168 Flashcards
(148 cards)
1
Q
- High quality energy
A
Organized and concentrated, can perform useful work (ex: fossil fuel and nuclear)
2
Q
- Low quality energy
A
Disorganized, dispersed (hear in ocean or air wind, solar)
3
Q
- First law of thermodynamics
A
Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another p
4
Q
- Second law of thermodynamics
A
When energy is changed from one for to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat)
5
Q
- Natural radioactive decay
A
Unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha and beta particles
6
Q
- Half life
A
The time it takes 1/2 the mass of a radioisotope to decay
7
Q
- Lonizing radiation
A
Enough energy to knock electrons from atoms forming ions, capable of causing cancer (ex: gamma X-rays UV)
8
Q
- Nuclear Fission
A
Nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons
9
Q
- Nuclear Fusion
A
2 isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temps. till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Expensive, break even point not reached yet
10
Q
- Ore
A
A rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine
11
Q
- Mineral Reserve
A
Identified deposited currently profitable to extract
12
Q
- Best solution to Energy shortage:
A
conservation and increased efficiently
13
Q
- Surface mining
A
Cheaper and can remove more mineral, less hazardous to workers
14
Q
- Humus
A
Organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms o
15
Q
- Leaching
A
Removal of dissolved material from soil by water moving downwards
16
Q
- Illuvaition
A
Deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B)
17
Q
- Loam
A
Perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, and clay
18
Q
- Solutions to soil problems
A
Conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizer
19
Q
- Parts of the hydrologic cycle
A
Evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration
20
Q
- Aquifer
A
Any water bearing layer in the ground
21
Q
- Cone of depression
A
Lowering of the water table around a pumping well
22
Q
- Salt water intrusion
A
Near the coast, over pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer
23
Q
- ENSO
A
El Niño Southern Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the S. Pacific
24
Q
- During the El Niño year
A
Trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in During a Non El Niño year; Easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West coast of South America
25
26. Effects of El Niño
Upwelling decreased disrupting food chains, N US has mild winters, SW US had increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes
26
27. Nitrogen Fixing
Because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants in must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria
27
28. Ammonification
Decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia
28
30. Assimilation
Inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/ amino acids and proteins
29
29. Nitrification
Ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO-3)
30
31. Denitrification
Bacteria convert ammonia back into N
31
32. Phosphorous does not circulate as easily as N because
: it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of phosphate rocks
32
33. bc soils contain very little phosphorus
It is a major limiting factoring for plant growth
33
34. Excess phosphorus is added to aquatic ecosystems by:
Runoff of animal waste, fertilizer discharge of sewage
34
35. Photosynthesis
Plants convert atmospheric C (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H1206)
35
36. Aerobic respiration
Oxygen consuming producers, consumers and Decomposers break down complex organic compounds and convert C back into CO2
36
37. Largest reservoirs of C
Carbonate rocks first, oceans second
37
38. Biotic/abiotic
Living and no living components of an ecosystem
38
39. Producer/ Autotroph
Photosynthesis life
39
40. Major trophic levels
Producer-primary consumer-secondary consumer-tertiary consumer
40
41. Energy flows in food webs
Only 10% of the useable energy is transferred
41
42. Why is only 10% transferred
Useable energy lost as heat (2nd
42
43. Primary succession
Development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life
43
44. Secondary succession
Life progresses where soil remains (clear cut forest)
44
45. Mutualism
Symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit
45
46. Commensalism
Symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected
46
47. Parasitism
Relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the ex spence of the host
47
48. Biome
Large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants and animals
48
49. Carrying capacity
The number of individuals that can be sustained in an area
49
50. R strategist
Reproduce early, many small unprotected offspring
50
51. K strategist
Reproduce late, few, cared for offspring
51
52. Natural selection
Organisms that possess favorable adaptions pass them onto the next generation
52
53. Malthus
Said human population cannot continue to increase.. Consequences will be war, famine and disease
53
54. Doubling time
Rule of 70-70 divided by the prevent growth rate
54
55. Replacement level fertility
The number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (2.1 developed, 2.7 developing)
55
56. World Population is:
Over 6 billion
56
57. Preindustrial stage
Birth and death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high
57
58. Transitional stage
Death rate lower, better health care, population grows fast
58
59. Industrial stage
Declines in birth rate, population growth slow
59
60. Postindustrial stage
Low birth and death rates
60
61. Age structure diagrams
(Broad base, rapid growth) (narrow base, negative growth) (uniform shape, zero growth)
61
62. 1st and 2nd most populated countries
China and india
62
63. Most important thing affecting population growth
Low status of women
63
64. Ways to decrease birth rate
Family planning, contraception, economic rewards and penalties
64
65. Percent water on earth by type
Seawater- 97.5%
| Freshwater- 2.5%
65
66. Salinazation of soil
In arid regions, water evaporated leaving salts behind
66
67. Ways to conserve water
Agriculture, drip/trickle irrigation, industry, recycling, home, use gray water, repair leaks, low flow fixtures
67
68. Point vs nonpoint source
Point- from specific location such as pipes
| Nonpoint- from over an area such as runoff
68
69. BOD
Biological oxygen demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic Decomposers to break down materials
69
70. Eutrophication
Rapid algal growth caused by an excess of N and P
70
8.
Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level: approximately 10 half-lives
71
71. Hypoxia
When aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops and the water cannot support life
72
72. Minamata Disease
Mental impairments caused by mercury
73
73. Primary air pollutants
Produced by humans and nature
74
74. Secondary pollutants
Formed by reaction of primary pollutants
75
75. Particulate matter (source, effect, reduction)
Benning fossil fuels and car exhaust, reduces visibility and respiratory irritation, filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy)
76
76. Nitrogen oxides
Source: auto exhaust; effects: acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone; equation for acid formation: NO + O2 = NO2 + H2O = HNO3; reduction: catalytic converter
77
77. Sulfur oxides
(source : coal burning) (effects: acid deposition, respiratory irritation, damages plants) (equation for acid formation : SO2 + O2 = SO3 + H2O = H2SO4)
78
carbon oxides
source: auto exhaust, incomplete combustion ; effects: CO binds to hemoglobin reducing bloods ability to carry O, CO2 contributes to global warming
79
79. Ozone
Formation : secondary pollutants, NO2+UV=NO+O O+O2=O3 with VOC's; effects : respiratory irritants, plant damage ; reduction : reduce NO emissions and VOC's;
80
80. Industrial smog
Found in cities that burn large amounts of coal
81
81. Photochemical smog
Formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC'S, O)
82
82. Acid deposition
Caused by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting in lowered pH of surface waters
83
83. Greenhouse gases
(examples: methane) (Effect they trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy causing earth to warm
84
84. Effects of global warming
Rising sea-level (thermal expansion), extreme weather, drought (famine), extinctions
85
85. Ozone depletion caused by :
CFC's methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, halon, methyl bromide all of which attack stratospheric ozone
86
86. Effects of ozone depletion
Increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth
87
87. Love Canal, NY
Chemicals buried in old canal and school and homes built over it causing birth defects and cancer
88
88. Municipal solid waste is mostly :
Paper
89
89. Most municipal waste is :
Landfill
90
90. Sanitary landfill problems and solutions
( leachate, liner with collection system) (methane has, collect has and burn) (volume of garbage, compact and reduce)
91
91. Incineration advantages
Volume of waste reduced by 90% and waste heat can be used
92
92. Incineration disadvantages
Toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride - dioxin), scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators needed, ah disposal
93
93. Best way to solve waste problem
Reduce the amounts of waste at the source
94
94. Keystone species
species whose role in an ecosystem are most important than others
95
95. Indicator species
Species that serve early warning that an ecosystem is being damaged
96
96. Most endangered species
Have a small range, require large territory or live on an island
97
97. In natural ecosystems, 50-90% of past species are kept under control by :
Predators, diseases, parasites
98
98. Major insecticide groups and examples
(chlorinated hydrocarbons, DDT) (Organophosphates, malathion) (caebamates, aldicarb)
99
99. Pesticide pros
saves lives from insect transmitted disease, increases food supply, increases profits for farmers
100
100. Pesticide cons
Genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, biological magnification
101
101. Natural post control
Better agricultural practices, genetically resistant plants, natural enemies, biopesticides, sex attractants
102
102. Electricity is generated by
Using stream (from water boiled by fossil fuels or nuclear) or falling water to turn a generator
103
103. Petroleum forms from
Microscopic aquatic organisms is sediments converted by great and pressure into a mixture of hydrocarbons
104
104. Periods of Petroleum
Cheap, easily transported, high quality energy
105
105. Cons of petroleum
Reserved depleted soon, pollution during drilling, transport and refining, burning makes CO2
106
106. Steps in coal formation
Peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite
107
107. Major parts of nuclear reactor
Core, control rods, steam generator, turbine, containment building
108
108. Two most serious nuclear accidents
(Chernobyl, Ukraine) (Three Mile Island, PA)
109
109. Alternate energy sources
Wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells
110
110. LD50
The amount of chemical that kills 50%of the animals in a test population
111
111. Mutagen, teratogen, carcinogen
Causes hereditary changes, fetus deformities, cancer
112
112. Multiple use US public land
National forget and national resource land
113
113. Moderately restricted used land
National wildlife refuges
114
114. Restricted use lands
National Park, national wildlife preservation system
115
115. Volcano and earth quakes occur at:
at plate boundaries (divergent, ocean rigdes) (convergent, trenches) (transform/sliding, San andreas)
116
116.
