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144 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
El Nino
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Occurs when currents in the tropical Pacific reverse bringing warm water to central america.Causes changes warmer wetter winters in SW united states.Prevents upwelling
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weather
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Condition of the atmosphere at one place and time
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climate
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Average weather conditions for a region over a period of decades
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insolation
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Incoming solar radiation (light)
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albedo
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The ability of an object to reflect light
Smooth, light colored surfaces = high albedodark, rough surfaces = low albedo |
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infrared energy
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Heat in the form of energy Earth loses to space
Trapped and refelcted back to earth by greenhouse gasses |
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Greenhouse Gases
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Trap infrared energy in our atmosphere
Cause climate change -CO2, SOx, NOX -methane, CFCs, O3 -H20 |
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positive feedback
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Amplifies change within a system
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negative feedback
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Dampens change and returns system to normal
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convection currents
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Rising of warm, sinking of cool
Less dense air as it rises it expands allowing it to cool cool, more dense air sinks back down |
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Coriolis Effect
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Bending of wind and water currents caused by Earth rotationClockwise bend in N. hemispherecounterclockwise in S. hemisphere
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troposphere
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Bottom layer of atmosphere
-All water vapor is here -All weather occurs here |
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stratosphere
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Above troposphereozone layer is here
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ozone layer
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Absorbs UV radiationIs in the stratosphere
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Thermohaline conveyor
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Massive current that connects all of the world's oceans
-Driven by differences in salinity -Sinks near Greenland |
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upwelling
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-Cold, nutrient rich water rises to oceans surface
-Occurs on W. coast of continents -Important for fish populations |
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biomes
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Areas with similar climate and plant types
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Tundra
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-Frozen biome in far north latitudes
-Soil is permafrost -Very short growing season |
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Taiga / Boreal Forest
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Coniferous forest (trees with needles)
-Canada and Siberia Largest source of wood for timber companies |
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Temperate Deciduous forest
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-Deciduous trees (lose their leaves in winter)
-Leaf litter makes soil rich |
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Tropical Rainforest
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-Equitorial forests with lots of rain
-Nutrient poor soil -Most diverse biome |
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Savanna
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-African grassland biome
-Fire maintains soil fertility -Wet and dry seasons |
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Chapparal
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-Shrubland near the coast
-Dry -Plant leaves contain flamable oils -Depends on fire to burn away competition |
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Littoral Zone
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-Shallow area near the shore
-Emergent plants grow here -Most life is here |
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Limnetic Zone
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-Shallow area far from shore
-Phytoplankton and zooplankton are base of food chain here |
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Benthic Zone
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-The bottom of a river / lake / pond
-Decomposers live here |
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Wetlands
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Very valuable biome, but most have been destroyed
Important ecosystem services: -Spawning + nesting habitat for fish/birds -Filter pollution out of water -Source of crops like cranberries -Control stormwater runoff |
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Mangrove swamp
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-Trees with roots that can grow in salt water
-Roots provide important habitat for many fish prevent coastal erosion |
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Nitrogen fixation
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Step 1a in Nitrogen Cycle N2 is taken out of the air and converted to ammonium (NH4+) by soil bacteria |
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Ammonification
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Step 1b in Nitrogen Cycle |
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Nitrification
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Step 2 in Nitrogen Cycle |
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Assimilation
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Step 3a in Nitrogen Cycle |
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Denitrification
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Step 3b in Nitrogen Cycle |
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Photosynthesis
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CO2 and H2O are combined to form glucose and oxygen
-Done by autotroph -CO2 + H2O + sunlight = C6H12O6 + O2 |
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Cellular respiration
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Glucose and oxygen are broken apart to produce CO2, H2O and energy
-Done by all living things -C6H12O6 + O2 = CO2 + H2O + energy |
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Sedimentation
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Organic carbon is burried and compacted to form carbon rich rocks like coal or CaCO3
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Combustion
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-Burning
-Produces CO2 which goes into the atmosphere |
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Exchange
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CO2 enters ocean by
-Absorbed by plankton during photosynthesis -Dissolves into water though wave action C goes through sedimentation becoming carbonate in shells, corals, and limestone |
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Carbon sinks
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Forests and oceans absorb and store large amounts of carbon
Deforestation destroys carbon sink |
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Phosphorous cycle
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Sources: -Rocks-Bird poop -Essential plant nutrient -Causes eutrophication in water Disrupted by fertilizers and detergents |
