Chapter 17 Vocabulary Flashcards
Acid Rain*
Rain that is more acidic I and has a lower pH than normal rain because certain pollutants in the air form acids when they mix with water in the air.
Air Pollution**
Chemical substances/particles released into the atmosphere (mostly due to humans).
Global Climate Change*
A worldwide increase in Earth’s Temp. Caused by the addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (due to humans).
Greenhouse Effect*
The natural heat on earth by gases in the atmosphere, which keeps Earth’s temperature within a range that allows life.
Algal Bloom*
Excessive growth of algae in a body of water because of pollution with fertilizer in runoff.
Dead Zone
An area in a body of water where there is too little oxygen to support living things.
Nonpoint-source Pollution*
Pollution that enters the environment from many different places (Ex: runoff that flows from land into a body of water).
Ocean Acidification
Increasing acidity of ocean water because it’s dissolving more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Point-source Pollution*
Pollution that enters the environment from a single place (Ex: waste water from factory discharged into a body of water).
Thermal Pollution
Reduction in the quality of water because of an increase in water temp..
Waterborne Disease
Disease caused by drinking water that contains pathogens.
Water Pollution**
Addition of chemicals, sewage, trash, or heat to water resources.
Wetland
A habitat such as a swamp, marsh, or bog where the ground is soggy or covered with water much of the year.
Biomass Energy*
Energy obtained by burning or decomposing organic matter.
Fossil Fuel**
A nonrenewable natural resource that forms over hundreds of millions of years from dead organisms and is burned for energy (Ex: coal, oil, natural gas).
Natural Resource**
Something supplied by nature that helps support life (Ex: water, oxygen, soil).
Nonrenewable Resource**
Any natural resource that cannot be remade or that takes too long to remake to keep up with human use.
Recycle**
Breaking down and processing a used item so it’s components can be reused.
Renewable Resource**
Any natural resource that exists in limitless amounts or can be remade or recycled quickly enough to keep up with human use.
Soil
Naturally occurring substance that consists of tiny pieces of rock, minerals, and decaying organic matter and is needed for the growth of most plants..
Solar Energy*
Form of energy in sunlight.
Sustainable Use
Use of natural resources in a way that meets present human needs an also conserves resources for future generations.
Wind Energy*
Form of energy in blowing wind.
Biodiversity**
A variation in living things, often measured by the number of different species.
Exotic Species**
Non-native species introduced into a new habitat where it may become invasive and threaten native species.
Habitat Loss
Disturbance or destruction in natural habitats, usually due to human actions such as clearing land for farming.
Extiniction**
Complete dying out of a species.
Sixth Mass Extiniction
A current rapid rate of species extinctions that is due mainly to human destruction of habitats.
