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epidemiology chapter 1-4 > envrionmental science exam 4 > Flashcards

envrionmental science exam 4 Flashcards

1
Q

freshwater

A

Only 2.5% of total water present on Earth is freshwater
Of that, most (about 75%) is tied up in glaciers, so not available for human use

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2
Q

surface water

A

Located on Earth’s surface (lakes, ponds, rivers, etc). Only 1% of Earth’s freshwater

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3
Q

ground water

A

Located beneath Earth’s top layers of ground/soil. 1/5th of Earth’s freshwater

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4
Q

Tributary:

A

small rivers flow into a larger one

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5
Q

Watershed (Drainage basin):

A

Area of land where rain and runoff flow into tributaries and major rivers

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6
Q

natural environments

A

where soils are saturated, have shallow waters, and ample vegetation
Provide many ecosystem services like slowing runoff, reducing flooding, recharging aquifers, and filtering pollutants
Many wetlands have been lost or degraded by agriculture and diverting/withdrawing water

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7
Q

oceans

A

Many currents present throughout ocean. Are vast flows of water that move over great distances due to differences in density in layers of water, heating and cooling, wind, and the Coriolis effect (movement of water due to rotation of Earth).

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8
Q

up welling

A

Rising of deep, cold, nutrient dense water towards the surface. Responsible for lots of primary production, because it supplies high amounts of nutrients.

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9
Q

downwelling

A

Warm surface water rich in dissolved gasses brings oxygen to deeper waters and helps bury CO2 in sediments

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10
Q

Estuaries:

A

Where rivers meet oceans and salt and freshwater meet. Biologically productive, especially for sea grasses, shorebirds, and shellfish

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11
Q

Salt marshes:

A

Where tides wash in and become trapped at higher elevation. Habitat for shorebirds, shellfish, grasses, etc and also filter pollution and help protect against storm surges

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12
Q

Mangroves:

A

Near coasts in tropical and subtropical regions (like Florida). Home to many species, protect from storm surges, filter pollutants, and help protect coral reefs by capturing eroded soils

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13
Q

Kelp forests:

A

Large, brown algae. Provide food and shelter for fish and invertebrates. Also absorb wave energy, protecting coasts

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14
Q

coral reefs

A

Mass of calcium carbonate composed of tiny marine animals known as corals. Protect shores and are homes for great biodiversity

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15
Q

Corals

A

are tiny invertebrate animals that attach to rocks and collect passing food with stinging tentacles

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16
Q

Zooxanthellae:

A

Symbiotic algae that live with the corals and produce food through photosynthesis

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17
Q

coral bleeching

A

When zooxanthellae die or abandon coral. Have occurred due to rising temperatures and pollutants

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18
Q

ocean Acidification

A

Ocean absorbing excess CO2 makes it more acidic, which degrades the shells of organisms like coral, snails, and muscles

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19
Q

water withdraw

A

Withdraw 70% more water today for agriculture irrigation compared to 50 years ago. About 15-35% of withdrawals worldwide are unsustainable.

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20
Q

Consumptive use:

A

Withdrawal of water without returning. Largest is agriculture for irrigation

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21
Q

noncommutative use

A

temporarily removes water, but returns it (hydroelectric dam)
Aquifers are also being over-withdrawn. Can create sinkholes as aquifers lose structural integrity underneath the ground

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22
Q

bottled water

A

1000-2000 greater energy
In U.S., 3 out of 4 bottles thrown away, not recycled
30 to 40 billion water bottles, 1.5 tons of plastic waste, created every year
No difference between tap water in taste tests nor chemical tests

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23
Q

desalination

A

Removal of salt from seawater to create freshwater

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24
Q

cons

A

Expensive, uses fossil fuels, kills aquatic life, and generates highly concentrated (salty) wastes
Conserving water through demand-based approaches rather than supply (like desalination), typically more effective in long-term

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25
Q

agriculture

A

Using drip irrigation rather than flooding. More targeted. Drops waste from ~ 60% to 10%

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26
Q

household

A

Installation of low flow faucets, toilets, shower heads, etc. Use native plants instead of watering grasses

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27
Q

Industry:

A

Patching of leaky pipes and recycling wastewater

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28
Q

Point source:

A

Pollution from discrete locations like factories, pipes, oil tanker, etc

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29
Q

nonpoint source

A

Cumulative pollution from multiple inputs from large areas like farms, cities, houses, and lawns.
Toxic chemicals: pesticides, petroleum products, and other synthetic chemicals.
Pathogens: Disease-causing organisms (viruses, bacteria, protists) can get into drinking water from human or animal wastes. Cause the most widespread health problems