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Net Primary Productivity
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NPP = GPP - respiration loss
the amount of energy available to organisms in an ecosystem |
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Gross Primary Productivity
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The amount of energy captured via photosynthesis
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respiration loss
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the amount of energy used for cellular respiration by plants
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Trophic pyramid
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Shows energy loss and population decline between trophic levels90% of the energy is lost as heat10% moves up to the next level
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succession
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gradual change in the species that make up an ecosystem
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primary succession
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happens on places WITHOUT previous ecosystems where there is NO SOILpioneer species like LICHEN and MOSS begin succession
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secondary succession
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happens in places where a previous ecosystem has been disturbed and there is ALREADY SOIL thereskips pioneer species step
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Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
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Biodiversity is highest in ecosystems experiencing moderate levels of disturbance
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resilience
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ability of an ecosystem to recover from a disturbancemore diversity = more resilient
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climax community
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the ecosystem that eventually forms as an end product of succession
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instrumental value
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valuable because humans use it
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ecosystem services
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pollinationfiltering watercleaning airproviding resources-food-lumber-medicine
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niche
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describes how an organism fits into its ecosystemWhat it needshow it interacts with otherswhat it provides
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fundamental niche
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ALL possible conditions in which a population could survivelargeunrealistic
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realized niche
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the conditions in which a population ACTUALLY survives insmallreal life
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resource partitioning
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organisms with overlaping niches avoid competition by using the resources in different ways-spatial partioning (use different areas)-temporal partitioning (use at different times)-morphological partitioning (different body shapes to use resource differently)
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Generalist species
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– have a wide range of tolerance to most abiotic conditions- have a broad niche-can live in many habitats-eat a variety of foods
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specialist species
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- have a smaller range of tolerance to most abiotic conditions- occupy narrow niches- use few food sources- can live in only very specific habitats- are more sensitive and prone to extinction
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competition
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occurs when 2 organisms have overlapping nichefitness of both organisms decreases
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interspecific competition
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competition between 2 DIFFERENT species
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intraspecfic competiton
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competition between 2 of the SAME species
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Competitive Exclusion Principle
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When 2 species occupy the same niche, competition will occur. the results of this competition will be either:- weaker competitor move to seperate nicheor - weaker competitor goes extinct
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Predation
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One organism kills and eats the otherpredator fitness increaseasprey fitness decreases
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Predator-prey cycles
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Predator prey populations fluctuate together. Prey pop always biggerPredator population curve is delayed after the pery population curve
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keystone predator
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A predator that increases the diversity of its ecosystemdoes so by keeping competition in check. prevents one species from outcompeting all the others
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mutualism
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interaction where both species benefit
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parasitism
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one organism feeds off of another WITHOUT KILLING it immediatelyparasite fitness increaseshost fitness decreases
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commensalism
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interaction where one species benefits without effecting the other species in any wayone fitness goes upother fitness not effected
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Natural selection
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- all organisms have different traits- Nature creates a selective pressure favoring traits that help organisms survive and reproduce- traits that help survive and reproduce are adaptations- organisms with adaptations reproduce more passing on their genes- eventually adaptation spreads to the whole population
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Artificial selection
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Humans promote the presence of a desirable trait through selective breeding
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founder effect
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Evolution occurs when a small population colonizes a new area
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bottleneck effect
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Evolution occurs in a population after there has been a huge population crash that decreases the biodiversity
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genetic drift
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Evolution occurs as a result of random mating mostly in small populations where genes can be lost forever because the carrier could not find a mate
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Coevolution
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2 species evolving in response to each other
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Evolutionary Arms Race
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coevolution occurring between predator and prey
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convergent evolution
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2 different species evolve similar traitsex: bats and birds
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Rate of Evolution is influenced by....
