GoConqr has a new look! Let us know what you think.

Sign up free

Flashcards

APES Review

hndcomet AP Environmental Science AP English 161 cards

Cards in this deck (161)

  1. 1First Law of ThermodynamicsEnergy is neither created nor destroyed, may be converted from one form to another
  2. 2Second Law of ThermodynamicsWhen energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat) Entropy is increased
  3. 3High quality energyOrganized and concentrated, able to perform useful work
    (Ex. oil and nuclear)
  4. 4Low quality energyDisorganized dispersed
    (ex. heat)
  5. 5Unites of energyJoules, calories, kilocalories, BTU's, kilowatt-hours
  6. 6PowerThe rate of doing work
  7. 7Units of powerWatts and kilowatts
  8. 8Electromagnetic radiationForm of energy; travel as waves-radio waves, IR, visible light, UV, gamma rays
  9. 9Ionizing radiationHas enough energy to knock electrons from atoms, forming ions and capable of doing damage to DNA.
    (Gamma rays, X-rays, UV)
  10. 10Radioactive decayUnstable radiosotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha and beta particles
  11. 11Half-lifeTime it takes for 1/2 of the mass of a radioisotope to decay
  12. 12Estimate of how long a radioisotope must be stored until it has decayed to a safe level10 half-lives
  13. 13Nuclear fissionNuclei of isotopes are split apart into smaller nuclei; used in nuclear reactors
  14. 14Nuclear fusion2 isotopes of light elements are forced together at high temperatures; not technologically available now
  15. 15Parts of hydrologic (water) cycleEvaporation (transpiration), condensation, precipitation
  16. 16Fate of precipitationRunoff or infiltration, percolation
  17. 17AquiferUnderground water bearing layer
  18. 18Water tableUpper surface of groundwater
  19. 19Cone of depressionLowering of water table around a pumping well
  20. 20Sale water intrusionOver pumping of groundwater near coast, causes salt water to move into aquifer
  21. 21Ways to conserve waterAgriculture: drip irrigation
    Industry: recycling
    Home use: fix leaks, use gray water, low flow fixtures
  22. 22Distribution of water on Earth97% seawater, 2% in icecaps and glaciers, <1% in ground water, surface, organism, and atmosphere
  23. 23CarbonComponent of all organic molecules
  24. 24Largest reservoir of carbonSedimentary rocks, then ocean
  25. 25PhotosynthesisProcess by which plants convert CO2 to carbohydrates; removes C from atmosphere
  26. 26Cellular respirationOrganisms break down carbohydrates; releases energy, returns C to atmosphere
  27. 27Processes that releases C back into the atmosphereCellular respiration and decomposition, fires, burning fossil fuels, volcanoes
  28. 28Carbon-silicate cycleVery slow, geological cycle, C in oceans used by marine organisms, end up in ocean sediments and are subducted into Earth's crust; eventually returned through volcanic venting
  29. 29NitrogenComponent of proteins and amino acids
  30. 30Largest reservoir of nitrogenThe atmosphere (78% N2). Producers cannot use nitrogen gas
  31. 31Nitrogen fixationN2 is converted to ammonia NH3. Bacteria does this (esp. Rhizopbium in legumes)
  32. 32NitrificationAmmonia is converted to nitrate (NO2) to nitrate (NO3)
  33. 33AssimilationPlants incorporate ammonia and nitrate ions into organic molecules (nucleic acids, amino acids)
  34. 34AmmonificationDecomposer bacteria break down organic compounds into ammonia
  35. 35DenitrificationSpecialized bacteria convert nitrogen compounds into N2 and N2O which is released into the atmosphere
  36. 36PhosphorousComponent of nucleic acids
  37. 37P cycles more slowlyno gaseous phase, mostly found in rocks as PO4, released by weathering
  38. 38Too much Phosphorous in aquatic ecosystemsFrom animal wastes, fertilizers, sewage can cause eutrophication
  39. 39Major macronutrientsCHNOPS (Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and sulfur)
  40. 40Micronutrients and trace elementsNeeded in small amounts
  41. 41Earth is 4.5 billion years old1st cells appeared 3.5 billion years ago
  42. 42Plate tectonicsEarth's crust is broken into plates which move relative to each other; movement caused by convection currents dissipating Earth's internal heat
  43. 43Volcanoes and Earthquakes occur at _____ _________plate boundries
  44. 44Divergent plate boundriesSea floor spreading, new crust generated, mid ocean ridges
  45. 45Convergent plate boundriesOceanic plate subducts under ocean or continental plates, causes volcanoes and trenches. Continental plates produce mountains.
  46. 46Transform boundriesPlates slide past each other, causes earthquakes
  47. 47Rock cycleRelationship of rocks and rock formation processes
  48. 48Rock types according to originIgneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
  49. 49MineralsAre not renewable
  50. 50OreConcentration of mineral is high enough so that it is profitable to mine
  51. 51Mineral reserveIdentified deposits, profitable to mine
  52. 52Surface miningStrip mining- cheaper less dangerous to miners
    Problems- toxic runoff, acid drainage
  53. 53Soil textureSize of soil particles; sand, silt, clay
  54. 54HumusOrganic material in soil
  55. 55LeachingRemoval of dissolved materials by water moving through
  56. 56PermeabilityAbility to transmit water
  57. 57PorosityAbility to hold water
  58. 58Solution to soil problemsContour plowing, crop rotation, conservation tillage, organic fertilizers