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30
Q

nutrient pollution

A

Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous. Can cause eutrophication, algal blooms, red tide, etc
Other pollutants include sediment runoffs, oil pollution (spills), nets and plastic debris (Great Pacific Garbage Patch), and thermal pollution (heated water from power plant)

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31
Q

industrial fishing

A

Employ large vessels with massive nets. Methods include purse seining, driftnetting, longlining, and bottom-trawling

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32
Q

Bycatch

A

Accidental capture of non-target species like whales, sharks, turtles, dolphins, etc
More than half of world’s fish populations are fully exploited: Cannot harvest more without depleting
About 1/3rd of species are overexploited and being driven towards extinction
All seafood species predicted to collapse by 2048 if things do not change

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33
Q

climate

A

Area’s long-term atmospheric conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind, etc) over years, decades, or centuries

34
Q

weather

A

Atmospheric conditions over hours or days

35
Q

climate change

A

An array of changes in Earth’s climate, such as temperature, precipitation, and the frequency and intensity of storms

36
Q

global warming

A

: Is a part of climate change, but they are not the same. Is just the increase in average surface temperature

37
Q

3 Main factors that impact climate:

A

sun, atmosphere ,oceans

38
Q

greenhouse gas

A

: atmospheric gasses that tend to have 3 or more molecules in their structure and absorb solar radiation

39
Q

greenhouse effect

A

The re-emitted solar radiation from greenhouse gasses that travel back down into the lower atmosphere and the earth’s surface

40
Q

Global warming potential (GWP):

A

Greenhouse gasses relative strength or ability to capture and re-emit solar radiation (heat). Table below shows GWPs over 20 and 100 years.

41
Q

result

A

we have much more carbon being released with less of it being sequestered and stored

42
Q

radiative forcing

A

Change in thermal energy a factor causes

43
Q

positive forcing

A

warms the Earth’s surface

44
Q

negative forcing

A

Cools the surface
Currently, Earth is experiencing slightly positive forcing

45
Q

temperature rise

A

Average surface temperatures have risen 1.1 degree Celsius over the past century
By 2100: Expected to be 1 to 3.7 degrees C (1.8 to 6.7 degrees F) higher than today’s temp.

46
Q

Precipitation

A

Warmer atmosphere holds and deposits more water. Rainfall has increased by 2% over past century, but greater variation between regions
Dry regions expected to have more droughts while wet regions expected to have more flooding

47
Q

extreme weather

A

Droughts, floods, hurricanes, snow storms, etc becoming more frequent
Since 1980: Extreme weather events causing losses have 2x in Europe, 2.5X in Africa, 4x in Asia, and 5x in North America

48
Q

melting ice

A

Glaciers and polar regions are melting more and more every year
Glacier national park: Only 25 of 150 glaciers remain, may be completely gone by 2030

49
Q

positive feedback

A

Melting ice results in less solar radiation being reflected, more heat being absorbed, and more ice melting. Also, melting of ice and permafrost underneath can release large amounts of methane (a potent GHG), which will contribute to further heat absorption, and further melting of ice

50
Q

rising sea levels

A

As ice melts, sea levels rise
Many island nations at risk of going under. Drinking supplies are contaminated, beaches are eroding, coral reefs are being damaged, people are evacuating

51
Q

ocean acidification

A

Oceans are absorbing excess CO2 and this is causing the water to become more acidic
Calcium carbonate ions become less abundant as they dissolve in more acidic conditions, impacting corals, crabs, mussels, etc who rely upon carbonate ions

52
Q

impacts to the ecosystems and wildlife

A

Changes in seasonal variations impact things like spring blooms, insect cycles, and bird migrations
Plants and animals also may have to move in order to adapt to changing climate. May not be able to adjust quickly enough or may run out of room and ability to do so

53
Q

crop damages

A

Intensified droughts and floods, along with spread of pests and diseases can reduce yields over time

54
Q

Mitigation:

A

Actions that reduce climate change
Reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency, more renewable energies, restoring forests, shifting diets to more plant-based

55
Q

adaption

A

Actions that respond to impacts of climate change
Installing pump systems for flooding, erecting seawalls, changing water management to better deal with droughts

56
Q

transportation

A

Drive less, use more efficient vehicle, and/or take public transportation like buses, trains, trolleys, etc

57
Q

save energy

A

Use more energy efficient appliances, LED lightbulbs, switch to renewable energy like solar

58
Q

food

A

Eating more plant-based (vegetarian or vegan) reduces myriad of impacts associated with animal agriculture
Eating local and reducing food waste also help greatly
Cut back on consumption and waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle

59
Q

carbon pricing

A

Incentivizes reduction of carbon emissions through financial benefits. Intended to compensate the public for external costs.

