environmental science key words

Question 1

pollutant

Answer 1

a substance or agent that contaminates the environment and can cause harm to ecosystems, human health or structures. Pollutant can be in various forms, including air, water, soil, and noise pollution, and this can be caused by both natural and human-made sources

Question 2

waste

Answer 2

unwanted materials discarded after use, generally by households, industries and agriculture

Question 3

contaminant

Answer 3

any substance that makes something impure, often by pollution or introduction of foreign materials

Question 4

pollutant sinks

Answer 4

natural or artificial systems that absorb, reduce, or neutralize pollutants in the environment, such as forests, ocean and wetlands

Question 5

risk

Answer 5

the probability or like hood of harm, injury, or damage occurring due to exposure to a hazard or adverse environmental condition.

Question 6

hazard

Answer 6

a potential source of harm or adverse effect on health, the environment, or property

Question 7

acute toxicity

Answer 7

the harmful effects of a substance resulting from a single or short-term exposure, typically within 24 hours

Question 8

chronic toxicity

Answer 8

the harmful effects of a substance resulting from long-term exposure, typically within 24 hours

Question 9

lethal dose (LD50)

Answer 9

the amount of a substance required to cause death in 50% of a test population, commonly used to measure acute toxicity

Question 10

threshold

Answer 10

the minimum level or concentration of a substance that causes a detectable biological effect

Question 11

pathways

Answer 11

the routes or processes through which pollutants or contaminants move through the environment, such as air, water, and soil to living organisms

Question 12

dosage

Answer 12

the amount of a substance administered or absorbed by an organism, often used in relation to medication or pollutants

Question 13

acute exposure

Answer 13

a short-term exposure to a harmful substance, typically occurring within a brief period, often resulting in immediate health effects.

Question 14

chronic exposure

Answer 14

long-term exposure to a harmful substance, typically occurring over months or years, and may lead to lasting health effects

Question 15

bioaccumulation

Answer 15

the accumulation of a substance, such as a pollutant, in the tissues of an organism over time, typically due to continuous exposure

Question 16

biomagnigication

Answer 16

the increase in concentration of a substance, such as a pollutant, as it moves up the food chain, from prey to predator

Question 17

bioaccessbility

Answer 17

the extent to which a substance, such as a contaminant, is available for absorption by living organisms after it enters the environment.

Question 18

point source

Answer 18

a single, identifiable source of pollution or contamination, such as a factory or sewage pipe, where pollutants are discharged.

Question 19

diffuse source

Answer 19

a source of pollution that is spread out over a large area and cannot be traced to a single point, such as agriculture runoff or urban stormwater

Question 20

fugitive source

Answer 20

a source of pollution that escapes from an uncontrolled or uncontained process, such as leaks from pipelines or industrial equipment

Question 21

mobile source

Answer 21

a source of pollution that involves moving sources, such as vehicles, ships, or planes, emitting pollutants into the environment

Question 22

transport mechanisms

Answer 22

The processes by which pollutants move through the environment, such as air, water, or soil, often influenced by wind, water flow, and human activities

Question 23

limiting factor

Answer 23

a factor that restricts the growth, reproduction, or distribution of an organism or population, such as temperature, food availability, or habitat space

Question 24

range of tolerance

Answer 24

the range of environmental conditions within which a species can survive and reproduce

Question 25

etrophication

Answer 25

the process by which excess nutrients in water bodies promote overgrowth of plants and algae, leading to oxygen depletion and harm to aquatic life

Question 26

dissolved oxygen

Answer 26

the amount of oxygen present in water, essential for the survival of aquatic organisms

Question 27

qualitative data

Answer 27

data that describes characteristics or qualities

Question 28

quantitative data

Answer 28

data that can be measured and expressed numerically

Question 29

pollutant persistence

Answer 29

the ability of a pollutant to remain in the environment for a long time without breaking down, potentially causing long-term environmental harm

Question 30

pollutant mobility

Answer 30

the ability of pollutants to move through environmental media that are influenced by factors like chemical properties and environmental conditions

Question 31

4 spheres of earths environment

Answer 31

atmosphere(air), hydrosphere(water), lithosphere(land), and biosphere(living organisms)

Question 32

ecological footprint

Answer 32

a measure of human impact on the environment, expressed in terms of the amount of natural resources and land area required to support human activities

Question 33

endocrine

Answer 33

Related to the glands and hormones of the endocrine system, which regulate essential body functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction through chemical signaling

Question 34

endocrine system

Answer 34

A network of glands and organs that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream, regulating vital processes like growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mood

Question 35

endocrine disruptors

Answer 35

Chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system, potentially causing health issues like reproductive and developmental problems

Question 36

dermal (pathway)

Answer 36

The absorption of substances through the skin, often occurring through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or substances

Question 37

oral (pathway)

Answer 37

Refers specifically to substances taken in through the mouth, usually medicines, foods, or contaminated liquids

Question 38

inhale (pathway)

Answer 38

The process of breathing in airborne substances, such as gases, dust, or fumes, through the respiratory system

Question 39

ingestions (pathway)

Answer 39

The intake of substances through the mouth, typically involving food, water, or contaminated objects, which pass through the digestive system.