  59. 59Troposphere0-17 km above Earth's surface, site of weather, organisms, most water vapor
  60. 60Stratosphere17-48 km above surface, contains ozone layer
  61. 61Composition of Earth's atmosphere78% N2, 21% O2, 0.9% argon, 0.0035% CO2
  62. 62Original atmosphere was H2 and HeOrganisms have altered atmosphere: Increases O2; N2 decreased
  63. 63WeatherDaily atmospheric conditions (temp. and precip.)
  64. 64ClimateLong term atmospheric conditions
  65. 65Global circulation pattersCaused by uneven heating of Earth's surface and Earth's rotation
  66. 66ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation)See-sawing of air pressure over Southern Pacific
  67. 67El NinoIn equatorial Pacific, trade winds weakne and warm water sloshed back to South America, suppresses upwelling of nutrient rich water along west coast of South America
  68. 68Effects of El NinoDisrupts food chains, alters precipitation patterns, fewer Atlantic hurricanes
  69. 69Greenhouse gases (GHG) water vapor, CO2, methane, CH4, CFC'sTrap outgoing infrared radiation (heat), causing earth to warm
  70. 70Effects of global warmingRising sea level, droughts, disruptions of ecosystems, shifts in vegetation
  71. 71causes of ozone depletionCFC's, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), halons, methyl bromide all break down stratospheric ozone
  72. 72Effects of ozone depletionIncreased UV radiation reaches Earth's surface; causes increased skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth, and marine productivity
  73. 73Stratospheric ozone layerApproximately 20-30 km above the Earth's surface (12-18 miles)
  74. 74Biotic/abioticLiving/ nonliving
  75. 75Producer/ autotrophOrganisms that CAN make their own food
  76. 76Consumer/ heterotrophOrganisms that CANNOT make their own food
  77. 77Major trophic levelsProducers ---> primaru consumers ---> secondary consumers ---> tertiary consumers ---> etc.
  78. 78Energy flow in food websSolar energy converted to chemical energy, eventually returned as heat
  79. 79Why is only 10% energy transferredEnergy lost to heat (2nd law of thermodynamics), not all biomass is digested, and predators expend energy to catch prey
  80. 80Aerobiotic respiration oxygenUsed by produces, consumers, decomposers to break down complex organic compounds and release energy
  81. 81MutualismInteraction between 2 species in which both species benefit
  82. 82ParasitismRelationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host
  83. 83CommensalismOne partner benefits, the other is neither harmed nor benefited
  84. 84CompetitionOrganisms competing for the same resources
  85. 85BiomeLarge region having similar climate and plant life; determined mostly by temperature and precipitation
  86. 86PopulationOrganism of the same species living in a particular area
  87. 87CommunityPopulations of all species living and interacting in an area
  88. 88Primary successionColonization and establishment of communities in an area not previously inhabited
  89. 89Secondary successionChange in communities after disturbance;
    Ex. logging, forest fires, hurricanes
  90. 90Natural selectionOrganisms with favorable characteristics pass them on to the next generation
  91. 91R strategistReproduce early, mature rapidly, short lived, many and unprotected offspring
  92. 92K strategistReproduce late, mature slowly, long lived, fewer and cared for offspring
  93. 93Ketstone speciesSpecies whose role in the ecosystem is more important than others
  94. 94Indicator speciesSpecies who serve as early warning that the ecosystem is being degraded
  95. 95Traits of endangered speciesSpecialists, small range, require large territory
  96. 96Endemic speciesFound only in one area.
  97. 97Exotic speciesNon-native species
  98. 98Carrying capacityNumber of individuals that can be sustained over time by the ecosystem
  99. 99Size of human population7.2 billion
  100. 100Doubling timeDivide 70% by percent growth rate
  101. 101MalthusSaid human population can outgrow food supply; result will be war, famine, and disease
  102. 102Most populated countries1) China
    2) India
    3) US
  103. 103Demographic transitionAs countries become industrialized, death rates decline followed by declining birth rates
  104. 104Preindustrial phaseBirth and death rates high, low net population growth
  105. 105Transitional phaseEconomic development, better health care, death rates fall; result is rapid population growth, occurring in LDC's currently
  106. 106Industrial phaseDecline in birth rates, population growth slows
  107. 107Age structureProportion of population in each age and sex category:
    broad base- rapid growth
    narrow base- slow growth
    uniform shape- zero growth
  108. 108Most important factor affecting population growthEconomic status of women
  109. 109Ways to decrease birth ratesFamily planning, access to contraception, economic opportunities
  110. 110Replacement fertility levelNumber of children needed to replace a couple (2.0 theoretically, 2.6 in LDC because of infant mortality)
  111. 111Point source pollutionDiscreet location like smokestacks
  112. 112Non-point source pollutionDispersed, large areas
    Ex. cars
  113. 113BOD (biochemical oxygen demand)Amount of oxygen consumed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic compounds