60
Q

carbon tax

A

(a type of green tax): Discourages carbon emissions by making companies pay a fee per amount emitted

61
Q

free and divided

A

Funds government receives from taxing polluters goes back to taxpayers as tax cut or refund. Helps consumers if costs get passed onto them from polluter companies

62
Q

carbon trading

A

Permits to emit GHGs are created by governments and then purchased and traded between polluter companies

63
Q

Municipal solid waste:

A

nonliquid wastes from homes, institutions, and small businesses

64
Q

industrial solid waste

A

Wastes from production of goods, mining, agriculture, petroleum extraction, etc

65
Q

hazardous waste

A

solid or liquid waste that is toxic, chemically reactive, flammable, or corrosive

66
Q

Three main components of waste management:

A

Minimizing waste generated
Recovering and recycling waste material
Disposing of waste safely and effectively

67
Q

since 1960s

A

In the U.S., waste generation has nearly tripled. Per capita, wastes have risen by 66%
U.S. has appropriately been named the “Throwaway Society” due to our mass amounts of waste (~4.4 lbs of trash per person per day)
Have improved some in recent years, mainly by removing recoverable and recyclable materials from waste

68
Q

Best strategies for minimizing wastes, in order from most to least effective, are as follows

A

Reduce: Preventing wastes from entering the waste stream in the first place.
Avoids costs of disposal and recycling, conserves resources, minimizes pollution and can save money
Reuse: Saving or repurposing items, or substituting disposable items with durable ones
Examples: Using reusable water bottles or shopping bags
Recycle: Breaking down wastes into materials that can be used to create new items
3 steps:
Collect, sort and process
Manufacture into new goods
Consumers buy labeled recycled products

69
Q

industrial ecology

A

Seeks to redesign industrial systems in order to minimize inputs and waste. To make more efficient and more of a circular, rather than linear, system

70
Q

cradle to cradle

A

rather than cradle-to-grave approach
Example: Used plastic containers turned into furniture rather than ending up in landfill

71
Q

life cycle analysis

A

Analysis of a product’s lifespan, specifically the resources extracted and utilized in its creation, and the environmental impacts associated with the products use and disposal. Can be used to increase efficiency and reduce impacts

72
Q

household

A

Paints, batteries, oils, solvents, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, etc
Electronic Waste (e-waste): Wastes consisting of technologies like computers, phones, tablets, game systems, televisions, etc.
Fastest growing type of waste. Every year, over 3 million devices get thrown away in the U.S. alone, with 2/3 of them still in working order. Can release heavy metals when placed in landfills
Watch video below for test:

73
Q

contributes to climate change

A

Most food is wrapped in plastic or is in trash bags, not allowing for proper decomposition, resulting in mass amounts of methane (potent GHG) being produced

74
Q

sprawl

A

Spread of low density development outward from urban center
Takes much more land per capita due to lower density

75
Q

environmental impact of sprawl

A

Transportation: Typically requires vehicle and more driving, more emissions and pollution. More inefficient than public transport
Health: Less walking as people drive more out of necessity and habit
Land use: More land is developed due to less density and greater expansion per capita. Less room for forests and natural areas
Economic: Drains tax dollars as more money has to be spent on more roads, water and power lines, etc along with maintenance

76
Q

zoning

A

Classifying areas for different types of development
Example: Keeping residential, recreational, and businesses like restaurants near one another while keeping industry in another area

77
Q

Urban growth boundaries

A

Seek to limit sprawl by revitalizing downtown areas, making the city more walkable and livable, and preserving parks and recreational areas for citizens

78
Q

Gentrification:

A

Downside of improving cities, where those of lower incomes can no longer afford to remain as city attracts wealthier people and becomes to expensive to live in.

79
Q

traffic jams

A

Cost estimated $74 billion annually in fuel and lost productivity
Alleviate by providing multiple public transport options like more friendly biking lanes and racks, along with trains, buses, subways, etc
Public transport, compared to cars is:
Cheaper
More efficient
Less polluting

80
Q

green space

A

Provide scenic beauty, stress relief, and recreational areas to city residents
Also help purify air and water, regulate the local climate, and provide small sanctuaries for wildlife
Also alleviate urban heat islands: Surfaces in cities like pavement and buildings capture and re-emit heat. Minimal vegetation and water bodies create loss of natural climate regulating effects

81
Q

green building

A

Built from more sustainable materials, limit their energy and water use, limit pollution and wastes, and improve health impacts on occupants
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Certification program for green and sustainable buildings

82
Q

sustainable city

A

View and treat the city more like an ecological system. Minimize environmental impacts like pollution, GHGs, and waste as much as possible
Living in more highly-dense areas combined with smarter urban planning and sustainable design can reduce pollution, conserve land, and promote healthier, more attractive, and more enjoyable spaces

epidemiology chapter 1-4 (6 decks)

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