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Flashcards

Environmental Science Exam 2

Josh Chasson English 143 cards

Cards in this deck (143)

  1. 114 Greenhouse gas concentrationCharles Keeling found that the increase in concentration of green house gases & CO2 over time is correlated to the increase in human emissions of carbon from the combustion of fossil fuels, & net destruction of vegetation.
  2. 214 Historic CO2A variety of indirect indicators including air bubbles trapped in ancient ice cores, scientist found that for more than 400,000 yrs CO2 concentration never rose above 300ppm. After 1950, concentrations have sharply increased to their current level of 390ppm.
  3. 314 PermafrostAn impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil.
  4. 414 CO2Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom.
  5. 514 Global climate changeChanges in the climate (average weather) of the Earth.
  6. 614 Solar radiationSunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun.
  7. 714 Ozone layerA layer in the earth's stratosphere at an altitude of about 10 km (6.2 miles) containing a high concentration of ozone, it absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation.
  8. 814 Infrared radiationInfrared: electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves.
  9. 914 Water vaporMost abundant green house gas that can last 9 days in the atmosphere & the greatest natural contributor to global warming. The amount varies regionally because of climate. Also absorbs more infrared radiation than any other compound.
  10. 1014 methaneWhen decomposition occurs under high-oxygen conditions the dead organic matter turns into CO2. Methane occurs when there isn't enough O2 to make CO2. Occurs in wetlands where dead animals and plants decompose & oxygen is in low supply. Wetlands large source of methane.
  11. 1114 Global temperaturesWith the rise of temps due to green house gases sea levels begin to rise endangering low-lying islands & coastal cities. It will also cause heat waves resulting in demand of more energy to cool people. It will also make colder regions today more suitable for agriculture but can drastically change weather patterns causing more intense storms.
  12. 1214 Positive feedback systemPositive feedback=bad. Soil contains twice as much carbon. The soil releases more CO2 into the atmosphere. Leading to more global warming.
  13. 1314 Negative feedback systemDampens changes. Occurs as plants respond to increases in atmospheric carbon. CO2 is needed for photosynthesis, an increase in CO2 makes more plant growth. More plants will remove more CO2 from the atmosphere. Causing temperature change to be smaller than they would have been. Negative feedback=good
  14. 1414 Global changeAny chemical, biological, or physical change in the properties of the planet.
    Examples include past natural periods of cold temperatures (ice ages)
  15. 1514 Global warmingOne aspect of climate change, the warming of the oceans, land masses, and atmosphere of the Earth.
  16. 1614 Greenhouse effectA portion of the remaining UV radiation is then absorbed by the ozone layer. The remaining solar radiation is absorbed by the clouds and Earth’s surface. It's then re-emitted into the atmosphere as low-energy infrared radiation.
    Most infrared radiation is taken up by the atmospheric greenhouse gases.
    These gases are warmed then radiate infrared energy back to Earth.
    This process causes warming of the planet.
  17. 1714 Greenhouse gasesNatural Greenhouse Gases:
    Volcanic eruptions-mainly carbon dioxide
    Methane-from decomposition
    Nitrous oxide-from denitrification
    Water vapor
    Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases: Burning of fossil fuels, Agricultural practices, Deforestation
    Landfills
    Industrial production: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are one example
  18. 1814 Kyoto ProtocolIn 1997, representatives of the nations of the world went to Kyoto, Japan to discuss how best to control the emissions contributing to global warming. Emissions of greenhouse gases from industrialized countries will be reduced to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012. But China and India were douchebags by not joining....Dickheads.
  19. 1914 Carbon sequestionInvolves taking the Greenhouse gas CO2 out of the atmosphere.
    Methods include: storing carbon in agricultural soils, retiring agricultural land & allowing it to become pasture or forest.
    Researchers trying to capture CO2 from the air and emission sources such as coal-burning power stations. CO2 would be compressed & pumped into abandoned oil wells or the deep ocean.
