmable and fishable Term Ocean Dumping Ban Act Definition bans ocean dumping of sewage sludge & industrial waste in the ocean Term Clean Air Act Definition Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants Term Kyoto Protocol Definition controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries Term Montreal Protocol 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 Nuclear Waste Policy Act Definition US government must develop a high level nuclear waste site (Yucca Mtn) Term Endangered Species Act 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 Magnuson- Stevens Act 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)