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100 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Ionizing radiation
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enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions; capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays,
UV) |
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High Quality Energy
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organized & concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil fuel & nuclear)
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Low Quality Energy
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disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air wind, solar)
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First Law of Thermodynamics
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energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another (Law
of Conservation of Energy) |
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Second Law of Thermodynamics
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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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Natural radioactive decay
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unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles
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Half-life
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the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioisotope to decay
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Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level
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approximately 10 half-lives
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Nuclear Fission
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nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons
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Nuclear Fusion
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two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier
nucleus (He). Process is expensive; break-even point not reached yet |
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Ore
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a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine
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Organic fertilizer
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slow-acting & long-lasting because the organic remains need time to be decomposed
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Best solutions to energy shortage
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conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options
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Surface mining
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cheaper and can remove more minerals; less hazardous to workers
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Humus
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organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms
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Leaching
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removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards
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Illuviation
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deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B horizon)
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Loam
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perfect agricultural soil with optimal portions of sand, silt, clay (40%, 40%, 20%)
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Conservation
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allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner
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Preservation
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setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities
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Parts of the hydrologic cycle
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evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration
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Aquifer
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any water-bearing layer in the ground
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Cone of depression
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lowering of the water table around a pumping well
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Salt water intrusion
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near the coast, over-pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer
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ENSO
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El Niño Southern Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the S. Pacific
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During an El Niño year
During a non El Niño year |
trade winds weaken & warm water sloshed back to SA
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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Effects of El Niño
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upwelling decreases disrupting food chains; N U.S. has mild winters, SW U.S. has increased rainfall, less
Atlantic hurricanes |
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Nitrogen fixing
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because atmospheric N2 cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia (NH3)
by bacteria (rhizobium) |
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Ammonification
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decomposers convert organic waste into ammonia
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Nitrification
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ammonia (NH3) is converted to nitrate ions (NO3)-
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Assimilation
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inorganic nitrogen is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids & proteins
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Denitrification
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bacteria convert nitrate (NO3)- and nitrite (NO2)- back into N2 gas
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Phosphorus does not circulate as easily as nitrogen because
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it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of
phosphate (PO4)3- rocks |
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Sustainability
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the ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their needs |
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How excess phosphorus is added to aquatic ecosystems
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runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer, discharge of sewage
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Photosynthesis
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plants convert atmospheric carbon (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6)
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Aerobic respiration
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O2-consuming producers, consumers & decomposers break down complex organic compounds &
convert C back into CO2 |
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Largest reservoirs of C
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carbonate (CO3)2- rocks first, oceans second
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Biotic and abiotic
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living and nonliving components of an ecosystem
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Producer/Autotroph
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photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life
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Fecal coliform/Enterococcus bacteria
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indicator of sewage contamination
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Energy flow in food webs
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only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy lost as heat (second law); not
all biomass is digested and absorbed; predators expend energy to catch prey |
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Chlorine
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good= disinfection of water; bad = forms trihalomethanes
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Primary succession
Secondary succession |
development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life or those in which the soil
profile is totally destroyed (lava flows); begins with lichen action life progresses where soil remains (clear-cut forest, fire) |
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Cogeneration
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using waste heat to make electricity
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Mutualism
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symbiotic relationship where both partners benefi
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Commensalism
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symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits & the other is unaffected
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Parasitism
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relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host
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Biome
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large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants & animals
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Carrying capacity
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the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area
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R strategist
K strategist |
reproduce early in life; many small unprotected offspring
reproduce late in life; few offspring; care for offspring |
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Positive feedback
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when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (warmer
Earth - snow melts - less sunlight is reflected & more is absorbed, therefore warmer earth) |
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Negative feedback
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when a changing in some condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition (warmer
earth - more ocean evaporation - more stratus clouds - less sunlight reaches the ground - therefore cooler Earth) |
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Malthus
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said human population cannot continue to increase exponentially; consequences will be war, famine & disease
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Doubling time
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rule of 70; 70 divided by the percent growth rate
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Replacement level fertility
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the number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (2.1 in developed countries)
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World Population
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~ 6.7 billion U.S. Population: ~ 305 million
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Preindustrial stage
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(demographic transition) birth & death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high
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Transitional stage
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(demographic transition) death rate lower, better health care, population grows fast
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Industrial stage
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(demographic transition) decline in birth rate, population growth slows
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Postindustrial stage
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(demographic transition) low birth & death rates
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Age structure diagrams
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broad base = rapid growth; narrow base = negative growth; uniform shape = zero growth
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First, second and third most populated countries
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China, India, U.S.