  20. 2012 Emergent infectious diseaseAn emerging infectious disease (EID) is an infectious disease whose incidence has increased in the past 20 years and threatens to increase in the near future. Emerging infections account for at least 12% of all human pathogens .
  21. 2112 HIV/AIDsViral disease can be communicated by blood and other body fluids.
  22. 2212 Mad cow diseasecaused by poorly understood proteins (prions) and can be transmitted by eating parts of the central nervous system of infected cattle.
    Mad Cow Disease is controlled by strict regulation of meat supply.
  23. 2312 West Nile VirusLives in hundreds of species of birds and is transmitted by mosquitoes.
    West Nile Virus has spread to the United States and has infected and killed people.
  24. 2412 ToxicologyThe branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons.
  25. 2512 neurotoxinsA poison that acts on the nervous system. Like rattle snake poison.
  26. 2612 carcinogensChemicals that cause cancer through inflicting damage to cells (tobacco smoke, asbestos, radon).
  27. 2712 teratogensChemicals that interfere with the normal development of embryos or fetuses (alcohol, some medications)
  28. 2812 LD50Lethal dose that kills 50% of the individuals.
    Determines relative toxicity of a chemical.
    Varies greatly among species for a given chemical.
  29. 2912 Bio-magnificationThe increase in a chemical concentration in animal tissues as the chemical moves up the food chain.
  30. 3012 Pre-cautionary principleIf a hazard is plausible but not proven, steps must be taken to reduce or remove the hazard.
  31. 3112 Actual riskCompare the risk to life of crossing the United States
    (1) riding in an automobile
    (2) flying on an airplane for a scheduled commercial flight
    The actual risk to life is much, much lower for flying.
  32. 3212 TuberculosisCaused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
    Historically active across the globe
    Spread by infected people through coughing or contact with infected sputum (e.g., on an unsanitized common drinking cup at a well).
  33. 3313 Sixth mass extinctionThere have been five extinctions over the past 500 million and humans are believed to be causing the sixth on Earth since existence but at a very slow rate.
  34. 3412 Global genetic diversityScientists want to conserve genetic diversity so that inbreeding will not occur and species can more likely survive environmental change.
  35. 3512 Inbreeding depressionInbred individuals are more likely to express harmful mutations.
    Such individuals are ultimately less likely to survive and reproduce.
  36. 3612 Endangered speciesOn the brink of being extinct.
  37. 3713 Threatened speciesSpecies with a high risk of becoming extinct in the future.
  38. 3813 HIPCO FactorsDeclining global biodiversity can be explained by reference to the five HIPCO Factors…
    H Habitat Loss
    I Invasive Species
    P Pollution
    C Climate Change
    O Overharvested
  39. 3913 Alien species(Exotic species): species that live outside their historical range.
  40. 4013 Native speciesSpecies that resides in the biome or ecosystem it originated from.
  41. 4113 Invasive speciesWhen alien species spread rapidly across large areas.
  42. 4213 Over-harvestingIndividuals of a species are removed at a rate faster than the population can replace them.
    For example, dodo, American bison, passenger pigeon.
  43. 4313 Red LIstA list of worldwide threatened species maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
  44. 4413 Marine Mammal Protection ActProhibits the killing of all marine mammals in the United States and prohibits the import or export of any marine mammal body parts.
  45. 4513 Endangered Species ActFirst passed in 1973, it authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which species can be listed as threatened or endangered and prohibits the harming of these species.
  46. 4613 National ParkA scenic or historically important area of countryside protected by the federal government for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife.
  47. 4713 biosphereThe region of our planet where life resides, the combinations of all ecosystems on Earth.
  48. 4813 Edge habitatThe area where two different communities come together, typically forming an abrupt transition.
    For example, where a grassy field meets a forest.
  49. 4913 conservationPreservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.
  50. 5013 CITESConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
    Developed by the United Nations in 1973 to control the international trade of threatened plants and animals.
