Best alternative milk option
oat milk
If CA was not a part of the US, what would the diet be?
expensive and grainy
The Hydrologic cycle
Recycle h20
driven by the Hadley cells
-constant low pressure at the equator.
-high pressure directly above and below the equator (desert, decreased h20)
-heterogenous water distribution.
-solar energy constantly evaporates h20 and evaporated h20 condenses to liquid or solid snow and ice when it cools.
Nearly all h20 is...
ocean
How much water is in a form accessible to us as fresh water?
0.02%
-mostly ground water in the form of a stream/lake
the "third" pole
the tibetan plateau
water table
the top of the saturated zone that supplies wells.
zone of aeration
upper soil layers that hold both air and water
zone of saturation
lower zone where all open spaces in sediment and rock are completely filled with water
aquifers
Subterranean, porous, water-holding rocks that provide millions of wells with steady flows of water.
aquilude
the impermeable beds above and below the water bearing bed in an artesian system
confined aquifer
an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow
artesian well
A well in which water rises because of pressure within the aquifer
cone of depression
an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well and lowered water table
water in the atmosphere
0.001% of h20
small compartment
10 day cycle
water withdrawl
total amount of water taken from a water body
-worldwide: 70% of withdrawl is from agriculture.
watershed
catchment basin, all the land drained by a stream or river.
great basin
land-locked draining into salt lake, only way out through evaporation, leaving salt.
*biggest domestic use of water
toilets
grey water
waste water generated from processes such as washing dishes, bathing and laundry that can be recycled.
pollution
any physical, biological, or chemical change in water quality that adversely affects organism or makes water unsuitable.
serpentine soil
nickle/heavy metal rich soil, makes flora wack
point source pollution
pollution that comes from a specific site
drain pipe, ditch, seware outfall
non-point source pollution
no specific location where they discharge into a particular body of water.
ex. golf courses
pathogenic
disease causing
coliform bacteria
Bacteria that live in the intestines (including the colon) of humans and other animals, used as a measure of the presence of feces in water or soil.
-indicative of other pathogens present
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
the amount of oxygen in the water; measures water quality
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aquatic microorganisms
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
a measure of all organic matter in water
oligotrophic
rivers and lakes that have clear water and low biological productivity
-low nutrient
eutrophic
waters rich in organisms and organic materials
cultural eutrophication
when human activities greatly accelerate eutrophication
dead zones
In a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very little life
-form when rivers dump nutrients into estuaries and shallow seas
-ex. red tide
sediment
natural part of river system, largest source of h20 pollution in US
thermal pollution
effluent from cooling systems of power plant industries, alters water temp
municipal treatment
-primary: physically separate solids
-secondary: use aerobic bacteria to break down dissolved organic compounds
-tertiary: removes dissolved metals and nutrients especially nitrates and phosphates.
What percentage of human body is water?
60%
evapotranspiration
The combined processes of evaporation and transpiration.
-much more active in hot climates (>solar energy, >et)
-leeward (downwind) mountain side tends to be depleted of moisture.
-less rainfall in high pressure systems (poles, just outside the equator)
Transpiration
plants take up moisture and release water vapor from leaf pores.
residence time
the length of time h20 typically stays in a compartment
ground water
largest compartment of liquid fresh h20
glaciers, ice caps, and perennial snow fields
90% of the world's fresh water
recharge zones
area where surface water infiltrates into an aquifer
discharge
the amount of water that passes a fixed point in a given amount of time
-used to compare the size of rivers
water footprint
mostly from ag (30%)
-worldwide ag consumes 75% of water resources
-industry: 20%
virtual water
exports directly to other countries (like alfalfa products, or almonds from CA)
largest single industrial use of water
cooling water for power plants
-then biofuels and fracking
drought
an extended period of consistently below average precipitation that has a substantial impact on ecosystems, ag and economics.
deadpool status
too little water in a dam to drain by gravity.
subsidence
the gradual sinking of ground following water removal from aquifers
-another consequence=saltwater intrusion
main source of water pathogens
untreated/improperly treated human waste
oxygen sag
oxygen decline downstream of a point source pollutant.
2 principle sources of toxic organic chemicals in water
1. improper disposal of industrial and household wastes.
2. pesticide runoff from farm fields, forests, golf courses, etc.
constructed wetlands
a complex of artificial marshes designed to filter and decompose waste
-cheaper and environmentally concious
bioremediation
The use of living organisms to detoxify and restore polluted and degraded ecosystems
living organisms can clean contaminated water effectively and inexpensively
wastestream
describes the steady flow of varied wastes that we all produce, from domestic to industrial.
-28% paper and cardboard
-54% goes to landfills, 26% is recycled
predominant method of waste disposal in developing countries
open unregulated dumps
landfills
54% of municipal waste does to landfills
Refuse is compacted and covered daily with layer of dirt.
impermiable lining to reduce leaks.
generates methane (bc covered): landfills manage/burn it.
e-waste
discarded electronic equipment such as computers, cell phones, television sets, etc.
