Ionizing radiation
organized and concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil fuel and nuclear)
First Law of Thermodynamics
energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another
Second Law of Thermodynamics
when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy, usually heat
Natural radioactive decay
unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles
Half-life
estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level
Nuclear Fission
nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons
Ore
Surface mining
cheaper and can remove more minerals; less hazardous to workers
Humus
Leaching
Illuviation
deposit of leached material in lower soil layers
Loam
Parts of the hydrologic cycle
Cone of depression
lowering of the water table around a pumping well
Salt water intrusion
near the coast, over-pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer
ENSO
El Nino
Effects of El Nino
Ammonification
decomposers convert organic waste into ammonia
Nitrification
Assimilation
Denitrification
the ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer, discharge of sewage
Photosynthesis
Aerobic Respiration
indicator of sewage contamination
Chlorine
good= disinfection of water, bad= forms trihalomethanes
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
Cogeneration
using waste heat to make electricity
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Biome
Carrying Capacity
R strategist
K strategist
Positive feedback
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)
Negative feedback
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)
Malthus
Doubling time
Replacement level fertility
Preindustrial stage
Age structure diagrams
family planning, contraception, economic rewards and penalties
Conserve water
BOD
Eutrophication
Hypoxia
Minamata disease
Natural Selection
organisms that possess favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation
Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone
Radon
Photochemical Smog
Acid Deposition
Transitional Stage
Greenhouse gases
Global warming
an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes)
increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth
harmful environmental side effects that are not reflected in a product's price
Incineration advantages
Incineration disadvantages
Indicator species
Keystone species
Endangered species
predators, diseases, parasites
Pesticide pros
Pesticide cons
Natural pest control
Electricity generation methods
Petroleum formation
Pros of petroleum
cheap, easily transported, high quality energy
Cons of petroleum
Coal formation
core, control rods, steam generator, turbine, containment building
LD50
Endangered species
a group of organisms in danger of becoming extinct if the situation is not improved; population numbers have dropped below the critical number of organisms; North spotted owl, Arctic polar bear, and many others
Invasive species
Tragedy of the Commons
Major source of sulfur
burning coal
Threshold dose
the maximum dose that has no measurable effect
Temperature Inversion
Transpiration
Monoculture
cultivation of a single crop, usually in a large area
Food
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
1977; requires coal strip mines to reclaim the land
Madrid Protocol
Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA, 1974) set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health
Clean Water Act
(CWA, 1972) set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and fishable
Ocean Dumping Ban Act
Clean Air Act
Kyoto Protocol
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
Nuclear Waste Policy Act
Endangered Species Act
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Magnuson-Stevens Act
Food Quality Protection Act
1996; set pesticide limits in food, and all active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects
National Environmental Policy Act
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants