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| There is no exchange of matter with the outside of the system, but there can be energy inputs. |
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| A group of related parts that move/work together |
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| Radioactivity deep inside planet. Drives many geological processes |
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| Tendency of a system to maintain stable or constant conditions |
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| Average amount of time a substance remains in a reservoir (time units) |
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| Average amount of time to add or remove an amount of a substance to/from a reservoir that is equal to the actual amount of this substance in the reservoir. |
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| The reaction of a system to an input |
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| Interface existing between various layers of water when in the absence of mixing |
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| Nutrient rich (older). Eutrophication - often because of excessive primary productivity |
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Generating electricity from steam made by harnessing the energy holding atomic nucleus together.
Uranium 235 |
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| Biological oxygen demand: a chemical procedure for determining how fast biological organisms use up oxygen in a body of water |
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| The physical breakdown and/or chemical alteration of rocks and minerals at Earth's surface |
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| Physical (Mechanical) Weathering |
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| Physical disintegration of rock. No chemical change |
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| Interaction with atmosphere, hydrosphere, etc causes change in chemical makeup of rock |
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| Living things break down parent rock by physical or chemical means |
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| Inorganic minerals, organic matter & partly decayed organic matter (humus) |
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| Soil Profile: Leached Zone |
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Definition
| Mineral grains remaining from dissolution (ex, quartz). Low OM |
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| Soil Profile: Accumulation Zone |
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Definition
| Minerals (such as oxides of Fe and Al) and OM leached from a horizon accumulate here |
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| Soil Profile: Course Rock |
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| Large rock particles only slightly weathered from underlying bedrock |
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| Area where surface water converges to a single point at a lower elevation, where waters join another water body. Can be used in water management |
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| Water Quality: pH Parameter |
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Definition
| Chemical. Natural waters are usually acidic due to equilibrium with atmospheric CO2 |
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| Capacity of a solution to neutralize acids |
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| Capacity of a solution to conduct electricity. Highly correlated to TDS |
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| Hydrological Cycle: Four Main Reservoirs |
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| Oceans, Surface Waters, Groundwater, Atmospheric water |
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| Evaporation of water from plants |
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| All sources of evaporation in a given location |
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| Infiltration and groundwater flow |
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| Movement of water underground |
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| The slow movement of water through the pores in soil or permeable rock |
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| Water density differential barrier, located in metalimnion (middle layer of stratified lake) |
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| Separation of the lake into 3 layers: EPILIMNION, METALIMNION, HYDROLIMNION |
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| Surface flow of rainwater |
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| Discharges into a larger stream |
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| Seasonal/Intermittent Stream |
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| (Stream or PART of a stream) Flows for only part of the year |
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| Area of low-lying ground next to a river, subject to flooding |
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| Development using land or energy sources in a way that meets the needs of people today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs |
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| One substance taking up another at its' surface |
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| Requiring air or oxygen: used when referring to decomposition processes that occur in the presence of oxygen |
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the rapid and excessive growth of algae; caused by high nutrient levels combined with other favourable conditions. can deoxygenate water leading to the loss of wildlife
In freshwater ecosystems, algae growth is limited by phosphorus availability. |
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Term
Cultural Eutrophication:
Form of water pollution
Nutrient pollution |
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Definition
Human activity speeds up natural eutrophication.
Example:
Clearing land/building towns & cities -> increased land run off into waters -> nutrient pollution (ex, phosporus & nitrogen) -> algal blooms
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| Accumulation of salt in soil that could eventually make the soil unable to support plant growth. |
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| Self-regulating/stabilizing. Usually keeps a system in a relatively constant condition |
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aka "Vicious Circle": Destabilizing.
Example: Forest fire. Fire grows, nearby wood dries out and begins to burn, drying out larger quantities of wood, feeding the fire.
Example 2: Exponential Growth |
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