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Population sizeGenetic DiversityRate of Environmental ChangeGeneration Time
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Speciation
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one species becomes 2 different species
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Allopatric speciation
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Geographic Isolation leads to different traitseventually they become genetically distinctand can no longer reproduce
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Sympatric speciation
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mutations to sex chromosomes causing polyploidyReproductive isolation
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6th extinction
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happening nowLarger and faster than ever beforecaused by human activity
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Habitat loss
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leading cause of biodiversity lossbiggest source of habitat loss = agriculture
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Invasive species
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Species introduced to a new area, quickly take over by outcompeting native species and reduce biodiversitysuccessful b/c
1. no predators 2. grow quickly 3. reproduce quickly |
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Biomagnification
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-Concentration of a pollutant increases as it moves up the food chain
-Top predators have much more in them than primary consumers -DDT and bald eagle example |
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Endocrine disruptors
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disrupts endocrine system (horomones)
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pH
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Measure of the acidity of waterLow pH mobilizes heavy metals allowing them to dissolve into groundwater and runoff
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turbidity
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measure of water clarityhigh turbidity = not clear high turbidity indicates pollution by sediment
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disolved oxygen (DO)
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the amount of oxygen in the waterhigh DO = betterdependent upon temperature (cold water = more DO)decomposition of organic matter by bacteria lowers DO
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
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measures the oxygen requirement of organisms living in a body of waterhigh BOD indicates lots of decomposition of organic matterhigh BOD = low DO
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Stratospheric Ozone (O3) |
Blocks UV radiation Effects: - Skin cancer - Kills single sell organisms - Cataracts |
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Tropospheric Ozone (O3) |
Secondary pollutant Cause: - CAR EXHAUST (NOx) Effects: - Respiratory problems - Reduced photosynthesis |
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Primary Treatment
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Targets solidsSettling TankGravity separates sludge and scum from the rest of the waste water
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Secondary Treatment
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Targets Organic Matter and NutrientsAeration Tank (aka Activated sludge)Oxygen is fed to microbes in the sludge to help them decompose it. goes to a second settling tank
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tertiary treatment
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Targets pathogensDisinfected by adding Chlorine, Ozone, or passing through UV lights
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Lead
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Contaminates water in buildings with old pipes and plumbingNeurotoxinEffects brain development of young children
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Mercury
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Released from coal power plants in ionic formBecomes methyl mercuryBioaccumulatesNeurotoxin
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Arsenic
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Naturally occurring water pollutantMulti organ carcinogen
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PCBs
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Used as electrical insulators and in plastics manufacturingCarcinogenicvery persistent (dont break down)
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Nitrates
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Groundwater contaminant from fertilizer useCauses blue baby syndrome
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Noise Pollution
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Caused by sonar testingSuspected cause of beaching events of whales, dolphins, other cetaceans.
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Thermal Pollution
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Wastewater that is discharged at higher than normal temperatureCauses thermal shock killing fishReduces DO of water
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point source
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a visually identifiable source of pollutionex: smokestack, tail pipe of car, pipe dumping sewage into river
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non-point source
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source of pollution that is disperesed, doesn't come from a single pointex: agricultural runoff
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Sediments
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water pollutant caused by human activities leading to erosionIncreases turbidity - water temperatureburies benthic communities
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Clean Water Act
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Aim is to make US waters swimmable and fishable
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Safe Drinking Water Act
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sets national standards for safe drinking water by establishing maximum contaminant levels for different pollutants
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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
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Waste that comes from homes (60%) and businesses (40%)Mostly paper4.5 lbs / american / day
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Closed loop recycling
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product is recycled back into the same thing it originally wasEx: can being recycled into a new can
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open loop recycling
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product recycled into a new, different productEx: plastic bottles recycled and used in carpeting
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source reduction
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The best way of reducing waste stream is to produce less of itPackaging remains an area which can be vastly improved
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E-waste
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Electronic wastecontains heavy metals that leach into groundwaterenvironmental racism
