Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Land, Water, and Air Resources
Conserving Land and Soil
53
Science
8th Grade
10/14/2011

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Cards

Term
Why is water a scarce resource?
Definition
Because 97% is salt water
Term
Ground Water
Definition
The water stored in soil and rock beneath the Earth's surface.
Term
What causes water shortages?
Definition
When people use water in an area faster than the water cycle can be replaced.
Term
Pollutants
Definition
Substances that cause pollution.
Term
Sewage
Definition
human waste that goes down sinks, showers and toilets.
Term
Pesticides
Definition
Chemicals that kill crop destroying organisms.
Term
True or False? Is heat a pollutant?
Definition
True
Term
Sediments
Definition
Particles of rock or sand.
Term
Emissions
Definition
Pollutants that are released into the air.
Term
Photochemical Smog
Definition
A thick brownish haze formed when certain gases in the air react with sunlight. Can cause eye and throat irritation and breathing problems.
Term
Photochemical Smog
Definition
A thick brownish haze formed when certain gases in the air react with sunlight. Can cause eye and throat irritation and breathing problems.
Term
Ozone
Definition
A toxic form of oxygen.
Term
Temperature inversion
Definition
A layer of warm air traps polluted air close to Earth's surface.
Term
Acid Rain
Definition
Precipitation that is more acidic than normal because of air pollution.
Term
Radon
Definition
A colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive.
Term
Development
Definition
The construction of buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and other structures.
Term
Litter
Definition
The layer of dead leaves and grass on top of the soil.
Term
Topsoil
Definition
An upper layer of soil consisting of rock fragments,nutrients, water,air and decaying plant and animal matter than soil.
Term
Subsoil
Definition
The layer of soil below topsoil that has less plant and animal matter.
Term
Bedrock
Definition
Where soil begins. Rock that makes up earths crust.
Term
Erosion
Definition
The process by which water,wind, or ice moves particles of rock or soil.
Term
Nutrient Depletion
Definition
The situation that arises when more soil nutrients are used than the decomposers can supply.
Term
Fertilizer
Definition
A substance that provides nutrients to help crops grow better.
Term
Desertification
Definition
The advance of desertlike conditions into areas that previously were fertile.
Term
Drought
Definition
A period of less rain than normal.
Term
Land Reclamation
Definition
The process of restoring land to a more natural state.
Term
Municipal Solid Waste
Definition
Waste produced in homes, business and schools.
Term
Incineration
Definition
The burning of solid waste.
Term
Leachate
Definition
Polluted liquid produced by water passing through buried waste in a landfill.
Term
Sanitary Landfill
Definition
A landfill that holds nonhazardous waste such as municipal solid waste and construction debris.
Term
Recycling
Definition
The process of reclaiming and reusing raw materials.
Term
Biodegradable
Definition
Capable of being broken down by bacteria and other decomposers.
Term
Composting
Definition
The process of helping biodegradable wastes to decompose naturally.
Term
Hazardous Waste
Definition
A material that can be harmful if it is not properly disposed of.
Term
How much of the Earth is land?
Definition
1/4
Term
Name three uses that change the land.
Definition
Agriculture, mining, an development.
Term
Name four reasons why some of the land is not able to be farmed.
Definition
Too wet, salty, dry or mountainous.
Term
How is new farmland created?
Definition
Clearing forest, draining wetlands and irrigating deserts.
Term
How is strip mining bad?
Definition
It leaves the soil exposed to the wind and takes years for it to become fertile again for plants.
Term
More people mean more of what?
Definition
More houses, roads and bridges.
Term
Fertile soil is made up of?
Definition
Litter, topsoil, subsoil and bedrock.
Term
Poor soil management can result in 3 problems.
Definition
Erosion, nutrient depletion, and desertification.
Term
Terracing and windbreaks are 2 good ways farmers prevent what?
Definition
Erosion
Term
What can heat produced by burning waste generate?
Definition
Electricity
Term
Most recycling focuses on four major categories of products. Name them.
Definition
Metal, plastic, glass and paper.
Term
What are the three R's of recycling?
Definition
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Term
Name the four classified categories of hazardous wastes.
Definition
Toxic/poisonous,explosive, flammable, corrosive wastes.
Term
Name the three ways to get rid of waste.
Definition
Burning, burying and recycling.
Term
Ozone layer
Definition
layer of the upper atmosphere about 30 km above earth's surface.
Term
Global warming
Definition
a prediction that an increase in carbon diozide levels will cause the average temperature to continue to rise.
Term
Greenhouse effect
Definition
the trapping of heat near earth's surface.
Term
Chlorofluorocarbons
Definition
human-made gases containing chlorine and fluorine.
Term
Temperature inversion
Definition
a layer of warm air prevents the rising air from escaping.
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