  51. 5113 LACEY ActEarliest USA laws Enacted to control the trade in wildlife. Passed in 1900, prohibited the transport of illegally harvested game animals, primarily birds and mammals, across state lines.
  52. 5213 ExtinctWhen there are no longer any individuals of a particular species on the Earth.
  53. 5313 ThreatenedSpecies with a high risk of becoming extinct in the future.
  54. 5412 Acute diseaseRapidly impair the normal functioning of a person’s body.
  55. 5512 Chronic diseaseSlowly impair the normal functioning of a person’s body.
  56. 5612 pathogenA bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
  57. 5712 plagueA contagious disease that spreads rapidly and kills many people.
  58. 5812 malariaHistorical killer of many millions of people. Still infects hundreds of millions of people today. An estimated one million people (mainly children) die from it each year. Malaria is expected to spread and return to many regions as global warming increases. Malaria is caused by one of several species of Plasmodium, a protist.
    Life cycle includes incubation and transmission inside a mosquito.
    Was only eradicated from the United States in 1951.No vaccine exists against malaria.
  59. 59Ch.10 Electro-static precip-itatorsUses an electrical charge to make particles coalesce so they can be removed. TL;DR Cleans dirty gas particles and cleans them.
  60. 60Ch.10 SOsulfur oxide, any of several compounds of sulfur and oxygen, the most important of which are sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3).
    SO2Sulfur dioxide is a heavy, colourless, poisonous gas with a pungent, irritating odour. volcanic gases and in solution in the waters of some warm springs
  61. 61Ch.10 Primary pollutantsA polluting compound that comes directly out of a smoke stack, exhaust pipe, or natural emission.
  62. 62Ch.10 Secondary pollutantsA primary pollutant that has undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds.
  63. 63Ch.10 ozone (O3)An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen, O3, that is formed naturally in the ozone layer from atmospheric oxygen by electric discharge or exposure to ultraviolet radiation
  64. 64Ch.10 NO(Nitrogen oxide) any of several oxides of nitrogen formed by the action of nitric acid on oxidizable materials; present in car exhausts.
  65. 65Ch.10 VOCsMany home products can give off these solvent fumes, such as building materials, plastics, and fabrics and carpets.
  66. 66Ch.11 WasteAnything that is produced but is not useful or is not consumed
  67. 6711 MSWRefuse collected from households, small businesses, and institutions such as schools, prisons, municipal buildings, and hospitals.
  68. 6811 E-WasteElectronic waste (E-waste): For example, TVs, computers, and cell phones that contain toxic metals.
  69. 6911 RecycleThe process by which materials destined to become MSW are collected and converted into raw material that is then used to produce new objects.
  70. 7011 reuseUsing a product or material that was intended to be discarded.
  71. 71Ch.10 Particulate matterMaterial suspended in the air in the form of minute solid particles or liquid droplets, especially when considered as an atmospheric pollutant.
  72. 7211 reduceLessening the consumption of a material.
  73. 7311 Open-loop recyclingRecycling one product into a different product.
  74. 7411 Closed-loop recyclingRecycling a product into the same product.
  75. 75Ch.10 photochemical smogSmog dominated by oxidants such as ozone; also known as LA Smog or brown smog.
  76. 7611 compostOrganic matter that has decomposed under controlled conditions to produce an organic-rich material that is used to improve soil structure and nutrient concentrations.
  77. 77Ch.10 RadonRadioactive gas released by some rocks into the soil, and migrates into homes in certain areas of the country.
  78. 7811 landfillThe disposal of refuse and other waste material by burying it and covering it over with soil.
  79. 7911 Open dumpDisposal of trash in an open area with incidental burning and without covering.
  80. 8011 leachateWater that becomes contaminated by traveling through solid waste and picking up various chemical compounds.
  81. 8111 IncinerationProcess of burning waste materials to reduce volume and mass, sometimes also generating electricity and heat
  82. 8211 Hazardous wasteLiquid, solid, gaseous, or sludge waste harmful to humans or ecosystems
  83. 83Ch.10 Anthropogenic sources of air pollutionCombustion of fuels that cause Sulfur dioxide like coal, oil and gasoline.