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Sanitary Landfill
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Modern landfills designed to deal with the problems created by old dumps and landfillsmost US MSW goes to landfills
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Leachate
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Toxic fluid that forms as rain water drains down through the landfill. Dangerous if it escapes into groundwaterHow We Deal:- double lining of bottom of landfill with clay and plastic to prevent escape- sloped bottom so all leachate collects in one area- pump and treat leachate - build landfills at high elevation
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Incomplete Digestion
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Landfill waste decomposes slower than anticipated b/c of anaerobic and dry conditions within the landfillMakes the landfill fill up and close earlier, requiring construction of more landfillsHow We Deal:recirculate leachate through the landfill to provide moisture for decomposition
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Methane production
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Methane is produced by bacteria inside the landfill in anaerobic conditions
Explosive, Flamable, Dangerous How We Deal:- collect it and use it as an energy resource- vent it into the atmosphere with wells dug into the landfill |
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Settling
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Over time as MSW decomposes it takes up less space causing the landfill to settle
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Incineration
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Burning of MSW
Pros:- takes up less space, allows landfill to opperate longer- recyclables recovered- toxins concentrated into the ash Cons:- air pollution- smells gross (NIMBY)- ash is toxic waste |
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Hazardous Waste
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Waste that is toxic, corrosive, or explosive
Must be dealt with separate from other MSW b/c its dangerous |
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Deep Well Injection
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Disposal option for Hazardous Waste
Well is drilled very deep underground into a porous layer of rock.Hazardous waste is pumped down into the well and stored underground. |
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Surface Impoundment
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Hazardous waste disposal option
Hazaradous waste is pumped into a cement lagoon.Water evaporates from the lagoon, leaving concentrated waste behind. This waste is put in barrels and sent to haz waste landfills. |
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
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Requires cradle to grave tracking of hazardous substancesRequires EPA to work with petroleum and chemical companies to reduce the production of hazardous substances.
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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
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AKA. Superfund Act
1. Government taxes petroleum companies 2. Gov identifies most heavily polluted sites in the counry 3. Funds are used to remediate the polluted sites |
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Plague
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Historically important infectious diseaseSpread by fleas carried by ratsKilled 1/3 of Europe
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Malaria
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Important infectious diseaseSpread by mosquitoes carrying the Protis Plasmodium parasiteCauses recurring flu like symptoms
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Tuberculosis
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Infectious disease caused by bacterial infection of lungsCoughing up blood, death
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HIV / AIDS
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Believed to have originated from humans eating infected apes.Spread through sexual contact, needle sharingMost severe in sub-saharan africa
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Ebola
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emerging infectious disease discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo90% mortality rateInternal + external bleeding, fever, death
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Bird Flu
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H1N1 virusMostly effects farmed birds like chickensJumped to humans in 2006
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West Nile Virus
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Spread from birds to humans by mosquitoesfirst diagnosed in NY around 2009Causes swelling of the brain, intense pain
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Neurotoxins
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class of chemical threats that causes damage to the central nervous systemExample: lead
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Carcinogens
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class of chemical threat that causes cancerExample: Asbestos
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Teratogens
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class of chemical threat that causes birth defectsExample: thalidomide
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Mutagens
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class of chemical threat that damages genetic material
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Endocrine Disruptors
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class of chemical threat that damages or interferes with hormonesExamples: atrazine, BPA
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ED 50
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Effective dose in 50% of a population
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LD 50
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Lethal dose to 50% of a populationUsed to set safety standards:safe for animals = LD50 / 10safe for humans = LD50 / 10,000
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brownfield
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abandoned industrial sitecontaminated and must be remediated before being developed
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phytoremediation
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using plants affinity for different materials to remediate soil and groundwater pollution
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SOx |
Causes: -Acid rain -Irritation in lungs How we Deal: -Scrubbers |
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Coral Reefs |
-Most diverse marine biome -Mutualistic relationship between coral polyp and bacteria inside -Corals bleach and die when stressed |
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Nitrogen Cycle |
The circulation of the limiting nutrient nitrogen through the atmosphere, plants, and animals Disturbed by fertilizer use |
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Zebra mussels |
-Invasive species - |
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kudzu |
Invasive species |
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Intrumantal |
Human use |