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Most important thing affecting population growth
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low status of women
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Ways to decrease birth rate
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family planning, contraception, economic rewards and penalties
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Percent water on earth by type
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97.5% seawater, 2.5% freshwater
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Salinization of soil
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in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind
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Ways to conserve water
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agriculture = drip/trickle irrigation; industry = recycling; home = use gray water, repair leaks, low
flow fixtures |
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Point vs. non point sources
Point: Nonpoint: |
from specific location such as a pipe
from over an area such as runoff |
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BOD
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biological oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic
materials |
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Eutrophication
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rapid algal growth caused by an excess of nitrates (NO3)- and phosphates (PO4)3- in water
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Hypoxia
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when aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops & the water
cannot support life |
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Minamata disease
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(1932-1968, Japan) mental impairments caused by methylmercury (CH3Hg)+ poisoning
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Primary air pollutants
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produced by humans & nature (CO,CO2,SOx,NOx, hydrocarbons, particulates)
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Natural selection
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organisms that possess favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation
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Radon (Rn):
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naturally occurring colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, found in some types of soil and rock, can seep into
homes and buildings, formed from the decay of uranium (U), causes lung cancer |
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Photochemical smog
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formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC, O*)
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Acid deposition
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caused by sulfuric and nitric acids (H2SO4, HNO3), resulting in lowered pH of surface waters
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Greenhouse gases:
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Examples: H2O, CO2, O3, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane (CH4). Effect: they trap outgoing
infrared (heat) energy, causing Earth to warm |
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Effects of global warming
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rising sea level (thermal expansion), extreme weather, drought, famine, extinctions
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Causes of ozone depletion
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CFCs, methyl chloroform or trichloromethane (CHCl3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), halon
(haloalkanes), methyl bromide (CH3Br)— all of which attack stratospheric ozone |
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Effects of ozone depletion
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increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth
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Love Canal, NY:
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(1950s +) chemicals buried in old canal; school and homes built over it; caused birth defects and cancer
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Main component of municipal solid waste (MSW):
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paper; most is landfilled
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True cost / External costs
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harmful environmental side effects that are not reflected in a product’s price
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Incineration advantages
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volume of waste reduced by 90%, and waste heat can be used
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Incineration disadvantages
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toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride, dioxins), scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators needed,
ash disposal (contains heavy metals) |
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Best way to solve waste problem
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reduce the amounts of waste at the source
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Keystone species
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species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others, such as a sea otter, sea stars, grizzly
bear, prairie dogs |
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Indicator species
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species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged ex. trout
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Characteristics of endangered species
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small range, large territory, or live on an island
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In natural ecosystems, methods which control 50-90% of pests
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predators, diseases, parasites
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Major insecticide groups (and examples):
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chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT); organophosphates (malathion); carbamates
(aldicarb) |
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Pesticide pros
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saves lives from insect-transmitted disease, increases food supply, increases profits for farmers
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Pesticide cons
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genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, biological
magnification |
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Natural pest control
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better agricultural practices, genetically resistant plants, natural enemies, biopesticides, sex attractants
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Electricity generation methods
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using steam from water boiled by fossils fuels or nuclear reactions; falling water to turn a
turbine to power a generator |
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Petroleum formation
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microscopic aquatic organisms in sediments converted by heat and pressure into a mixture of
hydrocarbons |
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Pros of petroleum
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relatively cheap, easily transported, high-quality energy
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Cons of petroleum
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reserves will be depleted soon; pollution during drilling, transport and refining; burning makes CO2
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