    Nitrogen oxides- from burning wood & fossil fuels.
    Carbon monoxide- exhaust systems & poorly ventilated cooking fires.
  84. 8411 SuperfundCompensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): also know as “Superfund”
    Taxes chemical and petroleum industries.Tax revenue used to clean up abandoned and non-operating hazardous waste sites where a responsible party cannot be found
  85. 8511 Iife-cycle analysisUseful as a cradle-to-grave analysis to determine how wastes can be eliminated or reduced.
  86. 8611 Integrate Waste ManagementSeeks to develop as many options as possible to reduce environmental harm and cost, is an analysis and planning process that starts with source reduction and ends with waste reduction.
  87. 8711 Sanitary landfillsEngineered ground facilities that hold MSW with minimal contamination of the environment.
  88. 88Ch.10 StratosphereThe layer of atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16-50 km (10-31 miles)above the surface.
  89. 8911 NIMBYNot in my back yard: a person who objects to the occurrence of something if it will affect them or take place in their locality. Usually an establishment hazardous to the community.
  90. 9011 RCRA(Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)'s mission is to Protect human health and the environment;
    Conserve energy and natural resources; and Reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous waste as expeditiously as possible through "cradle to grave" management of waste.
  91. 9111 CERCLAComprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also know as “Superfund”. Requires a direct federal government response to the release of any substances that may pose a threat to human health or the environment.
  92. 92Ch.10 UVRadiation lying in the ultraviolet range; wave lengths shorter than light but longer than X rays.
  93. 93Ch.10 ScrubbersIn this air pollution control device, particles are scrubbed from the exhaust steam by water droplets. A water-particle "sludge" is collected and processed for disposal.
  94. 94Ch. 8 Passive Solar EnergyPassive solar energy utilizes building constituents such as walls, floors, roofs, windows, exterior building elements and landscaping to control heat generated by sun.
    Can heat water for a home.
    Solar ovens are especially useful where wood and charcoal are scarce.
  95. 95Ch.8 Photovoltaic (PV) cellA system of capturing energy from sunlight and converting it directly into electricity.
  96. 96Ch.8 Active solar energyEnergy captured from sunlight with intermediate technologies.
  97. 97Ch.8 Fuel cellAn electrical-chemical device that converts fuel, such as hydrogen, into an electrical current.
  98. 98Ch.8 Geothermal energyHeat energy that comes from the natural radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth.
  99. 99Ch.8 Hydro-electricityElectricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water.
  100. 100Ch.8 Wind energyEnergy created by wind from turbines and other stuff.
    (Come on self-explanatory)
  101. 101Ch.8 Energy efficiencyThe ratio of the amount of work done to the total amount of energy introduced to the system.
  102. 102Ch.8 Energy ConservationThe implementation of methods to use less energy.
  103. 103Ch.8 Hubbert CurveA bell-shaped curve representing oil use and projecting both when world oil production will reach a maximum and when we will run out of oil.
  104. 104Ch.8 CoalSolid fuel formed primarily from the remains of trees, ferns and other plant materials preserved 280 million to 360 million years ago.
  105. 105Ch.8 PetroleumA fossil fuel that occurs in underground deposits, composed of a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons, water and sulfur.
  106. 106Ch.8 Fossil FuelA fuel derived from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago.
  107. 107Ch.8 Second law of ThermodynamicsThe law stating that when energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes.
  108. 108Ch.8 Natural GasNatural gas is a fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants and animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of years.
  109. 109Ch.8 Nonrenewable energyA energy source with a finite supply, primarily the fossil fuels and nuclear fuels.
  110. 110Ch.8 BiomassThe total mass of all living matter in a specific area.
  111. 111Ch.8 Nuclear fusionThis occurs when lighter nuclei are forced together to produce heavier nuclei and heat is released.