Survivorship curves
117
116. Type I
Low mortality at birth, survive to old age, and then die (humans, annual plants)
118
116. Type II
Uniform death rates, subject to prediction (insects, birds)
119
116. Type III
High mortality at birth but long lifespan otherwise (turtles, trees)
120
117. Density depends on factor
Competition, parasitism, predation
121
118. Density independent factors
Fire, floods, extreme cold
122
119. Bionic potential
Maximum amount of offspring a species can have
123
120. Effects on global warming
Bleaching of coral reefs, animals and plants forced out of their current range, melting glaciers, rising sea level, Droughts, spread of infectious diseases and more extreme weather conditions
124
121.
Exotic species are known as invasive species because they often can grow at an uncontrolled rate because they have no natural predators, disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and have no competition because they kill off many natural
125
122.
Forests regulate climate, control water runoff, produce oxygen and provide food and shelter for many creatures
126
123.
Clear cutting is bad because it increases soil erosion dramatically, increased nitrate runoff into water bodies, makes it hard for an area to recover, leaves animals no place to live and can lead to extinctions
127
124. Selective cutting
Harvesting only mature trees of certain species and size. More expensive but less disruptive to wildlife than clear cutting
128
125.
Utilitarianism is the belief that something is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people for the longest time
129
126.
Conservation is the management of a resource to make certain to produce the greatest benefit to humans in the future
130
127.
Preservation is the concept that the land should be kept in its natural state-of-the-art never touched or developed
131
128. NIMBY
Public protest cause waste and other pollutants to be dumped in someone else's backyard. Mostly hurts the poor who cannot pay for representation to fight sharks potential pollution
132
129. Range from f tolerance
Minimum and max levels of conditions in which organisms can survive
133
130.
1.5 violin people lack access to clean drinking water and 3 billion people lack good sanitation need to prevent communicable diseases from spreading
134
131.
75% of water pollution in the US come from soul erosion, atmospheric deposition and surface runoff
135
132.
95% of water pollution in the developing countries come from raw sewage
136
133.
The US users 77% of all parties used in the world
137
134.
The troposphere contains weather and stratosphere contains the ozone
138
135.
The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and a small amount of argon, carbon dioxide, water, salt, and dust
139
136.
Weather moves from West to rates across America and winds are named for the direction they come from
140
137.
Bioaccumulation is the selective absorbtion and storage of a great variety of molecules
141
138.
Biomagnification is a continued increase in the concentration of plants in higher levels of a food chain
142
139.
Acute effects are long lasting caused by a single exposure to s toxin and result in a single immediate health crisis of some sort
143
140.
Chronic effects are long lasting and can result from a single exposure of a very toxic substance or a continuous exposure to the toxin
144
142.
Salt water intrusion is the movement of salt water into freshwater aquifers in coastal areas where groundwater is withdrawn faster than its replenished
145
142. Watershed
Land surface and groundwater aquifers drained by a particular river system
146
143.
Forest cover 32% of the land surface , 11% is used for crops and 26% is range and pasture
147
144.
99% of all the species that ever existed are now extinct but the average rate of extinction was one species per decade
148
145.
Humans have caused extinction rates of hundreds to thousands of species per YEAR. If the trends continue, 1/3 to 2/3 of all current species will be lost by the year 2050
