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EVS Ch. 1-3
UOttawa EVS1101
46
Environmental Studies
Undergraduate 1
04/21/2015

Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Closed System
Definition
There is no exchange of matter with the outside of the system, but there can be energy inputs.
Term
System
Definition
A group of related parts that move/work together
Term
Geothermal energy origin
Definition
Radioactivity deep inside planet. Drives many geological processes
Term
Homeostasis
Definition
Tendency of a system to maintain stable or constant conditions
Term
Residence time
Definition
Average amount of time a substance remains in a reservoir (time units)
Term
Turnover time
Definition
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.
Term
Feedback
Definition
The reaction of a system to an input
Term
-Cline (Lake Chemistry)
Definition
Interface existing between various layers of water when in the absence of mixing
Term
Oligotrophic Lake
Definition
Nutrient poor (young)
Term
Eutrophic Lake
Definition
Nutrient rich (older). Eutrophication - often because of excessive primary productivity
Term
Nuclear Energy
Definition
Generating electricity from steam made by harnessing the energy holding atomic nucleus together.
Uranium 235
Term
BOD
Definition
Biological oxygen demand: a chemical procedure for determining how fast biological organisms use up oxygen in a body of water
Term
Weathering
Definition
The physical breakdown and/or chemical alteration of rocks and minerals at Earth's surface
Term
Physical (Mechanical) Weathering
Definition
Physical disintegration of rock. No chemical change
Term
Chemical Weathering
Definition
Interaction with atmosphere, hydrosphere, etc causes change in chemical makeup of rock
Term
Biological Weathering
Definition
Living things break down parent rock by physical or chemical means
Term
Soil Profile: Top Soil
Definition
Inorganic minerals, organic matter & partly decayed organic matter (humus)
Term
Soil Profile: Leached Zone
Definition
Mineral grains remaining from dissolution (ex, quartz). Low OM
Term
Soil Profile: Accumulation Zone
Definition
Minerals (such as oxides of Fe and Al) and OM leached from a horizon accumulate here
Term
Soil Profile: Course Rock
Definition
Large rock particles only slightly weathered from underlying bedrock
Term
Watershed/Drainage Basin
Definition
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
Term
Water Quality: pH Parameter
Definition
Chemical. Natural waters are usually acidic due to equilibrium with atmospheric CO2
Term
Alkalinity
Definition
Capacity of a solution to neutralize acids
Term
Conductivity
Definition
Capacity of a solution to conduct electricity. Highly correlated to TDS
Term
Hydrological Cycle: Four Main Reservoirs
Definition
Oceans, Surface Waters, Groundwater, Atmospheric water
Term
Transpiration
Definition
Evaporation of water from plants
Term
Evapotranspiration
Definition
All sources of evaporation in a given location
Term
Infiltration and groundwater flow
Definition
Movement of water underground
Term
Percolation
Definition
The slow movement of water through the pores in soil or permeable rock
Term
Thermocline
Definition
Water density differential barrier, located in metalimnion (middle layer of stratified lake)
Term
Lake Stratification
Definition
Separation of the lake into 3 layers: EPILIMNION, METALIMNION, HYDROLIMNION
Term
Runoff
Definition
Surface flow of rainwater
Term
Tributary Stream
Definition
Discharges into a larger stream
Term
Seasonal/Intermittent Stream
Definition
(Stream or PART of a stream) Flows for only part of the year
Term
Perennial Stream
Definition
Flows all year long
Term
Flood Plain
Definition
Area of low-lying ground next to a river, subject to flooding
Term
Sustainable Development
Definition
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
Term
Adsorption
Definition
One substance taking up another at its' surface
Term
Aerobic
Definition
Requiring air or oxygen: used when referring to decomposition processes that occur in the presence of oxygen
Term
Algal Bloom
Definition

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. 

Term

Cultural Eutrophication: 

Form of water pollution 

Nutrient pollution 

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 

 

 

Term
Salinization
Definition
Accumulation of salt in soil that could eventually make the soil unable to support plant growth.
Term
Negative Feedback
Definition
Self-regulating/stabilizing. Usually keeps a system in a relatively constant condition
Term
Positive Feedback
Definition

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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