    The reaction powering the Sun and other stars.
  112. 112Ch.8 Radioactive wasteNuclear fuel that can no longer produce enough heat to be useful in a power plant but continues to emit radioactivity.
  113. 113Ch.8 Nuclear fissionA nuclear reaction in which a neutron strikes a relatively large atomic nucleus, which then splits into two or more parts.
  114. 114Ch.9 Primary sewage treatmentSewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage.
  115. 115Ch.9 Surface waterFresh water that exists above the ground, including streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and wetlands.
  116. 116Ch.9 Secondary sewage treatmentTo use bacteria to break down 85% to 90% of the organic matter in the water and convert it to carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
  117. 117Ch.9 Septic systemreceive wastewater from a house or small community
  118. 118Ch.9 DesalinationThe process of removing salt from salt water.
  119. 119Ch.9 Clean water actThe protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water.
  120. 120Ch.9 Safe Drinking Water ActThe national standards of what safe drinking quality of water is by measuring and finding the contaminants.
  121. 121Ch.9 Water TableThe uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates the rock or soil.
  122. 122Ch.9 LeadA heavy metal that poses a serious health threat, especially to infants and children.
    Contaminates water when the water passes through the lead lined pipes of older homes, and from lead solder used to join pipes
  123. 123Ch.9 ArsenicOccurs naturally in Earth’s crust and can dissolve into groundwater.
    Mining arsenic preservatives also contribute to higher arsenic concentrations in groundwater.
  124. 124Ch.9 MercuryA naturally occurring heavy metal found in increased amounts in water due to human activities.
    Mercury can be released during activities such as burning coal.
    Bacteria convert mercury into toxic methylmercury, which builds up in fish and shellfish humans consume.
  125. 125Ch.9 AquiferA permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater.
  126. 126Ch.9 EutrophicationAn abundance of fertility to a body of water. Caused by an increase in nutrients, such as fertilizers or organic wastes.
  127. 127Ch.9 Non-point source pollutionDiffuse areas such as an entire farming region or runoff from a parking lot that pollutes a waterway.
  128. 128Ch.9 Thermal PollutionNonchemical water pollution that occurs when human activities cause a substantial change in the temp of water.
  129. 129Ch.9 Synthetic organic compoundHuman made compounds such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial cleaners.
  130. 130Ch.9 Ground waterWater held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.
  131. 131Ch.9 ReservoirA body of water created by blocking the natural flow of a waterway.
  132. 132Ch.9 Point source pollutionDistinct locations that pump waste into a waterway (e.g., a drainage pipe)
  133. 133Ch.9 Drip IrrigationMethod that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone.
  134. 134Ch.9 OligotrophicLow productivity due to low levels of nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen
  135. 135Ch.9 Salt IntrusionPumping of fresh water out of a well exceeds recharge rate.
  136. 136Ch.9 RechargeWater from precipitation can percolate through the soil and work its way into an aquifer.
  137. 137Ch.10 Acid deposition nitrateAcid deposited on Earth as rain and snow, or as gases and particles that attach to the surfaces of plants, soil, and water.
  138. 138Ch.10 CFCsAn organic compound that contains only carbon, chlorine, hydrogen and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane.
  139. 139Ch.10 global warmingThe heating up of the Earth due to carbon emissions by human activity.
  140. 140Ch.10 COAn odorless air pollutant that results in death if intake is to much.
  141. 141Ch.10 industrial smogSmog is the brown-colored haze which hangs in the air over industrial areas. It is often visible over cities, particularly in summer when the particles in smog catch the light.
  142. 142Ch.10 Thermal InversionA relatively warm layer of air at mid-altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below.
    The warm inversion layer traps emissions (pollutants) that then accumulate beneath it.
  143. 143Ch.10 AbestosInsulating mineral fiber found in older buildings, which must be removed by professionals.

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Flashcards on Environmental Science Exam 2, created by Josh Chasson on 30/04/2013.
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