-one of the greatest sources of toxic materials going to developing countries.
incinerators
Facilities that burn trash at high temperatures.
-same degree of energy recovery
-using heat derived from incinerated refuse to heat and generate electricity.
refuse derived fuel
what's left after unburnable or recyclable materials are removed
sorted waste, the enriched burnable fraction has a higher energy content than the raw trash.
mass burn
to dump everything into a giant furnace, unsorted, and burn as much as possible
recycling
reprocessing of used materials for reuse/new products
composting
The biological degradation of organic material under aerobic (oxygen-rich) conditions to produce compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment and conditioner.
-aids water retention, slows soil degredation and erosion, and improves crop yields.
what industry produces the most hazardous waste? *
chemical and petroleum industries (71%)
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
Creates the Superfund
the superfund
A fund created by Congress in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. Money for the fund comes from taxing chemical products.
-designed to deal with the worst/most hazardous areas of toxic waste
-created because of Love Canal in the 70s
Love Canal
A neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, which became the subject of national and international attention, controversy, and eventual environmental notoriety following the discovery of 21,000 tons of toxic waste buried beneath the neighborhood.
brownfields
large areas of contaminated properties that have been abandoned or are not being used to their potential because of real or suspected pollution
-up to 1/3 of all comercial and industrial sites in the urban core of many big cities.
municipal solid waste
garbage produced by households and businesses
sanitary landfill
modern, designed to control waste
-compact and cover trash w dirt daily
-also manage methane
the black sludge
petroleum wastes containing hydrogen sulfide and volatile hydrocarbons.
energy recovery
Incineration of solid waste to produce useful energy.
-using heat derived from incinerated refuse to heat nearby buildings and produce steam and electricity.
easiest and most valuable material to recycle
aluminum
the preferred packaging hierarchy
1. no packaging
2. minimal packaging
3. reusable packaging
4. recyclable packaging
photodegradable plastics
break down when exposed to ultraviolet radiation
biodegradable plastics
plastics that incorporate cornstarch and can be broken down by microorganisms
perminent retrievable storage
involves placing waste storage containers in a secure place where they can be inspected occasionally and retrieved if necessary
ex. plans for yucca mountain
health
a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY)
A measure of burden of disease, one DALY equals one year of healthy life lost due to premature death and time lived with illness, disease or injury.
pathogens
disease causing organisms
ex. 1918 influenza, greatest loss of life from an individual disease
emergent disease
a new disease or one that has been absent for at least 20 years
ecological disease
Emergent diseases (new or rarely seen diseases) that cause devastating epidemics among wildlife and domestic animals.
conservation medicine
examines how environmental changes threaten the health of humans and natural communities
toxicology
study of poisonous substances and their effects upon body parts
environmental toxicology
specifically deals with the interactions, transformation, fate, and effects of toxins in the biosphere, including individual organisms, populations, and whole ecosystems.
allergens
substances that activate the immune system
antigens
substances (pollen, bacteria, etc) that are recognized as foreign by WBCs and stimulate the production of specific antibodies
antibodies
proteins produced by our bodies that recognize and bind to foreign cells/chemicals
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
Situation in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
caused by poorely vented indoor air contamination
neurotoxins
metabolic poisons that specifically attack nerve cells
(ex. mercury)
mutagens
agents in the environment that can change DNA
ex. chems and radiation
teratogens
chemicals and other factors that specifically cause abnormalities during embryonic growth and development
carcinogens
cancer causing substances
the endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
solubility
one of the most important characteristics in determining how a toxic material will move through the environment/through the body to its site of action
bioaccumulation*
refers to the process in which organisms may selectively absorb and store toxins in their bodies
biomagnification*
occurs when the toxic burden of a large number of organisms at a lower trophic level is accumulated and concentrated by a predator in a higher trophic level
antagonistic reaction
materials that cause a reaction that interferes with the effects or stimulate the breakdown of other chemicals
additive
other materials are additive when they occur together in exposures.
synergism
An interaction in which one substance exacerbates the effects of another. The sum of the interaction is greater than the parts.
LD50
the point at which 50 percent of the test organisms die from a toxin.
lethal dose 50%
persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Chemical compounds that persist in the environment and retain biological activity for a long time.
-heavy metals such as lead and mercury
-ddt
acute effects
caused by a single exposure to the toxin and results in an immediate health problem/crisis
chronic effect
Long-lasting results of exposure to a toxin; can be a permanent change caused by a single, acute exposure or a continuous, low-level exposure.
The dose makes the poison
toxicity depends on the combined effect of the chemical and its quantity
-leading theory today for toxic exposure
morbidity vs mortality
morbidity (illness) and mortality (death)
endocrine hormone disrupters
chemicals that interrupt the normal endocrine hormone functions
ex. ddt, bpa, pcb
obesogens
group of endocrine disrupters linked to obesity
water soluble chemicals
move freely through environment/body
Oil/fat soluble chemicals
usually need a carrier to move through an environment.
