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144 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
El Nino
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
weather
Condition of the atmosphere at one place and time
climate
Average weather conditions for a region over a period of decades
insolation
Incoming solar radiation (light)
albedo
The ability of an object to reflect light

Smooth, light colored surfaces = high albedodark, rough surfaces = low albedo

infrared energy
Heat in the form of energy Earth loses to space

Trapped and refelcted back to earth by greenhouse gasses

Greenhouse Gases
Trap infrared energy in our atmosphere

Cause climate change


-CO2, SOx, NOX


-methane, CFCs, O3


-H20



positive feedback
Amplifies change within a system
negative feedback
Dampens change and returns system to normal
convection currents
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

Coriolis Effect
Bending of wind and water currents caused by Earth rotationClockwise bend in N. hemispherecounterclockwise in S. hemisphere
troposphere
Bottom layer of atmosphere

-All water vapor is here


-All weather occurs here

stratosphere
Above troposphereozone layer is here
ozone layer
Absorbs UV radiationIs in the stratosphere
Thermohaline conveyor
Massive current that connects all of the world's oceans

-Driven by differences in salinity


-Sinks near Greenland

upwelling
-Cold, nutrient rich water rises to oceans surface

-Occurs on W. coast of continents


-Important for fish populations

biomes
Areas with similar climate and plant types
Tundra
-Frozen biome in far north latitudes

-Soil is permafrost


-Very short growing season

Taiga / Boreal Forest
Coniferous forest (trees with needles)

-Canada and Siberia Largest source of wood for timber companies

Temperate Deciduous forest
-Deciduous trees (lose their leaves in winter)

-Leaf litter makes soil rich

Tropical Rainforest
-Equitorial forests with lots of rain

-Nutrient poor soil


-Most diverse biome

Savanna
-African grassland biome

-Fire maintains soil fertility


-Wet and dry seasons

Chapparal
-Shrubland near the coast

-Dry


-Plant leaves contain flamable oils


-Depends on fire to burn away competition

Littoral Zone
-Shallow area near the shore

-Emergent plants grow here


-Most life is here

Limnetic Zone
-Shallow area far from shore

-Phytoplankton and zooplankton are base of food chain here

Benthic Zone
-The bottom of a river / lake / pond

-Decomposers live here

Wetlands
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

Mangrove swamp
-Trees with roots that can grow in salt water

-Roots provide important habitat for many fish prevent coastal erosion

Nitrogen fixation

Step 1a in Nitrogen Cycle

N2 is taken out of the air and converted to ammonium (NH4+) by soil bacteria
Ammonification

Step 1b in Nitrogen Cycle

Decomposers break down dead tissue and adds ammonium (NH4+) to the soil
Nitrification

Step 2 in Nitrogen Cycle

Ammonium is converted to nitrate & nitrite (NO3 & NO2) by soil bacteria
Assimilation

Step 3a in Nitrogen Cycle

N is absorbed by plants and animals
Denitrification

Step 3b in Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrate is converted to N2 and goes back into the air
Photosynthesis
CO2 and H2O are combined to form glucose and oxygen

-Done by autotroph


-CO2 + H2O + sunlight = C6H12O6 + O2

Cellular respiration
Glucose and oxygen are broken apart to produce CO2, H2O and energy

-Done by all living things


-C6H12O6 + O2 = CO2 + H2O + energy


Sedimentation
Organic carbon is burried and compacted to form carbon rich rocks like coal or CaCO3




Combustion
-Burning

-Produces CO2 which goes into the atmosphere

Exchange
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

Carbon sinks
Forests and oceans absorb and store large amounts of carbon



Deforestation destroys carbon sink

Phosphorous cycle

Sources:

-Rocks

-Bird poop
-bad guano (poop used as fertilizers)


-Essential plant nutrient


-Causes eutrophication in water




Disrupted by fertilizers and detergents

Net Primary Productivity
NPP = GPP - respiration loss

the amount of energy available to organisms in an ecosystem

Gross Primary Productivity
The amount of energy captured via photosynthesis
respiration loss
the amount of energy used for cellular respiration by plants
Trophic pyramid
Shows energy loss and population decline between trophic levels90% of the energy is lost as heat10% moves up to the next level
succession
gradual change in the species that make up an ecosystem
primary succession
happens on places WITHOUT previous ecosystems where there is NO SOILpioneer species like LICHEN and MOSS begin succession
secondary succession
happens in places where a previous ecosystem has been disturbed and there is ALREADY SOIL thereskips pioneer species step
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
Biodiversity is highest in ecosystems experiencing moderate levels of disturbance
resilience
ability of an ecosystem to recover from a disturbancemore diversity = more resilient
climax community
the ecosystem that eventually forms as an end product of succession
instrumental value
valuable because humans use it
ecosystem services
pollinationfiltering watercleaning airproviding resources-food-lumber-medicine
niche
describes how an organism fits into its ecosystemWhat it needshow it interacts with otherswhat it provides
fundamental niche
ALL possible conditions in which a population could survivelargeunrealistic
realized niche
the conditions in which a population ACTUALLY survives insmallreal life
resource partitioning
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)
Generalist species
– have a wide range of tolerance to most abiotic conditions- have a broad niche-can live in many habitats-eat a variety of foods
specialist species
- 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
competition
occurs when 2 organisms have overlapping nichefitness of both organisms decreases
interspecific competition
competition between 2 DIFFERENT species
intraspecfic competiton
competition between 2 of the SAME species
Competitive Exclusion Principle
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
Predation
One organism kills and eats the otherpredator fitness increaseasprey fitness decreases
Predator-prey cycles
Predator prey populations fluctuate together. Prey pop always biggerPredator population curve is delayed after the pery population curve
keystone predator
A predator that increases the diversity of its ecosystemdoes so by keeping competition in check. prevents one species from outcompeting all the others
mutualism
interaction where both species benefit
parasitism
one organism feeds off of another WITHOUT KILLING it immediatelyparasite fitness increaseshost fitness decreases
commensalism
interaction where one species benefits without effecting the other species in any wayone fitness goes upother fitness not effected
Natural selection
- 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
Artificial selection
Humans promote the presence of a desirable trait through selective breeding
founder effect
Evolution occurs when a small population colonizes a new area
bottleneck effect
Evolution occurs in a population after there has been a huge population crash that decreases the biodiversity
genetic drift
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
Coevolution
2 species evolving in response to each other
Evolutionary Arms Race
coevolution occurring between predator and prey
convergent evolution
2 different species evolve similar traitsex: bats and birds
Rate of Evolution is influenced by....
Population sizeGenetic DiversityRate of Environmental ChangeGeneration Time
Speciation
one species becomes 2 different species
Allopatric speciation
Geographic Isolation leads to different traitseventually they become genetically distinctand can no longer reproduce
Sympatric speciation
mutations to sex chromosomes causing polyploidyReproductive isolation
6th extinction
happening nowLarger and faster than ever beforecaused by human activity
Habitat loss
leading cause of biodiversity lossbiggest source of habitat loss = agriculture
Invasive species
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

Biomagnification
-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

Endocrine disruptors
disrupts endocrine system (horomones)
pH
Measure of the acidity of waterLow pH mobilizes heavy metals allowing them to dissolve into groundwater and runoff
turbidity
measure of water clarityhigh turbidity = not clear high turbidity indicates pollution by sediment
disolved oxygen (DO)
the amount of oxygen in the waterhigh DO = betterdependent upon temperature (cold water = more DO)decomposition of organic matter by bacteria lowers DO
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
measures the oxygen requirement of organisms living in a body of waterhigh BOD indicates lots of decomposition of organic matterhigh BOD = low DO

Stratospheric Ozone (O3)

Blocks UV radiation




Effects:


- Skin cancer


- Kills single sell organisms


- Cataracts

Tropospheric Ozone (O3)

Secondary pollutant




Cause:


- CAR EXHAUST (NOx)




Effects:


- Respiratory problems


- Reduced photosynthesis

Primary Treatment
Targets solidsSettling TankGravity separates sludge and scum from the rest of the waste water
Secondary Treatment
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
tertiary treatment
Targets pathogensDisinfected by adding Chlorine, Ozone, or passing through UV lights
Lead
Contaminates water in buildings with old pipes and plumbingNeurotoxinEffects brain development of young children
Mercury
Released from coal power plants in ionic formBecomes methyl mercuryBioaccumulatesNeurotoxin
Arsenic
Naturally occurring water pollutantMulti organ carcinogen
PCBs
Used as electrical insulators and in plastics manufacturingCarcinogenicvery persistent (dont break down)
Nitrates
Groundwater contaminant from fertilizer useCauses blue baby syndrome
Noise Pollution
Caused by sonar testingSuspected cause of beaching events of whales, dolphins, other cetaceans.
Thermal Pollution
Wastewater that is discharged at higher than normal temperatureCauses thermal shock killing fishReduces DO of water
point source
a visually identifiable source of pollutionex: smokestack, tail pipe of car, pipe dumping sewage into river
non-point source
source of pollution that is disperesed, doesn't come from a single pointex: agricultural runoff
Sediments
water pollutant caused by human activities leading to erosionIncreases turbidity - water temperatureburies benthic communities
Clean Water Act
Aim is to make US waters swimmable and fishable
Safe Drinking Water Act
sets national standards for safe drinking water by establishing maximum contaminant levels for different pollutants
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Waste that comes from homes (60%) and businesses (40%)Mostly paper4.5 lbs / american / day
Closed loop recycling
product is recycled back into the same thing it originally wasEx: can being recycled into a new can
open loop recycling
product recycled into a new, different productEx: plastic bottles recycled and used in carpeting
source reduction
The best way of reducing waste stream is to produce less of itPackaging remains an area which can be vastly improved
E-waste
Electronic wastecontains heavy metals that leach into groundwaterenvironmental racism
Sanitary Landfill
Modern landfills designed to deal with the problems created by old dumps and landfillsmost US MSW goes to landfills
Leachate
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
Incomplete Digestion
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
Methane production
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

Settling
Over time as MSW decomposes it takes up less space causing the landfill to settle
Incineration
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

Hazardous Waste
Waste that is toxic, corrosive, or explosive

Must be dealt with separate from other MSW b/c its dangerous

Deep Well Injection
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.

Surface Impoundment
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.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Requires cradle to grave tracking of hazardous substancesRequires EPA to work with petroleum and chemical companies to reduce the production of hazardous substances.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
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

Plague
Historically important infectious diseaseSpread by fleas carried by ratsKilled 1/3 of Europe
Malaria
Important infectious diseaseSpread by mosquitoes carrying the Protis Plasmodium parasiteCauses recurring flu like symptoms
Tuberculosis
Infectious disease caused by bacterial infection of lungsCoughing up blood, death
HIV / AIDS
Believed to have originated from humans eating infected apes.Spread through sexual contact, needle sharingMost severe in sub-saharan africa
Ebola
emerging infectious disease discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo90% mortality rateInternal + external bleeding, fever, death
Bird Flu
H1N1 virusMostly effects farmed birds like chickensJumped to humans in 2006
West Nile Virus
Spread from birds to humans by mosquitoesfirst diagnosed in NY around 2009Causes swelling of the brain, intense pain
Neurotoxins
class of chemical threats that causes damage to the central nervous systemExample: lead
Carcinogens
class of chemical threat that causes cancerExample: Asbestos
Teratogens
class of chemical threat that causes birth defectsExample: thalidomide
Mutagens
class of chemical threat that damages genetic material
Endocrine Disruptors
class of chemical threat that damages or interferes with hormonesExamples: atrazine, BPA
ED 50
Effective dose in 50% of a population
LD 50
Lethal dose to 50% of a populationUsed to set safety standards:safe for animals = LD50 / 10safe for humans = LD50 / 10,000
brownfield
abandoned industrial sitecontaminated and must be remediated before being developed
phytoremediation
using plants affinity for different materials to remediate soil and groundwater pollution

SOx

Causes:


-Acid rain


-Irritation in lungs




How we Deal:


-Scrubbers

Coral Reefs

-Most diverse marine biome


-Mutualistic relationship between coral polyp and bacteria inside


-Corals bleach and die when stressed

Nitrogen Cycle

The circulation of the limiting nutrient nitrogen through the atmosphere, plants, and animals




Disturbed by fertilizer use

Zebra mussels

-Invasive species


-

kudzu

Invasive species

Intrumantal

Human use