  114. 114EutrophicationSequence of events caused by excess in N and P, stimulating algal bloom
  115. 115HypoxiaAlgae dies, BOD increases as decomposers break down algae, dissolved oxygen (DO) is depleted and water cannot support life
  116. 116Primary air pollutantsEmitted directly into atmosphere
    (CO, SOx, NO, hydrocarbons)
  117. 117Secondary pollutantsFormed by reaction of primary pollutants
  118. 118ParticulatesSource-burning fossil fuels, diesel exhaust; effects- respiratory irritation and damage; reduction- electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers
  119. 119Nitrogen oxidesSource- burning fuel at high temperatures
    Effects- respiratory irritation, acidification of lakes, precursor to smog and ozone Reduction- catalytic converters in cars
  120. 120Sulfur oxidesSource- burning coal and oil
    Effects- respiratory irritation, produces acid deposition, reduces plant growth
    Reduction- use low sulfur coal, limestone injection of flue gas scrubbing
  121. 121Carbon monoxideSource- incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
    Effects- binds to hydrogen binding, reduces O2, carrying ability
    Reduction- catalytic converter in cars, oxygenated fuels, increased fuel efficiency
  122. 122OzoneSource- secondary pollutant formed from NO2, and UV with VOCs
    Effects- respiratory irritation, damages plants
    Reduction- reduce NOx emissions, catalytic converter in cars
  123. 123Industrial smogSulfurous, from burning coal
  124. 124Photochemical smogFormed by photochemical reactions of NO and VOCs in sunlight
  125. 125Acid depositionpH below 5.6, caused by sulfuric and nitric acids, leached soil nutrients and toxic metals, weakens plants, disrupts aquatic systems
  126. 126Electricity generationFalling water, wind, or stream from water boiled by fossil fuel combustion or nuclear fission turn a turbine connected to a generator
  127. 127Petroleum (oil) formed fromdead aquatic organisms buried in sediments converted by heat and pressure in hyrdocarbons
  128. 128Pros of petroleumcheap, easy to transport, high quality of energy
  129. 129Cons of petroleumnonrenewable, degradation from drilling, transport, and refining, burning produced CO2, air pollution
  130. 130Steps in coal formationPeat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite (increasing of heat and C content)
  131. 131Major parts of a nuclear reactorCore, control rods, containment building, steam generator, turbine
  132. 132Two most serious nuclear power plant accidentsCheronybal (Ukraine 1986) and 3 Mile Island (Harrisburg, PA 1979)
  133. 133Alternate energy sourcesnot fossil fuels; wind, solar ,waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells
  134. 134Reasons alternative energy sources not used moreNot as economical, fossil fuels heavily subsidized
  135. 135Hard path energy policyLarge centralized facilities all connected to grid
  136. 136Soft path policyDivers, local, flexible energy sources
  137. 137Multiple land us (US)National forests and natural resource land (managed by the BLM)
  138. 138Moderately restricted landsNational Wildlife Refuges
  139. 139Restricted use landsNational Parks, National Wilderness Preservation System
  140. 140Municipal solid wasteMostly paper
  141. 141Most municipal wast is ____land filled
  142. 142Sanitary landfillDaily capping of waste
  143. 143Problems and solutions with landfillsleachate- liner with collections systems; methane gas- collect and burn, volume of waste, compact and reuse
  144. 144Incineration advantagesReduced waste volume by 90%, waste heat can be used
  145. 145Incineration disadvantagesToxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride, dioxin)- can use scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators, must dispose of ash
  146. 146Best way to solve waste problemReduce amount at source
  147. 147UndernourishmentNot enough calories
  148. 148MalnourishmentImproper amounts of nutrients
  149. 149Modern farmingHigh fuel and resource use
  150. 150Traditional farmingpolyculture, crop rotation, labor intensive
  151. 151Love Canal, NYSchool and homes built over chemicals buried in old canal, causing birth defects and cancer
  152. 152Major types of insecticidesChlorinated hydrocarbons- DDT
    Organophosphates- malathion
    Carbimates- aldicarb
  153. 153Pesticide prosSaves lives from insect transmitted diseases, increased yield and profits
  154. 154Pesticide consResistant strains, pesticide treadmill, ecosystem imbalance, persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnifications
  155. 155Biological pest controlUse predators, biopesticides, parasites, agricultural practices like crop rotation
  156. 156IPM (integrated pest management)Pest management through a variety of techniques, agricultural, biological and use of minimal amount of pesticides when necessary
  157. 157LD-50 (Lethal Dose 50)Dose (material per unit body weight) of chemical that kills 50% of exposed population
  158. 158MutagenCauses changes in DNA
  159. 159TeratogenCauses birth deformities
  160. 160CarcinogenCauses cancer
  161. 161Minimata diseaseMental impairments caused by mercury

Information

Description
AP AP Environmental Science Flashcards on APES Review, created by hndcomet on 28/04/2015.
Created by
hndcomet
Views
2
Rating

Feedback

What is it about?

What do you think of the new look?

How do you like it?