-however, once inside the body, they penetrate readily because human tissue and membranes are made of similar oil soluble chemicals
hormesis
the theory that a little bit of radiation is good. Little radiation stimulates hormonal and immune response to other toxic environment.
endomism
organisms native/only found in one place
ex. australia as "megadiverse
biomes
large biological communities
-based on temp and precipitation
-varies with latitude (latitudinal bands)
biodiversity
the number and variety of different biological species that live there.
*2 factors that influence where a biome is
temperature and precipitation
vertical zonation
vegetation zones defined by altitude
-mimic latitudinal changes in temperature and precipitation.
-scientists often sub 'elevation' for 'latitude' to study biomes.
tropical rainforests
occur where rainfall is abundant and temperatures are warm to hot year-round
tropical seasonal forest
marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons
drought tolerant forests that look brown during dry season and vivid green during rainy months.
Tropical Savannas and Grasslands
-Grasslands with sparse tree cover are called savannas.
-Rainfall amounts do not support forests
-Dry season prone to fire, mostly dry year round
-Many migratory grazers such as antelope, wildebeest, or bison thrive on new growth after fires
deserts
hot or cold but always dry
occur where precipitation is uncommon and slight, usually less than 30 cm of rainfall/year
temperate grasslands
midlatitudinal, rich soil
enough rain to support grass but not trees
think US mid west
temperate scrublands
mediterranean scrub
In ca=chaparrel
summer drought
plants cluster in sheltered valley or on backside of mountain
temperate forests
Can be evergreen or deciduous
deciduous
(of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
-big colors on e coast
-plentiful rainfall
coniferous
bearing cones, as the pine tree (evergreen)
-limited moisture
-needles/waxy leaves to reduce moisture loss.
temperate rainforests
a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation (pacific north west)
-coniferous forests
-extremely wet conditions
-often foggy
Boreal forests
north of the temperate zone
dominated by small conifers
tundra
An extremely cold, dry biome.
can free in any month
treeless landscape, temps below freezing most of the year
occurs at high latitudes or on mountaintops
marine ecosystems
most dependent on photosynthetic organisms which are most common near the coast because of rich nutrients, also deep ocean because of rich cold upwellings.
phytoplankton
tiny, free floating photosynthetic algae often support a marine food web rather than trees/grass.
ocean systems can be described by....
depth and proximity to shore
benthic
bottom of an aquatic ecosystem; consists of sand and sediment and supports its own community of organisms
pelagic
Describing organisms that live in the water column away from the ocean bottom.
epipelagic
the surface layer or sunlight layer, wide range of life
supported by photosynthetic organisms
the deepest ocean layers
abyssal and hadal zones
littoral zone
shoreline
intertidal zone
Portion of the shoreline that lies between the high and low tide lines
Deep sea thermal vent communities
based on microbes that capture sulfur compounds released from thermal vents on the ocean floor
mangroves
diverse group of salt-tolerant trees that grow along warm, calm marine coasts around the world
estuaries
bays where rivers empty into the sea, mixing fresh water with salt water
salt marsh
Shallow wetlands along coastlines that are flooded regularly or occasionally with seawater.
freshwater ecosystems
Lakes, ponds, and rivers
far less extensive than marine ecosystems
big lakes can mimic open ocean water columns and subcommunities
benthos
organisms that live attached to or near the bottom of lakes, streams, or oceans
wetlands
shallow ecosystems in which the land surface is saturated or submerged at least part of the year
-described by their vegetation
swamps
wetlands with trees
marshes
wetlands without trees
bogs
Areas of water-saturated ground usually composed of deep layers of undecayed vegetation, called peat (scotch).
3 types of biodiversity
genetic, species, ecological
genetic diversity
a measure of the variety of versions of the same genes within individual species
species diversity
the number of different kinds of organisms within individual communities or ecosystems
ecological diversity
refers to the richness and complexity of a biological community
biodiversity hot spots
Areas with exceptionally high numbers of endemic species
most concentrated near the equator, especially tropical rainforests and coral reefs
ex. australia, brazil, panama
why biodiversity is good
-provides food and medicine
-can aid ecosystem stability
-aesthetic and existence value
existence value
the importance we place on just knowing that a particular species or a specific organism exists
HIPPO
Habitat Destruction, Invasive Species, Population of humans, Pollution, Overharvesting
-by EO Wilson
main threat to biodiversity?
habitat loss/destruction
habitat fragmentation
the reduction of habitat into small, isolated patches
invasive species
Organisms that thrive in new territory where they are free of predators, diseases, or resource limitations
3 levels of species risk (ESA)
1. endangered species: those considered in imminent danger of extinction.
2. threatened species: likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
3. vulnerable species: naturally rare/have been locally depleted by human activities to a level that puts them at risk.
keystone species
those whose elimination would affect many other members of the biological community.
indicator species
those tied to specific biotic communities, successional stages, or environmental conditions.
umbrella species
require large blocks of relatively undisturbed habitat to maintain viable populations
flagship species
Especially interesting or attractive organisms that people respond to emotionally. Motivate public to preserve biodiversity and contribute to conservation. EX: giant panda