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Definition
| : enough energy to knock electrons from atoms forming ions, capable of causing cancer (ex gamma-X-rays-UV) |
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| First Law of Thermodynamics |
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Definition
1. energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another
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| Second Law of Thermodynamics |
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Definition
1. : when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat)
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Term
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Definition
organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms
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Term
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Definition
1. removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards
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Definition
1. deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B)
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Definition
| perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, clay |
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| Solutions to soil problems |
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Definition
| conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers |
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Term
| Parts of the hydrologic cycle |
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Definition
1. evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration
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Term
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Definition
1. : any water bearing layer in the ground
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Term
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Definition
| near the coast, overpumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer |
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Term
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Definition
1. : trade winds weaken & warm water sloshed back to SA
During a Non El Nino year: 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
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Term
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Definition
1. : upwelling decreases disrupting food chains, N US has mild winters, SW US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes
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Term
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Definition
1. because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria
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Term
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Definition
1. decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia
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Term
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Definition
1. : ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO-3)
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Term
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Definition
1. bacteria convert ammonia back into N
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Term
| Phosphorus does not circulate as easily as N because |
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Definition
1. it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of phosphate rocks
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Term
| Because soils contain very little phosphorus |
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Definition
| a major limiting factor for plant growth |
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Term
| Excess phosphorus is added to aquatic ecosystems by |
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Definition
1. runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer discharge of sewage
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